Added RGB jacks to my SNES (with pics)

[skate323k137]

I used to wire houses for a cable company, install home theatre systems, etc. I never had to work with BNC, but in most applications cable runs 6 feet or under you could use a damn wire coat hanger and it's fine. Obviously I'm seriously exaggerating, but until you hit 10+ feet, cheap cables are usually fine. I've seen studies done that show this.

Regarding using BNC cables, some displays (like the NEC XM29) have switches to set impedance at the display itself (see http://images.allbids.com.au/photos/act ... 25-15a.jpg ). I guess you're supposed to set the final display in the chain to 75 ohm. FWIW the specs for the R/G/B out on my PVM say 75 ohms terminated, but not the inputs. I guess it's time for me to read up on BNC cables, impedance, and transmission lines. I'm thinking it's somewhat irrelevant in my current case, but I'm all for learning.

Currently I have both my SNES and PS2 hooked up this way (RGB via RCA -> BNC adaptors). I have my PS2 set to RGB output instead of component, and I'm using an off-brand compnent cable that has composite video as well. I can just use the composite video for ext sync since my PVM has no problem with that. Both systems look stellar.

[Jamisonia]

Yeah I'm sure its wholly unneccessary, but since your TV has BNC inputs why not keep it all 75Ohm? Especially if you can easily make your own BNC cables. Again, I would do it just for the locking mechanism BNC offers. No more of those super tight RCAs that pull off jacks, or those ones with no grip that come off on the slightest tug.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/impedance.htm

Here's an article on impedance.

[Ziggy]

One thing I've been mulling over is how to add jacks to an N64. Whatever video jacks I will add, I think I've given up on bothering to add audio jacks. I'll just have to use the multi out for audio (maybe I'll mod an AV cable into better quality audio cables, like I was talking about before). I was thinking I could probably fit a 1/8" stereo jack between the multi out and the power adapter on the bottom half, there may be just enough room to do it. But, I don't know, we'll see.

But there's no good spot on the console to add any jacks. The sides are out, I hate having jacks on sides of consoles (to the point that I've considered adding RCA jacks to the back of my NES!) but there's no room in the back. The only place I can see adding jacks to is above the AV multi out (where the 1-800 sticker is) but then they'll be on the top half of the console. I hate having to mount things on the top half because it makes taking the console apart a pain in the ass (with wires connecting to the top half).

So even if I mount jacks on the 1-800 sticker, there's still only barely enough room. I know I can fit four RCA jacks there (for RGB+s) but it'll be tight. I was considering mounting a mini-DIN jack instead, but that would come with the same problems we mentioned about S-Video.

Another idea I had would solve the problem for sure, but would be a whole to-do to do. The reason why there's no room at the back of the console is because the power brick is there. So, we could solve that. I could make it so the brick is in the middle of the wire, instead of plugging directly into the console. But there's two different voltage lines, so I would have to use like an s-video cable or something to go from the brick to the console. Then just mount a DIN connector or whatever for power, and have all that extra room for AV jacks! But, I don't think I wanna do that. Pain in the ass it might be.

[skate323k137]

All definitely legit concerns, and yeah, screw adding jacks on the side >_<

I do like the idea of modifying the power brick to have it in the middle of the cable.

Honestly in that case I might just go with the gamesx mod of wiring the RGB to the a/v mulit out (where it should have been anyway...) and just getting a SNES scart cable and hacking that with your own wires and fittings.

[Ziggy]

I ended up adding RCA jacks.



Wasn't too bad. The only thing, I put them in 1/2" on center, so the plugs have just enough room...



So I could never use some huge Monster plugs or similar, but whatever. I did the same spacing on my SNES. Most plugs should fit, just huge over the top ones wont, which I will never buy anyway.

I went with this method of installing RGB, and I got my sync from pin 3 on the multi out.



I could have made the PCB a little smaller, so it would fit easier, but I was kinda just winging it like I always do.

[skate323k137]

Well done sir! I'd love to see that on a PVM or similar RGB CRT

[Ziggy]

Thanks!

I'd love to see that on a PVM or similar RGB CRT

Me too, because I haven't noticed a difference with my current setup. I'm converting the RGB to YPbPr and outputting to my HDTV. I can't see a difference between it and S-Video. If I look REALLY hard, I can notice little things, but real minor. I'll have to set it up on my Wega and see if there's more of a difference there.

This all stems from me not having s-video inputs on my new HDTV and AV receiver. Basically, I keep all my retro consoles in the man cave with a Wega. With my HDTV setup, I have all my (more) current consoles. But I like the SNES and N64 so much that I need them in both rooms! So I need HDTV solutions for them. Luckily, my new TV displays the 240 signal just fine, and the upscaler is great too. But yeah, no s-video.

Right now I'm torn with the SNES. I have that 1chip PAL SNES, but it looks like the YPbPr mod from the older SNES will look better on my HDTV. It seems that the slight blur that the older model has is beneficial when blown up to 1080. As for the N64, I'm a little dissapointed that the RGB isn't a noticeable improvement over S-Video, but at least it'll hold me over until this comes out...

http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=43034

(N64 HDMI!)

[AznKhmerBoi]

Great job and very professional. Wish i had one like that now.