Video options for each system

[rainnyx4]

Lately I've been trying to find out what's the best possible way to connect my Saturn to my tv. I know it's not capable of HD (or at least none of the games support it) but I've been having a hard time figuring out what's the best connection cable it can natively support (I've been finding lots of debate on whether it has a first party component cable or if s-video is the best it can do). I think it would be a great idea to have a thread(s) listing the best possible way to maximize the video capabilities of each system (without modification). Another good idea, though would be pretty arduous, would be to figure out what kind of projection works best for each system (CRT, LCD, Plasma, etc.).

[vlame]

3rd party svhs

u might be able to mod it to rgb.

[chipperkwah]

Saturn does not support Component video, it outputs: RGB, S-Video, Composite, and RF. If you are living in the U.S. (or any region that supports NTSC) the best video you can get will be S-Video. If you are in a region that supports PAL you will be able to buy a Saturn SCART cable and use RGB. If you want to modify your Saturn you can order a JROK board and feed the RGB from the Saturn into it, and the JROK will output component video.

[chipperkwah]

From Wikipedia

Input/output
Two 7-bit bidirectional parallel I/O ports (controller ports)
High-speed serial communications port (Both SH2 SCI channels and SCSP MIDI, also used for the Serial port)
Cartridge connector
Internal expansion port for MPEG adapter card
Composite video/audio (standard)
NTSC/PAL RF (optional RF adapter required)
S-Video compatible (separate cable required)
RGB compatible (separate cable required)
EDTV compatible (separate cable required)
Hi-Vision (separate cable required)
While the Saturn is capable of VGA (progressive/non-interlaced) video, no software ever used this mode and the system cannot force software to run in this mode. Some development systems had VGA ports, but no consumer units ever offered this or other high-res functionality.

[Dakinggamer87]

Saturn does not support Component video, it outputs: RGB, S-Video, Composite, and RF. If you are living in the U.S. (or any region that supports NTSC) the best video you can get will be S-Video. If you are in a region that supports PAL you will be able to buy a Saturn SCART cable and use RGB. If you want to modify your Saturn you can order a JROK board and feed the RGB from the Saturn into it, and the JROK will output component video.

Yeah, S-video is definitely the best connection for Saturn..

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I must be insane composite and s-video look exactly the same to me or similar enough that it doesnt warant me buying the cable.

[crux]

Saturn can output RGB without modification, so it can technically hook up to any composite sync monitor (15khz) - provided you can modify a cable to connect to the television. Without even modifying the cord (that isn't technically a modification of the system), SCART is the best option, which isn't available in America.

[MrPopo]

I must be insane composite and s-video look exactly the same to me or similar enough that it doesnt warant me buying the cable.

To be fair, early 3D consoles (Saturn/PSX) are pretty bad looking no matter what video you use. If you have any 2D games you can probably get a better idea of the difference between S-Video and Composite.

[chipperkwah]

Saturn can output RGB without modification, so it can technically hook up to any composite sync monitor (15khz) - provided you can modify a cable to connect to the television. Without even modifying the cord (that isn't technically a modification of the system), SCART is the best option, which isn't available in America.

Not sure what you are saying, no NTSC televisions can accept RGB at 15khz. There are only a few old computer monitors here that accept RGB at 15khz.

[crux]

A RGB monitor with a horizontal scan rate of 15kHz can be hooked up to an RGB capable console. I didn't say the monitors were common - mostly Amiga monitors, most of which were discontinued twenty years ago. But they're plenty cheap for that reason.