N64, RGB Video... so confused.

[aclbandit]

Okay, so I'm considering trying that RGB mod on the N64, which would be cool, since RGB is better than composite, right?

Well, the problem, of course, is that I don't think my TV would actually know what to do with it. I have a 1080i HDTV, and it does have component input, but it's of the YrPr (or whatever the hell that acronym is) type.

My questions are as follows.

1) Would that RGB mod work on this kind of connection? From what i can gather, they're different, but info is tough to find.

2) Would it be worth it? I have an S-Video cable on the way, which should hopefully improve things.

3) If it won't work, is there some kind of transcoding box that would convert RGB to YrPrB ("component"), and, if so, would it lose a lot of quality? (i.e., if I do need the transcoder, would the s-video be the better option anyway?)

Thanks in advance, guys; I've always wondered exactly what the difference between these two types of component was, and haven't yet found the necessary info.

[Soviet Conscript]

first off RGB isn't that great on the n64 from what i hear. some ppl even tend to prefer composite over S-video.

I don't know what your talking about when you mention 2 diffrent kinds of componant(blue,green,red inputs), theres only 1 that i know of.

you can get a SCART RGB cable and get a SCART to Componant adaptor i think.

i think you may also need to mod the cable as well as the system.

[aclbandit]

first off RGB isn't that great on the n64 from what i hear. some ppl even tend to prefer composite over S-video.

I don't know what your talking about when you mention 2 diffrent kinds of componant(blue,green,red inputs), theres only 1 that i know of.

There is the distinct possibility that they are the same thing, yes. I honestly don't know, but I've heard of them both and wanted to know if they were different.

you can get a SCART RGB cable and get a SCART to Componant adaptor i think.

i think you may also need to mod the cable as well as the system.

I heard of someone doing this a bit back for their SNES; mine's an NTSC setup, since I'm located in the U.S., but I don't think that would matter since it's being transcoded to sensible component anyway, right?

And would a N64-to-scart-to-component setup work for the N64, for one thing, and with my TV, for another, and finally, would it look any better than the s-video?

[Mayhem]

You'd need an early N64 as well, Nintendo prevented the mod in later US N64s and all PAL N64s.

[CosmicMonkey]

You're maybe confusing YPbPr and YCbCr?

If you do the RGB mod, you'll then have to transcode the signal with an RGB to Component converter. Your TV will then try to scale the signal to it's native resolution resulting in lag time. You'll end up with lag and a crap picture, unless you're willing to spend serious cash on a decent video processor.

The N64 is one of the few occasions where I'd recommend emulation over the real hardware.

[doubledownon11]

RGB - One cable for each color, Red, Green, and Blue. Plus the sync info on either 2 seperate lines, (one for horizontal and one for vertical), 1 seperate line (usually termed composite snyc), or sync on green, where it is combined with the Green line.

Component Video - By today standards actually Color Difference. There is one cable for each the Red minus brightness (R-Y, Pr, or Cr), the Blue minus brightness (B-Y, Pb, or Cb), and the brightness (Y). On monitors with component input labels like R-Y, and Cr will only accept Interlaced video signals, while those labeled like Pr will accept both Progressive Scan and Interlaced video signals. In this case the Green color value is calculated internally by the display device from an equation using the 3 given signals as variables. True RGB used to be called Component, (and still is depending on who you're talking to), but normally today when people mention it they mean "one cable for each color."

A true RGB signal would not be useable on a modern monitor with "component inputs." The only devices capable of displaying a true RGB signal are those where the jacks are labled as such. These monitors usually include professional studio monitors, medical monitors, computer monitors, and arcade monitors, and are usually real expensive unless you can find a place looking to get rid of one. Professional studio monitors and medical monitors are your best bet if you want to view true RGB signals here in the U.S, but most of those are usually only 8"-20" in size. Arcade monitors work fine, but usually they are an open frame design meaning that they have no housig like a retail tv. Computer monitors won't work because they have a scan rate of 30kHz, where most video outputing devices (video games) output a 15kHz signal (now there are some older computer monitors that will work, but most are only about 13"-15" measured diaganolly). Most european monitors take true RGB natively as that is one of their input standards, not so here in the U.S. I'm sure its possible to buy a set top box to convert an RGB signal from the N64 to U.S. useable component video, but it's probably gonna run you a few hundred dollars, and realistically probably ain't worth it.

Here's the link to the ebay search for professional video monitors for reference. Not all with accept a true RGB input, but check auctions with pictures of the back of the monitor and look for jacks (usually BNC style) that are labeled with the R-G-B inputs as well as one or more for the Sync. For what its worth I've also heard that the modded RGB output from the N64 isn't that great as it provides a fairly weak/dim signal. I stick to S-Video for mine, and I mod everything!

http://photography.listings.ebay.com/Professional-Video-Equipment_Monitors_W0QQfromZR4QQsacatZ21517QQsocmd ZListingItemList

[ooXxXoo]

A lot of people seem to be confused about this, RGB is not Component, although, it is a form of RGB...
Some N64 systems motherboards revisions can be RGB modded, while in others it can't be so easy....But again, the RGB lines need to be properly amplied to get good results...
I agree with doubledown11, the N64 system native s-video is great, so there is no need to spend a fortune, other than a good official Nintendo s-video cable....3rd-party s-video cables at times can't be reliable...

[rbudrick]

And would a N64-to-scart-to-component setup work for the N64, for one thing, and with my TV, for another, and finally, would it look any better than the s-video?I don't see any reason it wouldn't work. My NES was RGB modded and it it goes from SCART to a converter box to component. Once it has a scart connector, though not a USA-used format, you can still convert it to whatever, provided the right adapter box. One of the XRGBs are best because of all the output options, but remember you'd have to convert to JP-SCART on that. They are also enormously expensive. I got my SCART to Component box for 40 or 50 or 60 bucks or something like that on eBay.

-Rob

[Rob2600]

I agree with doubledown11, the N64 system native s-video is great, so there is no need to spend a fortune, other than a good Nintendo s-video cable

I agree. I own a third-party SNES/N64/GameCube S-video cable and the picture quality is fantastic, at least on my 27" standard-definition TV.

[Trebuken]

The XRGB usually comes up in these conversations. Ever tough to find, and too expensive, but often a solid solution...

[aclbandit]

RGB - One cable for each color, Red, Green, and Blue. Plus the sync info on either 2 seperate lines, (one for horizontal and one for vertical), 1 seperate line (usually termed composite snyc), or sync on green, where it is combined with the Green line.

...

For what its worth I've also heard that the modded RGB output from the N64 isn't that great as it provides a fairly weak/dim signal. I stick to S-Video for mine, and I mod everything!


Thank you, especially, for that incredibly helpful answer. Thanks everyone else for your input as well. I'll go with the S-video, then, since RGB doesn't sound like it's worth it to me.

Anyway, S-video has to be better than this horrid composite cable. I mean, it works for my NES and SNES, but once you move into 3D stuff, it just doesn't cut it anymore for me.

thanks again, everyone.

[doubledownon11]

Keep in mind that the N64 ain't exactly a spring chicken anymore, its got a few years on itself now so don't try to compare it to modern day graphics! An S-Video cable may help with overally fuzziness for a clearer picture vs. composite video, but it's not going to look like a PS3. Also don't forget that programmers making games for the N64 used a lot of "fog" and "haze" effects to cover up for some of the hardware limitations of the machine which a cable isn't going to fix. Don't get me wrong I love the N64, I'm just sayin' is all.

PAL - JPN - USA
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/1286/consolestu1.jpg