Help needed: GameCube modded RGB lead...

[Crono]

I've just got an NTSC Cube and I'm having trouble getting a picture with a Saurian modded RGB lead. I've plugged both parts of the lead in the AV and Digital out-put - behind the machine. And when I come to turn the machine on, there's no picture or sound... My TV accepts RGB as I play all my other imports this way and i'm using the Argos Scart Splitter...

Also, I'm using a stepdown with the machine, and I can smell smoke, but it doesn't seem to be coming out the machine...

Any help, would be greatly appreciated.

[Papercut]

Doesn't sound good.

Does the cube still work with a composite av cable?

If there is some problem with the rgb video part of modded cable, you should still get audio from it. Composite video as well, probably.

Are you sure you've plugged it into an rgb scart socket on your tv?

Can you manually switch between composite video and rgb on your tv?

tbh if you can smell smoke, I'd unplug it and leave it that way until someone has a look at the rgb cable...

[superkully]

You've got a wheelbarrow full of problems there!!

If you can smell smoke, that should be your first worry. Does your cube lights come on? Once that is sorted, try a normal composite lead and see if you get a b&w picture with that, if you can't then there is something wrong with the machine or your TV setup.

[Crono]

Well, it's a bit strange. I've got the PSU plugged into a stepdown - and the GameCube light works fine (so I gather I've done that correctly). I've haven't had the chance to try the composite lead, as my TV doesn't have the yellow, red, white connectors on it (a scart head is needed). And also, I plugged the modded RGB lead into the machine with no power on prior to turning it on. And my TV certianly does RGB, because my PS2, Xbox and Dreamcast are connected via RGB leads. I have no idea, really. Is it anything to do with it plugged via the Argos scart splitter?

[tankplanker]

Hi mate,

sorry to here you're having problems with the lead.

Did/can you try the cable with another cube?

What cable did you previously use with this cube?

You could try it with just the analog cable in, this should give you a picture (prob won't be in colour), failing that there should be composite connections on the front of the TV under the flap?

let me know how you get on.

[eASY aDDICT]

Just make sure you do not remove or attach a modded cable with the power on as it MAY damage the cube (Not WILL)

What is the stepdown that you are using?

[Crono]

Right, I've just found out that both the AV and Digital in-put leads weren't plugged in properly... Now I can get sound but no picture when I press the RGB tab on the switch box. But if I switch off the RGB tab on the scart splitter, I get a composite picture, that's black & white...

It seems to be not switching to RGB, even when I press the AV button on the remote it's still remains in black & white.

What is the stepdown that you are using?

It's a Sunpower one.

Thanks for the help so far, everyone. I'm gradully trying to get an RGB picture .

[Papercut]

Right, I've just found out that both the AV and Digital in-put leads weren't plugged in properly... Now I can get sound but no picture when I press the RGB tab on the switch box. But if I switch off the RGB tab on the scart splitter, I get a composite picture, that's black & white...

Can you force the tv to rgb mode? That might fix it.

On the other hand, the smoke might have been the digital av part of the cable dying, which _may_ (although it seems unlikely) have been caused by the connector being 1/2 way in.

[PlayingKarrde]

Well like others said: first thing to do is track down that smoke. I had a modded lead and I took it out of the machine while it was on (or at least I think I did) and started smelling smoke. Didn't think too much of it until I realise my Cube had blown up.

The front light came on but was dimmer than normal and no disc activity would occur. The thing was dead. Luckily you can still get some semblance of a picture so it's not dead (yet). However you really should try and track this down and BE CAREFUL with these leads. You don't want a new purple doorstop like I have.

[Crono]

Right, I've just found out that both the AV and Digital in-put leads weren't plugged in properly... Now I can get sound but no picture when I press the RGB tab on the switch box. But if I switch off the RGB tab on the scart splitter, I get a composite picture, that's black & white...

Can you force the tv to rgb mode? That might fix it.

On the other hand, the smoke might have been the digital av part of the cable dying, which _may_ (although it seems unlikely) have been caused by the connector being 1/2 way in.

