View Full Version : Nintendo Gamecube Component Video Cable
The Manimal
12-03-2005, 06:15 PM
Anyone else frustrated and also laugh at how Nintendo handled this? They remove the "Digital Out" (although it's technically still an analog signal ;) with the reasoning that "less than 1% of Gamecube users use this feature" but at the same time Nintendo themselves NEVER offered this for sale at any retail or online store....other than Nintendo.com, which even then, accepts limited types of payment (they don't accept Discover or Amex, even).
I really want one of these, and they are pricey on eBay and Nintendo.com doesn't have them in stock.
Trebuken
12-03-2005, 06:34 PM
They've had these on back order before. I would wait until late January if you have too. Few games reportedly show much of a difference over component...
$10 - $20 more on ebay.
Nintendo did handle this poorly, but the seem to be set on the same path for the Revolution. I don't get it, but it's their business to lose...
Later,
Trebuken
Mayhem
12-03-2005, 06:59 PM
None at LikSang?
heybtbm
12-03-2005, 08:07 PM
None at LikSang?
LikSang just got a new shipment about 2 weeks ago. $34.99 a pop...and worth every penny.
Edit: changed price from $29.99 to $34.99, my mistake.
s1lence
12-03-2005, 08:32 PM
The cables are pretty sweet, but you still need the normal cable for audio. I don't believe nintendo.com is going to hav e any in January.
The Manimal
12-03-2005, 11:17 PM
None at LikSang?
LikSang just got a new shipment about 2 weeks ago. $29.99 a pop...and worth every penny.
Are they official Nintendo cables or a third party?
Website link... (take Discover?)
Mr Mort
12-04-2005, 02:56 AM
http://www.ncsxshop.com/cgi-bin/shop/DOL-010.html
$39.95 before shipping, but I got mine from them, and it was worth every penny. I've dealt with NCSX on many occasions, and they have never let me down.
It's the official Nintendo HD cable from Japan. Works perfectly on North American units. If you're looking for a first-party cable, it's easier to find the Japanese one.
F-Zero GX looks insane in 480p. In fact a good number of GC games support 480p, and it makes a considerable difference in most games. The Metroid Prime games looks great as well.
kevin_psx
12-04-2005, 06:06 AM
Anyone else frustrated and also laugh at how Nintendo handled this? They remove the "Digital Out" (although it's technically still an analog signal ;)
How is Digital Out = analog? Isn't progressive scan a Digital TV standard?
Agree with guy who said Component is not necessary. S-video looks just as good for these blurry/pixelated games.
heybtbm
12-04-2005, 09:15 AM
None at LikSang?
LikSang just got a new shipment about 2 weeks ago. $29.99 a pop...and worth every penny.
Are they official Nintendo cables or a third party?
Website link... (take Discover?)
Lik Sang has the official component cables.
Website link:http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=52&products_id=1468&
heybtbm
12-04-2005, 09:28 AM
Anyone else frustrated and also laugh at how Nintendo handled this? They remove the "Digital Out" (although it's technically still an analog signal ;)
How is Digital Out = analog? Isn't progressive scan a Digital TV standard?
Agree with guy who said Component is not necessary. S-video looks just as good for these blurry/pixelated games.
Component may not be necessary in your opinion...but to say S-video looks just as good as component is absolutely false.
For people who haven't seen the difference firsthand...You wouldn't believe how dark and blurry the S-video appears (running at 480i) when comaring it directly to the component cables (running at 480p). Night and day. Even games that don't support progressive scan look cleaner and crisper with the component cables.
I love the way my GC looks with component, RE4 looks absolutly amazing. S vids fine but component is where its at.
mario2butts
12-05-2005, 01:55 AM
Are they official Nintendo cables or a third party?
How is Digital Out = analog? Isn't progressive scan a Digital TV standard?
Agree with guy who said Component is not necessary. S-video looks just as good for these blurry/pixelated games.
There are NO third party GC component cables. The plug of the cable that connects to the GC's digital video port contains a chip (which only Nintendo makes) that converts the digital video stream from the 'cube to analog component video. Component video is an analog connection. With component video the 'cube can output 480p resolution (aka "Extended Definition" or "Progressive Scan") with select games. For a list of 480p capable games check out www.hdtvarcade.com (of my twelve GC games, only one, Super Monkey Ball, does not support 480p)
For these games you'll have to activate 480p by holding down the B button at startup and select "Yes" at the prompt "activate Progressive Scan mode?". Of course you'll need a 480p capable "EDTV" or "HDTV" to do this.
Yes, the picture DOES look sweet if you have a decent TV. Even if you're for whatever reason (regular TV, non-480p game) stuck with 480i (standard) resolution, there is a subtle but noticable step up in picture quality from S-Video.
I bought my cables from Lik-Sang for $35. They are definately worth it. :)
kevin_psx
12-05-2005, 09:44 AM
You wouldn't believe how dark and blurry the S-video appears (running at 480i) ...... Even games that don't support progressive scan look cleaner and crisper with the component cables.
Not my experience. S-video or Component - the 480i looks the same on my 27"
The plug of the cable that connects to the GC's digital video port contains a chip (which only Nintendo makes) that converts the digital video stream from the 'cube to analog component video.
Does PS2's component video work the same way? D-to-A converter?
Hear people moan about Sony's proprietary hardware - sounds like Nintendo's worse - with special chips in cables & non-standard mini-dvds
mario2butts
12-05-2005, 12:20 PM
Does PS2's component video work the same way? D-to-A converter?
I don't know the specifics of how the PS2 outputs component video, but its definately not like the GC's wacky design. Third party PS2 component cables abound.
KingCobra
12-05-2005, 12:33 PM
You need those's component cables if your on a HDTV, not only that, but the GBA player supports Pro-Scan.
S-Video on a HDTV!? LOL Washed-out Blurr fest? The Big N should have released those's to the public ASAP! Ofcourse only 1% of Nintedo owners use theim, It's not like you can walk into Wal-Mart and buy the things :/
kevin_psx
12-05-2005, 06:23 PM
S-Video on a HDTV!? LOL Washed-out Blurr fest?
You don't run other S-video devices like VCRs -or- analog NTSC TV through your HDTV?
Tokimemofan
12-19-2005, 05:18 PM
Stupid nintendo they charge $30 great cable to bad they don't even have the connector for it on on the DOL-101 didnt they do that before (AV on an early system s-video or rgb on another) and I can confirm that the cable has a chip marked as
MX B012255
CMPV-DOL
T60152KZ
there are several resistors and capacitors as well.
dairugger
12-19-2005, 05:48 PM
i got mine!, for 4.00!! i checked gamestop.com about a year and ahalf ago- and did the location check on these, and they had 1 in my local store. So i went in and had to check through the bagged cube accesories, the clerk didnt even know about them-or what they did, but he remembered a guy traded them in the previous day.. id say check around!