Bally Arcade / Astrocade S-Video Upgrade Kit Installation

This video explains how to install the s-video upgrade for the Bally Arcade/Astrocade that was released in 2007 by 8-Bit Domain. This kit is no longer available new, but sometimes you do see them come-up for sale as used items. This video is made up of four segments. In the first segment, I use my Canon Powershot SX60 HS to shoot video of my Astrocade's RF output (before the installation of the upgrade). I show the built-in game Checkmate and the calculator being used. Next, I show how to install the s-video upgrade, which requires no soldering at all. The third segment shows the s-video output on my 13" TV. I play a game of Cosmic Raiders to give an example of what you can expect with the s-video upgrade installed. Finally, the fourth segment of the video shows five still pictures that show greater details of the kit and close-ups of parts of the kit's installation.

[@redefv]

😳. I can't believe the content you have regarding this system. Two years before I was born circa 1978 my dad purchased this system and a few of the accessories. When I turned 4 my older cousin would babysit me all the time. We played 4 of the multi-player games constantly.
Our system never failed. It sat on a cold concrete slab in our Michigan basement at all times. Little did we know this saved the system.

[@ballyalley]

I'm glad that you've found my Astrocade videos here on TH-cam. You're right, there sure a lot of them. I made most of them slowly over a long period of time, but they added up to a substantial stack of Bally Arcade goodness. My favorite videos that I've made for this obscure system are for an even more obscure cartridge: the Machine Language Manager. There are probably only a handful of people who can or will appreciate that four-part series, but the videos were fun to create.
The four-player games on the Astrocade are pretty good. The game, "War," a modern Astrocade hombrew from about 2010, is one of the best games for the system. If you pick a multicart for the system, then this game is probably on it.

[@Adamchevy]

Thanks for the Video! I just found an Svideo Kit for my Astrocade and I found your video very helpful

[@ballyalley]

I'm glad that you found the video helpful. The Astrocade s-video upgrade is pretty scarce nowadays, so I'm glad that you were able to find one

[@intel386DX]

very cool kit . without soldering :)

[@Meowsic]

Wish someone would sell more s-video upgrades for this!

[@carljr17]

Can't thank you enough for this. Do you think I should remove my RF shielding? Is it easy to do?

[@bluesdirt6555]

Do you know where we could sell one of these with full case of games ? No adapter either

[@jonniefast]

ebay

[@jonniefast]

or mercari

[@renatbatraev2726]

Hello my friend! Good video! When i turn on the my console, the TV screen is black. what can be problemma?

[@DougPlummer]

Can you take pics of the board front and back so others could make it?

[@ballyalley]

The s-video kit for the Astrocade became available again in the last few weeks for $49 from Vector Labs. Since the demand is small, each one is made to order. You can get it here:
vector-labs.com/index_bally_svideo.html
Also, in about the last week, there has been some discussion on the Bally Alley Astrocade forums at Group.io about the new version of the s-video board:
groups.io/g/ballyalley
I'm glad that the board is available for sale again.

[@DougPlummer]

@@ballyalley me too, u just got one and recapped it and cleaned it up. Also added the heat sinks to the 40 pin chips. So all I need now is svideo, multicart, and replacement cover for the cart storage area.

[@JohnyTheWizKid]

Where can we buy this mod board?

[@ballyalley]

This board was made in a limited run in 2007 by 8-Bit Domain. It is no longer available. I have a few more details about it in my text description for this video.

[@JohnyTheWizKid]

@@ballyalley is there anything out there I can use to mod for better picture? Even composite is fine for now.

[@ballyalley]

@@JohnyTheWizKid I don't think that there are any video upgrades for sale sale currently for the Astrocade. There are a few schematics for them on my website. Here is one that has been tested by at least once person (this URL is long; I hope it works in this post):
Composite Video-Out for Astrocade, By Justin Pittman (January 20, 2019)
ballyalley.com/documentation/misc_hardware_docs/misc_hardware_docs.html#CompositeVideoOutAstrocadeJustinPittman
Your best bet is to ask about this video upgrades on the Astroacde discussion group, here:
groups.io/g/ballyalley
Good luck!

[@JohnyTheWizKid]

@@ballyalley thank you. I'm also looking to do the same for the Fairchild channel F and Magnavox Odyssey 4000 or just pong consoles in general. Maybe if possible, the Nintendo color 15 one. Ever since I heard of this, it opens the door to so many possibilities.

[@fandenivoldsk]

If you want to sell me your s-video kit, please sent me a PM here or at AtariAge

[@ballyalley]

My s-video upgrade isn't for sale, but Ken Lill is selling composite video upgrades (that require soldering) for the Astrocade over in the AtariAge forums:
atariage.com/forums/topic/263338-composite-or-s-video-upgrade-service-for-the-astrocade/#entry3751521
(I'm not sure if links work in TH-cam comments... I guess I'll find out.)