How to Make a Portable Game System

Step 15: Add the Video Amp

What you need:
2N4401 Amplifying Transistor
33ohm Resistor (Orange-Orange-Black-Gold)
220ohm Resistor (Red-Red-Brown-Gold)
Soldering Iron

The RF box did more than just turn the composite to RF. It also amplified the video signal. When we took it off, the video signal became weak. We need to build a small video amp to boost the signal.
The second picture explains it all.

SOLDERING THE AMP TOGETHER
Solder one end of the 33ohm resistor to the emitter of the transistor.

Solder the 220ohm resistor to the other end of the 33ohm resistor. That point is your video out. We will connect that to the screen later.

SOLDERING THE AMP TO THE NES
The amp is finished. Clip the leads on the transistor, then solder the base of the transistor to the weak video signal, and the collector to 5v.

All this may sound a little confusing, but pictures 2 and 3 explain it all. Picture 4 has the schematic, if you prefer.

I soldered the resistor leads very close to the transistor, but you may not wish to do this. If you heat the transistor up too much, then it won't work anymore. Feel free to make the circuit on a small piece of perfboard.

Comments

[Exiumind]

I, can you make a tutorial on how to create a composite multiple outputs(3) video amplifier?
I have 3 car monitors and want to connect them to the same source without having signal loss..

thanks =)

[bperez29]

I can use this 2N4401 to amplifier the video signal of my computer vga output to convert an rca signal?

[1up]

Uh, no. If I understand what you're saying.

[bperez29]

I can use this to amplifier the video signal of my computer vga output?

[redsoup]

Is this optional if you use a clone

[Dreaded Boss]

When I connect everything from this point on, I get power to the board indicated by the power light I still have intact, but no video signal. What did I do wrong?

[Dreaded Boss]

I think the signal is still weak because I managed to get an image once for a quick second.

[Dreaded Boss]

I'm not quite sure but doesn't the base work as a switch for turning the transistor "on" when voltage is applied and "off" when voltage isn't supplied? If that is true, then voltage would have to go to the base, the weak signal into the collector and the emitter would be the output video signal.

[Dreaded Boss]

Ok. I've got it to work. One of the main problems is that for video to appear, audio MUST either be grounded or connected to the tv screen at the same time. Also, depending on the screen, you may need to add a resistor between the power source and the transistor that accepts the 5V in to strengthen or weaken the signal. I use a 33ohm resistor on my portable. Work around that number until you're satisfied.

[TheLHP]

I got my transistor from radioshack..on the package it says the base is the middle pin (2) , but on your picture there it looks like you're using pin 1 (or 3) as the base..im confused.

[1up]

No, on mine the middle pin is the base. I think you need to take a look at the photos again.

[TheLHP]

Yes, but in photos 2 and 3 the middle pin (base) of the transistor is not soldered to any resistor, but above you say "Solder one end of the 33ohm resistor to the base of the transistor," while in both the photos the 33ohm is only connected to the first pin. Sorry if I'm not understanding this correctly.

[1up]

Oh, wow, I can't believe I never caught that when I was proofreading it. Thank you! :) I fixed it now. The text was wrong but the photos were correct.

[TheLHP]

Ok makes much more sense now haha thanks alot :)

[Davuzz11]

Can i use another NPN transitor, like the 2n2222 or the 2n3904, to amplify the video signal?

[1up]

I'm not sure. You can try it, but the 4401 is made specifically for amplifying.

[bwah]

im going to work on a ps2 portable are there any alteration to the instrutions for the ps2?

[Ghost Wolf]

Good luck because of the disk skipping, scratching and other things like that. You could play a game and shake the console see if it will skip or scratch. I won't do that to my console you could try tho. :D I it doesn't do what I say then don't listen to me. >:D

[bwah]

that's a good point but as long the disk reader is stable it should work but still are there any real changes to the instructions for the ps2?

[willrandship]

Just use the slim instead of a fat ps2. There are several advantages,including an external (I think) 9v power and a laptop style disk holderthat slips, so much less skipping. It also has cooler temps, I believe.

[1up]

Not really. You just need the right voltage batteries and a video pinout.

[Ghost Wolf]

Look it's simple you do the screen mod, then you see how much voltage is needed of the ps 2 and OH MY LORD YOU MADE A PS 2 PORTABLE

[Ghost Wolf]

BY the way I'm make a game cube portable

[Ghost Wolf]

Like this but different

[northernmagnet]

did you make that i saw that in google images and it was cool and all but once mines done all post a pic mines gonna be like a tv have a psone screen mounted to the top and then strip the gamecube and use a camcorder cable to connect them power no idea :P

[Ghost Wolf]

no i did not but i wish i did

[qwertzui]

i bought the transistor and i made the video amp and everything. i just cant figure out how to hook it up to the screen. could you tell me how to get all the wiring?

[qwertzui]

would this be the regular NPN transistor?

[1up]

Yeah.

[qwertzui]

where could I buy the amplifying transistor?

[1up]

RadioShack, or online at Mouser or Digikey or some place like that.

[flame boyyyy]

hey dude its me again about this video amp uh what kind of electronics could i get the transistor from and ive got 2 7805 voltage regulators but they both have short pins like really short and my soldering iron was stolen by sombody and right now dont want to spend money so how do i use one of the voltage regulators? also iv got a 7805 regulator with 5 pins could you get me a schematic of how to connect that?its real name is l78mr05.

[1up]

You'd be best off buying the transistor from RadioShack. I don't know where to get them otherwise. And if the 7805 pins are too short to solder to, you'll need to buy a new one. I don't know about that 5-pin regulator, either. You can't make a portable without a soldering iron, so get one. Some intelligent Google searches can answer your questions.

[glueman]

great instructable. I am trying to make my own, but am having difficulty with the video amp. this may be a dumb question, but the voltage for the video signal should be higher after going through the transistor correct? it is lower for me.

[1up]

I'm not sure how video signals are measured, but if it is volts, then yes. Did you burn out the transistor when soldering it? Are there any shorts?

[glueman]

no, I even switched it out with a new one and have the same problem.... I don't know what to do.

[1up]

Perhaps it's your NES. Did it work before you took the RF box off? It might not be loading the cartridge, too.

[grampafish]

would a 3903 amp transistor work

[1up]

You could have put all three questions in one post... I'm not sure if any of those will work.

[grampafish]

thanks