Best Picture Quality on SNES.

[Frag Mortuus]

Hey Everyone,

I'm wondering how to get the best picture quality on my SNES. I know that the original model outputs in S-Video and not component. But, it does output to SCART. Would a SCART to Component converter give me a better picture than just S-Video? I'm playing on an HDTV and I hate how muddy the games look. I want to use the option that will give me the best color separation that I can get.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

[AppleQueso]

RGB Scart via a component adapter is about the best you'll get.

I have a component transcoder I might be selling soon.

[shmuk]

^ That. You can't really output your SNES on HDMI unless you do some serious modding =P

[Frag Mortuus]

RGB Scart via a component adapter is about the best you'll get.

I have a component transcoder I might be selling soon.

Ok, I'll keep a look out. Send me a PM if you decide to sell it, if you don't mind.

[Zing]

I don't think you will get much better on an HDTV. The 240p signal is going to look like poop regardless, unless you have a relatively small screen. My HDTV does very well with older consoles, even with composite, and I wouldn't bother. I snagged a CRT with stand from Kijiji and play all my games on there via s-video.

[Ziggy]

I think it's worth pointing out some facts that aren't common knowledge.

Probably the most important fact is the difference in video quality between the console's revisions. Early-mid SNES consoles had two PPUs, late SNES and the minis had a single PPU. The single PPU consoles put out a much better image.

http://sd2snes.de/blog/archives/category/snes-general

So no matter what method you're using to output the video (composite, S-Video, etc) you're always gonna get a better picture from the later models.

"But the SNES mini doesn't output S-Video or RGB." Well, no, but it's easy to fix that.

The video encoders used in early SNES models (with two PPUs) can output a bastard component signal.

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 25&t=37716

Though it's the difference from getting component straight out of the SNES or converting it from SCART. Also, if you get component straight from the SNES, that means it's an earlier model with two PPUs. So you'd have to weigh the difference there as well.

A short answer, get a SNES with one PPU (either a late revision of the original model or a mini and modify it to output RGB) and convert RGB to component. That's gonna be your best picture, as far as I know.

[Tildius Maximus]

scart is going to give you the best possible picture, but when looking for a box beware. you get what you pay for. i know on ebay there were a few cheap converter boxes for like 50 bucks and i thought i would get one as a spare, but the thing lags a little and when there is motion in the games it tends to make backgrounds a bit blurry. i have a more expensive box that i got from another member here and it is always crystal clear. just goes to show that there IS a difference between price and quality.

[ExedExes]

I dunno, but I just got a Monster S-Video cable for my Gamecube and it also works on the SNES and I get a decent, much clearer picture than I did with the standard composite. I have a launch-era console from 1991. Check out Axelay here



It appears what everyone else is saying about modding a later model SNES gets you the best picture, however.

[dogman91]

Now this has got me curious... so I google searched and found this post which is incredibly helpful: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/sh ... post576668

Does anyone know a place to buy a 1CHIP SNES that doesn't require asking every seller for the serial number by any chance, or preferably somewhere where you can a premodded RGB SNES2/jr?

[Ziggy]

If you're looking for a 1 chip model 1, most people (probably like 99%) are clueless about it. So you're either gonna have to rely on serial numbers or opening the console to visual check it. Every once in a while a modified mini will pop up for sale on the forums here, but not too often. If you're wanting to get one though, I would suggest posting a wanted thread for it here. Either that or hunt for a mini on the cheap (either on the forums here or eBay). I take it you already have a SNES, so try to find a SNES mini with no hookups or controllers, you'll be able to get it cheaper that way. Then once you got it, post a wanted thread on the forums here requesting some one to modify it for you.