Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 56

Thread: Is there really that big of a difference between S-Video and RGB on SNES?

  1. #1
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    95
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default Is there really that big of a difference between S-Video and RGB on SNES?

    I'm an admin on /r/gamecollecting on Reddit and we recently made a group purchase of some Monster S-Video cables for SNES/N64/GCN. I wrote a review HERE if you're interested with screenshots comparing composite and S-Video.

    Whereas a couple of those cables cost me around 15 bucks, the jump to a top-notch RGB setup (XRGB-3, GCN SCART cable, and euro-to-JAP conversion...) would be 40-50x more expensive. I'm a big enough of a nut that I'm actually open to considering the possibility, but frankly I don't see how the video quality can get much better than what I'm seeing in the screenshots I posted within the review.

    Anyone care to chime in? :P

  2. #2
    Apple (Level 5) Emuaust's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    1,161
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I don't think so really, there is a noticeable improvement when you go to RGB for the SNES but the consoles s-video and hell, even composite capabilities are superior to the MD/GEN and while there is an increase in clarity with each step up you take its not the "OMG WOW" factor you get from some of the other consoles of the era.

  3. #3
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    95
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Yeah man. There was a fairly "wow" transition from Composite to S-Video, but I don't know how much of a difference RGB would make...

    The bigger issue is that if I upgraded to RGB it'd be because I were streaming my SNES games for a show or reviews etc. With everything I listed about PLUS a DVI or VGA capture (for which the capture cards are like $2000 a piece... crazy...), I'm looking at about $2500 just to get a bump in streamable video quality, vs. now, where I can already capture S-Video with my Dazzle DVC100.

    It's a shame that SCART was never implemented in the US and that it's such a pain to get usable RGB out of NTSC SNESs, even if it is a model 1.

  4. #4
    Kirby (Level 13) j_factor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Oakland, CA (representin')
    Posts
    5,231
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Perhaps I'm missing something, but why do you need an XRGB-3?

  5. #5
    Great Puma (Level 12) c0ldb33r's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    4,980
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I'd get in some svideo cables for snes. If you do another group purchase let us know

  6. #6
    Ghostbuster
    Greg2600's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Soprano Land, NJ
    Posts
    3,981
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    10
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    64
    Thanked in
    59 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    Greg2600

    Default

    I've never seen a noticeable difference on ANYTHING between S-Video and Composite. Perhaps if you stare at a still shot, but not for anything moving.
    The Paunch Stevenson Show free Internet podcast - www.paunchstevenson.com - DP FEEDBACK

  7. #7
    Strawberry (Level 2) Custom rank graphic
    Drixxel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    BC, Canada
    Posts
    452
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    An XRGB-3 does seem like a classy and robust piece of hardware, but there are definitely other ways to make this work. A more affordable solution for getting RGB going from a SNES (on a TV without a SCART input) would be to pair a cheap third party RGB cable like this with a SCART-to-??? video converter like this. In the case of that particular SCART-to-component video converter, an audio breakout adapter like so would be a sound idea, unless silence is preferred. Altogether, this is a ~$70 ordeal but way below the cost of an XRGB-3 alone.

  8. #8
    Pretzel (Level 4) substantial_snake's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Ra Cailum
    Posts
    825
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    PSN
    Insanity2546

    Default

    Not really.

    I went the Scart-to-RGB route with my genesis because its stock composite picture is pretty lousy. It ended up costing about 60-70 bucks for the converter and a RGB cable with built in Audio splitter. It was an upgrade well worth it and the picture looks fantastic on a CRT screen.

    My SNES was an earlier model so S-video was an option. I picked up the cable and again massive improvement over composite as expected. I picked up an SCART-RGB cable for my SNES and tried it out with little improvement. So little in fact that I don't want to go through the trouble of plugging and unplugging the rather snug SCART cable every time I switch consoles. I really didn't see enough of an improvement to justify the 10 dollar cable over S-video, you might but it really wasn't that dramatic.

  9. #9
    ServBot (Level 11)
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Columbus/OHIO
    Posts
    3,070
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    On an RGB monitor (I have a Sony PVM-2530) you will see an improvement in RGB versus S-video. It is most evident with a Sega Genesis, but also with a model 1 SNES.

    The XRGB-3's claim to fame is that it allows you to use a modern HDTV while maintaining an image resembling what we rmember from playing on a CRT.

  10. #10
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    95
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Great points. Thanks everyone :P. Someday if/when I'm loaded and if TV technology has never caught up to the majesty that is CRT technology, I will perhaps buy the XRGB equivalent of the day, if one exists O..o

  11. #11
    Pac-Man (Level 10) theclaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,217
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post
    Xbox LIVE
    theclaw135
    PSN
    Eonclaw

    Default

    RGB under ideal circumstances wildly beats anything else. That is no myth or hyberbole. However it takes extra TLC to gain its full benefit. RGB is the purest sharpest option in existence, raw video format many consoles render in. Any minute artifact WILL be visible. Especially on HD sets. Has none of the "smoothing" effect, that CRTs and/or composite provide.
    Lum fan.

  12. #12
    Strawberry (Level 2) RARusk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    540
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    6
    Thanked in
    4 Posts

    Default

    In my RGB modding experience I found that the SNES' RGB was the best out of the older consoles I own. Quite stunning.

