Background


The NEC TurboGrafx-16 was a great console but out of the box it had several flaws: only 1 controller port and only RF-Video output. The Turbo Booster was sold by NEC to address the video quality issue. However, nowadays, many retrogamers cannot find a Turbo Booster and I am fairly certain that not many Turbo Booster units were shipped by NEC.

Modern retrogamers, until now, had to resort to modding their consoles to provide decent video output. This process can be disconcerting for some not skilled with a soldering iron. Or worse yet, having to resort to an online modding service where you're trusting your "antique" console in the hands of someone unknown to you. This was motivation to design the dbGrafx Booster, a mod-less alternative to provide quality video output from our beloved TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine consoles!

Form Factor

The dbGrafx Booster is designed to plug into the EXT port of the TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine. There are plans in the works to produce a nice-looking enclosure for the dbGrafx Booster.

Specifications

The dbGrafx Booster adds many video outputs to the TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine using a Sony CXA1645 video encoder IC. Three output connectors are found on the dbGrafx Booster each carrying the following signals:
  • Mini DIN9 (a.k.a. Sega Genesis 2 A/V connector)
    • RGB + CSYNC (i.e SCART)
    • CVBS (a.k.a. composite video)
      • Compatible with out of the box yellow/white/red Sega Genesis 2 A/V cable
      • Transcoded from RGB by CXA1645
    • Stereo Audio Only
      • While the Sega Genesis 2 A/V pinout permits mono audio, it is not supported by the dbGrafx Booster
      • Amplified on dbGrafx Booster
  • Mini DIN4 (a.k.a. S-Video connector)
    • Y/C Video
      • Compatible with standard S-Video cable
      • Transcoded by CXA1645
  • RCA Jacks (yellow/white/red)
    • CVBS (a.k.a. composite video)
      • Direct signal from console (i.e. same as original Turbo Booster)
    • Stereo Audio
      • Amplified on dbGrafx Booster

Compatibility

The dbGrafx Booster has been tested with:
  1. TurboGrafx-16 : North American
  2. PC Engine
  3. Core Grafx 

Where to buy?

Pre-order the dbGrafx Booster directly from db Electronics.

$65.00

User's Guide