N64 PAL - How do I get good video?

[InvisibleKid]

Guys,

I've been getting into my N64 stuff lately and am building a mini-N64 PAL collection (don't laugh).

How can I get the best possible video from this (hunk of crap) on my HD TV?

Thanks.

[Shozuki]

your DK64 went out today btw , but realistically your options with the N64 are limited, probably using Composite on your TV is the best and probably only option.

this is why I went the NTSC route, it can be RGB modified and run through my XRGB box which does wonders on SD signals displayed on a HD set.

Sorry thats not much help, but theres not many options really..

[noobish hat]

What a loser...

[egparadigm]

S-video is the best option unless you can get your machine RGB moded. It can be done, even on PAL machines, for a price.

[charlesr]

I think I have an Svid cable if you want it - price of postage.

Complete waste of your money though - you should be getting an NTSC unit so the games run at the right speed and preferably one with a decent RGB mod (not the internal booster amp).

In fact I'd rather burn the cable then send it to you if that helps you get an ntsc unit.

edit: I used to enjoy my PAL N64 days, but now, having sampled ntsc N64, I'm with Noobish.

edit2: My RGB vide chip mod looks great on my Plasma via scart, without any need for XRGB etc. (although the scaler on my Plasma is awesome)

[noobish hat]

Woah... rewind! I was joking! I'm collecting PAL stuff. And Jap, but that's not for the framerate or anything. Actually I was just discussing this with a friend, and I was saying that I can't tell the difference. An RGB mod on the other hand would impress me, as I've seen some of ChaoticJelly's comparison shots on PC Engine games, but the cost of modding all my machines is too much. I'd rather spend the cash on a nice NTSC CRT telly, as I'm currently having to play my Jap stuff on a HD, and it's not looking too great. So, yeah, sorry to let you down Charles, but I'm running 50 hz through scart

[kernow]

I would solve this problem by not playing any N64 games.

Or sell the lot and get a nice JP/US unit, the Pal N64 is a complete travesty.

[Shozuki]

whilst I highjack the thread here, I dont know which RGB mod has been performed on my NTSC-U N64 is there someone/somwehere that can check and perform the best one for me?

[speedlolita]

whilst I highjack the thread here, I dont know which RGB mod has been performed on my NTSC-U N64 is there someone/somwehere that can check and perform the best one for me?

If you take the video directly from the chip, rather than from the pins on the underside of the mobo you'll get a decent signal.

[charlesr]

Mod 1: 3 wire plus amp bridge - often gives flicker on light areas due to poor amp (try 1080 snowboarding).
Mod 2: 3 wire plus scart amp - great, but not compatible with many HDTVs (gives cross hatch)
Mod 3: Standard video chip pin lift - scary stuff.
Mod 4: Add an RGB video chip in there. Win

[charlesr]

Massive thread derail, but when you go from PAL 1080 to NTSC 1080, you can easily see it's running much faster. This is the whole reason this website was started, so I'm not backing down on this one. Sell it all and get NTSC-U or J versions.

[speedlolita]

Is the chip lift as good as an RGB amp charlesr?

If so I'll probably grab an NTSC N64 some time.

[Escape-To-88]

The RGB mod makes the picture clearer, but the best N64 picture is emu via the Wii Virtual Console. I was personally never happy with the clarity of the RGB mod myself, it does it improve it, but I could never get my N64 on par with the clarity of the PSX, Saturn et al.

edit: Just re-read and see you have a PAL unit, hmmm..good luck! :-)

[speedlolita]

I think that's just to do with Nintendo's component choices or whatever. Sega and Sony consoles have great RGB, but I've always felt GC, SNES and even Wii RGB to be not that great in comparison.

[charlesr]

The 3 wire plus scart amp is the best trade off between ease of mod and pic quality, as long as it works on your set. It worked very well on my CRT, but not on my Plasma.

The pin lift is risky and sometimes comes out too dark anyway.

This is what I have: