2 layers96.5 × 55 mm
2 layers14.2 × 19.9 mm
Famicom composite
barbeque/famicom-composite-board6Developing an open-source composite mod board for the Famicom
- Size
- 14.2 × 19.9 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 11
- Nets
- 10
- Pads
- 28
- Tracks, vias
- 56, 6
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 7 (file 20221018)
- Created
- 5 Jun 2020
- Updated
- 27 Mar 2026
Overview
Famicom composite is an open-source printed circuit board by barbeque, from the barbeque/famicom-composite-board repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 14.2 × 19.9 mm with 11 parts on 10 nets, routed with 56 tracks and 6 vias.
It is built around the THS7314D. Its parts include 4 connectors, 3 capacitors, 3 resistors and 1 IC.
Main components
1README
README.mdFamicom Composite Mod
A composite video and audio modification meant for original red-and-white Nintendo Famicoms.
Famicoms came from the factory with RF output, which is normally fine, but Japanese television channel frequencies don't line up with North American ones. Even though both television standards are NTSC, it can be annoying to find a VCR or television set capable of tuning into those channels.
This modification bypasses the RF modulator entirely, and taps into the composite video output coming off of the PPU (Picture Processing Unit; the video chip) of the Famicom. It then sends the video through a voltage divider to step it down to normal composite video voltage levels, and passes through a common Texas Instruments video amplifier IC.
This modification was developed as part of a Leaded Solder blog project, which you can read about in the following entries:
If you like the projects, please consider becoming a patron. Your membership helps pay for the prototyping and development of more modifications just like this.
Installation
TODO
Other Systems
No guarantee is made for this to work with other systems, but here's a loose list of machines that it has worked on, along with whatever changes needed to be made for the support.
Mattel Intellivision
Change the input pull-down resistor to 2.2kΩ. Bridge the output 75Ω resistor and then attach an additional one to ground at the output.
Thanks Nateo87!
Parts
11| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 470Ω | Resistors_SMD:R_0805_HandSoldering | R1, R3 |
| 1 | 0.1µF | Capacitors_SMD:C_0805_HandSoldering | C2 |
| 1 | 220µF | Capacitors_ThroughHole:CP_Radial_D6.3mm_P2.50mm | C1 |
| 1 | 330µF | Capacitors_ThroughHole:CP_Radial_D6.3mm_P2.50mm | C3 |
| 1 | 75Ω | Resistors_SMD:R_0805_HandSoldering | R2 |
| 1 | Audio_In | Pin_Headers:Pin_Header_Straight_1x01_Pitch2.54mm | J3 |
| 1 | Conn_01x02 | Pin_Headers:Pin_Header_Straight_1x02_Pitch2.54mm | J2 |
| 1 | Conn_01x04_Female | Pin_Headers:Pin_Header_Straight_1x04_Pitch2.54mm | J4 |
| 1 | PPU_Pin21 | Pin_Headers:Pin_Header_Straight_1x01_Pitch2.54mm | J1 |
| 1 | THS7314 | Housings_SOIC:SOIC-8_3.9x4.9mm_Pitch1.27mm | U1 |
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Questions
How big is the Famicom composite PCB?
It measures 14.2 × 19.9 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Famicom composite use?
11 parts, built around the THS7314D. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Famicom composite KiCad files?
From the barbeque/famicom-composite-board repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is Famicom composite.kicad_pcb and its schematic Famicom composite.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Famicom composite design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask barbeque before reusing the design.