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Contents
Please click below to skip to each section.
1.0 – PAL VA0 – 1.8 Quick Install Map (Coming Soon)
1.1 – PAL VA4 Quick Install Map (Coming Soon)
2.0 – Full Installation Guide
2.0 – Full Installation Guide
Please note, the steps CVBS restoration are optional, if restoring them is not desired, skip the “Optional:” parts.
Important: If performing a capacitor or AV connector replacement, it MUST be done prior to the 3BP install, as afterwards the components are inaccessible without removing the 3BP board.
3BP Mounting Preparation
Trim the leads from the DIN connector and power jack. Alternatively, bend them so they lay flat.
Removing the solder first with wick makes them easy to trim. Reflow fresh solder afterwards.
Trim some of the leads directly below the DIN connector and power jack so that the 3BP board can sit flush on the board when it is mounted later on.
Component Removal & FM Audio
Remove the following capacitors for 3BP audio: ‘CE1’, ‘CE2’, ‘CE3’, ‘CE4’, ‘CE5’, ‘CE6’, ‘CE7’, ‘CE8’, ‘CE9’, ‘CE10’, ‘CE31’, ‘CE32’.
Remove the following components: ‘IC9’, ‘R22’, ‘R24’, ‘R33’, ‘R36’.
Remove the following components: ‘R72’, ‘R73’.
Replace ‘R72’ and ‘R73’ with a solder bridge or a 0 ohm resistor.
Connect the following points:
Right pad of ‘R24’ to left pad of ‘R36’
Right pad of ‘R22’ to left pad of ‘R33’
Lift pins RGB pins ’21’, ’22’, ’23’, on the video encoder.
Important: If not restoring CVBS, also lift pin ’20’.
Optional (CVBS restore): Remove the following components: ‘R62’, ‘R63’, ‘R64’, ‘R48’.
3BP Video
Solder the 3BP board into place.
Optional: Isolate the bottom side (not necessary).
Important: Ensure there are no shorts.
Locate the R, G, B vias on the bottom side of the MD2 board.
Important: VA0 and VA1 will have plated vias which we can solder to directly. VA1.8, as pictured, has non-plated vias which requires scraping away the mask to expose the copper first.
Connect the following points:
‘R’, ‘G’, ‘B’ vias on the Mega Drive 2 board to ‘R’, ‘G’, ‘B’ input pads on the 3BP board.
‘S’ sync pad is not connected as it is present on the DIN connector pin 5.
Optional: ‘5V’ from the 7805 voltage regulator OUTPUT pin to ‘5V’ pad on the 3BP board. ‘GND’ is also optional and can be connected to the ‘GND’ pin of the 7805. Both are already connected to the DIN connector so this step is not required.
3BP Audio
Connect the following points on the bottom side of the MD2 board:
‘CE5 +’ on the MD1 board to ‘YR’ input pads on the 3BP board.
‘CE2 +’ on the MD1 board to ‘YL’ input pads on the 3BP board.
‘CE1 -‘ on the MD1 board to ‘XL’ input pads on the 3BP board.
‘CE8 -‘ on the MD1 board to ‘CL’ input pads on the 3BP board.
‘CE4 -‘ on the MD1 board to ‘XR’ input pads on the 3BP board.
‘CE5 -‘ on the MD1 board to ‘PSG’ input pads on the 3BP board.
‘CE10 -‘ on the MD1 board to ‘CR’ input pads on the 3BP board.
Important: There is a small error on the first batch of V2.1 boards. ‘XL’ silkscreen is incorrectly marked as ‘XR’. This picture above shows the correct silkscreen. This will be fixed in future batches.
3BP CVBS Restoration
Optional (CVBS restore): connect the left pad of ‘R58’, ‘R59’, ‘R60’to the ‘R’, ‘G’, ‘B’ pads at the top of the 3BP board. ‘CV’ pad is not connected as is already present on the DIN connector pin 4.
Jumpers
Close both ‘2’ jumpers.
Close ‘C’ and ‘E’ jumpers.
If using ‘S75’ (75 ohm sync), close ‘S75’. If restoring CVBS, leave ‘S75’ open.