What is CSYNC?

[evil_ash_xero]

I'm getting ready to buy a SNES SCART cable, and they have two options. One with CSYNC and one without.

What is that, and what should I get?

I use this on normal CRTs.

[beatsgo]

Composite Sync, typically used for synchronization of RGB signals on a CRT. If your TV has SCART, it will natively support RGBS.

[evil_ash_xero]

I use SCART to component converters.

Is there a downside to getting it with CSYNC?

[Fudoh]

Is there a downside to getting it with CSYNC?

no, but the 1CHIP-03 models don't have the pin for CSync output connected any longer.

[evil_ash_xero]

So I guess, what am I losing if I don't get a cable with it? I really don't understand what it does or means.

[Xan]

Take a look at this thread: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=52308

It depends on your TV or scaler, but in general, CSync gives better image quality than composite video as sync. Although supposedly it can cause issues on Model 2 Saturns.

[evil_ash_xero]

OK, so this has to do with composite?

Because I'm using SCART to component. No use of composite at all.

So, I wouldn't need to worry about this then?

This is for an original model SNES.

[blizzz]

RGB SCART uses composite video as the sync signal. But you can also use composite sync (composite video without the video) or luma as sync.

[evil_ash_xero]

I know I'm really coming across as thick here...

What will this mean for a SCART to Component picture? Nothing?

[kamiboy]

In my experience it usually amounts to nothing. Unless you have a 1CHIP-3 SNES, or plan on getting one in the future, you might as well just buy the CSYNC cable.

[Xan]

I know I'm really coming across as thick here...

What will this mean for a SCART to Component picture? Nothing?

It's impossible to tell unless one has the same setup to check, really. CSync should be the safer option.

[evil_ash_xero]

OK, thanks guys.

[Taiyaki]

From what I understand the only consoles that are better with Luma are the Playstation systems. Everything Nintendo seems to do better with CSync and Sega seems to be mixed, I think the Saturn needs Composite video although maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

[Xan]

The Playstation just doesn't have CSync on the pinout unless you do some obscure internal mod.

[ApolloBoy]

I think the Saturn needs Composite video although maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

NTSC Saturns have composite sync but PAL systems swapped that pin for 12V, which is used for SCART autoswitching.

[Taiyaki]

I think the Saturn needs Composite video although maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

NTSC Saturns have composite sync but PAL systems swapped that pin for 12V, which is used for SCART autoswitching.

I see. So that means for ntsc Saturn systems csync is still the preferred method I guess.

[Sixfortyfive]

I know I'm really coming across as thick here...

What will this mean for a SCART to Component picture? Nothing?

By itself, yes, nothing. Generally, if the console you're using has a c-sync pin, then you should get a c-sync cable. Google the pin-out of the console in question to see if that's the case.

RGBs is Red, Green, Blue, and Sync. For the sync signal, SCART can use either c-sync (which is just sync) or the composite video signal (which includes sync). In theory, using c-sync results in less interference because there's no irrelevant video data muddying up the signal. In practice, I usually don't see a difference. The only clear difference I've seen is with the NESRGB: using composite video as sync produces diagonal jailbars, while using c-sync produces a clean image.

There are cases where it might make more sense to use an RGB cable that uses composite video as sync:

- The most obvious case is when the console doesn't have a dedicated c-sync pin. PS1 and PS2 are good examples. As mentioned upthread, though, you can use the S-video luma (Y) pin for this purpose instead for these consoles, which is better than composite-video-as-sync for similar reasons: no unnecessary color data muddying up the sync signal. And since you're dealing with the SNES at the moment, you might also want to consider N64 compatibility. If you're using a c-sync SNES cable, then that means that when you mod your N64 for RGB, then you must also make sure that the c-sync pin on that console is hooked up properly as well.

- The c-sync output on the console is screwy and unreliable. I've only heard of this being the case with the Sega Nomad, so if that's a concern, then it might make more sense to get a Genesis 2 cable that uses composite video as sync.

- You're in Europe and have a TV that accepts composite video over SCART but not RGB. (I assume this is why SCART carries composite video in the first place.)

[antron]

I think the Saturn needs Composite video although maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

NTSC Saturns have composite sync but PAL systems swapped that pin for 12V, which is used for SCART autoswitching.

I see. So that means for ntsc Saturn systems csync is still the preferred method I guess.

yes, and the existence of pal cables with the csync pin conveniently wired is nice.