Concerning GC component cables and D-Terminals

[Lokkenjawnz]

Alright so in my quest for better cables I've started thinking about my GameCube. Naturally, I'd like the official component cables for the best picture. However, I flat out refuse to pay more than $20 for a damn cable, let alone $60. So my eye turned toward the DIY scene, which unfortunately has come up empty. It seems the official component cables house a (proprietary?) digital-to-analog in the connector which converts the digital signal to analog for the component connection. Why Nintendo would go through all the trouble of including a digital out port which doesn't actually put out anything digital (not even audio!) is beyond me, but that's besides the point.

Now this chip is what basically stops people from DIY-ing, and it's not exactly the simplest thing in the world to clone the chip for yourself. However, based on my quick research, the D-Terminal cable plugs into the same port, and is an analog signal, which leads me to believe that it has the same, or at least a comparable, D/A chip in the connector. If this is in fact the case, it seems like it shouldn't be that difficult to modify one to work on American component hookups. The D-Terminal cable was, as far as I know, much more common than the American component cable for the GC, so sourcing one off eBay or some other such site shouldn't be a problem.

So now that my idea is out there, for the hardware guys out there: what do you think? Has anyone compared a D-Terminal cable with a component cable before? Could anyone point me to a picture of the insides of both connectors? I think this could be a real possibility, and could bring down the cost of component cables at least a small amount, but more importantly it would allow people to make their own. So let me know what you guys think, and if anyone's willing to test it out.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

D-Terminal IS component, just get a D-terminal to component adapter cable and you're all set.

Also, both cables use a digital converter chip inside, and the Gamecube does output digital via the digital output port. The reasoning behind this was to knock $50 off of the Gamecube's price at launch by not including that one D/A chip inside.

DVI cables were also planned but scrapped when Nintendo did their poll showing only 4% of Gamecube owners even used component at the time. (keep in mind this was 2003)

[d123456]

Exactly, the GC Component is more that just a cable! it is a D-A converter built into a cable.
worth it! Every penny.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Exactly, the GC Component is more that just a cable! it is a D-A converter built into a cable.
worth it! Every penny.

Ditto, plus in the end it IS an analog signal.

It may not sound like it makes sense to you Lokkenz, but more money really does mean better quality when it comes to analog. And as far as the build quality of the cable and D-A chip go they're still top notch.