N64 video problem with new projector

[eSPy]

Hi all

having a bit of a techincal difficulty with a N64 (PAL) i got recently and my brand new laser projector (http://uniden.co.nz/NEW_ZEALAND/p_ulp1000_index.asp)

for some reason im getting sound but no video for most games. have tried a handful of games that i own but the only one that im getting both picture and sound with is NBA Jam 99. The rest only have audio.

For a bit more info, it is a NZ/AUS PAL console and the projector is designed for a NZ/AUS market as well. I have just purchased a new set of AV cables for it as the old ones were a bit busted. as far as i can tell, there are no settings i can adjust with the projector for PAL or NTSC if that would make a difference.

has anyone had issues like this before that they have been able to resolve? much appreciated if you can help out!

Cheers,

p.s. in case this is the first question that is asked, ive checked the system on another tv and the picture works fine for all games.

[Hobie-wan]

My guess would be differing resolution modes and the projector is choking on some of them. Just like some HD TVs have issues with 240P that some old consoles put out.

[flamepanther]

I came in here half expectin to see "it's blurry"

Hobie-Wan's guess is probably right. Probably a good idea to test some 240p games from other consoles on it as a test.

[CRTGAMER]

Agree with resolution issues. N64 has resolutions of 256×224, 320×240 and 640×480 pixels. NBA works because it runs at 640x480.

[YoshiEgg25]

Agreed. This is why I can't run Sonic 1 on Wii Virtual Console on our projector at home; though, surprisingly, I'm able to run Pokemon Puzzle League.

[eSPy]

very interesting! even though its something i cant really fix, im kinda relieved that im not just being an idiot about something. i ordered a PS2 this week so ill try testing that out to see the results.

also noticed that when i tried to access the projectors menus while attempting to run a game that it was going all wobbly. so sounds like this further proves the fact that it is a resolution issue.

cheers for the help everyone!

p.s has anyone found any possible workarounds for this problem?

[CRTGAMER]

PS2 should be fine, a higher resolution then the N64. Component cables for the PS2 are cheap, if your projector has a component input.

For the N64 lower res games. Maybe look into an upscaler box, could be expensive. You could get a cheaper one that converts the N64 signal to at least the 640x480 mode like your NBA Jam game.

[Hobie-wan]

PS2 should be fine, a higher resolution then the N64. Component cables for the PS2 are cheap, if your projector has a component input.

For the N64 lower res games. Maybe look into an upscaler box, could be expensive. You could get a cheaper one that converts the N64 signal to at least the 640x480 mode like your NBA Jam game.

If only using composite, running it through a VCR might do the trick.

[eSPy]

very interesting suggestion! unfortunately no component input for my projector. it does have VGA which could help a bit.

Ive got a EasyCap video capture device for my laptop. could see what happens when i run the N64 -> Easycap -> laptop -> vga output ->projector

haha......or am i just starting to get a bit silly? will try a few different methods and post my results. just bought a copy of snowboard kids so now ive got good reason to get this goin.

[bacteria]

Not going to cure the problem but might make more games show - use an expansion pack instead of jumper pak; one of the "features" of the expansion pack is to allow games that can be "higher res" enabled which might help.