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

[CkRtech]

You can use whatever s-video and analog audio cables you want. The convenience here is that the interconnect between the switch and the TV is standard - s-video to s-video to analog RCA to analog RCA. There are no ridiculous mini dins, multiouts, or anything of that nature here, so you are free to use whatever cables you want. This is a perfect place to work high quality cables into your setup, and you don't have to pay monster prices.

You are also reaching the point where you have to consider how to stage your switch(es) with your display and your consoles. In my opinion, you keep that switch as close to the display as you can, and run short, high quality cables to your display.

If all consoles are hooked up at once (and they are since you are integrating switches), you probably want to put them where you want them and leave room for the switches. You can use cheap cables just to get the setup up and running, and then upgrade the quality and tailor the length after that.

[nosorrow]

Good advice.

That being said, I have already purchased a 2 meter long Monster S video cable (instead of the 1 meter one I also saw). At least I didn't pick the 4 meter (!) cable.

I'm pretty excited to see how it turns out. If I'm happy, I might buy a second selector to hook up the rest of the consoles and, in the process, have them (NES, SNES mini, X'Eye) modded.

You guys must think I'm crazy for upgrading to S video, in 2015, when most are gravitating towards RGB and component for the good old systems.

[Mishrak109]

Not crazy at all.

S-Video is a very significant upgrade from Composite when you haven't modded your consoles to handle RGB/SCART or Component yet. Getting the SNES Mini modded is totally worth it.

[BazookaBen]

And don't get me wrong. Most s-video cables give identical picture quality, whether they're $2 or $100. Monster cables are WAY overpriced when you buy them new. It's all marketing bullcrap about getting better picture quality (especially when dealing with 2m lenghts). BUT the reason I suggested Monster cable is that you can buy a USED cable for super cheap, and it will go longer without breaking, because they are built out of stronger materials. If you take care of it, it will never break. I couldn't say that for monoprice cables.

[Einzelherz]

As I mentioned in another thread, on my CRT I didn't notice a difference between a monster snes/gcn cable and an eBay one. The eBay cable was just S-video + stereo audio though.

Because of this I didn't mind using the eBay svideo cable to make one for my NESRGB modded front loader. I can't see the difference (again on a mid range CRT) between s video or rgb->component from my NES.

[Josh128]

Just got a second CSY-2100 clone and have an RGB cable for my Genesis 2 coming. Going to do some composite -RGB comparisons on the Wega soon...

[nosorrow]

Question: if I already have generic third party PS2 component cables (purchased from Play-Asia I believe) is there any reason to "upgrade" to official Sony brand cables? Would I notice any difference?

P.S. Both of my PS2s are hooked up to CRTs, i.e. a 32 inch Sony Wega and a 27 inch Panasonic Tau, if it makes any difference.

[BazookaBen]

Question: if I already have generic third party PS2 component cables (purchased from Play-Asia I believe) is there any reason to "upgrade" to official Sony brand cables? Would I notice any difference?

P.S. Both of my PS2s are hooked up to CRTs, i.e. a 32 inch Sony Wega and a 27 inch Panasonic Tau, if it makes any difference.

No, not as long as the third party cable is built correctly. If you got an official Sony cable, you wouldn't be able to tell a difference.

The built-correctly thing is important, because I bought a very cheap Wii component cable one time that was improperly grounded, and would give a fuzzy picture when I plugged the audio into a separate receiver from the TV. As long your cable doesn't do stuff like that, you should be good.

[Grimakis]

I just ordered a GE Component switch from amazon at $16. When it arrives, I will report back on its quality.

[nosorrow]

thanks guys

[nosorrow]

Is there such a thing as a cheap but good quality/reliable Dreamcast S-video cable?

[BazookaBen]

Is there such a thing as a cheap but good quality/reliable Dreamcast S-video cable?

I can personally vouch for good s-video quality on the Retrobit VGA box.

[nosorrow]

How about stand alone DC S-video cables? Any experience with a particular brand? I have an official set of Sega S-video cables for my primary Dreamcast, but I'd like a cheaper set this time for the DC in my TATE setup. Monoprice maybe? or ebay?

Several people seem to have had bad experiences with generic DC cables in the past...

[nosorrow]

Nevermind, I just bought a second set of official Dreamcast s-video cables. Pretty pricey, but at least I know for sure they are good quality.

[Josh128]

I just ordered a GE Component switch from amazon at $16. When it arrives, I will report back on its quality.

They are OK for CRTs, but often give a noisy image on flat panel plasmas or LCDs. I never had an issue with mine until getting my 51" plasma-- on the big screen I could easily see jailbar-like diagonal creeping lines and other artifacts. Nothing I did would make them go away when using the switch, so I got an Audio Authority solid-state amplified auto-switch-- it works great and shows no sign of the creeping lines.

[Einzelherz]

I just ordered a GE Component switch from amazon at $16. When it arrives, I will report back on its quality.

They are OK for CRTs, but often give a noisy image on flat panel plasmas or LCDs. I never had an issue with mine until getting my 51" plasma-- on the big screen I could easily see jailbar-like diagonal creeping lines and other artifacts. Nothing I did would make them go away when using the switch, so I got an Audio Authority solid-state amplified auto-switch-- it works great and shows no sign of the creeping lines.

Let's not start with the sweeping generalizations, k? It gave YOU and YOUR tv jailbars. It doesn't for me, at all, hence why I suggested it.

[Mishrak109]

I've not noticed any issues with that GE Switch on my capture device (PEXHDCAP) either.

[mikehaggar]

Hey Nosorrow,

I'm several years ahead of you on the exact same quest.

I have several consoles (famicom, nes, genesis, snes, ps2, xbox 360, wii) all hooked up via s-video, all running through two switchers (so they can play at the press of a button....and all running through a splitter so that I can record superplays at any time from any console lag free. All looks beautiful on my 36" CRT

I can offer lots of advice, and possibly even hook you up with some of my equipment (as I have just decided to make the switch to component for everything).

Hit me up...and let me know what equipment you have and what you are still in the market for. Let me know what your dream setup is!

[Josh128]

I just ordered a GE Component switch from amazon at $16. When it arrives, I will report back on its quality.

They are OK for CRTs, but often give a noisy image on flat panel plasmas or LCDs. I never had an issue with mine until getting my 51" plasma-- on the big screen I could easily see jailbar-like diagonal creeping lines and other artifacts. Nothing I did would make them go away when using the switch, so I got an Audio Authority solid-state amplified auto-switch-- it works great and shows no sign of the creeping lines.

Let's not start with the sweeping generalizations, k? It gave YOU and YOUR tv jailbars. It doesn't for me, at all, hence why I suggested it.

Mistake on my part mate, mine is/was a Philips, and it was pretty crappy all around. It has been discontinued, good riddance.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SWS2325W- ... geNumber=1

I do own a GE SVideo/composite mechanical switch, and its pretty decent, one of the better mechanical switches Ive owned. It has also been discontinued.

http://www.amazon.com/GE-23294-Switch-D ... op?ie=UTF8

That said, its pretty widely known that mechanical selectors of any brand can be hit and miss with signal crosstalk/interference , especially on displays sensitive enough to show it. You can also get bad connections from time to time, having to re-press buttons to make good connections. Ive owned several, from different manufacturers, and have had issues at one time or another with most of them. I dont think many audio/videophiles would object to that or say its a misleading stereotype. Theres a reason its only $15.

[nosorrow]

@mikehaggar

Thanks for the offer! But for the time being, I am content with what I have put up in the last few weeks: at the touch of a button, like you said, I can play S-video Dreamcast, Saturn, PC Engine and N64/PS1 (the last two share the last spot on my selector). On the same tv, I can play component enabled PS2, GameCube and Wii consoles. On a second TATE-enabled tv, I have an S-video Dreamcast and Saturn as well as a PS2 hooked via component. Everything is hooked up via official brand cables. (My "modern" setup consists of a PS3 (component), Wii U (HDMI) and Jap 360 (HDMI) hooked to a Panasonic plasma.)

On the flip side, I have decided (for the time, being at least) to keep my NES top loader, SNES mini and JVC X'Eye as is, i.e. composite only. Should I change my mind, I'll let you know.

P.S. Only thing missing right now would be official Sony brand PS3 component cables to hook up my two PS2s. If you have two sets of those to sell (though why would you as you are moving everything to component, lol), I could be interested.

[mikehaggar]

trust me man....you NEED to go S-video on your NES and SNES, especially the NES. The quality jump on both is IMMENSE.

I used composite for my entire life on the NES up until I got it modded a few months back....holy crap, now it's so crisp it looks like I'm playing on an emulator! You can see every pixel!

All you have to do it send it to be modded with the nesrgb, and ask them to put in an s-video port.....that easy!
I can hook you up with a guy that does an amazing job, and for cheap!

SNES already does S-video....all you need is a good cable! (i found one after a lot of research, I can send you a link!)

Although, the exact same mod can be used to produce component on your NES...you can just tell the guy you want that instead of S-video....may as well go all in if your tv supports component. No reason not to man! Switchers are cheap if you're out of room!

[Mishrak109]

Keep in mind, re: SNES that only the first gen consoles do S-Video by default. SNES Mini needs to have a mod to restore the S-Video, but also outputs the best video signal (same as the 1CHIP for first gen). If you DO mod a SNES, those are the only ones worth modding. If you have a first gen, S-Video is still quite an upgrade, but the video quality difference between gfx chips is huge. See this comparison at RetroRGB for more details.

[nosorrow]

haha! don't tempt me.

(Truth is: I'm out of money right now, lol. Bought NES Flintstones 2, Snow Brothers, Bomberman II as well as N64 Bangai-O and a slew of other games and equipment in the last month or so, so please have mercy on my poor budget. )

[Mishrak109]

I know how you feel.

When I decided I wanted a CRT, that turned into a PVM, a modded SNES and a full Component Video capture setup (PEXHDCAP) for my PS2 and my SNES. It kinda snowballed before I could regain control of my wallet.

[nosorrow]

Exactly, I need to lay off the purchases for a while - though, admittedly, it feels like I've been saying it for the last two years now.

[Einzelherz]

Theres a reason its only $15.

Because it's simple and mass produced?

[Josh128]

...yeah, in China by near-slave labor, etc.

Of course, that doesnt necessarily mean it will perform badly-- just pointing out the fact that MANY people experience problems with cheap mechanical switches. Im not going to argue that higher quality gear like the Audio Authority or Shinybow matrix component switches are better choices if you want the best. It should be pretty self-evident.

[Einzelherz]

As others have said before me and will probably continue to say, please look into rechecking the vigor with which you defend your purchases. Especially when it seems you haven't personally used the device in question.

[Josh128]

As I have said before and will probably continue to say, worry about yourself and stop trying to tell me what my opinion should be and with what vigor I should defend it. I tell people what I think, not how I believe they should post their own experiences and opinions.