Zez Retro / Cathode Ray Podcast

Louis visited Steve in the US and after 4 days together, this is their live podcast to reflect on the visit.

In this episode I speak to developer Danhans42 who was the programmer of the PSIO homebrew custom menu "Litemenu" which was never released after legal action from the PSIO maker.

PSIO is a plug in dongle for the original grey Playstation 1 which allows you to run games from an SD card. While it was one of the first "Optical Drive Emulator" type mods for PS1, it has experienced a difficult history with a slow pace of updates and negative online behaviour from the creator

After feeling frustrated with the lack of updates, Dan used public information and his own debugging of the PSIO to develop his own menu which was faster and had more features.

Dan offered to give this code to the creator without publicly releasing it, however after a deadline had passed, the offer was not taken up and Dan was on the end of legal threats. While Dan and the community in general were quite confident that these legal threats were baseless, Dan decided to fold the project and not release the code.

There is also MUCH MORE to the story. In this episode we learn a little about Dan's background and how he came into PS1 coding as a young person, hacking up his own Net Yaroze style PS1 dev console. We then jump forward to how he obtained a PSIO clone, what led to his frustration with the development and how we went about coding his own menu.

Dan is quite open in this talk about the part he played and steps along the way he could have handled better.

We try and answer the most controversial points about PSIO and Litemenu

* Does Litemenu enable PSIO piracy?

* Does Litemenu include any PSIO code

Follow Dan

Blog http://psx0.wordpress.com

Github http://www.github.com/danhans42

PSX.dev Discord - http://psx.dev/

0:00:00 - Start

0:04:11 - Typing in code from the user manual back in the day

0:11:08 - Using Net Yaroze for PlayStation Programming

0:12:05 - Net Yaroze SDK and PlayStation Boot Disk

0:18:12 - Dan wanted to make a a Chuckie Egg-Inspired PlayStation Game

0:21:49 - Discussion on the PSIO and Clones

0:34:32 - Which chips are inside the PSIO? How did Dan create the menu?

0:39:32 - Could I make any ISO the menu.sys??

0:43:08 - Discovering PlayStation CD Commands via the PSIO debug out

0:56:51 - Does Litemenu infringe on any copyright??

1:04:33 - Technical discussion on PlayStation coding

1:16:28 - Online Drama and PSIO Development

1:25:32 - Litemenu adds Game List Retrieval and faster loading

1:31:44 - Exploring Future PlayStation Hacking Opportunities

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Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

"CRTs created our whole scientific culture!" - Steve Nutter, during one of his megalomaniacal rants in this episode

Listen in as we kick off with an exploration of Steve's tech tinkering, where he restores a Sony CRT and adds an S-video mod. He discusses how the S video connector was run from three lines on the board and how the chroma and luma inputs were tapped. In another segment, we take a look at the RF device created by PorkChop Express from MisterAddons, comparing RF and Composite Video Signals and how similar they really are.

Shifting gears, the boys talk about health and fitness as a middle aged content creator. Steve opens up about his effort over the past six months and shares some of his secrets for staying consistent with his fitness routine. We explore the power of positive thinking, and Steve gives us a personal perspective on overcoming struggles and changing perspectives after his brother's visit in June.

Lastly, we share some insights into the world of YouTube content creation and the challenges that come with it. From finding the right balance between work and rest, to dealing with the constant pressure of success, we discuss how maintaining focus and motivation can be achieved. Plus, we do question time at the end with a detailed discussion about the challenges of remaking CRT Tubes and what an ideal BVM setup would look like.

(0:00:02) - Start

(0:00:02) - Sony CRT mod for S-Video

(0:08:51) - RF vs Composite Video Signals - Quality Difference?

(0:22:48) - Steve has been working out!

(0:31:22) - Changing Perspectives as a creator

(0:43:03) - Navigating Work Goals and Finding Support

(0:47:33) - Mental health for content creators on YouTube

(0:59:47) - Listener Question: Why can't we remake CRT tubes?

(1:06:42) - Listener Question: What's in your prefect PVM?

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Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

An eclectic episode this week. Steve gives us an excellent explanation about what the yoke does in a CRT. It's the magnetic part which attaches around the pointy end of the tube and helps to guide the electrons on their short journey from the gun to the phosphors of the screen.

