The Cover Project

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: zygmuray on November 15, 2013, 12:04:21 AM

Title: Hooking up consoles
Post by: zygmuray on November 15, 2013, 12:04:21 AM
So, Im looking to figure out the best way to hook up my consoles and advice would be greatly appreciated.

I think I have and understanding but let me know if my idea is flawed.

Im thinking of getting this model tv. So light gun games will still work, and is has a lot of inputs.

http://www.mediacollege.com/equipment/sony/tv/kv/kv36fs120.html

Then using this for my SNES, N64, and Gamecube. (hopefully i can find them cheaper)

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SNES-SUPER-FAMICOM-21-PIN-RGB-SCART-CABLE-JAPAN-NEW-/360784652652?pt=US_Video_Game_Cables_Adapters&hash=item540070e96c&_uhb=1

go into.

http://www.digibuys.co.uk/5-Way-Scart-Switch-Box-Lead-Adapter-Splitter-p-338.html

then,

http://www.shinybow.eu/eshop/datasheed/SB-2840.pdf


Into my tv...


I guess Im looking for input on if this will work and look better than s-video?

And how much modding on the system will be required?, if any.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Head of Desserts on November 15, 2013, 07:57:33 AM
You may not like my advice, but I like to keep things simple

HDMI stuff into TV, Component into TV, and for the multiple retro stuff composite connections, I use this

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3964911

All this goes into my LCD Sony Bravia TV,

Would I like to get an old TV for retro consoles, of course, but it's not a priority right now.

But the ideal for me would be composite for everything retro, but PS2/Xbox/GameCube and above would be component and HDMI
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: e_brugal on November 15, 2013, 08:34:43 AM
You may not like my advice, but I like to keep things simple

HDMI stuff into TV, Component into TV, and for the multiple retro stuff composite connections, I use this

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3964911



i agree with you, but for HDMI im thinking on buying this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Port-HDMI-Switch-Switcher-Box-4x1-w-TOSlink-Coaxial-Audio-Output-3D-Support-/251323213345?pt=US_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3a8407e621

OR This one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Port-Mini-HDMI-Splitter-Switch-Switcher-Box-Selector-Remote-Control-DVD-1080P/121188202521?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D2719981825734845339%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D261183955431%26
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: sniperlobster on November 15, 2013, 10:40:39 AM
I use this for HDMI switching and it works flawlessly.

http://www.kinivo.com/Kinivo-501BN-Premium-wireless-adapter/dp/B0049SCB2Y
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: wiggy on November 15, 2013, 11:45:50 AM
Just as an FYI, light gun games will NOT work with that TV.

Contrary to popular belief, being a CRT isn't what is required to play light gun games. Analogue image processing is. So no HD tv will work and many late model tubes that aren't HD won't work either. I have a non-HD, 4:3, 36" Sony (KV-36XBR250) which uses a digital processor and it does not get along with light guns.  
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: e_brugal on November 15, 2013, 12:14:10 PM
Believe it or not i'm always thinking on taking my nes and duck hunt when i deside to buy a CRTV to try the tv and the light gun :P
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Kriegspire on November 15, 2013, 12:22:43 PM
HDMI: TV signal
Component: Wii
Scart: Xbox, N64 and SNES. All on one button press away.

I don't need more at the moment, but if and when I grab a PS2, I'll probably disconnect either the SNES or N64 from the modulator.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: wiggy on November 15, 2013, 10:52:17 PM
No Scart in the US though :(
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: zygmuray on November 16, 2013, 12:10:33 AM
Just as an FYI, light gun games will NOT work with that TV.

Contrary to popular belief, being a CRT isn't what is required to play light gun games. Analogue image processing is. So no HD tv will work and many late model tubes that aren't HD won't work either. I have a non-HD, 4:3, 36" Sony (KV-36XBR250) which uses a digital processor and it does not get along with light guns.  

I know not all CRT will be light gun capable, But I did a little digging online and in some forum people were saying that the models with FS will work with light gun games, so that is why I picked this model specifically. But, they could be wrong. And I guess I can just bring my NES with my to test it before I buy it to make sure.


You may not like my advice, but I like to keep things simple

HDMI stuff into TV, Component into TV, and for the multiple retro stuff composite connections, I use this

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3964911

All this goes into my LCD Sony Bravia TV,

Would I like to get an old TV for retro consoles, of course, but it's not a priority right now.

