Finally got around installing a TheRetroChannel RF-OFF modulator replacement into my Commodore 16. I ordered this a while back... The ground plane around the modulator put up a bit of a fight, but managed to do it in the end.
I'm not too comfortable with that tower of the Saruman TED 64K expansion, plus the luma bypass adapter on top of each-other, crowned by the TED chip, but it seems to work and it even fits under the keyboard in the black breadbox.
Here are some comparison shots. The left is always before image - using the original modulator - the right is always the after image - using a TheRetroChannel RF-OFF modulator replacement, with luma bypass.
Second two test pictures are from "Carrion's 121 colors" slide-show, by Censor Design & Exceed, released at Arok Party 2023, Hungary.
All images were recorded using a RetroTink 4K, outputting a 1080p signal image, captured with an Elgato Game Capture HD60S+ and OBS. The Commodore 16 was hooked into the HD15 input via a quality Commodore DIN to SVideo cable, using a Laser Bear Industries SVideo/CVBS to HD15 adapter.
(The HD15 input of the RT4K has slightly better image quality in its Y/C mode, than its regular SVideo input - which is still very good.)
@ytm Yeah, the video quality of the 264 series is usually better out of box. But it still has some checkerboarding and narrow jailbars.
This machine is often used at demoparties for competitions and for making video captures, so I felt like it's worth to try to improve it anyway. I posted some compare shots in an earlier post, you can decide it yourself. The change isn't dramatic, but still noticeable.
Also, this modulator replacement has some options for the future (lumacode output).
Imre Széll
Charlie Balogh
Rob\Viewdata UK