S-Video to Component?

[larryinc64]

But you said that you don't have S-vid hookups. 

It's gonna be expensive no matter how you attack it. You're not going to achieve a high quality image with cheap Y-cables and such.  You've just got to decide how valuable it is to have these consoles properly connected. If it's really important, then just save them pennies. If not, composite and move on...

That's why I wanted a S-Video to Component or HDMI converter.

I just want a little better picture, Composite is mostly ok, but the Reds are handled terribly. To get a slightly clearer picture for $30 for a converter + $10~ per cable is fine for my curreny budget, Vs $70-$100 per system for a mod.

S-Video VS Component on Gamecube are that far off, according to the comparisons in this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVX81e6Ig-s

[zakurowrath]

But you said that you don't have S-vid hookups.  

It's gonna be expensive no matter how you attack it. You're not going to achieve a high quality image with cheap Y-cables and such.  You've just got to decide how valuable it is to have these consoles properly connected. If it's really important, then just save them pennies. If not, composite and move on...

That's why I wanted a S-Video to Component or HDMI converter.

I just want a little better picture, Composite is mostly ok, but the Reds are handled terribly. To get a slightly clearer picture for $30 for a converter + $10~ per cable is fine for my curreny budget, Vs $70-$100 per system for a mod.

S-Video VS Component on Gamecube are that far off, according to the comparisons in this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVX81e6Ig-s

The good thing about S-Video is since it's Luma (Picture Brightness Intensity) and Chroma (Colour Infromation) it should for the most part get rid of that red issue you're speaking of since it's separates them into four wires (Luma, Chroma, Ground, Ground). The convertor that converts S-Video to HDMI does a decent job at it.

When it comes to HDMI, the better the analogue signal you're converting, the better the digital signal will look. Composite to HDMI is horrible, but S-Video to HDMI is tolerable.  

I do recommend getting decent quality S-Video cables. A cheap cable could have more interference, where a well shielded first party s-video cable, Hori s-video cable, or Monster Cable will result in a better S-Video picture when converted to HDMI. I just gave my friend all Monster Nintendo multi out cables and she was ecstatic on how much it was a step up from composite. Hori does make other system cables, but they're more well known for Nintendo third party cables. However if you're on a budget I completely understand getting a bit cheaper cables.

Ask for S-Video vs Component, the higher you go on the analogue spectrum, the better the picture becomes, RF to Composite, huge difference, Composite to S-Video another huge difference, S-Video to Component, a little bit better, then component to RGB unless your an videophile most people won't notice the difference but there is a slight difference in colour space.  

The biggest reason S-Video or Composite to Component video is so expensive is because it's having to break apart the picture information from an already lesser signal. The French NES with no modifications converted composite to RGB. Compared to real RGB, the colours were washed out, the picture wasn't too sharp and it was fake RGB, however since it was on CRT's most people usually didn't care. HDTV's make everything "too perfect", if the analogue signal is not high quality then it will show up.  

[TDIRunner]

I just want a little better picture, Composite is mostly ok, but the Reds are handled terribly. To get a slightly clearer picture for $30 for a converter + $10~ per cable is fine for my curreny budget, Vs $70-$100 per system for a mod.

S-Video VS Component on Gamecube are that far off, according to the comparisons in this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVX81e6Ig-s

Yeah, but I would think that running a GameCube with composite to component converter would not look as good as running a GameCube with an original component cable through the digital out port.

I didn't read through all of the responses, so I apologize if it's already been mentioned, but I would think it would be easer and cheaper to find a TV with an s-video hookup.  Old Sony Trinitrons tend to go for about $20 at Goodwill or flea markets and they look fantastic.  They typically have s-video inputs on the back and it's very easy to find cheap s-video cables for most of the fourth and fifth gen systems. I would think that would be an easy/cheap option.  

