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TheRetroChannel

@theretrochannel.bsky.social

1.2K followers 93 following 300 posts

Resurrecting old technology one part at a time. youtube.com/@TheRetroChannel discord.com/invite/393FYaM6gM lectronz.com/stores/theretrochannel patreon.com/theretrochannel

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 24

Completed video upgrades:
C64 ✅
C128 ✅
C264 ✅
VIC20 ✅

Next stop, something not Commodore 😲

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · 3d

A big thanks to everyone who placed an order on the new Lectronz store in the past couple of days. These packages are about to start their journey around the world and into another retro enthusiast's hands.
Feels good to be back. 😁

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · 3d

Nice. The ol' dead test is more of a curiosity these days. Like let's see what dead test says, oh black screen what a surprise

TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · 3d

Matt has done some brilliant work with these. DesTestMax, DesTestSwitch, and now DesTestKernal. If your C64 has issues, these are the best place to start.

FactorOfMatt @factorofmatt.bsky.social · 4d

Well, Lee, Adrian and Mark - how about this?

DesTestKernal - a version of DesTest that you can program onto an appropriate PROM as a replacement for the C64 kernal ROM. When cartridges fail you, this little beauty might just get the job done!

factorofmatt.com/destestkernal

Factor of Matt

factorofmatt.com

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · 5d

a couple of monkeys sitting inside of a purple object

ALT: a couple of monkeys sitting inside of a purple object

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by TheRetroChannel

More Fun Making It @morefunmakingit.bsky.social · 5d

You may have noticed my latest C64 repairs have not all gone to plan. So I asked a couple of very generous pals in @adriansdigitalbasement.com and @theretrochannel.bsky.social to lend a hand.
I picked their brains clean!

Ultimate Team C64 Repairing - The Final Episode ft @adriansdigitalbasement and @TheRetroChannel

YouTube video by More Fun Fixing It

youtu.be

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · 16d

Artificial Intelligence = Beavis and Butt-Head Intelligence

TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · 25d

FU Samsung! I had this notification with my old battery which was true, it was around half capacity. But I literally replaced it a week ago with a new 2025 genuine part and it's at full health. I will not be scammed into buying a new phone, especially another Samsung, scummy fucks!

TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · Aug 23

You're a good egg

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · Aug 14

I thought we all moved on to using touch screens

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · Jul 25

Made the mistake of getting a kebab with hot chilli and thinking hmm, this is pretty mild... until you get to the last bite and find out where all the chilli went.

I know, drink milk, but milk doesn't go with 🍺

Solution: more beer!

Also re-watching Schitt's Creek so insert appropriate gif

a man holding a cell phone with the words idk how much more i can take above him

ALT: a man holding a cell phone with the words idk how much more i can take above him

media.tenor.com

TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · Jul 25

I love the PlayStation start-up sound as much as the next person. But to honest after hearing it over 100 times today while testing the next batch of digital audio adaptors with coax and optical, I'm feeling just a little over it 😆

More info: youtu.be/9RSneakJ4U0

A PS1 and a *lot* of digital audio adaptors

TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · Jul 14

You could always steal them off another Famicom for a test. Or swap the two on the board around and see if it changes behaviour

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · Jul 14

Nice resto! I'm not super familiar with the twin Famicom but I'd would suspect one of the 40H368's. Looks like they're labelled IC101 and IC102. They handle buffering & inverting the inputs from the controllers and exp port. A bad one could explain what you're seeing (sort of). 74HC368 is equivalent

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · Jun 26

Simultaneous RF, S-Video, and composite from a 2600 because three screens are better than one?

TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · Jun 18

Elliott, such a dick

Reposted by TheRetroChannel

Eduart Misiraj @misirajeduart.bsky.social · Jun 16

I opened up an eBay store where I listed the majority of my cables with the option to customize each one to your needs.
It requires more work, but please check it out

You will get the best deal by contacting me directly on DMs, so that's always an option

ebay.us/m/yDD7Du

Security MeasureeBay Home

ebay.us

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 29

And just for fun I added a little colour to the tuner LEDs.

The originals are a size that seem impossible to find so I had to improvise a little. Also used a little 240 grit to rough them up and diffuse them a little. Once again the camera makes them look a lot brighter than IRL.

I ♥️ this thing

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 29

Also replaced the bulk caps as the one on the -ve supply was reading just out of spec. Still pretty good considering the 6800uF/35V originals are 45 years old.

Got some 105°C 50V rated ones as the voltage across them is around 30V. Same height albeit slightly wider, but they fit

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 29

New tuner lamp. Needed to use an LED as I couldn't find an incandescent bulb to suit. Went for white as a yellow LED was barely visible. Although the camera makes it look a lot brighter than in real life.

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 29

Made some modifications to my Technics SA-101 receiver from this video. A small 🧵
youtu.be/f6fAdJhVZpU

Technics SA-101 stereo receiver repair

YouTube video by TheRetroChannel

youtu.be

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 24

Completed video upgrades:
C64 ✅
C128 ✅
C264 ✅
VIC20 ✅

Next stop, something not Commodore 😲

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 23

Nah, never got back around to it but it is on my list. I wouldn't recommend s-video for the NTSC CoCo anyway as a lot of games rely on artefact colour, which won't work with s-video - only RF and composite. Come back to me in a year's time 😆

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 22

Do they have a VIC-20?

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TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 22

Yeah there's plenty of ways to get around the hardware checks but some of the 11 changes suck arse - file explorer, start menu, and more and more AI creeping in. Much prefer to stick with 10 as long as possible

TheRetroChannel @theretrochannel.bsky.social · May 21

VIC-20 video mods complete 😁

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