Wanting Better N64 Video: No S-Video Port

[Spirit242]

I am currently using composite cables with my N64. I would like better video quality, however my LCD tv does not have an S-Video port. What are my options?

[EllertMichael]

How much are you looking to spend?

an RGB modded N64 through an XRGB-3 is probably as good as it's going to get on an LCD.

[sevin0seven]

however my LCD tv does not have an S-Video port. What are my options?

get an s-video adapter for your LCD TV.

...but to get the best picture quality from your N64, a CRT TV would be better.

[Ziggy]

get an s-video adapter for your LCD TV.

This is what I've been looking into lately, since my new HDTV and AV receiver have no S-Video inputs. BUT, adapt S-Video to what? Most adapters will turn S-Video into composite, and there's absolutely no point in that. You want something that will adapt it to YPbPr component, and I haven't been able to find a lot of those. I found one on eBay that looks half decent, but it's about $90 and I didn't wanna spend that much.

So I've been looking into building my own S-Video to YPbPr adapter. It doesn't seem too hard, but we'll see. My only "working" idea right now is to use one IC that'll convert S-Video to a digital component signal (YCbCr) and then a second IC to turn the digital component into analog. I know it'll work, but I hoping to find something a little easier to build (so others can attempt it too).

My other option is this professional video transcoder I recently scored for cheap. It's coming in the mail, and I plan to make a full write up about it once I get it and play with it a little. So, Spirit242, you might wanna keep an eye out for that.

an RGB modded N64 through an XRGB-3 is probably as good as it's going to get on an LCD.

"Best choice" is kinda vague. As expensive as the XRGB is, that might not be one's best choice. But unless you adapt S-Video to YPbPr, the only other choice that isn't composite or RF is RGB-modding the N64.

Spirit242, here's what I would do. First, find out if your TV will display a 240p signal over component. Not all HDTVs will. IIRC, some N64 games are 480 but the majority is 240. The easiest way to find out is to play a PS1 game on a PS2 using component cables. If your TV can't handle the signal, then you really only have two options: Upscale, or get a new TV.

The XRGB is a transcoder and upscaler all in one box, but they're also like $300-400. But, if your TV can handle the 240p signal, then you don't really have to worry about upscaling (unless your TV has a horrible upscaler).

If you don't wanna spend the money on an XRGB, which I don't blame you, and your TV can handle the 240p image, then you only have two options left. Adapt S-Video to YPbPr (or HDMI I guess, but I haven't seen one that looked decent) or RGB mod your N64 and transcode RGB to YPbPr with a cheaper device.

[Spirit242]

Thanks for the responses everyone.
I'm not interested in spending a ton of money for better picture quality.
Yes my TV can display PS1 games on a PS2 hooked up via component, so I guess I will try to look into converting S-video to YPbPr. >< Although I have no idea how to go about doing that.
I wish they made thin, light, convenient CRTs, then I wouldn't have a problem.

[theclaw]

That's good luck. The problem is worse when it happens than people give credit.

Those TV models affected most, utterly refuse to display PS1 games from component. No sign of any attempt. Just a "signal not found" type error.

[Ziggy]

Yes my TV can display PS1 games on a PS2 hooked up via component, so I guess I will try to look into converting S-video to YPbPr. >< Although I have no idea how to go about doing that.

Another important question is if you know how to solder. If so, then you can modify your consoles and possibly build your own transcoders. If not, and you're not looking to spend a lot of money, than your options are much more limited.

Assuming you cannot solder, then you'll have to buy something that'll adapt S-Video to either YPbPr or HDMI.

This is a device I found on eBay that'll convert either composite or S-Video into component. It claims to clean up the input signal to display it better of component. The description doesn't really give any technical details, but I assume the signal passes through a comb filter or something. Kind of a steep price, if you ask me.

As for S-Video to HDMI, that always scares me. There's a ton of them on eBay from China, but who knows how good (or bad) they actually are? I found this one on Amazon, and it got good reviews. A lot of the reviews are actually from people trying to play retro consoles on HDTVs, so I suggest you read through them. But just know, you don't NEED to upscale since your TV can display 240 over component. I just wanted to list this as another option for you.

A third option would be an older professional grade transcoder that you can find used on eBay or Craigslist or something. Like I said in my last post, I recently scored one for cheap, but I haven't gotten it in the mail yet. You might wanna hold off until you hear my results, because it'll probably be better than anything you can buy in the price range.

edit: If you DO know how to solder, or have a buddy that can, then you might be able to modify your N64 to output RGB and then convert that to component. RGB as a source is gonna give you MUCH better quality than S-Video. So long as your RGB to component transcoder doesn't suck. There's this one that you can buy, again, read the reviews.

Also note that with the exception of the HDMI one, none of these adapters deal with audio. If you know how to solder, you can solve that problem easily. Otherwise, you might have to grab something like this, depending on your setup. But if you RGB mod your N64 and use that SCART-YPbPr adapter, than you'll have to break out audio some how.

I wish they made thin, light, convenient CRTs, then I wouldn't have a problem.

Impossible, just like warm snow.

[Hobie-wan]

I wish they made thin, light, convenient CRTs, then I wouldn't have a problem.

Impossible, just like warm snow.

Indeed, hooray for thick leaded glass.

[nielse16]

I was having a similar problem when I finally bought a A/V Receiver--nothing has S-Video ports anymore. Anyway, I haven't tried any of these, but here are some links.

Have you considered S-Video to HDMI? This seems to be the most inexpensive option.

Product ID: 7111
Composite and S-Video to HDMI® Converter
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

Here are some other ideas...
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subde ... p_id=10114
http://www.svideo.com/sv6.html

[Jamisonia]

Product ID: 7111
Composite and S-Video to HDMI® Converter
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

I would not get the above mentioned item because it stretches all 4:3 material to 16:9. If the change between composite and s-video bothers you, stretching the picture horizontally ought to bother you more.