s-video on N64

[edwinbradford]

Hi all,

Can anyone advise me, I pulled out my PAL N64 the other day, I want to get it running with a good quality lead, I have a SCART lead and an S-Video lead but neither of them work. I think I imported them years ago and they wouldn't work with my PAL N64.

There's a S-Video lead being sold here pretty cheap and they're UK based, does anyone know for sure if S-Video works with PAL machines? In which case there must be different leads for the US and the UK.

Or anyone got any suggestions where I can buy a lead assuming S-Video is a good choice for PAL. Currently I can only output a signal on RF so it doesn't get much worse for quality

Appreciate any help.

[spinpug666]

When you say Scart i'm guessing you have a composite lead plugged into 21pin 'scart' adapter and not a RGB Scart lead? Do the yellow, white and red phonos plug into it? If so i think all region composite leads are the same, as i've several leads from different regions and i've never had a problem of no output.

S-Video is your best bet on a Pal system. Unless yours can be RGB modded, but thats a whole other kettle of fish lol

[edwinbradford]

Hi, thanks for replying.

The one lead has a N64 connector one end and a Scart connector at the other; the other lead has a N64 connector one end and both an S-Video connector and Composite Yellow, Red and White Phono plugs at the other.

The lead with the Scart connector gives me no signal at all, I probably imported an RGB lead knowing me, but didn't know at the time it wouldn't work on a PAL machine. You can't RGB mod the PAL N64's to the best of my knowledge. The lead with the choice between S-Video and Composite outputs a bleached out signal whichever connector I choose.

I would have expected the composite connectors to work irrespective of region but I guess the fact that they're somehow part of a dual S-Video lead means they're somehow wired for NTSC machines.

[egparadigm]

The RGB mod can be done on any N64, although it's easiest with an early French machine, I believe. The trick with newer machines is to install an RGB-supporting chip. You will probably need to contact an expert for such a service.

I seem to recall someone saying that S-video leads from different regions can cause issues; not sure if it was the N64, though.

[edwinbradford]

I'm not going to go as far as the RGB mod, it would be nice but its not essential, I modded other consoles and I don't want to get into it again, an S-Video lead will be fine if it works, guess I'll have to ask the retailer direct if I can.

[speedlolita]

The RGB mod can be done on any N64, although it's easiest with an early French machine, I believe. The trick with newer machines is to install an RGB-supporting chip. You will probably need to contact an expert for such a service.

I seem to recall someone saying that S-video leads from different regions can cause issues; not sure if it was the N64, though.

Ya can't RGB mod PAL consoles, unless it's the Frenchie one.

[Mayhem]

Yeah... I was unaware you could RGB mod any PAL machine except some of the French ones. And even that was a recent piece of knowledge to me, before then I thought no PAL N64 could have RGB.

[egparadigm]

Ya can't RGB mod PAL consoles, unless it's the Frenchie one.

Not out of the box, but if you have a Nintendo video chip it can be installed in any N64 for RGB support. Chaotic Jelly has done it in the past.

[speedlolita]

Well sure, but I bet that'd cost more than an NTSC console.

[edwinbradford]

Well I just ordered the S-Video cable from the link I posted. It was cheap and I'm sure it will work, someone posted a review to the site saying it worked with their PAL SNES.

[Kit]

I seem to recall someone saying that S-video leads from different regions can cause issues; not sure if it was the N64, though.

Yep, S-video doesn’t work on PAL 64’s unless you have a launch model. When I tried S-video the picture was far too bright and tinkering with the tv settings didn't solve the problem - I ended up emailing Nintendo about the issue and received a surprisingly insightful reply.