Nintendo 64 RGB options

[charlesr]

Do those wires go through the board? Most people just send them round the outside. If so, you might just need a normal £5 n64 cable

[mekanor]

I think you'll also have to show us the underside of the board as well.

Remove those AV and PSU port screws and it should easily pop out as you wiggle the section where the controller ports are slotted into the shell.

Third time's the charm!

And a close up

[speedlolita]

There we go. Yeah it looks like you've only got the RGB lines connected to the AV port so really they need an amplifier for best results. I'm guessing that SCART lead had resistors, or transistors or maybe even some kind of analog video amplifier in it but installing something like this is going to yield better results.

As for that resistor on the other side, it must have something to do with the sync.

[mekanor]

There we go. Yeah it looks like you've only got the RGB lines connected to the AV port so really they need an amplifier for best results. I'm guessing that SCART lead had resistors, or transistors or maybe even some kind of analog video amplifier in it but installing something like this is going to yield better results.

As for that resistor on the other side, it must have something to do with the sync.

Ok - so unless I can find a cable (like the one that's died) that has an amp in it, I need to replace the mod in the N64?

If I was to replace the mod with the chip you linked, would that HD Retrovision component cable do the job or do I still need a scart replacement?

[smouty]

This is a bit expensive but is at least able to be used on multiple retro consoles.

https://www.pixelfx.co/product-page/retro-gem-universal-hdmi-upscaler-kit

[Nu-Eclipse]

Genuine Question: Are N64 RGB mods not now redundant given the HDMI options that exist nowadays?

[speedlolita]

Genuine Question: Are N64 RGB mods not now redundant given the HDMI options that exist nowadays?

Genuine answer: No.

[Nu-Eclipse]

Genuine answer: No.

I sEe WhAt yOu Did tHeRe!1!1!1!1 LawL!1!1!1!

But what is the point of RGB N64 mods being a thing when superior HDMI mods are literally a thing now?

(Serious answers welcome)

[wakka]

You can’t use HDMI on a CRT. And on a modern TV you’re going to probably get better/more customisable results by combining an RGB 64 and a Retrotink 5x.

[speedlolita]

I sEe WhAt yOu Did tHeRe!1!1!1!1 LawL!1!1!1!

But what is the point of RGB N64 mods being a thing when superior HDMI mods are literally a thing now?

(Serious answers welcome)

Well, UltraHDMI and N64Digital are EOL. The PixelFX Retro GEM is at least £115 before installation, which would likely cost you another £60-80 on top minimum. The fully featured "shiny" firmware upgrade is another $70 on top of that. You also have the 64HD from Gamebox Systems which will set you back around £127 plus installation. Needless to say, the HDMI route isn't inexpensive.

There's also the matter of requirement, not everyone is going to require HDMI from their consoles. With that in mind I think I would much rather go the route of spending £16 (basic THS based board/no deblur) to £40 (N64RGB board with deblur). Going for one of these options also gives you the option of plugging into an upscaler such as the Retrotink 5X or 4K which offer much more advanced and robust scaling options than what these HDMI mods can provide alone.

So again, no, RGB mods aren't redundant at all.

[Nu-Eclipse]

And on a modern TV you’re going to probably get better/more customisable results by combining an RGB 64 and a Retrotink 5x.

That much better? Really??

EDIT: Probably should've clarified: I've been way out of the N64 loop for quite a while now. Haven't owned a machine in years.

[wakka]

Well idk how much better but yeah, a £400 external dedicated scaler is probably gonna be better than whatever's built into most of the HDMI mods.