Super Famicom Component Cable Mod Project

[Nigglesworth]

Hi guys, not sure if this has been tried or not but need some R+D help with component cables for the Super Famicom.

About a year ago, I purchased a Wii Component cable and shaved the Square ends of the male end to fit into the multi output of the SFC. Now I plugged this all in and it worked. Audio left and right worked and I got a video signal. However, video was in black & white. I later discovered that the SFC multi output is 12 pins, and the Wii Component cable 16 pins.

So now here's the dilemma. I have sourced pinout diagrams for both the SFC and Wii, and believe that I can get a true Y/Pa/Pr signal from the SFC if I successfully adapt/fabricate an appropriate set of cables. What I don't understand is how I got a black and white feed already with the Wii cable? Audio pins line up, I don't understand how I'm getting video When I super impose these diagrams together.

Ill post a schematic I'm currently drawing to better exPlain the mechanics and my logic soon.

*evidently I posted this in the wrong section, my apologies in advance.

[Ziggy]

Looking at the pinouts real fast, it looks like the S-Video luma pin might actually line up with the luma pin on the Wii cable. That would explain the black and white picture.

[ApolloBoy]

The SNES doesn't output component, which is why your makeshift cable doesn't work. It does output RGB which can be converted using a SCART to component converter however.

[Nigglesworth]

Looking at the pinouts real fast, it looks like the S-Video luma pin might actually line up with the luma pin on the Wii cable. That would explain the black and white picture.

Okay yeah, that's right. Checked that out, pin 7 of both line up. Gonna try moving pin 9 of Wii (Pb/chroma/G) to 8, in chances I can pull color. It will line up with 8 on SFC (chroma/S-VHS).

Result yielded blue in field. Consequently if swapped Pb with Pr inputs at back of TV you get red. In theory, I'd assume if Pb + Pr wires were spliced to SFC output pin 8 colour will blend? However picture degradation is evident when chroma is added to field. Even then, green is still missing.Gonna try using dedicated RGB output pins in favor of S-VHS outputs and see what happens.

[Nigglesworth]

The SNES doesn't output component, which is why your makeshift cable doesn't work. It does output RGB which can be converted using a SCART to component converter however.

Yep, confirmed. Will not get a true YPbPr signal directly from SFC outputs. If I were practical I'd source and purchase the RGB SHVC-010! Not to say this hacked up cable doesn't completely "not work", I'm sure I can pull something out of it.

[deathsled]

So even though you've been given an answer you're going to be "stubborn" as you put it and keep purchasing cables? You can't get component out of an SNES with just a cable. It's not possible. No amount of cable hacking and jamming is going to do it. You can only pull out a signal that the SNES outputs, none of those are component....

[Nigglesworth]

So even though you've been given an answer you're going to be "stubborn" as you put it and keep purchasing cables? You can't get component out of an SNES with just a cable. It's not possible. No amount of cable hacking and jamming is going to do it. You can only pull out a signal that the SNES outputs, none of those are component....

More or less yes. At worst, I'm out $5 for a new SFC composit replacement. Where I'm at now, is securing and RGB signal to output through YPbPr. This may sound ridiculous yes and the end result a fail and few hours lost in time; But the process and concept do out weigh the possibility of failure. IMO. Feel free to add input on this concept. I should have results by tommorow.

Okay....turned out it didnt work. Re pinned SFC connector to Component cable. 1-R, 2-G,
4-B, 5-RGB ground(wasn't sure where to pin that). Audio wasn't required for testing so omitted those pins. I've officially given up. Still think there's a possibility, being that the video signals are analog, but something about 75 ohm resistors is bothering me. For now it's a clear fail. Thanks everyone anyway just the same.

PS I'm not sure if I'm using this board properly?! With the edits and quotes...forgive my ignorance!!

[Drakon]

This's insanely stupid...

rgb = red luma + chroma, green luma + chroma, and blue luma + chroma

component = something like red chroma - luma, blue chroma - luma, and luma

the signals are 100% different, it's even worse than people who think a 15khz rgb signal and compatible with a 31 khz vga screen.

They should have made the component video connector something other than a red green and blue rca jack I've seen it confusing people for many years.

[Ziggy]

You're using the quotes just fine.


I'm really not sure what you're trying to accomplish at this point though. You just cannot get component video out of the SNES/SFC any way you slice it. I don't know why you're trying to figure that out the hard way, just look at the RGB and component video Wiki pages or Google to realize that they're two completely different signals. I know that RGB to component adapters can be expensive, but if you're good with soldering and splicing and all that, then why don't you just build your own? They can be really quite simple. There's a schematic floating around out there that will handle a SNES SCART cable nicely, convert to component, output the audio, and even pass through S-Video and Composite if you want. Best part is you can use the +5v from the SNES to power your converter (though you might have to build your own SCART cable to gain that ability).

I don't have the link to the schematic handy right now, but if you're interested, I'll hunt it down for you.

[Nigglesworth]

I suppose what i originally wanted was a sharper image on an considerably large LED flat screen. I've found quite a satisfactory glow using S-Video and commercial plasma display. Though 600Hz refresh rate is probably what gives most of its effect. Currently, composite and 240Hz is not cutting it for me, and I'd like to first hand attempt to create a single cable that can be used to get the most out of the system and LED displays. Also I enjoy the research and learning curve. My tv doesn't have SCART input, but has every other input. Further more, there are other possibilities to realizing this one cable max quality in one way or another without the use of "a" or multiple converter boxes. Which raise a question to input lag? Maybe I'm in over my head, but in 36 hours or so from starting this, I've already learned alot regarding the matter through research and you guys. So the quest shall continue....

Ziggy I am interested in that schematic, I'll try finding it now that I know. If you come across I'd be grateful. Thank you.

Suddenly starting to feel like the crazy farmer that built a rocket to go into space lol. May be a lost cause