Nintendo + RGB

[Shadow_Zero]

I've got a few questions regarding the various Nintendo systems and RGB output (and hope this is the correct topic for them).

First of all I'd like to know if the PAL SNES standard supports RGB output, or that modifications are required. I've heard various stories about this one.

Secondly I'd like to use RGB with my PAL Nintendo 64, but as far as I know that's only possible after internal modifications. http://www.gamesx.com/ has info for modifications of the NTSC system, but haven't figured it out for the PAL system.
But a weird thing is, that when my girlfriend uses her Gamecube RGB cable with her PAL Nintendo, it just works.
And I tried the same cable with my Nintendo 64 and tv (Philips widescreen) and in the beginning I get a good image, but it soon fades away to black. This is the same when I use that cable with my SNES.
So now I'm also wondering if the PAL Nintendo 64 needs modifications or just standardly supports RGB, or that my girlfriends tv does something (transforming the signal to composite or something??? ).

I've read some info saying that if I use a SNES RGB cable (and not a Gamecube one) it will work (something about capacitors in the Gamecube RGB cable killing the signal).

Anyone on that?


Lastly I'm thinking of getting a RGB cable for my Panasonic Q Gamecube. Anyone have experience with that? Is it worth it? (it's a lot of money after all heheh).
Does the Q RGB cable also work for the dvd mode or only for the gaming mode? I e-mailed www.lan-kwei.com about that and they said it works for both modes, but I've read other stories claiming it only works for gaming mode. In that case, is there any possibility to get RGB out of the dvd mode for the Q?


Hope you guys can help me out

[dc-arena]

The PAL and NTSC SNES's output RGB from stock. As does the SFC.

The PAL N64 does not, and never will output RGB. Just composite, RF and S-Video.

You can use a (PAL) GC RGB lead on a NTSC SNES and a SFC, but not on a PAL SNES. This is something to do with the resistors within the SCART lead. I think you can take the resistors out, and then you'll be able to use it fine. Your girlfriends TV will be displaying in composite I would think.

I have a Japanese GC, and a modded RGB lead. Not sure about DVD playback on the 'Q, but the quality of the image is incredible, and worth every penny, and to me, its essential.

[ince]

you can play pal dvds on a modded Q using the lead but the display will be composite not rgb.

[rjpageuk]

You can use a (PAL) GC RGB lead on a NTSC SNES and a SFC, but not on a PAL SNES. This is something to do with the resistors within the SCART lead. I think you can take the resistors out, and then you'll be able to use it fine.

Sorry to slightly hijack this thread, but I have this exact problem.

I have lots of RGB cables which work fine on my GC (PAL) and SNES (NTSC) but none that will work on my SNES (PAL) - the picture is RGB but dim, which is something to do with the resistors.

Is there anywhere I can pick up a SNES RGB cable cheap which will work on a PAL machine?

[Shadow_Zero]

The PAL and NTSC SNES's output RGB from stock. As does the SFC.

The PAL N64 does not, and never will output RGB. Just composite, RF and S-Video.

You can use a (PAL) GC RGB lead on a NTSC SNES and a SFC, but not on a PAL SNES. This is something to do with the resistors within the SCART lead. I think you can take the resistors out, and then you'll be able to use it fine. Your girlfriends TV will be displaying in composite I would think.

I have a Japanese GC, and a modded RGB lead. Not sure about DVD playback on the 'Q, but the quality of the image is incredible, and worth every penny, and to me, its essential.

Does a PAL N64 standardly support s-video? I thought this was only for the NTSC N64...?

If my girlfriends tv dispays composite, how can one tell in other situations if you're watching at a composite or RGB signal? Since, if I get it straight, a composite signal is also possible through a RGB cable. Makes me wonder if there aren't situations where people think they're gaming or watching a dvd in RGB but secretly it is composite...

[Shadow_Zero]

you can play pal dvds on a modded Q using the lead but the display will be composite not rgb.

If it's composite, aren't I better off using the s-video then?
What signal will it use if both the RGB and s-video cable are connected? Don't feel like plugging them in and out all the time heh

Why didn't they include a RGB option with the Q in the first place...?
Any chance there will be a cable in the future which WILL get RGB out of the dvd mode?

[Shadow_Zero]

You can use a (PAL) GC RGB lead on a NTSC SNES and a SFC, but not on a PAL SNES. This is something to do with the resistors within the SCART lead. I think you can take the resistors out, and then you'll be able to use it fine.

Sorry to slightly hijack this thread, but I have this exact problem.

I have lots of RGB cables which work fine on my GC (PAL) and SNES (NTSC) but none that will work on my SNES (PAL) - the picture is RGB but dim, which is something to do with the resistors.