But the ideal for me would be composite for everything retro, but PS2/Xbox/GameCube and above would be component and HDMI



That is basically my set up now, I have a Sony Bravia with all my consoles hooked up by A/V splitter and component. but I am going to be moving soon and will be able to get a better set up, so I kind of want to go all out for the best picture I can.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Quazimoto on November 16, 2013, 04:20:46 AM
No Scart in the US though :(

ebay member specialty-av makes a SCART to YPbPr Component converter that works really well.  Don't know how difficult it would be to track down quality SCART output cables for certain systems though.  Wasn't too hard to find one for my Genesis some months back and I'm really pleased with the results.  Games look great on the little LCD TV I use for them.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Arseen on November 16, 2013, 06:46:44 AM
No Scart in the US though :(

ebay member specialty-av makes a SCART to YPbPr Component converter that works really well.  Don't know how difficult it would be to track down quality SCART output cables for certain systems though.  Wasn't too hard to find one for my Genesis some months back and I'm really pleased with the results.  Games look great on the little LCD TV I use for them.

RGB-Scarts are easy to find for any console that outputs RGB.
For those that need modding they can bit harder to find, but should still be easy.

Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Arseen on November 16, 2013, 06:50:44 AM
BTW: For SNES be careful when choosing the scart as there some varioations that look the same but don't work as well.
Similar looking cables are: US SNES, PAL SNES, Modded PAL N64, Modded US old type N64, Modded US new type N64 and PAL GameCube.
Some sellers say that the cable works on all, but that is only partially true, as if you use wrong cable the image is either too dark or too light or poor looking.
But basicly there is  I think 3 types of cables, but which worked on which I don't know.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Kriegspire on November 16, 2013, 08:49:52 AM
BTW: For SNES be careful when choosing the scart as there some varioations that look the same but don't work as well.
Similar looking cables are: US SNES, PAL SNES, Modded PAL N64, Modded US old type N64, Modded US new type N64 and PAL GameCube.
Some sellers say that the cable works on all, but that is only partially true, as if you use wrong cable the image is either too dark or too light or poor looking.
But basicly there is  I think 3 types of cables, but which worked on which I don't know.

I know the PAL SNES + PAL N64 use the same Scart cables.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Arseen on November 16, 2013, 09:24:55 AM
BTW: For SNES be careful when choosing the scart as there some varioations that look the same but don't work as well.
Similar looking cables are: US SNES, PAL SNES, Modded PAL N64, Modded US old type N64, Modded US new type N64 and PAL GameCube.
Some sellers say that the cable works on all, but that is only partially true, as if you use wrong cable the image is either too dark or too light or poor looking.
But basicly there is  I think 3 types of cables, but which worked on which I don't know.

I know the PAL SNES + PAL N64 use the same Scart cables.

That can't be true as N64 does not out put RGB.

I know the RCA cable + scart adapter works on any SNES, N64 and Gamecubeas well as AV famicom.

But we want RGB.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Kriegspire on November 16, 2013, 09:54:04 AM
BTW: For SNES be careful when choosing the scart as there some varioations that look the same but don't work as well.
Similar looking cables are: US SNES, PAL SNES, Modded PAL N64, Modded US old type N64, Modded US new type N64 and PAL GameCube.
Some sellers say that the cable works on all, but that is only partially true, as if you use wrong cable the image is either too dark or too light or poor looking.
But basicly there is  I think 3 types of cables, but which worked on which I don't know.

I know the PAL SNES + PAL N64 use the same Scart cables.

That can't be true as N64 does not out put RGB.

I know the RCA cable + scart adapter works on any SNES, N64 and Gamecubeas well as AV famicom.

But we want RGB.

I've got them hooked up right now. SNES has the exact same connection as the N64.

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/SUPER-NINTENDO-SNES-SCART-LEAD-CABLE-BRAND-NEW-/00/s/OTYwWDEyODA=/$(KGrHqJ,!m!E8N-zM+,TBPIgdNtbQg~~60_35.JPG)

That's what they look like, im not crazy :P
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Arseen on November 16, 2013, 01:14:29 PM
I've got them hooked up right now. SNES has the exact same connection as the N64.

