Improve your C64's video output with this simple fix
Adrian's Digital Basement Adrian's Digital Basement
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 Published On Apr 11, 2020

Part 2 of 2: More on improving the C64 video quality. In this video I explain you why the C64 video quality can be improved and exactly how to do it. Massive improvement!

Part 1:    • C64 video output: Is there room for i...  

0:00 - Intro
1:22 - Deeper look at the RF Mod bypass board from part 1 including issues and a fix
3:11 - tebl's RF modulator replacement
5:03 - Viewer comments: "An easy trick to improve the C64 video quality?" Nope.
6:56 - The 250407 C64: Let's get started fixing the video quality!
7:35 - What are the different C64 RF modulators and what are their issues?
12:48 - What are the problems with the MD6-VA3403 NTSC modulator?
18:03 - *** How to modify the MD6-VA3403 NTSC modulator on the 250407 to make it super sharp
24:50 - Testing the results of the mod over composite, S-video and on a real CRT
27:13 - What are the problems with the MD6-UE3603 PAL modulator?
29:10 - *** How to modify the MD6-UE3603 PAL modulator on the 250407 and KU boards to make it sharp
31:10 - Testing the results of the mod -- why is it still a little soft?
33:15 - What are the problems with the MD6-VA3405 NTSC modulator?
35:00 - *** How to modify the MD6-VA3405 NTSC modulator
35:30 - Let's talk Hanover Bars and the annoying issue with C64 PAL output
38:15 - Conclusion

MD6-VA3403 and MD6-UE3603 is used on:
Longboard 250407 PAL/NTSC
Longboard KU-14194HB PAL

MDA-VA3405 is used on:
Longboard 250425, 250441 and 250466

--- Video Links

tebl's RF Modulator Delete
https://github.com/tebl/C64-Modulator...

Another RF Modulator project: (not shown in the video)
https://github.com/mbarszcz-pcb/c64-r...

RF Mod Picture Improvement
https://www.nightfallcrew.com/29/01/2...

Hanover Bars: (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanover...

Play With Colors 2: (PAL only)
https://csdb.dk/release/?id=50556

EasyFlash 3
http://store.go4retro.com/easyflash-3/

Adrian's Tools (for the EasyFlash 3)
https://github.com/misterblack1/ef3-c...

My Test Pattern Generator:
https://github.com/misterblack1/c64-t...

--- Tools

Deoxit D5:
https://amzn.to/2VvOKy1
http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.16...

Jonard Tools EX-2 Chip Extractor:
https://amzn.to/2VazxDS
https://www.jonard.com/Products/EX-2-...

Wiha Chip Lifter:
https://amzn.to/3a9ftWw
https://www.wihatools.com/precision-c...

O-Ring Pick Set: (I use these to lift chips off boards)
https://amzn.to/3a9x54J

Elenco Electronics LP-560 Logic Probe:
https://amzn.to/2VrT5lW

Hakko FR301 Desoldering Iron:
https://amzn.to/2ye6xC0

Rigol DS1054Z Four Channel Oscilloscope:
https://www.rigolna.com/products/digi...

Head Worn Magnifying Goggles / Dual Lens Flip-In Head Magnifier:
https://amzn.to/3adRbuy

TL866II Plus Chip Tester and EPROM programmer: (The MiniPro)
https://amzn.to/2wG4tlP
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33000...

TS100 Soldering Iron:
https://amzn.to/2K36dJ5
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TS100-65W-MI...

EEVBlog 121GW Multimeter:
https://www.eevblog.com/product/121gw/

DSLogic Basic Logic Analyzer:
https://amzn.to/2RDSDQw
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Logic-DS...

Magnetic Screw Holder:
https://amzn.to/3b8LOhG
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...

Universal ZIP sockets: (clones, used on my ZIF-64 test machine)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/14-16-18-20-...

RetroTink 2X Upconverter: (to hook up something like a C64 to HDMI)
http://www.retrotink.com/

Plato (Clone) Side Cutters: (order five)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-5-10PCS-...

Heat Sinks:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32537...

Little squeezy bottles: (available elsewhere too)
https://amzn.to/3b8LOOI

--- Links

My GitHub repository:
https://github.com/misterblack1?tab=r...

Commodore Computer Club / Vancouver, WA – Portland, OR – PDX Commodore Users Group
https://www.commodorecomputerclub.com/

--- C64 Stuff

JaffyDOS:
http://blog.worldofjani.com/?p=3544

C64 Test Harness I use:
   • Building a Commodore 64 Diagnostic Te...  

C64 Homebrew cartridge PCB: (used for the DeadTest / Diag Cart I use)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-64...

--- Instructional videos

My video on damage-free chip removal:
   • How to remove chips without damaging ...  

--- Music

Intro music by:
Nathan Divino
@itsnathandivino

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