    However, S-Video Monster Cables (SNES/N64/NGC) will work pretty well for screen capturing because their superior build quality, as compared to other S-Video cables, allows for a much better picture on that format.
    The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout "save us!"......and I'll look down, and whisper "no."

  13. #13
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    California
    Posts
    112
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    I've gone through about all the internal hardware revisions on the original SNES and they all have poor RGB picture quality, some are better than others, RGB on the original model SNES is very blurry for some reason. Every Super Famicom I've come across has the same problem.

    The SNES 2 or Super Famicom JR. on the other hand, when properly modded offers the best RGB picture (it does not output RGB out of the box). A huge improvement. I prefer the look of the original SNES/Super Famicom, but use a Super Famicom JR. because of the much better RGB picture quality.

    I use a Sony standard res. RGB monitor, but the difference in picture quality can be seen on everything from RGB/Component converters to the XRGB units.

  14. #14
    Pac-Man (Level 10) theclaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,217
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post
    Xbox LIVE
    theclaw135
    PSN
    Eonclaw

    Default

    As for Genesis, it's been proposed (if largely rumor) jail bars might be a VDP problem. Curing that entirely will take re-implementing an improved graphics chip to fix the bug. Good luck finding someone with transistor skills or a semiconductor plant...
    Lum fan.

  15. #15
    Strawberry (Level 2) ccovell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    554
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RARusk View Post
    In my RGB modding experience I found that the SNES' RGB was the best out of the older consoles I own. Quite stunning.
    I concur with Hamburglar in that the SNES' RGB isn't as sharp as other systems like Genesis, SMS, PC-Engine, Saturn, etc. The SNES has a bit of blurring/trailing capacitance on the right side of high-contrast objects that the other systems don't have. (I can't speak for the SNES Jr.)

    The S-Video on SNES is clear enough that RGB isn't absolutely justified. I don't have S-V shots but my page here does have some composite-RGB comparison shots: http://www.chrismcovell.com/gotRGB/rgb_compare.html

  16. #16
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    California
    Posts
    112
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by theclaw View Post
    As for Genesis, it's been proposed (if largely rumor) jail bars might be a VDP problem. Curing that entirely will take re-implementing an improved graphics chip to fix the bug. Good luck finding someone with transistor skills or a semiconductor plant...
    I don't get Jailbars with my own RGB cables, only had problems with cheap cables that are missing the components that are necessary...

  17. #17
    Key (Level 9) chrisbid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    1,819
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    the jump isnt huge, but it is with the genesis. i purchased a scart -> component adapter for around 50 bucks. with that adapter and a scart switchbox, i had space for 4 different scart connections. the scart cables themselves werent that expensive so i bought cables for the genesis, snes, saturn, and neo geo. the entire setup was around 120 dollars. the jump in quality for the saturn and snes (s-video) wasnt huge, but it certainly was for the genesis and neo geo.

  18. #18
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    95
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ccovell View Post
    I concur with Hamburglar in that the SNES' RGB isn't as sharp as other systems like Genesis, SMS, PC-Engine, Saturn, etc. The SNES has a bit of blurring/trailing capacitance on the right side of high-contrast objects that the other systems don't have. (I can't speak for the SNES Jr.)

    The S-Video on SNES is clear enough that RGB isn't absolutely justified. I don't have S-V shots but my page here does have some composite-RGB comparison shots: http://www.chrismcovell.com/gotRGB/rgb_compare.html
    Yeah, with the monster S-Video cables my video quality is every bit as sharp or sharper than the RGB screenshots that guy is showing. I've used crappy S-Video cables before and their quality wasn't half as good as the monster cables.

  19. #19
    Pretzel (Level 4) substantial_snake's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Ra Cailum
    Posts
    825
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    PSN
    Insanity2546

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by chrisbid View Post
    the jump isnt huge, but it is with the genesis. i purchased a scart -> component adapter for around 50 bucks. with that adapter and a scart switchbox, i had space for 4 different scart connections. the scart cables themselves werent that expensive so i bought cables for the genesis, snes, saturn, and neo geo. the entire setup was around 120 dollars. the jump in quality for the saturn and snes (s-video) wasnt huge, but it certainly was for the genesis and neo geo.
    I have a question, are you saying your setup went like this?

    X Game Console - Scart - Scart Switchbox - Scart Output -Scart Converter - Component - TV

    I honestly didn't know they made just switchboxes for Scart and if its cheap and works I would like to do something similar with my settup. It would largely eliminate the back and forth between different cable settups for different games.

  20. #20
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    34
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I myself was looking for an S-video cable for connecting my SNES just last week.

    I've heard that a lot of the 'no name' generic brand ones are garbage, so I wanted to try finding a nintendo brand (1st party) one. I found out after searching, it's no easy feat!

    I saw on eBay (link here) , that there was a japanese seller selling Super Famicon ones (1st party), and am told they work with the North American consoles.

    Figured I'd share.

Similar Threads

  1. SNES Cartridge - Difference in CAN (vs USA)?
    By dgdgagdae in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 02-14-2012, 07:03 PM
  2. Difference Between Game Doctors for the SNES?
    By Bertie Bott in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 11-10-2006, 01:13 PM
  3. Difference Between Monitor Out and VGA IN/VIDEO ON A CONSOLE
    By MagicMajenta in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10-18-2005, 12:21 AM
  4. racial difference in final fight jpn snes?
    By pragmatic insanester in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-15-2005, 05:41 PM
  5. Replies: 22
    Last Post: 03-14-2003, 10:46 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •