Help me get better image quality- S video on an SD CRT, etc.

[Evilmaxwar]

Most 3rd party cables are fine too, just make sure you buy from an Amazon or ebay seller with good feedback. Once in a while, cables can come out of China that are assembled improperly (like sending composite video through the s-video line). That's rare though.

Actually, for the Nintendo s-video cables that is very common. The bad cables will usually have both composite and S-video on the same cable. Those will route composite to the s-video and give a crap picture, with grainy checkerboard effect and bad colors. Exceptions are the brand name ones like Monster and Intec multi in 1 cables. Those are fine from my experience.

Otherwise look for a S-video cable without composite. I happen to sell 3rd party ones on ebay. They are not as robust and shielded as the Official OEM or monster ones but as far as I know those are no longer in production. You might find a decent deal for a used one.

If you are interested here is a link to my auction. There is more details to read in the link. I am thinking about starting selling them on amazon too but amazon is a bit more complicated to sell on.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/best-S-video-cab ... 1368604399

[nosorrow]

I could live with the NES, SNES and Genesis in composite: after all, this is what I grew up with and never noticed a thing (says the guy who tries to convince himself ).

Buy a couple scart cables and a SCART>YUV converter. If you're willing to spend $150 on a new s-video switcher in 2015, you shouldn't be playing your SNES and Genesis in composite. You'll thank me later.

LOL

To be honest, I'm somewhat intimidated by this SCART stuff, it seems so technical. I just want a cleaner image than composite on a CRT. Also isn't SCART for using on modern TVs? Because our living room plasma is a no video game zone (as per my girlfriend's edict) and my gameroom/basement plasma is for the J360, PS3 and Wii U. That leaves the CRTs for the retro stuff (on of those CRTs is flipped on its side for shmups).

[bobrocks95]

To be honest, I'm somewhat intimidated by this SCART stuff, it seems so technical. I just want a cleaner image than composite on a CRT. Also isn't SCART for using on modern TVs? Because our living room plasma is a no video game zone (as per my girlfriend's edict) and my gameroom/basement plasma is for the J360, PS3 and Wii U. That leaves the CRTs for the retro stuff (on of those CRTs is flipped on its side for shmups).

SCART is a very old standard for old televisions. Modern LCD's in Europe often still include SCART ports for legacy purposes, just like how modern US TV's still horrifically have composite inputs (SCART RGB obviously looking a million times better).

[BazookaBen]

LOL

To be honest, I'm somewhat intimidated by this SCART stuff, it seems so technical. I just want a cleaner image than composite on a CRT. Also isn't SCART for using on modern TVs? Because our living room plasma is a no video game zone (as per my girlfriend's edict) and my gameroom/basement plasma is for the J360, PS3 and Wii U. That leaves the CRTs for the retro stuff (on of those CRTs is flipped on its side for shmups).

Scart's an old EU standard, but the reason I suggested it is that it is usually the least hassle for people to get RGB from their old consoles. You can do like I did though, and just modify some spare SNES and Genesis cables with a VGA connector. Then you can send RGB to something like the Audio Authority 9A60 RGB>Component transcoder. The bonus with that is you could use the 9A60 to hook up your Dreamcast to your plasma for 480p, in case your plasma has component but not VGA.

[Josh128]

To be honest, I'm somewhat intimidated by this SCART stuff, it seems so technical. I just want a cleaner image than composite on a CRT. Also isn't SCART for using on modern TVs? Because our living room plasma is a no video game zone (as per my girlfriend's edict) and my gameroom/basement plasma is for the J360, PS3 and Wii U. That leaves the CRTs for the retro stuff (on of those CRTs is flipped on its side for shmups).

I know you originally posted dont try to convince you about RGB , but if the only reason you are avoiding it is a little imtimidation-- let me at least offer this-- the Genesis requires no modding to get RGB out-- only a SCART cable($24 or $18, depending on your Gen model, shipped) and a SCART/RGB to Component transcoder box ($54 shipped).

You asked for help for better image quality. The difference between composite and RGB/Component on the Genesis is BREATHTAKING. Read that again, its no exaggeration . Best of all, its EASY. Once you see it, theres absolutely no going back. You may get bit by the bug.

The N64, and SNES are fine with SVideo as I posted earlier, but the NES...its worth it. It is intimidating, and rightly so-- its akin to open heart surgery on your console, but in the same way, its like putting a supercharger in it. Youll see the same drastic difference you saw on the Genesis, on your NES...

[bobrocks95]

I see another 1154A on ebay that doesn't have the power adapter. Would you mind giving me the amperage on it if you've got it handy, and confirming that it's 12V DC center pin negative? The more I look the more it seems like the best option...

Sure.

(Image)

Thanks for this, I actually found out I live in the same city Audio Authority is based in haha. I think I'll go down next week and ask if they have a spare adapter they can sell me. Their website says the 1154A surprisingly isn't discontinued yet, so maybe they'll have something.

[CkRtech]

Thanks for this, I actually found out I live in the same city Audio Authority is based in haha. I think I'll go down next week and ask if they have a spare adapter they can sell me. Their website says the 1154A surprisingly isn't discontinued yet, so maybe they'll have something.

No problem. And - awesome. You could even ask them if you could borrow some...review...equipment. Yeah. For reviews.

[bobrocks95]

Thanks for this, I actually found out I live in the same city Audio Authority is based in haha. I think I'll go down next week and ask if they have a spare adapter they can sell me. Their website says the 1154A surprisingly isn't discontinued yet, so maybe they'll have something.

No problem. And - awesome. You could even ask them if you could borrow some...review...equipment. Yeah. For reviews.

Very long-winded reviews... Yup, I really put everything through its paces...

[nosorrow]

To be honest, I'm somewhat intimidated by this SCART stuff, it seems so technical. I just want a cleaner image than composite on a CRT. Also isn't SCART for using on modern TVs? Because our living room plasma is a no video game zone (as per my girlfriend's edict) and my gameroom/basement plasma is for the J360, PS3 and Wii U. That leaves the CRTs for the retro stuff (on of those CRTs is flipped on its side for shmups).

I know you originally posted dont try to convince you about RGB , but if the only reason you are avoiding it is a little imtimidation-- let me at least offer this-- the Genesis requires no modding to get RGB out-- only a SCART cable($24 or $18, depending on your Gen model, shipped) and a SCART/RGB to Component transcoder box ($54 shipped).

You asked for help for better image quality. The difference between composite and RGB/Component on the Genesis is BREATHTAKING. Read that again, its no exaggeration . Best of all, its EASY. Once you see it, theres absolutely no going back. You may get bit by the bug.

The N64, and SNES are fine with SVideo as I posted earlier, but the NES...its worth it. It is intimidating, and rightly so-- its akin to open heart surgery on your console, but in the same way, its like putting a supercharger in it. Youll see the same drastic difference you saw on the Genesis, on your NES...

Hehe! you see right through me.

I wanted something quick and fast and S video seems to fit the bill. I am not against SCART per se; if it's not too time consuming or money draining I might give it a shot sometime, but I'll definitely need some hand holding along the way - this thread is a good start.

Re: Genesis - I have an X'Eye so you're looking at a more complex issue than just buying a cable.

Decisions, decisions...

[bobrocks95]

The X'Eye is pretty hard to work with, and RGB is quite the rabbit hole to fall down, so I'd say find an S-Video switch and get out while you still can haha. The earlier posted Audio Authority is a good choice, and I've also seen a lot on the Psyclone Source Selector, available in silver or black (One of several auctions here- http://www.ebay.com/itm/PSYCLONE-COMPON ... 339fa27171).

Both only have 4 inputs though, if you're looking for more you'll have to keep searching. I've got a Pelican System Selector Pro with 8 inputs, though as I've said things have started to go wrong with it. Before then I would have wholeheartedly recommended it- maybe you can get one in better shape than mine.

