S-Video

[crux]

Assuming the most common versions of the systems here, since a lot of systems went through a lot of revisions, and the list will be far from complete. I'm also generally only going to list the best connection for each system (generally any early system that utilized composite also utilized RF, S-video also utilized composite, RGB also utilized S-Video, etc.), except for RGB and component. RGB is generally superior for the consoles that accepted both, despite component showing up only on later consoles.

RF: Atari 2600, Intellivision, ColecoVision, Odyssey 2, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Sega Master System II, Bally Astrocade, Channel F, RCA Studio II, Sega SG-1000, Arcadia 2001, Famicom, NES top loader
Composite: NES (mono audio), TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine, Atari XEGS (mono audio), SNES mini
S-Video: Amiga CD32, CD-i, FM Towns Marty, Neo Geo CD, 3DO, PC-FX, Nintendo 64, GameCube (some revisions, NTSC only)
RGB: Sega Master System (no S-Video, however), SNES, Neo Geo AES, Genesis, Saturn, PlayStation, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, GameCube (PAL only), Wii (PAL only)
VGA: Dreamcast (some games were not compatible)
Component: PlayStation 2 (the vast majority of games were limited to 480i, and almost none went up to 1080i), GameCube (some NTSC revisions), Xbox, Wii
HDMI: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Thanks to ApolloBoy for revisions and additions.

[alienjesus]

Well, I'm basically looking to upgrade everything, because up to now I've just been sticking with the default RF or composite provided. So:

All PAL-
Master System (model 2)
I know the model 1 Master System can do RGB normally. Not sure about model 2.
Mega Drive (model 2)
RGB capable
Saturn
RGB capable
Dreamcast
Get a VGA/S-Video switch box from Racketboy. Most games support VGA, switch to S-Video for those that don't.
NES
Model 1 (toaster) can do composite. The top loader can only do RF. The Top loader for the Famicom can do composite, and the Famicom Titler can do s-video.
SNES
RGB capable
N64
S-Video is best. (some early models can be modded for RGB)
PS2 (fat)
Component is best. It can do RGB but it won't let you watch DVD movies or do progressive scan.
3DO
S-Video
Turbografx
No idea. I've only used RGB modded ones.
There's also the Wii, but I already know I can get Component and RGB Scart for that one.

When you say RGB Capable do you mean cable or Scart or both?

TG is RF out of the box, composite with a Turbo Booster, TB+, or the CD attachment.

Apparently not true for the PAL model, mine has composite by default.

[Inazuma]

When you say RGB Capable do you mean cable or Scart or both?

You can buy and use either a European or Japanese RGB cable and it will work, unmodded.

[Redifer]

Please note that the PAL TurboGrafx will play ALL games at a slower-than-intended speed. No game was ever specifically retimed for PAL. Not that that has anything to do with what you said.

[alienjesus]

Please note that the PAL TurboGrafx will play ALL games at a slower-than-intended speed. No game was ever specifically retimed for PAL. Not that that has anything to do with what you said.

Oh, I know that. But I got a good deal on it and it meant I didn't have to faff about worrying about step-down converters and import taxes and whatever. One day when I have a better income and a place of my own I'll probably invest in a US system in order to play the games at full speed (and get access to CD games whilst I'm at it) and probably mod my PAL systems for 60hz too, but at the minute as a poor unemplyed graduate, I'll stick to what i've got now. It's not like I'm not used to playing games 18% slower anyhow


Also, thanks for the help Inazuma, much appreciated. I'm surprised the SNES supports RGB and the N64 doesn't though, that seems really odd.

[CFFJR]

I'm surprised the SNES supports RGB and the N64 doesn't though, that seems really odd.

Blame Nintendo.

At some point they found that very few people at the time were actually using rgb, so it was removed for the 64.

The Gamecube has an even dumber situation, where the US cube doesn't support rgb, but the Pal cube doesn't support s-video.

@crux

Regarding your list, the Sega Master System supports both composite and RGB. Just so you know.

I run mine with RGB and it looks purdy.

[alienjesus]

I'm surprised the SNES supports RGB and the N64 doesn't though, that seems really odd.

Blame Nintendo.

At some point they found that very few people at the time were actually using rgb, so it was removed for the 64.

The Gamecube has an even dumber situation, where the US cube doesn't support rgb, but the Pal cube doesn't support s-video.

@crux

Regarding your list, the Sega Master System supports both composite and RGB. Just so you know.

I run mine with RGB and it looks purdy.

Is this both models, or just model 1?

[CFFJR]

Ah that, I'm running a model 1, so I'm afraid I don't know. Sorry man.

[crux]

Thanks for the correction. Master System doesn't support composite, so I'm surprised it does RGB. Product of the times, I suppose.

[CFFJR]

Thanks for the correction. Master System doesn't support composite, so I'm surprised it does RGB. Product of the times, I suppose.

Where did you hear it doesn't do composite?

I was using a composite cable for mine before I switched to rgb.

I'm a bit confused by this conversation.