I've tried using the AV button - but that has no effect, it still remains the same. And there's no button to allow you to directly switch to RGB, I just assumed the AV button would, but that doesn't seem to be the case

I think you were right about digital AV port, there seems to be no sign of smoke now .

I don't suppose someone would be able to take a look at the lead? I've read on www.rgbcube.co.uk that you can implent an auto-RGB function in to the lead.

A problem may arise in that some TV's only allow auto-switching to RGB when it detects an RGB source input while others allow you to manually select RGB on AV1 for example. In cases where the television needs to be auto switched to RGB, i.e., the user cannot put it in to RGB mode manually, then you need to add the necessary voltage to Scart Pins 8 & 16. You can do this by pulling the 5V VDC from Pin 10 on the Analogue AV-Out Connector and connecting it to Pin 8 on the Scart, with a bridge resistor (75 ohm) to Pin 16.

Perhaps that would rectify the problem? I wouldn't be able to do it myself (I'm not good at that sort of stuff) would anyone be able to add the voltage to the lead?

[Papercut]

Perhaps that would rectify the problem? I wouldn't be able to do it myself (I'm not good at that sort of stuff) would anyone be able to add the voltage to the lead?

Did you buy the cable directly from Saurian? I thought he wired up the rgb switch pin on his modded cables, but I'm not totally sure. I'm concerned that you might have damaged the rgb cable and/or cube.

You could test rgb switching with the av button using a console/cable you know works with rgb. If you can switch between rgb and comp video with your ps2, then you should be able to do the same with your cube.

[Crono]

Did you buy the cable directly from Saurian? I thought he wired up the rgb switch pin on his modded cables, but I'm not totally sure. I'm concerned that you might have damaged the rgb cable and/or cube.
.

I bought the cable off tankplanker, which he bought off Saurian. I don't think I've damaged it, I've just didn't have both ends completly plugged in, and I've heard similar stories where people haven't had the leads plugged in the back properly and when they were put back in properly they worked fine.

Anyway, I tryed something completly by random and it worked, strangely. I turned off the RGB button on the Argos scart splitter, then pressed the teletext button, then to my surprise a colour RGB picture (must be RGB as it's sharp and clear), although one problem, the picture's jumpy because the text button's on... Do you still reckon I've damaged it, then? (I hope I haven't)

You could test rgb switching with the av button using a console/cable you know works with rgb. If you can switch between rgb and comp video with your ps2, then you should be able to do the same with your cube

Well, my PS2, Xbox and DC are all wired up to RGB and when I turn them on they automatically switch to RGB. And when I connect say my PS2 with a composite lead, I press AV button and the picture appears.

It's just this modded RGB cable which doesn't seem to be working i.e. not switching to RGB automatically, like my other RGB leads.

[Papercut]

Anyway, I tryed something completly by random and it worked, strangely. I turned off the RGB button on the Argos scart splitter, then pressed the teletext button, then to my surprise a colour RGB picture (must be RGB as it's sharp and clear), although one problem, the picture's jumpy because the text button's on... Do you still reckon I've damaged it, then? (I hope I haven't)

It's just this modded RGB cable which doesn't seem to be working i.e. not switching to RGB automatically, like my other RGB leads.

Don't think you've broken it then. As you say, the cable doesn't have the rgb switch pin hooked up on the scart connector. A lot of tvs will let you pick manually though.

So you need to get the cable changed to auto switch on rgb.

[WazMeister]

Your tv dont accept true RGB.
I had same problem with Saurious RGB.. mine wouldent work or it was black and white if I put it in slightly......

Means your tv cant do proper RGB (I think.. I guessing here so dont flame me I trying my best).
If u use PS2 rgb and xbox I am guessing its the pal offical ones or none true rgb ones..... as I said I use RGB on my ps2 so my cube rgb should work but it dident.

Thankfully my nans tv which is older than my 32 inch one does true RGB and I play smooth pure quality colour on that.
Awesome stuff saurs leads are.

Hope everything turns ok for u

[charlesr]

Last thing to try dude! Remove the argos scart splitter from the equation. Plug the cable in direct. If that solves it, there are two other buttons on the splitter that need to both be up; you have to try and press them both at once slightly until they both pop up (normally when you press one the other pops up).