[nosorrow]

Noob question: for that Psyclone selector you linked to, what do I do to plug said selector to the S video input of my CRT? How do I find a reliable S video cable that goes from the selector to the TV? There doesn't seem to be one such cable included in that listing.

[bobrocks95]

There are lots of different auctions for it, and each one has a different selection of cords included. You just need an S-Video Male-to-Male connector, I've got this one from monoprice and it's a nice quality (available in tons of sizes too)- http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=1 ... 1&format=2

Same goes for the other connections, you need generic M-M cords for each type of connection you want to use.

[BazookaBen]

If you have a Goodwill nearby they usually have tons of S-video cables. Quality isn't super important since it'll be a max 6ft cable.

[nosorrow]

There are lots of different auctions for it, and each one has a different selection of cords included.

With this other auction, I should be all set, right?: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PSYCLONE-VIDEO-A ... 41915ae3c3

[bobrocks95]

There are lots of different auctions for it, and each one has a different selection of cords included.

With this other auction, I should be all set, right?: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PSYCLONE-VIDEO-A ... 41915ae3c3

It's in the original box with the remote, but I don't see that it comes with any cords actually... From what I read online about it I saw people complaining that for the price, Psyclone should have thrown in some component cables, which implies that ordinarily no cords come with it. S-Video cables are cheap though, and you won't have a problem finding them.

I saw another auction with cables I could link, but if you are in fact in Canada it may not be useful depending on the shipping policy.

[Fudoh]

I paid around $400 for my Zektor 4x2 component matrix. Stop complaining. This thing looks great for its price.

[nosorrow]

Alright, so I just purchased it. Hopefully it works like a charm.

It seems like I'll have to get a male-male S video cable still, as previously mentioned. Thanks for the Monoprice suggestion, as that site never crosses my mind for some reason.

[bobrocks95]

I paid around $400 for my Zektor 4x2 component matrix. Stop complaining. This thing looks great for its price.

Not I Fudoh! Some laymen on the internet! It indeed looks like a great switch, it's not a problem at all that they didn't sell it with component cables.

[HydrogLox]

I use a 3-port component switchbox for the PS2, Wii and now GC

I've come across various complaints of the PS2 component output signal being noisier than other signal options. Not sure if that can be seen on a CRT but it might be worthwhile to try the PS2 with a SCPH-10480 cable as you aren't going to be using 480p anyway. If you are standardizing on S-Video you'll need one for the PS1 anyway - might as well get two.

So im purchasing some 3rd party s-video cables for dreamcast by a company called interact that were made when the dreamcast was still in production.

I picked up S -Video Cable for Sega Dreamcast New in package NAKI for those rare occasions where I would need it***. I stayed away from the composite/S-Video combo cables - just in case. The image on my Sony KV-27FS100 with the NAKI S-Video cable was an improvement over the standard composite Dreamcast cable.
(***But then I discovered that I could do this: Dreamcast -> Kuro/Hanzo -> 9A60 -> KV-27FS100(240p/480i component) and in my subjective opinion that looked even better.)

P.S. What do you guys use as far as switch/splitter boxes are concerned? Or do you rather manually hook up/unhook consoles every time you feel like playing?

Finding a good switch box that doesn't mess with the signal may take some time (and money) so at least for the short term I'd attach a S-Video extension and RCA Audio Extension to the back of the TV so that you can do manual connection changes in a more convenient location. This may turn out to be the least problematic solution anyway.

I wanted something quick and fast and S video seems to fit the bill. I am not against SCART per se; if it's not too time consuming or money draining I might give it a shot sometime, but I'll definitely need some hand holding along the way - this thread is a good start.

You may want to get those S-Video cables anyway - for right now. Outside of Europe that 21-pin connector for SCART can be a royal pain especially as it seems to get harder and harder to get good quality connectors and cables. Not having any equipment with SCART input (I only use it with the XRGB-mini) I'm getting more and more tempted to mod my SCART cables to DE-15 (VGA) connectors. Here is an example of going the extra mile (if you really want to be intimidated): My Analog A/V Setup - 240p Goodness

[nosorrow]

I said WOW! at your setup, bravo!