We also talk more about the Chinese CRTs and the individual parts and circuit boards which you can buy on AliExpress. The overall feeling is that these are still low quality parts and any set you can find locally will be better. I think the point with these parts is the long game. Right now the balance of quality of these parts vs availability of sets is still in favour of getting another set. However I think over the next few years this balance might shift as sets become impossible to find. If the Chinese products can improve in quality this will also help push the balance too.

(0:00:00) Start

(0:01:00) Steve's CRT workout plan!

(0:06:44) First thoughts on the MARS FPGA platform

(0:19:42) Thoughts on the new Chinese CRT parts - are they useful?

(0:28:49) Steve explains what the yoke does in a CRT

(0:39:48) Louis wants to build a low power NAS

(0:54:49) Steve is getting in trouble in his college town

(1:03:47) The time Steve had to repel down a building in college

(1:10:54) Louis' dad enjoyed shooting guns in Eastern Europe

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Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Controversy in the retro community. Who doesn't love a bit of it?

Ok fine, but lets talk about it

* That BANGING Bang & Olufsen CRT Steve has been working on from 1989

* Update on the Chinese CRTs (we found someone buying them!)

* Should Louis buy a 100hz Widescreen Trinitron which only has SCART inputs?

* Hilarious PSIO drama

* Our thoughts on the release of the Morph switch from Pixel FX.

(0:00:00) - Start

(0:01:30) - Steve is loving the Bourbon and Yoga

(0:03:30) - Steve's Birthday and Retro World Expo

(0:11:33) - B&O MX 5000 CRT TV

(0:19:07) - B&O TV Quality and how it connects to other B&O home theater gear

(0:32:50) - PSIO and upcoming "Scaler Wars"

(0:41:58) - Morph & Tink 4K: Longterm support is what counts

(0:53:35) - Retrocastle update on the Chinese CRTs

(1:02:09) - How are they matching the old tubes to the electronics??

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

In this special episode, Steve and I break down the recent promo video from PixelFX for their new "Retro GEM" product. The promo opens with a very devisive comedy sketch which we attempt to break down the same way I would analyse a comedian's Stand Up routine.

We both like the product, the PixelFX team have a very strong track record in our community and we respect the work.

That sketch tho.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/GWmyPw6gh4U

(0:00:00) - Start

(0:06:00) - Lets talk about the product

(0:13:00) - Pixel FX's Upgrade and Business Model

(0:36:00) - Let's break down the sketch

(0:40:03) - Are they mocking Digital Foundry?

(0:55:00) - Louis and Steve finally work out the Digital Infidelity joke

(1:02:19) - Are marketing stunts worth it?

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The summer reunion episode!

Steve and I are back at the podcast this week

* Looking back at our childhoods when we first played the TMNT arcade game

* What to look for when repairing a Sony VGA CRT monitor

* Louis' adventures game hunting in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities

* Will Steve do a Hip Hop dance number soon?? WE NEED VIDEO!

(0:00:00) - Start

(0:00:04) - Looking back at TMNT in the arcades

(0:08:44) - Troubleshooting Trinitron Monitors and WINDAS Software

(0:21:10) - Convergence and CRTs

(0:26:45) - Toshiba TV Coil Dangers - Why is it most dangerous??

(0:46:47) - Amsterdam Adventures and Game Hunting

(1:00:32) - Lookig dodgy when you are trading in some old stuff

(1:14:22) - Hip Hop Steve?

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

In this podcast episode, Joe, AKA Scarlet Sprites, discusses his passion for retro arcade gaming and his extensive collection of arcade machines. The conversation touches on the challenges of fitting multiple machines into limited living spaces, the evolution of the Neo-Geo gaming market, and the impact of the MiSTer FPGA platform on arcade collecting. Joe also shares his experiences in restoring arcade machines and the philosophical question of authenticity when rebuilding and preserving original components.

Follow Scarlet Sprites

(0:00:00) - Arcade Collecting and Retro Gaming

(0:08:27) - The Benefits of Arcade Games

(0:13:15) - DIY Home Renovations

(0:16:48) - The Existential Crisis of Arcade Collecting

(0:24:13) - Benefits of Mister System

(0:31:15) - Rebuilding a Beastorizer Cabinet

(0:38:59) - Rebuilding an Arcade Machine

(0:45:46) - What Makes Something Original?

(0:53:54) - Playing Arcade Games

(1:06:45) - Public Domain & Copyright

(1:15:00) - American Sports and Online Streaming

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA