non prog

src/routes/blog/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+import { Router } from "express";
+import { Page, pageRoute } from "../../page";
+import SnesDigitalAudioMod from "./snes-digital-audio-mod";
+
+const ThisPage:Page = {
+  sections: [
+
+  ]
+};
+
+const router = Router();
+
+router.get('/', pageRoute(ThisPage));
+router.get('/snes-digital-audio-mod', SnesDigitalAudioMod);
+
+export default router;

src/routes/blog/snes-digital-audio-mod/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+import { Router } from "express";
+import { Page, pageRoute } from "../../../page";
+
+/*
+# Super Famicom / SNES Digital Audio Mod
+
+Recently I have been revisiting some of my favorite retro game consoles, mostly
+due to reorganising my loungeroom. Probably one I wish I spent more time playing
+was the Super Nintendo, and I wanted to address some of the problems with my Japanese Super Famicom (SFC).
+
+Primarily the problems stemmed from less than ideal quality, this is due to the
+SNES's well known [terrible image softening](https://www.chrismcovell.com/gotRGB/snesblur.html)
+and that my SFC was pretty yellowed.
+
+Second issue was my audio. I have some somewhat decent SCART cables I use but
+the static caused by interference from the analogue audio was definitely not
+ideal. I wanted to bypass the SNES's analogue audio, and hear the digital audio
+from the console. To achieve this I needed to perform a digital audio mod.
+
+Finally, I wanted to challenge my soldering skills a bit more, and so I decided
+to tackle these issues all at the same time.
+
+## The plan
+
+To address the image quality issue, I wanted to get a [1chip SFC](https://consolemods.org/wiki/SNES:SNES_Model_Differences#Comparisons).
+These 1chip  systems are named after their motherboard, which were the names
+used on later revision motherboards that had noticeably improved image quality.
+These later revisions integrate the video circuitry into a single chip, reducing
+signal noise and resulting in a noticeably sharper image while retaining RGB output
+
+Second, I had been aware of Digital Audio Mods for the SNES for a while, but 
+they all typically involved cutting the case of the system to accommodate a full
+TOSLINK connector, which I wanted to avoid doing where possible, and keep the
+original case intact.
+
+Finally, I had been made aware that [The Retro Channel](https://www.chrismcovell.com/gotRGB/snesblur.html)
+had a no-cut SNES digital audio mod, that replaced the RF module of the SNES, and
+did not require cutting.
+
+## New Super Famicom
+
+There are really only three ways to get a 1chip SNES;
+1) Run the motherboard lottery, where you purchase a SNES, then have to open it and check if it is a 
+1chip variant or not.
+2) Purchase a SNES/SFC Jr. and mod it for RGB support.
+3) Purchase a 1chip SNES/SFC from a reseller.
+
+I decided to go with option 3, really wanted to keep the original SFC and didn't
+want to spend a fortune trying to find a 1chip myself. I ended up purchasing a
+1chip SFC from an eBay reseller for around $100 USD, not too bad considering they
+can go for significantly more.
+
+Originally I had planned to also do a full recap of the system, to extend its
+life. This is definitely a moment where I realised that buying a 1chip from a 
+reseller was maybe not the best idea.
+
+Upon opening the system I found it had been recapped already, but the quality of
+the work left a lot to be desired. The recap solder points were very messy with
+way too much solder remaining on the board. The legs of the caps were also left
+rather long and get close to interfering with the RF Shield. I have not yet
+recapped the system but I definitely plan to do so in the near future.
+
+Other than the iffy recap job however, the system worked fine and the image
+quality compared to my previous SFC was significantly improved.
+
+## Digital Audio Mod
+
+The SNES typically outputs line level audio through the AV port in stereo. This
+is fine but the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) chip in the SNES is capable of
+producing much higher quality audio, and several games use the full [32 KHz sample rate](https://www.alpha-ii.com/Info/snes-spdif.html)
+that the system is capable of, but the audio the analogue output provides is
+[significantly more limited](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J7Sea0KniU&t=98s).
+
+By the time I decide to purchase my 1chip, the no cut mods had sold out
