The folks over at Electron Shepherd have what I consider to be a very under the radar HDMI mod. Their “universal” HDMI kit called the ElectronAnalog, is an internal HDMI board that can be used on any console that outputs either a Component or VGA (RGB with H and V Sync) video. This includes the Original XBOX, Sega Dreamcast and the PlayStation 2 (Phat or Slim) which is the console that I install into in my video (linked above).
Now to date, HDMII kits for these consoles have been pretty difficult to install. For example, both PixelFX and MakeMHZ make fantastic HDMI kits for the above mentioned consoles. However, they require extensive soldering skills to install. The ElectronAnalog on the other hand, is quite a bit simpler to install, which brings me to the difference between these 2 types of kits.
HDMI kits like the ones from PixelFX and MakeMHz are what we call Digital-to-digital mods, since they pull a pure digital video signal directly from the console’s video processor. This results in fantastic video quality with the added benefit of additional features like de-interlacing and scanline effects, though these are more complex and costly to install. On the other hand, analog-to-digital mods, such as the ElectronAnalog kit, convert an analog signal from the console’s DAC (Digital-To-Analog Converter) back to digital, offering still good video quality but at a significantly lower price and with easier installation. While digital-to-digital mods are ideal for the enthusiast seeking high quality video with additional features, the ElectronAnalog provides an accessible and budget-friendly solution for most folks.
So here is a list of some of the pros and cons I found for the ElectronAnalog:
Pros:
- Affordable: At about $19, it’s a great price for an internal HDMI solution.
- Ease of Installation: Requires minimal soldering, accessible to most people with basic soldering skills.
- Universal: Can be used in various consoles, including the PS2, original Xbox, and Dreamcast.
Cons:
- Mounting: Finding a way to securely mount the board inside the console can be tricky, especially cutting an opening for the HDMI port. This is why I installed the kit into my Ultra Slim Modded PS2. Wesk designed the Ultra Slim PS2 to accommodate the ElectroAnalog making mounting it a breeze!
If you’re interested in checking out the ElectronAnalog you can do so below:
