Famicom Open AV is an open-source hardware project that provides custom PCB designs to add composite AV output to the original Nintendo Famicom.
The project is based on the research and documentation from Miko’s Famicom AV-mod guide (archived), which explains how to tap into the Famicom’s video and audio signals safely, and also from Scruffy Lookin RGB https://www.youtube.com/@ScruffyLookinRGB.
Boards Compatibles are: Motherboard HVC-CPU-07 and Motherboard HVC-CPU-GPM-02
Sources files are included in the repo. Use https://easyeda.com/ to read them
- Two PCB versions available:
- Through-hole version: retro-style design using classic DIP components, ideal for hobbyists who prefer traditional soldering.
- Surface-mount version: modern design using SMD components, more compact and easier to assemble professionally.
- Gerber files included: ready to send to a PCB manufacturer.
- Compatibility: currently tested with the motherboards models HVC-CPU-07 and HVC-CPU-GPM-02
Required Parts (based on Miko’s original guide and https://famicomania.net/famav.html ) for Motherboard HVC-CPU-07
To build the circuit manually or verify your PCB assembly, you will need:
- 2 × Female RCA jacks (1 yellow for video, 1 white for audio).
Note: Famicom is mono sound. If you want stereo, you can solder both L and R wires to the audio pin to route sound to both speakers. - 4 × Wires (preferably in 3 different colors)
- 1 × Transistor: 2SC1815 (or equivalent NPN transistor)
- 2 × Resistors: 22 kΩ
- 1 × Electrolytic capacitor: 0.47 µF 50V
Required Parts for Motherboard HVC-CPU-GPM-02 (based on https://famicomania.net/famav3.html )
To build the circuit manually or verify your PCB assembly, you will need:
- 2 or 3 × Female RCA jacks (1 yellow for video, 1 white (and if you want 1 red) for audio).
Note: Famicom is mono sound. If you want stereo, you can solder both L and R wires to the audio pin to route sound to both speakers. - Video Capacitor 47µF 16V
- Audio Capacitor 220µF 16V
- resistor 120 Ω 1/4 W Takman
- Ceramic Capacitor 1µF
- Wires. You can also use a simple AV cables
- No drilling or irreversible modifications required.
- Low-risk soldering points
- Clean composite output, far better than the original RF output.
This is an open-source, community-driven project.
Use at your own risk: modifications involve soldering and handling fragile vintage hardware. Neither the author nor contributors are responsible for potential damage to your console.
You can support me and donate:
- Ethereum (ERC20):
0x46bA02317f92aFd973d9F80568719CFf30059846 - Cardano (ADA Network):
addr1vxlw694cy35msf3nu7pjjph6akhjlyuatyh9tu5ua48u9ws7xr62r