Famicom Titler
Encyclopedia
The is a Nintendo-licensed Famicom-compatible device produced by Sharp Corporation
in 1989. The console was released exclusively in Japan at a retail price of 43,000 yen. The system was the only consumer-level Famicom to internally generate RGB video, the only Famicom system with S-Video
output, and it has been noted for its crisp clarity of image. The system also functioned as a subtitle-generator and it could be used in combination with a RF
-video camera to create gameplay videos and demos
.
as the third of what would eventually be four products in the Sharp's Nintendo Console family of products. The Famicom Titler was the most technologically ambitious project that Sharp had attempted with the Famicom system. It was the only commercially available Famicom to internally generate RGB video, and this has been identified as responsible for markedly improved clarity of image over other Famicoms. It is the only Famicom console to employ S-Video
output. It also features a keyboard and pressure-sensitive touchscreen that enables users to produce subtitles directly on the screen during gameplay, and to thereby create demos
.
, an RGB-output-compatible "RC2C05-99" chip was added. Here, RGB video signals generated within the composite outputs were converted to the external S-video signals. At the rear of the Titler's body, RCA composite-pin video outputs and mono audio outputs were located, and peripheral devices could connect only when the video and audio outputs to the associated TV also employed RF connector
s and S-Video. This allowed gamers to enjoy a crisper image.
were intended to allow the addition of narration in the form of subtitles to create video invitations to parties, holiday events, children's athletic events, weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations.
Character input was made upon a small touch-sensitive tablet mounted into the console. A stylus was included as attached to the body, and audio additions to the demo could be made using the included microphone. Flipping the switch back would superimpose the video and subtitles on the console.
system created by Nintendo as an arcade system for store displays and in video arcade
s. Since the PlayChoice-10 was not released commercially, the Famicom Titler has recently been recognized as an easier way to get a system with the same clarity for a cheaper price. In addition, the fact that the Famicom Titler is the only system to feature S-Video output has meant that the system enjoys compatibility with setups that allow only this form of component video
.
Sharp Corporation
is a Japanese multinational corporation that designs and manufactures electronic products. Headquartered in Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan, Sharp employs more than 55,580 people worldwide as of June 2011. The company was founded in September 1912 and takes its name from one of its founder's first...
in 1989. The console was released exclusively in Japan at a retail price of 43,000 yen. The system was the only consumer-level Famicom to internally generate RGB video, the only Famicom system with S-Video
S-Video
Separate Video, more commonly known as S-Video and Y/C, is often referred to by JVC as both an S-VHS connector and as Super Video. It is an analog video transmission scheme, in which video information is encoded on two channels: luma and chroma...
output, and it has been noted for its crisp clarity of image. The system also functioned as a subtitle-generator and it could be used in combination with a RF
RF connector
A coaxial RF connector is an electrical connector designed to work at radio frequencies in the multi-megahertz range.RF connectors are typically used with coaxial cables and are designed to maintain the shielding that the coaxial design offers. Better models also minimize the change in transmission...
-video camera to create gameplay videos and demos
Demoscene
The demoscene is a computer art subculture that specializes in producing demos, which are non-interactive audio-visual presentations that run in real-time on a computer...
.
Overview
Released during a period of close association between Sharp and Nintendo, the Famicom Titler followed the C1 NES TV and the Twin FamicomTwin Famicom
The was produced by Sharp Corporation in 1986, and was only released in Japan. It is a licensed Nintendo product, and is basically the Family Computer and the Family Computer Disk System which have been combined into a single piece of hardware....
as the third of what would eventually be four products in the Sharp's Nintendo Console family of products. The Famicom Titler was the most technologically ambitious project that Sharp had attempted with the Famicom system. It was the only commercially available Famicom to internally generate RGB video, and this has been identified as responsible for markedly improved clarity of image over other Famicoms. It is the only Famicom console to employ S-Video
S-Video
Separate Video, more commonly known as S-Video and Y/C, is often referred to by JVC as both an S-VHS connector and as Super Video. It is an analog video transmission scheme, in which video information is encoded on two channels: luma and chroma...
output. It also features a keyboard and pressure-sensitive touchscreen that enables users to produce subtitles directly on the screen during gameplay, and to thereby create demos
Demoscene
The demoscene is a computer art subculture that specializes in producing demos, which are non-interactive audio-visual presentations that run in real-time on a computer...
.
Technical specifications
In order to create to S-video output via Nintendo's RP2A03 PPUPicture Processing Unit
The PPU , more specifically known as Ricoh RP2C02 / RP2C07 , is the microprocessor in the Nintendo Entertainment System responsible for generating video signals from graphic data stored in memory....
, an RGB-output-compatible "RC2C05-99" chip was added. Here, RGB video signals generated within the composite outputs were converted to the external S-video signals. At the rear of the Titler's body, RCA composite-pin video outputs and mono audio outputs were located, and peripheral devices could connect only when the video and audio outputs to the associated TV also employed RF connector
RF connector
A coaxial RF connector is an electrical connector designed to work at radio frequencies in the multi-megahertz range.RF connectors are typically used with coaxial cables and are designed to maintain the shielding that the coaxial design offers. Better models also minimize the change in transmission...
s and S-Video. This allowed gamers to enjoy a crisper image.
Video editing, subtitling, and demos
With the flip of a switch, the Famicom Titler could be used to produce subtitles for video footage. According to the system manual, the resulting demosDemoscene
The demoscene is a computer art subculture that specializes in producing demos, which are non-interactive audio-visual presentations that run in real-time on a computer...
were intended to allow the addition of narration in the form of subtitles to create video invitations to parties, holiday events, children's athletic events, weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations.
Character input was made upon a small touch-sensitive tablet mounted into the console. A stylus was included as attached to the body, and audio additions to the demo could be made using the included microphone. Flipping the switch back would superimpose the video and subtitles on the console.
Reception
Although relatively obscure at the time of its release, the console has recently seen increased interest from fans, hackers/modders, and collectors on the secondary market. Apart from historical interest in the system, several features unique to the Famicom Titler make it a popular system for modification and use. The clarity that comes from internal RGB video generation is a prized feature shared only with the considerably rarer PlayChoice-10PlayChoice-10
PlayChoice-10 was an arcade machine which could consist of as many as 10 different games previously available only on the Nintendo Entertainment System home console...
system created by Nintendo as an arcade system for store displays and in video arcade
Video arcade
An amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
s. Since the PlayChoice-10 was not released commercially, the Famicom Titler has recently been recognized as an easier way to get a system with the same clarity for a cheaper price. In addition, the fact that the Famicom Titler is the only system to feature S-Video output has meant that the system enjoys compatibility with setups that allow only this form of component video
Component video
Component video is a video signal that has been split into two or more component channels. In popular use, it refers to a type of component analog video information that is transmitted or stored as three separate signals...
.