[HydrogLox]

I wish - just quoted the topic title.

[BazookaBen]

Thanks for the Monoprice suggestion, as that site never crosses my mind for some reason.

I've actually had a lot of bad experiences with Monoprice. They don't put a lot of wire inside of their cables, and eventually the connection breaks. This even happened with one of their "deluxe" RCA cables. I think they just called it deluxe because they used more rubber, I don't think actually had more copper inside.

I recommend getting a used Monster s-video cable. That will be higher quality.

[nosorrow]

Duly noted

EDIT: Ok now, in order to have more inputs, would buying a second selector (same brand/model) and chain it with the other one be an option worth considering? Would this work properly? Practically, I think it would mean 7 inputs i.e. 4 + 4 - 1, since the second selector would be hooked to one of the 4 ports of the main selector, correct? Is there a possibility of noticeable signal degradation? I'm a layman, far from being an expert videophile/audiophile as you can see, so I'm not as sensitive to this as some of you guys.

P.S. By the way, you have all been very helpful. This is most probably the best community I've been a member of since I started browsing the information superhighway back in 1997. Thank you very much.

[HydrogLox]

Ok now, in order to have more inputs, would buying a second selector (same brand/model) and chain it with the other one be an option worth considering?

After witnessing what other people go through with SCART switchers I'd have to say that it tends to be a crap shoot especially with consumer grade equipment - and to some degree depends on your personal tolerance/ability to notice the degradation. The manual http://www.atomroot.com/ebay/psyclone_manual.pdf isn't particularly helpful. This review http://www.somelifeblog.com/2007/02/psy ... eview.html is positive however these people http://forum.dvdtalk.com/archive/t-504051.html report "wavy lines" for progressive signals over component and "black-and-white only" for many S-Video sources and finally here http://secure1.ncix.com/products/index. ... t_id=27134 a "doesn't work with composite" (all of which could be due to general build quality). So I would wait until you had time to evaluate the unit that you have coming before deciding to risk buying a second one - if you can notice any signal degradation with one unit there is no point in trying to daisy chain a second one. So some prioritization may be in order. i.e. leave the 3 most frequently used consoles permanently connected and leave the fourth input for manual swap-in (so get at least two of those Monster S-Video cables and a decent S-Video coupler).

[nosorrow]

So some prioritization may be in order. i.e. leave the 3 most frequently used consoles permanently connected and leave the fourth input for manual swap-in.

Excellent suggestion.

Is this something I should get?:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Monster-Cable-M1 ... 53fc054ce4

The 500 series from Monster seems to be looked down upon; 1000 series seems to be more highly regarded from what I gather.

Also, is this a male/male cable, i.e. what is needed to hook up the selector to the TV?

EDIT: Nevermind, the answer can be found in the listing:

Connector A:

S-Video Male

Connector(s) B:

S-Video Male

[HydrogLox]

Seems overpriced.

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Cable-S-V ... B00006RVO0.

[Selector -> TV] would use a male-to-male.
I was simply suggesting a coupler so that you could turn a second quality male-to-male cable into an extension ([Coupler -> Selector -> TV]) for the consoles that you manually swap.

[nosorrow]

Thanks!

I'm just thinking: for the selector, I now have the S video Monster cable, but I'll also need a white/red cable for the audio (connected from the selector to the TV). Is that correct?

[CkRtech]

Yep.

[nosorrow]

Anything I should watch out for or would any basic A/V cable (from an old discarded console for instance) do the trick?

[bobrocks95]

I'm not much of an audiophile, but I've never noticed any difference between RCA cables when using analog audio. Give any pair you have lying around a shot and if something's wrong for some reason then look around, but I don't see any reason to get fancy RCA connectors for analog audio.