The bodgy, dodgy, CDi-HDMI hack.

Anything relating to CD-i can be discussed in this forum. From the multiple hardware iterations of the system to the sofware including games, reference, music and Video CDs. Maybe you hold an interest in Philips Media and the many development houses set up to cater for CD-i if so then this is the forum.
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WillowFox
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The bodgy, dodgy, CDi-HDMI hack.

Post by WillowFox » Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:52 am

I updated the CDi-910 I bought for 10$USD
I will eventually make this prettier, use the ole' Form2 3d printer and print out proper mounts, cases and port covers.
But for now my CDi-910 now has an HDMI jack...
And here's how I did it in pictures.
1.jpg
Kinda diagram
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Hack job hole for HDMI (Soon to have a plastic cover, this is just for now.)
20180216_165608.jpg (117.23 KiB) Viewed 15526 times
20180216_131137.jpg
Underside, rear off of RCA outs.
RCAs soldered onto the bottom (All 4 share common ground)
20180216_131137.jpg (172.58 KiB) Viewed 15526 times
I will pretty it up later for sure, resizing cables and routing them better in the chassis, but for now I am dry-fitting and testing things.
It works though. I will show you in the reply.

WillowFox
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RESULT OF The bodgy, dodgy, CDi-HDMI hack.

Post by WillowFox » Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:54 am

TA-DA!
20180216_132946.jpg
The result, pretty HDMI output, with great sound.
Now it works with all HDMI devices!
MAH BOI!
20180216_132946.jpg (247.99 KiB) Viewed 15525 times

WillowFox
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Re: The bodgy, dodgy, CDi-HDMI hack.

Post by WillowFox » Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:13 pm

Not really, the circuit is designed to take RCA in and put it to HDMI out, so whatever the machine was giving for RCA is the same.
There is some brightness loss and a bit higher contrast with the HDMI output of the machine, and less noise, but that's only because of the HDMI upscaler's built-in filters.

Kempyt
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Re: The bodgy, dodgy, CDi-HDMI hack.

Post by Kempyt » Sat May 26, 2018 1:19 pm

I want to set up a CDi downstairs but the picture on my 4K tv was rubbish! Anyone use an upscale at all? And if so which ones would you recommend?

Thanks
Chris
Top 3 games - 7th Guest, Dimo’s Quest, Pinball

WillowFox
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Re: The bodgy, dodgy, CDi-HDMI hack.

Post by WillowFox » Wed May 30, 2018 2:52 am

I used an up-scaler in this modification, It works but it works weird.
Like, the picture is different than normal video, in that it is a little more harsh, almost like the line tripler is trying too hard to clean up the video.
It is tolerable but it is still, well kinda crappy.
And you can only upscale 240x480 lines so much.
If you bring it up to 4k it will look terrible, you can tell the up-scaler to bring it up to 1080p, and it's not super bad, i mean it still looks like CD-I at normal resolution, but you will see it fine on the TV, and your 4k TV should auto adjust to the 1080p just fine as most stuff still uses it so it has to accept both 1080p and 4k.
That being said, I mean it will work, but don't expect it to look like an x-box or something.
https://www.amazon.com/GANA-Composite-C ... +converter is the one I am using and it works awesome for all the consoles I have.
And at 14 bucks, it's worth trying, and i mean it will do the job, but don't expect crisp amazing graphics.
See my photos here for the final output of this thing, that's pretty much what you will get.

Kempyt
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Re: The bodgy, dodgy, CDi-HDMI hack.

Post by Kempyt » Wed May 30, 2018 5:48 am

Cheers Willowfox

I will have a look into that and order one today to give it a test.

:D
Top 3 games - 7th Guest, Dimo’s Quest, Pinball

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