NGPC screen light?

[dasfool]

Has anyone attempted to put a light in a Neo Geo Pocket Color system like a GBA Afterburner? I'm thinking of trying out this project and am wondering if the screens are the same size and whether there is enough space to add one.

It may be a simple project. I'd just need to find a proper power source inside the NGPC and maybe a do little cutting to make room...

 

[Comic-Kaze]

Yes it's been done before and there was a backlit NGPC on Ebay a few months ago.

I think it was a modified afterburner. He took off the original screen, did some modification, and replaced it with one the replacement screens.

 

[Brittney]

The NGPC screen is a bit taller than the GBA screen, so the Afterburner light won't fit. I've talked to Adam from Triton Labs and he said it cost too much to develop a light for the Neo Geo Pocket. I suppose someone could try to make a petition to see how much support there is for the development of one.

-Brittney

<small>[ March 16, 2003, 09:46 PM: Message edited by: Brittney ]</small>

 

[dasfool]

Well, I for one would want at least one. As nice as the NGPC screen is, there is no way to play it in the dark without a worm light or some other extra item, and I hate those things.

 

[Brittney]

I was considering trying out an internal LED light solution, but I don't think an LED can provide clarity equally to the entire screen. Any suggestions?

 

[snkneogeousaCTH]

Could you like just light it from the top and the bottom, w/ like two LEDs? Like long ones?

 

[dasfool]

Hmm, that is an idea. What sort of light does the Afterburner use? Mini cold cathode? Also, if using side LEDs, one would probably still need the antireflective film, yeah?

 

[Comic-Kaze]

Guys, you didn't read the post. IT'S BEEN DONE ALREADY. I talked to the ebay seller (auction ended a little too expensive for me) and he said it was a modified afterburner that he used.

 

[FeelGood]

one member, Candycab, knows a guy that did it with an afterburner kit.

I don't doubt his honesty, but he never did get us the instruction on how it was accomplished.

 

[dasfool]

Comic-Kaze, do you happen to have the ebay seller's e-mail address? It would be pretty helpful to talk with him/her.

 

[Comic-Kaze]

Sorry, I don't anymore. It was almost a year ago but it looked pretty interesting in the auction pics.

 

[dasfool]

Darn. Well, if anyone has a really beat up (but working) Neo Geo pocket color they'd be willing to sell me cheaply, please let me know and I'll attempt the project and post my findings.

Also, Comic-Kaze, do you remember if the person hacked a regular NGPC or a slimline?

<small>[ March 17, 2003, 02:02 AM: Message edited by: dasfool ]</small>

 

[Brittney]

??
I checked the Afterburner light and it's too short to fit the full screen in the NGPC. Did the seller just not have the entire screen lit? That would be almost worse than an unlit system.

 

[snkneogeousaCTH]

It was completely lit, and looked very very good. I don't see why we couldn't light one from the top and bottom, like the game gear is done. I have a spare gamegear I could open up and see how it is done?

 

[Comic-Kaze]

The Game Gear is a back lit LCD much like an LCD monitor or portable TV.

The NGPC and GBA both have reflective, passive TFT LCD screens. They cannot be backlit and can only be frontlit.

The Game Gear may look like it's frontlit but that's just the reflection on the sides.