A question of RacketBoy's Nintendo S-Video Cable

[jkrzeczowski]

Hello and good day to you all,

I recently received the Nintendo S-Video cable sold through this website. It is the one used by the SNES, 64, Gamecube, and Wii.

This particular cable has all three red white and yellow composite cables, AND the S-video connector.

I am attempting to get a video image on my Panasonic EDTV (th-42pw5) which is several years old. Composite, component, and VGA signals all work fine. My audio is going through a receiver.

However, my SNES with S-Video will not show a signal. I get audio just fine. Is there a noted compatibility issue (aside from the redesigned SNES) that I should be aware of? I also tested it with my Gamecube and nothing but sound.

Perhaps there is some setting on the TV I should be aware of? The only input options I have are PC, Component, and Video, which is supposed to also include S-Video.

Any thoughts on this matter would be useful, I would think that Racketboy would have supplied a good cable that is compatible with most TVs.

Thanks.

Jake

[CRTGAMER]

Do you have the composite cable hooked up? Some TVs detect the cable connection and will disable the SVideo. However, your TV should over ride the Composite cable when the SVideo is attached. You also have PAL/NTSC in the mix, take a look at page 32,33 and 34 in the PDF.

Manual: https://support.panasonic.co.nz/docstor ... 20book.pdf

Interesting, this TV can be set up with a bank of TVs as a HUGE Wall unit.

[jkrzeczowski]

Thank you so much for pointing that out, I have been reading through this PDF myself.

And no, I understand that the yellow composite plug should not be connected.

The problem is, I do not have the original remote to the TV anymore, and my universal remote will not open these menus. Would you say that there needs to be a tweak to the signal under video in order for my TV to make sense of the S-video source?

Also, could you recommend a good universal tv remote that could open these menus?

I apologize for my relative ignorance, this TV was a hand-me-down from my parents. I would like to understand more about it so I can balance my modern/retro console image fidelity wisely.

Thank you so much for the reply.

[CRTGAMER]

Turns out the composite cable doesn't matter, according to the manual the SVideo over rides it. You definitely need a remote to change the Settings Menu, especially since the SVideo, Composite and Component are part of an add on board.

Maybe your parents can track down the original remote? The other option is Google a Universal Remote model number to confirm your TV is compatible. Not just the basic buttons, but the unique menu setting capability.

[nielse16]

If the composite cable plugged in (and the s-video cable is unplugged), do you get video?

I had a similar problem when I hooked up my SNES to my receiver (Pioneer VSX-921-K) via composite. Audio was fine, but no video. I hooked it up directly to the TV (Panasonic TC-P50GT30) and the video and audio work. My only conclusion is that the receiver or my HDMI cable (Monoprice) are incapable of handling the low/multiple resolutions of the SNES.

Does anyone else have a better answer?

[jkrzeczowski]

Yes, I get video from all composite plugs.

And I believe I found a remote that will control all the menu options, although I am still unsure which one will allow S-video to work. Currently I am using my gamecube to test it, using the Video input, and I am still getting NO SIGNAL with each config.

If anyone has any insight into the mysterious realm of TV settings such as these, please feel free. I will report back if I make any progress.

Thanks again.

[CD AGES]

the SNES, 64, Gamecube, and Wii.

This cable also works on a wii!? Are you sure o_O

[jkrzeczowski]

My mistake. The other end appears like it might fit into the Wii console, but the housing has a 45 degree angle instead of a round.

In any case, I would like to bump this thread because I have tested the cable on a Samsung LCD computer monitor/tv and the S video feeds from my SNES just fine (besides the screen tearing and strange textures I get)

Ive come to the conclusion that I am relatively lucky to have this Panasonic th-42pw5 EDTV because of its size, form factor, and ability to produce pretty good images for both retro consoles and contemporary (480p being its max)

However, Ive still yet to figure out what setting will allow an S-video feed. Perhaps its just old and busted? Im still pouring through this manual PDF to see if there is some setting that I am missing.

Any TV gurus or people with specific experience with this model, I would be ecstatic to hear your input.

Thanks!

Jake

[Hobie-wan]

Perhaps it is 240 line doubled flavor s-video instead of interlaced 480? I don't know if that's a thing like it is for the composite. My Samsung EDTV is fine with SNES/N64/GC Svideo through noname and monster svideo cables.

[jkrzeczowski]

UPDATE

Thanks for the reply Hobie,

I fixed it. After consulting someone somewhere affiliated with Panasonic, he suggested that I unscrew the circuit board housing the Composite/Component/S-video jacks and do something to some piece of metal?

Turns out he was right.

After lugging the beast down off its stand I was able to get the card out of the back of the TV with a little dexterity. A metal housing held the board and the exterior jacks. Corresponding with each exterior jack is an interior plastic housing with thin metal strips that I believe make a connection to the board.

Sure enough, the S-video jack's metal connector was slid out, from what I can only believe was from years of frictive abuse. I just pushed it back down and the metal contact was re-established. Now when I input to video, it displays S-Video instead IF there is an S-Video Source connected.

The picture looks more vibrant. With a setting tweak, I was able to fix a screen shuddering that was making me shudder too, (and go crosseyed). There are, however, angled texture lines on solid colors, I noticed while playing Super Mario World. I have seen mention of this condition on these boards before.

Hobie-Wan, could you tell me about the image fidelity you are getting from your EDTV? I would like to know what your opinion is on this strange generation of Digital displays for retro AND contemporary gaming. Perhaps there is something to appreciate for their ability to produce semi-HD for most console generations, yet still contain a decent form factor (Over a Massive Wega)

Thanks a ton for your input,

<3 Jake