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/SUPER-NINTENDO-SNES-SCART-LEAD-CABLE-BRAND-NEW-/00/s/OTYwWDEyODA=/$(KGrHqJ,!m!E8N-zM+,TBPIgdNtbQg~~60_35.JPG)

That's what they look like, im not crazy :P

That is the non-RGB cable I was talking.
That cable is not RGB-scart.
That cable gives shit picture (only RFcable is shitter).
True RGB scart gives way better, more vibrant and sharper image.

US phat SNES and PAL GameCube give out RGB signal natively (PAL SNES might but not sure).
Certain French PAL N64s and certain older US N64s can be easily modified to output RGB.

Which version of the RGB scart which system uses is the thing I don't know.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Arseen on November 16, 2013, 01:20:25 PM
See videos:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=n64+rgb+comparison&sm=1
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Kriegspire on November 16, 2013, 03:23:45 PM
See videos:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=n64+rgb+comparison&sm=1

Right, I see.

I'm not much of a graphics ***** anyways, so I don't care even the slightest for older consoles.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Arseen on November 16, 2013, 04:04:12 PM
See videos:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=n64+rgb+comparison&sm=1

Right, I see.

I'm not much of a graphics ***** anyways, so I don't care even the slightest for older consoles.

Heretic.
Plasphomy.

No

Hipster.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Kriegspire on November 16, 2013, 09:23:51 PM
See videos:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=n64+rgb+comparison&sm=1

Right, I see.

I'm not much of a graphics ***** anyways, so I don't care even the slightest for older consoles.

Heretic.
Plasphomy.

No

Hipster.

:)

I've probably never played them on a different setting anyways, so I wouldn't even want to, at this point.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: wiggy on November 17, 2013, 11:35:07 AM
I know not all CRT will be light gun capable, But I did a little digging online and in some forum people were saying that the models with FS will work with light gun games, so that is why I picked this model specifically. But, they could be wrong. And I guess I can just bring my NES with my to test it before I buy it to make sure.

Good plan! ;)  


That can't be true as N64 does not out put RGB.

It is a pretty simple mod though :)

http://retrorgb.com/n64rgbmod.html
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Arseen on November 17, 2013, 12:08:06 PM
I know not all CRT will be light gun capable, But I did a little digging online and in some forum people were saying that the models with FS will work with light gun games, so that is why I picked this model specifically. But, they could be wrong. And I guess I can just bring my NES with my to test it before I buy it to make sure.

Good plan! ;) 


That can't be true as N64 does not out put RGB.

It is a pretty simply mod though :)

http://retrorgb.com/n64rgbmod.html

Would you want to try mod mine both PAL and US.
They are the correct older US and French PAL models.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: wiggy on November 17, 2013, 12:36:26 PM
Yeah, sure.  I could even build the little amp setup for you and you could just solder it in (don't know if you're up for that).  Would save a TON on shipping.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Arseen on November 17, 2013, 12:41:25 PM
Yeah, sure.  I could even build the little amp setup for you and you could just solder it in (don't know if you're up for that).  Would save a TON on shipping.

My soldering skills are non exsistent especially that tiny margin of error.
I'll fetch the consoles from strorageand see that they work.
I'll contact you then.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: wiggy on November 17, 2013, 06:49:03 PM
Sounds like a plan. Plus it gives me an excuse to mod one for myself as well ;)
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Aton7 on November 17, 2013, 07:11:10 PM
I've always wanted to run my consoles in RGB but I've never found a good monitor to use. To anyone that does run RGB, do you have an RGB monitor or just go scart to component? I'm talking about North America here by the way, cause all you lucky Europeans get scart on everything! (I think)
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Hoggs17 on November 17, 2013, 08:00:10 PM
nice thread, i've been trying to answer the same questions for myself but it's nice to see a forum discussion about it so i can get the "experts" advice
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Arseen on November 17, 2013, 08:10:18 PM
I've always wanted to run my consoles in RGB but I've never found a good monitor to use. To anyone that does run RGB, do you have an RGB monitor or just go scart to component? I'm talking about North America here by the way, cause all you lucky Europeans get scart on everything! (I think)