Is there anywhere I can pick up a SNES RGB cable cheap which will work on a PAL machine?

Lan-Kwei told me their RGB cable should do the trick. It's $2.50, so I'd call that cheap

[Papercut]

I explained the whole snes rgb thing here:

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/viewtopic.php?t=3125

the good picture -> dark is because ntsc sfc/snes leads have 220 uF electrolytic capacitors on the RGB signals to dampen the voltage, Anyway, checkout the details in that thread,

[Papercut]

you can play pal dvds on a modded Q using the lead but the display will be composite not rgb.

If it's composite, aren't I better off using the s-video then?
What signal will it use if both the RGB and s-video cable are connected? Don't feel like plugging them in and out all the time heh

You can use a modded rgb scart with the Q, I have one, and its well worth it. What Ince is saying is that for DVD playback you will have to hook up s-video as well. The Q has an s-video socket on the back, and theres no problem connecting both at the same time.

Why didn't they include a RGB option with the Q in the first place...?
Any chance there will be a cable in the future which WILL get RGB out of the dvd mode?

In Japan no one has an RGB scart socket on their TV, thats why.

It is not possible to playback DVDs in RGB (or component). There may be a way with a real nasty hardware hack, but no one has reported doing so, and it would be so ugly you wouldn't want to do it.

[rjpageuk]

Thanks for that Papercut - really I was quite aware of what the problem was, but the thing is that I dont want to do it myself.

I want to buy a cable that works.. I dont really want to ruin an RGB cable attempting to take off the right bits .

I am sure the one from Lan-Kwei would be dim too - just like my cables from play-asia and lik-sang.

[Mofoman]

An answer to the person who asked about the Pal N64 outputting S video.

Yes the pal N64 outputs s video although an ntsc s video lead will not work with it,you have to have an s video lead for the pal machine which has caps added.

[Shadow_Zero]

I explained the whole snes rgb thing here:

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/viewtopic.php?t=3125

the good picture -> dark is because ntsc sfc/snes leads have 220 uF electrolytic capacitors on the RGB signals to dampen the voltage, Anyway, checkout the details in that thread,

Can I also buy such a cable?
Don't really have the equipment and knowledge (and skills :P ) to do it myself.

[Shadow_Zero]

you can play pal dvds on a modded Q using the lead but the display will be composite not rgb.

If it's composite, aren't I better off using the s-video then?
What signal will it use if both the RGB and s-video cable are connected? Don't feel like plugging them in and out all the time heh

You can use a modded rgb scart with the Q, I have one, and its well worth it. What Ince is saying is that for DVD playback you will have to hook up s-video as well. The Q has an s-video socket on the back, and theres no problem connecting both at the same time.

Why didn't they include a RGB option with the Q in the first place...?
Any chance there will be a cable in the future which WILL get RGB out of the dvd mode?

In Japan no one has an RGB scart socket on their TV, thats why.

It is not possible to playback DVDs in RGB (or component). There may be a way with a real nasty hardware hack, but no one has reported doing so, and it would be so ugly you wouldn't want to do it.

So if you connect the Q with both a modified RGB cable and a s-video it will automatically use the RGB for gaming mode?

How do the Japanese connect their dvd-players for optimal quality? Is that with component cable?
If that's the case, isn't it possible for the Q to output component? (not that I have a tv that supports component or something :P Just wondering)

[Shadow_Zero]

An answer to the person who asked about the Pal N64 outputting S video.

Yes the pal N64 outputs s video although an ntsc s video lead will not work with it,you have to have an s video lead for the pal machine which has caps added.

Does that one also work with the PAL SNES?

[Shadow_Zero]

Thanks for that Papercut - really I was quite aware of what the problem was, but the thing is that I dont want to do it myself.

I want to buy a cable that works.. I dont really want to ruin an RGB cable attempting to take off the right bits .

I am sure the one from Lan-Kwei would be dim too - just like my cables from play-asia and lik-sang.

Which cable(s) do you have from Lik-Sang and Play-Asia then?
It seems a bit weird that Lan-Kwei would give out false info about their RGB cable working with the SNES. Then again, there's a difference between the PAL and NTSC version of course.

But this is part of my correspondence with Lan-Kwei:
"About your N64 problem, did you try your N64 on her TV and vice versa? I think earlier models of the N64 did indeed have RGB support, but it was scraped for lowering production costs later. In fact the old SNES also has RGB, I remember my old one back in the days was connected via RGB to my TV without problems (european SNES to PAL TV). Can you see any production date on the machine itself (not sure if there should be one, if not it's probably on the mainbord inside the console)."

Does anyone know anything about earlier N64's supporting RGB?
And what about the PAL SNES with RGB story? He doesn't mention anything about modding the RGB cable...