+unfortunately, which delayed me initially. After a few weeks however The Retro
+Channel had created a new version, the [No-Cut Digital Audio Mod v2](https://lectronz.com/products/super-nintendo-digital-audio-no-cut-mod-v2)
+
+The v1 version of the mod took over the RF connector and turned it into a
+digital coaxial output, meaning that from the outside the console looked
+completely stock. The new v2 version removed the entire RF module and replaced
+it with a small PCB that doubled as a 3.5mm coaxial and mini-TOSLINK output,
+meaning that the console looked slightly different but still required no cutting
+of the case, which is nice.
+
+I do wish I could have purchased one of the original v1 mods, but the v2 was
+available and functionally is the same, so I purchased it.
+
+## Installation
+
+Installation was pretty straight forward, mostly following [The Retro Channel's video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXpKuyHBA48)
+I was able to tackle it in an afternoon. The kit comes with all the parts you
+need and it took me around an hour to install, taking my time and testing after
+each solder to ensure no shorts or bad connections. 
+
+The only difficult part was soldering the three wires to the DSP chip, as they
+are very close and keeping the legs apart was a bit tricky, but with patience I
+got the soldering done without any issues.
+
+## Results
+
+From the outside it is clear the Super Famicom has been modded, but the mod is
+otherwise clean and there's no damage to the case, so it looks good. I attached
+a mini-TOSLINK to full size TOSLINK adapter, which hides the smaller 3.5mm size
+of the connector and keeps it looking cleaner.
+
+As for the audio, it's fantastic. This is by far the best sounding SNES audio I
+have ever heard. I was worried my Sony STR-DN1040 would not like the SNES digital audio signal,
+since pauses in the audio count as the digital audio stopping, but it handles it
+fine and I've heard no stutters or pauses.
+
+Finally I would be remiss if I did not mention the downsides. Really there is 
+only two. The obvious is the cost; the 1chip itself is expensive for a SNES and
+the mod was also not cheap, then the time it took for me to install the mod was
+not insignificant.
+
+The second drawback is that the mod only provides digital audio on the audio
+generated by the SNES's internal DSP chip. This is rare but the SNES could allow
+games to perform their own audio processing, bypassing the SNES DSP chip entirely and
+therefore not outputting through the mod. The only notable instances of this are
+the Super Gameboy, which used a custom chip to emulate the Gameboy's audio on 
+the Super Gameboy Cartridge itself, bypassing the SNES DSP, and any games that
+make use of the custom MSU-1 chip.
+
+## Surround Sound
+
+I want to do a full post on this in the future, but the SNES supported Dolby Pro Logic
+surround sound in some games. I have yet to find a comprehensive list but definitely
+Star Ocean supports it, and uses it very effectively. Over the digital audio the
+surround is very clear and has a wide soundstage, it's extremely impressive for a
+16-bit console.
+
+## Conclusion
+This was an expensive and time consuming mod, but it is about as close to the
+perfect SNES as one can get. The only other mods I am aware of that could improve it are;
+a better RGB bypass mod, similar to what the N64 RGB mods use, or a pure digital
+video mod, similar to the [RetroGEM](https://www.pixelfx.co/product-page/n64-hdmi)
+mods, but I am not aware of any for the SNES currently.
+*/
+
+const BlogPage:Page = {
+  sections: [
+  ]
+};
+
+const router = Router();
+router.get('/', pageRoute(BlogPage));
+export default router;

src/routes/index.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { Router } from 'express';
 import { Page, pageRoute } from '../page';
-
+import BlogRoute from './blog';
 
 const HomePage:Page = {
   sections:[
@@ -26,5 +26,6 @@ const HomePage:Page = {
 const router = Router();
 
 router.get('/', pageRoute(HomePage));
+router.get('/blog', BlogRoute);
 
 export default router;

src/section.ts

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export const sectionRender = async <T extends SectionType>(p:{
 }):Promise<string> => {
   if(!p.template.sections[p.section.type]) {
     console.warn(`No section renderer found for section type "${p.section.type}" in template "${p.template.name}".`);
-    return '';c
+    return '';
   }
 
   const renderer = p.template.sections[p.section.type] as SectionRenderer<T>;