[larryinc64]

Some Nintendo S-Vid cables suck, they aperentky push the composite signal over S-Vid, causing an odd checkard pattern. I have one like that, in the past I tried to use it and just thought S-Vid was not supported. (My old tv had s-vid before it broke)

I would love a CRT, but I don't hav space. Also my Elgato capture card does not accept S-Video (well, there might be a attachment, idk)


I may mod my 2600 for AV output

 Working on a Video out chart

[zakurowrath]

Some Nintendo S-Vid cables suck, they aperentky push the composite signal over S-Vid, causing an odd checkard pattern. I have one like that, in the past I tried to use it and just thought S-Vid was not supported. (My old tv had s-vid before it broke)

I would love a CRT, but I don't hav space. Also my Elgato capture card does not accept S-Video (well, there might be a attachment, idk)


I may mod my 2600 for AV output

 Working on a Video out chart

Yea, I've had a few of those checkerboard pattern cables before, usually I went for Hori cables and then got lucky to get a few Monster cables for under $30 when I still had my CRT.

There is an RGB mod for the 2600 that also has S-Video and composite out, it's from the same guy that does the NESRGB, Tim Worthington

Here's the page on it, I believe it's around $50, $60 for the board itself with everything required to modify the console. It's actually cheapest console I've ever had modified 

http://etim.net.au/2600rgb/



Some more detailed comparisons are on the Atari Age Fourms:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/240599-atari-2600-rgb-mod/page-6

[larryinc64]

How far along are the HD Retrovision component cables?

[TDIRunner]

How far along are the HD Retrovision component cables?

I received this update today.

Kickstarter
 
44
PLEASE READ: Very Important Update!
Posted by HD Retrovision LLC (Creator)
If you were to read just one of our updates, this is the one. We received confirmation today that the air shipment of the Kickstarter backer cables is on its way! That means we have some very important things to ask you to do over the next week.

1) Make sure your shipping address is correct. If you have emailed us asking to change it, we have not changed anything for you! Kickstarter requires that you make changes to your own address, which can be done by visiting your "Backed Projects" section and finding our project. Soon we will lock down addresses, at which point you'll get a final warning email and 48 hours to make any last minute changes. After that, our shipping partner will be given a spreadsheet with whatever you have on file with us.

2) One last time, we want to remind everyone that they should be aware of the 240p compatibility issue. If you're not sure if your TV supports 240p over component, please go check our compatibility list or better yet, go through our test procedure. If you find that your TV is not compatible, now is the time to let us know so we can work through a solution with you. Issues should be directed to support@hdretrovision.com

Once we get them, we'll be pulling a string of all-nighters fueled by unhealthy amounts of soda, coffee, and sour candies to individually test each and every one of your cables. We hope that our testing will take about a week, and then we will pass off the cables to our shipping partner.

That's all for now. We hope you're as excited as we are. Thanks for sticking with us through it all!

Ste & Nick

[zakurowrath]

How far along are the HD Retrovision component cables?

I received this update today.

Kickstarter
 
44
PLEASE READ: Very Important Update!
Posted by HD Retrovision LLC (Creator)
If you were to read just one of our updates, this is the one. We received confirmation today that the air shipment of the Kickstarter backer cables is on its way! That means we have some very important things to ask you to do over the next week.

1) Make sure your shipping address is correct. If you have emailed us asking to change it, we have not changed anything for you! Kickstarter requires that you make changes to your own address, which can be done by visiting your "Backed Projects" section and finding our project. Soon we will lock down addresses, at which point you'll get a final warning email and 48 hours to make any last minute changes. After that, our shipping partner will be given a spreadsheet with whatever you have on file with us.

2) One last time, we want to remind everyone that they should be aware of the 240p compatibility issue. If you're not sure if your TV supports 240p over component, please go check our compatibility list or better yet, go through our test procedure. If you find that your TV is not compatible, now is the time to let us know so we can work through a solution with you. Issues should be directed to support@hdretrovision.com

Once we get them, we'll be pulling a string of all-nighters fueled by unhealthy amounts of soda, coffee, and sour candies to individually test each and every one of your cables. We hope that our testing will take about a week, and then we will pass off the cables to our shipping partner.

That's all for now. We hope you're as excited as we are. Thanks for sticking with us through it all!

Ste & Nick

It's going to be nice when they get those cables out since component is readily available right now on HDTV's and it will save some money for those who don't want to go the upscaler route. And from their testing newer TVs are including 240p support, but that still doesn't mean all sadly, so count yourself lucky if your TV does support the very low resolution.