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View Full Version : N64 and S-Video: Should it look like this?


aclbandit
08-13-2008, 05:29 PM
I finally got my N64/GCN s-video cable, having decided NOT to RGB mod.

Upon hooking it up, I was met with a strange "checkerboard" pattern. Awesome, right? </sarcasm>.

I read somewhere that it could be crosstalk between the s-vid channels or something.

My question: Should I send this cable back or something? It's the Pelican N64/GCN S-video cable; the only other mention of it I found said it had the same problem. I'm quite disappointed. Has anyone else had this problem/found a solution? I'd hate to have to go back to composite video... :(
MasterJSP
08-13-2008, 05:42 PM
I also have that checkerboard problem when I hook up my SNES with s-video, but I don't know why it does that.
aclbandit
08-13-2008, 05:45 PM
I also have that checkerboard problem when I hook up my SNES with s-video, but I don't know why it does that.

Yep, just tried the same cable on SNES, it did it too. Is it just that that pelican cable bloze or what?
Agressivadue
08-13-2008, 05:49 PM
Heeeey. What you have is a sorry cable. Find a better one, and the pattern goes away. I had the same problem with my Gamecube. Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions as to what brand to get! At least it's not your equipment.
doubledownon11
08-13-2008, 06:29 PM
You can still get brand new ones from Nintendo of America, but they want like $15.00 a set. I got (3) cheap-o's off a guy who was selling them on ebay with multiples available and I don't have any problems with mine.
Agressivadue
08-13-2008, 06:37 PM
I finally got my N64/GCN s-video cable, having decided NOT to RGB mod.

I'd hate to have to go back to composite video... :(

Wait, go BACK to composite? Did you mod or not? What's wrong with composite?
Gamereviewgod
08-13-2008, 06:53 PM
Wait, go BACK to composite? Did you mod or not? What's wrong with composite?


Composite. Not Component.
Agressivadue
08-13-2008, 07:12 PM
Composite. Not Component.

Oops.
bcombee
08-13-2008, 07:49 PM
It could be your TV. Some LCD TVs can't handle the video from the N64 and SNES very well -- my 20" set isn't able to sync.
Rob2600
08-13-2008, 08:06 PM
I finally got my N64/GCN s-video cable, having decided NOT to RGB mod.

Upon hooking it up, I was met with a strange "checkerboard" pattern.

The SNES/N64/GC S-video cable I have works fine. The picture quality is great and there's no checkerboard pattern. Unfortunately, there's no brand name on the cable and I don't remember what the brand is.
Greg2600
08-13-2008, 08:16 PM
I get a checkerboard on only one SNES game I've ever had, it is Gradius III. Very strange, it is the only game that does it, and I am using the original cable from the N64.
SkiDragon
08-13-2008, 08:40 PM
I get a checkerboard on only one SNES game I've ever had, it is Gradius III. Very strange, it is the only game that does it, and I am using the original cable from the N64.

If I recall, Gradius III starts up with a checkerboard pattern for some reason, and then the game starts normally.
aclbandit
08-14-2008, 12:29 AM
You can still get brand new ones from Nintendo of America, but they want like $15.00 a set. I got (3) cheap-o's off a guy who was selling them on ebay with multiples available and I don't have any problems with mine.

In all honesty, 15 a set is NOT a problem, so long as I don't have to deal with poop-tastic composite video. I'll look into an official cable-- thanks a lot!

Also, just for future reference: DO NOT EVER buy the Pelican GCN/N64 s-vid cable-- I found someone on another forum talking about "basketball dots", similar to mine, which indicates that it blows.
Icarus Moonsight
08-14-2008, 01:52 AM
If I recall, Gradius III starts up with a checkerboard pattern for some reason, and then the game starts normally.

That's just how Konami arcade games used to boot up. It's intentional, to create an ambiance in a throwback sort of way. ;) They still do it from time to time. The Konami Arcade Classics on DS is one they did lately.
Kitsune Sniper
08-14-2008, 03:19 AM
In all honesty, 15 a set is NOT a problem, so long as I don't have to deal with poop-tastic composite video. I'll look into an official cable-- thanks a lot!

Also, just for future reference: DO NOT EVER buy the Pelican GCN/N64 s-vid cable-- I found someone on another forum talking about "basketball dots", similar to mine, which indicates that it blows.

Yeah, I've had issues with Pelican's DC S-Video cable as well. I don't remember what brand I use now, but I think I got it here in a trade.

Anyway, I use an S-Video cable I bought at Gamestop with my Gamecube. It's one of those PS2/XBox/Gamecube dealies. It works pretty well and I don't get any distortion. Maybe you can find a cheap, used one there!
Greg2600
08-14-2008, 08:56 AM
That's just how Konami arcade games used to boot up. It's intentional, to create an ambiance in a throwback sort of way. ;) They still do it from time to time. The Konami Arcade Classics on DS is one they did lately.

I did not know that. All the Konami SNES games I have take an extra second or two for the Konami logo to appear. Often I think the games needs cleaning, I'm impatient.
aclbandit
08-14-2008, 09:28 AM
Someone has offered me a Gamecube s-video cable from Monster, I think I'll grab that and see how it goes.
Gentlegamer
08-14-2008, 10:02 AM
The official Nintendo S-video cable works quite well. It was worth the $15 to me (still available at Nintendo's online store).
The Clonus Horror
08-16-2008, 06:20 PM
I had the same problem. I picked up a Monster cable and it cleared right up.
Ed Oscuro
08-16-2008, 08:32 PM
Note: S-video is worthless on an unmodded SNES model 2 (for some reason, I have two of these and no regular SNES systems).
aclbandit
08-20-2008, 08:18 AM
Note: S-video is worthless on an unmodded SNES model 2 (for some reason, I have two of these and no regular SNES systems).

Could you explain? Why is it "worthless"?

I ask because I was considering picking up another s-vid for my SNES, and the model I use is the V2.0; I have the old model in my closet, so worst case I can pull that back out.
ooXxXoo
08-20-2008, 09:04 AM
Nintendo decided to remove the s-video and RGB signal from the native AV port of the SNES 2 slim system....Therefore, no s-video cable will work regardless of the brand, unless the actual SNES 2 System is modded llike in here:

http://www.retro-console.com/othermodifications.htm
aclbandit
08-23-2008, 12:15 AM
Nintendo decided to remove the s-video and RGB signal from the native AV port of the SNES 2 slim system....Therefore, no s-video cable will work regardless of the brand, unless the actual SNES 2 System is modded llike in here:

http://www.retro-console.com/othermodifications.htm

Okay, glad to know.