Best option for US folk with modern TVs is RGB-scart to HDMI or RGB-scart to Component converter.
Those are not that expensive.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Quazimoto on November 17, 2013, 09:42:49 PM
I've always wanted to run my consoles in RGB but I've never found a good monitor to use. To anyone that does run RGB, do you have an RGB monitor or just go scart to component? I'm talking about North America here by the way, cause all you lucky Europeans get scart on everything! (I think)

I use SCART to Component with a 13" Sharp Aquos LCD Television (model: LC-13B4U).  That might be a little small for most folks (I really don't have room for much bigger right now and was able to get this TV for only $20 - still in the box and appears to have not been used much at all).  I'd recommend a similar type of setup to anyone looking to improve their picture quality on vintage consoles.  It is a very noticeable upgrade from standard RF or RCA connections with my Genesis and the NES I tested on it.  Can't speak to any other consoles though.  Those are the only two I had to try out.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Azarkhel on November 17, 2013, 09:49:02 PM
I've always wanted to run my consoles in RGB but I've never found a good monitor to use. To anyone that does run RGB, do you have an RGB monitor or just go scart to component? I'm talking about North America here by the way, cause all you lucky Europeans get scart on everything! (I think)

Best option for US folk with modern TVs is RGB-scart to HDMI or RGB-scart to Component converter.
Those are not that expensive.

Definitely not the best option, more like "adequate".

Look into an XRGB mini if yout really want the best option for modern TVs.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Aton7 on November 19, 2013, 09:36:16 PM
I just found this monitor on Craigslist near me, does anyone recognize it or its connections? Google hasn't helped much and I want to make sure it will work for RGB gaming before I inquire further with the guy. Here's the listing

This item is a Sony 32" Trinitron Color Video Monitor. Has mutiple remote operation options Commercial Grade Sony Monitor Has multiple inputs, remote control and external speakers connectors. External Degauss Control. This was bought new by the US Government and meets thier high quality standards. Can be used as a monitor for multi operations. Dual Remotes. Only $175.00! NO TEXT MESSAGES! Spammers and Robot replys will be deleted from Craigslist.

(http://images.craigslist.org/00y0y_cOla531rheQ_600x450.jpg)

(http://images.craigslist.org/00606_eRUTmFd1MaD_600x450.jpg)
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: scarmullet on November 19, 2013, 09:44:01 PM
Looks like there are several RGB and Y Pb Br connections on the back. I doubt such high grade monitor would have Composite. I would ask to take a look at it, and make a note of the connections on the back with your own eyes.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: Azarkhel on November 19, 2013, 11:25:50 PM
It has composite, svid and RGB. You will need adapter cables to hook it up. I have 3, if the monitor dosnt have any major geometry issues it will look spectacular.
Title: Re: Hooking up consoles
Post by: JDavis on November 21, 2013, 08:22:41 PM
Then using this for my SNES, N64, and Gamecube. (hopefully i can find them cheaper)

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SNES-SUPER-FAMICOM-21-PIN-RGB-SCART-CABLE-JAPAN-NEW-/360784652652?pt=US_Video_Game_Cables_Adapters&hash=item540070e96c&_uhb=1

IIRC Japanese SCART cables and European SCART cables use totally different output standards (the plug is the same but the pin output and signal stuff is different). The Japanese standard was only used for computer monitors and such, while the European standard was widespread and as such basically all SCART conversion stuff is based on the European standard. So... double check if I'm right (loose memory) because if so you'll need to get the European cables for that setup.



I've recently reconfigured my setup. Partly because I needed more HDMI inputs, partly because my computer monitor was better than my TV, and partly because I wanted the older stuff hooked up to a CRT. Here's what it used to look like:

(http://i.imgur.com/TFo2A2s.jpg)

And here's how it mostly looks now:

(http://i.imgur.com/0YqfAWV.jpg)

Still waiting to get my old CRT back from my sister (may have better hookups than illustrated, was going off memory) and get the new systems. The removed "redundant" systems will be kept in my closet and hooked up to the CRT if needed (ie for zapper games)

(The XBox 360 is one of the older ones without an HDMI output)

Not pictured is the audio side of things, where everything hooked up to the computer monitor is going to a soundbar above my desk (optical cable from the HDMI switcher, RCA cords from the VGA systems and computer), routed in such a way that I also have the option to listen to any of it by headphones.