Analogue audio drop out UltraPIF + N64Digital

[ConsoleRefresh]

Hi I have a problem. I’ve installed an UltraPIF acquired recently from ModinFrance with N64Digital on a Pal board. I’ve wired up the N64Digital to control the video clock speed and it works as expected. The N64Digital output is beautiful and I adore it. Problem is the analogue audio always drops out after 12-15 mins of play affecting RGB / composite. The composite output for NTSC games is also black and white which isn’t a problem for me but wondering if that indicates an underlying problem. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[jago85]

Hi,

I don't have an N64Digital to test this. You shouldn't use the video clock from the N64Digital when you have an UltraPIF. The UltraPIF generates it's own clock.

What N64 motherboard revision do you have?

I don't have any idea what's wrong with your audio. The UltraPIF should not affect the audio.

So you still have the audio on HDMI?

If you want to use Composite Video, you have the connect the NTSC/PAL select signal of the video encoder to FSEL. I just added this information to the Installation Guide in the wiki. https://github.com/jago85/UltraPIF_Hardware/wiki/Installation#composites-video-ntscpal-switch

[ConsoleRefresh]

Hi thanks for getting back to me. It’s a Pal 01 board. The HDMI audio is flawless. On analogue after 12 mins or so the audio quietens, disappears and occasionally comes back for a few milliseconds. If I then switch over to HDMI the audio is still fine. I’ve tried different analogue leads and it’s definitely the console’s audio that drops out and not anything else. Re clock control. I was advised by ModinFrance to use the N64Digital clock control as there was an issue with UltraPIF controlling the clock with N64D installed. Is this not the case? The N64Digital automatically detecting the region and clock control works beautifully with UltraPIF. Could the audio problem be the console’s amplifier drops out? This audio problem also happens on another console I’ve modded the same way. I’m perplexed.

[jago85]

Hi,

I have a PAL-01 here modded with UltraPIF and N64Adv (RGB mod). Never had any problems with the audio there.

If there is audio on HDMI, then it must drop out somewhere from U1 to U2. I do not have any experience how this subsystem works. Do you have an oscilloscope to check the analogue waveforms?

Audio L goes from U1.4 to C32, from C32 to U2.12. Audio R goes from U1.1 to C31, from C31 to U2.3. Then from U2 left audio leaves at pin 8 and right at pin 7.

Also, I'd check the 12V on U2.1. Did you use the same power supply for your second console? I'd be super surprised if this issue would be caused by the UltraPIF. The N64Digital is directly connected to the digital audio (U9 pin 6, 7, 10).

I'll ask ModInFrance about the clock. The clock from UltraPIF was to week to drive the N64Digital. I thought the issue was fixed with the firmware changes. I said, I don't know much about the N64Digital. So, I don't understand how it could ever detect the region? According to my information, you have to set the clock manually via Bluetooth. When using a flash cart, the N64Digital cannot know what game you are going to play. You have to select the region in the UltraPIF before starting the flash cart and the N64Digital will not see anything of this. Maybe I missed something, but at the moment this doesn't make sense to me.

[jago85]

Also, on the PAL-01 board, the clock strength is not a problem, because it has the MX8330 and the video clock doesn't need to be driven directly by the UltraPIF.

[ConsoleRefresh]

Hi thank you for all the info. The problem seems to have resolved itself on both consoles so it must be a dodgy PSU as the chances of both consoles miraculously resolving themselves at the same time seems ridiculous. I’ve re-capped the PSU now and hopefully it’ll never happen again!