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OpenFC

An Open Source HVC Famicom with an accompanying composite mod and enhanced shielding to reduce jailbars.

Available Famicom
Stylized OpenFC replacement boards and controllers: HVC-CPU-07, Power/AV, and P1/P2.

OpenFC

Buy a Board Documentation Source

This is an Open Source Hardware (OSHW) project aimed at creating reproduction parts for the Famicom family of consoles for use in repair and customization.

In addition, parts will be documented, schematics drawn, and replacements for obsolete parts identified where possible.

Models & Accessories

HVC-CPU-07

Available board

A faithful reproduction of the NTSC/J HVC-CPU-07 with enhanced shielding to reduce the jailbars that plagued the original design.

OpenFC HVC-CPU-07 replacement motherboard, front.
OpenFC HVC-CPU-07 replacement motherboard, back.

OFC-PWRAV-01

Available board

An original companion board that backports the PAL Super Famicom power circuit and provides clean composite based on the THS7314 amp. The PAL design was used because it contains a bridge rectifier to prevent the console from being damaged if a customer accidentally connects the NTSC/U NES power supply, an extremely common mistake that has damaged many imported Famicoms. The board can be used in all regions with a regionally appropriate 9V power supply. Video is output through a 9-pin DIN with Mega Drive / Genesis 2 pin-out.

OpenFC OFC-PWRAV-01 companion Power/AV board, front.
OpenFC OFC-PWRAV-01 companion Power/AV board, back.

56.8231B

Available controller

Player 1 controller. The standard circle button controller found in Red & White Famicoms. Also compatible with NES when wired correctly; the wiring diagram is on the back silkscreen. The ENIG finish makes the controller more durable than the original carbon finish, but requires a few resistors to be installed to replace the carbon printed traces, as ENIG has no inherent resistance.

OpenFC 56.8231B Player 1 controller, front.
OpenFC 56.8231B Player 1 controller, back.

56.8232A

Available controller

Player 2 controller. The standard circle button controller with microphone found in Red & White Famicoms. The board was adapted for ENIG to be more durable than the original carbon. This necessitates installing a few resistors and a supporting resistor network that converts the volume slider to a step based approach, because ENIG has no inherent resistance.

OpenFC 56.8232A Player 2 controller, front.
OpenFC 56.8232A Player 2 controller, back.

Why OpenFC?

There are many reasons why you might want an OpenFC board

Repairing Damage to Original Boards

Boards can be damaged by a variety of incidents

  • Leaked Capacitors
  • Liquid Spills
  • Flooded basements/warehouses
  • Humidity damage from improper storage
  • Failed mod attempts

These parts can serve as replacement parts to repair the unit.

Learning

There’s a lot you can learn from a DIY project!

  • You may want to learn about how our beloved console works
  • The ability to build one by hand is an excellent way to gain some insight into how the console works

Improved Quality

OpenFC parts have made improvements over the original board while still being extremely failful.

  • The motherboard is manufactured as a 4-layer board with two extra inner ground planes for extra shielding. This helps reduce the notorious jailbar issues of the original console.
  • The companion Power/AV board is also a high quality 4-layer board that gives pretty clean composite on OpenFC without any bypasses.
  • The controllers have been upgraded to be compatible with more durable ENIG finish. Many stock controllers die from broken up carbon pads. ENIG is much more durable, but as a trade-off since it has no innate resistances some resistors must be installed when building the board.

Customization

You can built a stylish custom unit while doing a restoration!

  • Some people find joy in customizing a beat-up unit while restoring it, and OSHW parts are great for that.
  • Please be responsible and choose a rustic unit for your restoration so that we don’t needlessly deplete the supply of original units in good condition

Integrating fixes/upgrades

Open hardware also means open opportunity!

  • The reference board is a faithful reproduction, but you may want to customize it.
  • You may want to remix a custom board that integrates mods or fixes of your choice into the board.
  • Anyone can create a derivative under the terms of the CERN-OHL-S license.
View showcase
OpenFC HVC-CPU-07 red build by 1upRestorations.
Sample build by 1upRestorations
OpenFC P1 and P2 controllers by 1upRestorations.
Sample controllers by 1upRestorations
OpenFC HVC-CPU-07 red build by John Fan in a clear case.
Sample build by John Fan
OpenFC HVC-CPU-07 red prototype build with an interposer.
Prototype build