Installing an HDMI Kit into an NES Top Loader OR How I Almost Ruined my NES Top Loader

In this video, I share my experiences installing an HDMI conversion kit into an NES 101 top loader

WARNING! this video is meant to serve as a documentary, not a tutorial. I severely damaged one NES 101 top loader during this process. If you are not an expert do not do this yourself.

I love the Nintendo Entertainment System, it's probably my second favorite system next to the Super NES which replaced it. One of the things about the original NES, however, is the fact that the video output quality on it is rather terrible, and that's being kind. Kevtris, The man behind the AVS and the analog and tea, also has a conversion kit available for those with the NES front loader and top loader to be able to have an HDMI output with zero lag. Gametech.Us recently got a batch of these in stock and I have wanted one for a while. I pulled the trigger and these are my experiences.

Ginger had bought me an NES top loader for my birthday, and I've been itching to play it but I was waiting for the HDMI upgrade kits to come back into stock. Once they were there I went ahead and place my order. the conversion kit arrived in 2 to 3 days and was well packaged. I immediately got to work, my excitement getting the better of me. Gametech.Us has an excellent tutorial, make sure that you follow his instructions, not this video.

One fatal mistake that I made was I never tested the system before the conversion, I also missed the step in the instructions where they recommend that you test the system after you've installed the sockets for the PPU and CPU. as such once I have the conversion installed and the system didn't work I didn't know if it was something that I had done or the system itself.

Devastated, I emailed Jason at GameTech.US seeking some advice. Man, what a sharp dude and very forthcoming with his advice and help. Nothing that he suggested words, but I did wind up buying a second NES top loader and this time I followed the instructions to a tee.

Once I had the CPU and PPU on installed and the board socketed for the PPU and CPU, unlike the first time I actually tested the new system and it worked! Hey, it pays to follow instructions! From here I proceeded with the rest of the installation and it went off without a hitch. I have a fan of the show who is sending me a parts motherboard that I'm going to pull the S Ram, PPU and CPU off of and install back in the original system to see if I can resurrect it.

Upon powering the system on for the first time I was absolutely blown away at how gorgeous the picture looked. The default resolution is 1920 x 1080 and it looked amazing on my 60 inch Samsung TV. The audio was great too! I've played a lot of games on the system since, including PAL games which I did not expect to work. Doing a little bit of research it appears that not only did the top loader eliminate the lockout ship but it is also region free. Pretty cool!

This was a modification of heartbreak and triumph. I was devastated when the system Ginger got me for my birthday did not work, but I was relieved when the second system I purchased worked without a hitch. I now have the equivalent of an AVS or an analog and the tea, but it looks so much cooler because it's in an original case.

I cannot think Jason from GameTech.US enough for all of his help throughout this project. He doesn't know me from Adam, but at the same time, he gave me all the help and suggestions I could have ever asked for. He is truly a class act and has earned my respect and gratitude.

If you are thinking about performing this mod if you are an expert solderer go for it, but unless you could do this sort of thing for a living allow the experts to do it instead. I would highly recommend Voultar's mod shop as he is both well known in the Hobby and extremely well respected.

At the end of the day, I got my NES top loader HDMI mod working. It was definitely a labor of love, emphasis on labor. But in the end
I'm relieved that I was able to get it working and have enjoyed the results immensely. The results almost make the heartache worthwhile.