SuperFamicom/SNES original (not 1-chip) RGB bypass

[the_importer]

Hi there,

I'd like to get my SuperFamicom original (it is not a 1-chip version) modded with better RGB by adding an AMP and doing an RGB bypass. Only issue, I can't find a proper document that will tell me the location of the legs to unpin in order to disable the internal RGB. I found this guide, but it's for a 1-chip: http://retrorgb.com/1chiprgb.html

If anyone has a nice picture of what pin should be disabled, I'd appreciate it if you could post it.


Thank you

[BONKERS]

Depends on the model I think. The ones up to 1993 I think do things in a manner that can't bypassed so-easily. (Because of the way it's buffered? I can't remember. You'd have to ask Viletim or someone else)

Here's a .rar of SNES schems I had sitting in a folder on my HDD. I can't remember where I got them.
https://copy.com/yusHKfx0ERynLBdF

[the_importer]

Depends on the model I think. The ones up to 1993 I think do things in a manner that can't bypassed so-easily. (Because of the way it's buffered? I can't remember. You'd have to ask Viletim or someone else)

Here's a .rar of SNES schems I had sitting in a folder on my HDD. I can't remember where I got them.
https://copy.com/yusHKfx0ERynLBdF

Thank you for the schems. I've e-mail Viletim regarding this.

[viletim]

The original Super Nintendo/Famicom video chip does low pass filtering on the RGB video before it gets out to the pins. The 1 chip version doesn't do this, that's why the video from this console looks better. I don't think replacing the video driver circuit would make any difference.

[the_importer]

The original Super Nintendo/Famicom video chip does low pass filtering on the RGB video before it gets out to the pins. The 1 chip version doesn't do this, that's why the video from this console looks better. I don't think replacing the video driver circuit would make any difference.

Guess I'd better start looking for a 1chip SFC then. Wish there was a official way to tell them apart from the outside.

Thank you

[Fudoh]

Guess I'd better start looking for a 1chip SFC then. Wish there was a official way to tell them apart from the outside.

using the serial number db is pretty safe

[the_importer]

Guess I'd better start looking for a 1chip SFC then. Wish there was a official way to tell them apart from the outside.

using the serial number db is pretty safe

According the RetroRGB, the only way to be 100% sure is to open it up: http://retrorgb.com/1chipsnes.html
Also, it's harder for Super Famicom

[Fudoh]

that's right, but the 99% safety using the s/n list is pretty nice as well. If you don't want a specific 1-CHIP model it's really easy to pick one up. On 1CHIP-01 and -02 units you have to perform the vertical bar fix though.

[the_importer]

that's right, but the 99% safety using the s/n list is pretty nice as well. If you don't want a specific 1-CHIP model it's really easy to pick one up. On 1CHIP-01 and -02 units you have to perform the vertical bar fix though.

It's easy to state things when it's not your money and time on the line. Can you backup this claim, like find documentation that gives us the serial numbers when Super Famicoms went 1chip?

[Fudoh]

I bought multiple 1CHIP SFC units based on the data on the s/n list. All good. If you're on the edge between the non-1CHIP and 1CHIP units, just don't buy it. Otherwise you're fine. Of course there's the tiny chance that the board has been swapped, but I don't see this happen very often, especially not when buying from Japan.

The s/n list on google docs is listed on the bottom of the RetroRGB page you linked to above.

[the_importer]

I bought multiple 1CHIP SFC units based on the data on the s/n list. All good. If you're on the edge between the non-1CHIP and 1CHIP units, just don't buy it. Otherwise you're fine. Of course there's the tiny chance that the board has been swapped, but I don't see this happen very often, especially not when buying from Japan.

The s/n list on google docs is listed on the bottom of the RetroRGB page you linked to above.

Wow, that list is pretty short

Anyway, if I were to follow that list, it seems that 1chip SFC start at S2491xxxx. Not a single SFC system on ebay have a s/n that starts with such a string, meaning that they're either rare, sellers are selling them at a higher price somewhere else or hoarders are buying them all. Guess I'll have to a a Jr instead and have this modded.

[Fudoh]

they're not this rare, but they are in demand. Watch the auctions for a few weeks and you'll find one.

[FBX]

Not a single SFC system on ebay have a s/n that starts with such a string, meaning that they're either rare, sellers are selling them at a higher price somewhere else or hoarders are buying them all.

Funny, I recall most auctions don't supply photographs of the serial number. On my own search for a 1CHIP-03, it was less than 5% of all auctions had such photos, and of those, only 5 or 6 serials were in range. So I can't see you can state for certain that "not a single SFC system" starts with a such a string, when very few actually show the string to begin with.

[Seraphic]

On 1CHIP-01 and -02 units you have to perform the vertical bar fix though.

Could you go into more detail about this fix?

[the_importer]

Not a single SFC system on ebay have a s/n that starts with such a string, meaning that they're either rare, sellers are selling them at a higher price somewhere else or hoarders are buying them all.

Funny, I recall most auctions don't supply photographs of the serial number. On my own search for a 1CHIP-03, it was less than 5% of all auctions had such photos, and of those, only 5 or 6 serials were in range. So I can't see you can state for certain that "not a single SFC system" starts with a such a string, when very few actually show the string to begin with.

Wow, with what shitty search criteria did you check? Try this:

http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_from=R40 ... 29&_sop=16

At lease 60% of Super Famicoms from Japanese sellers that aren't bulk lots have their s/n in one of pictures.

[Fudoh]

Could you go into more detail about this fix?

I can't find the posting here on the board, but I assume this one's the same mod:

http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/sne ... fix.48413/

[jamisonia]

So interestingly NA SNES have a Cap missing. C67 which is a 1000uF cap. This cap appears just before the power switch, and connects from DC power to ground. This spot for this cap is on NA Super Nintendos, is silk screened, and is connected. When I recapped my SNES I added this cap back and I feel like it improved the vertical line, though did not eliminate it. I've read that replacing the cap in the SNES AC adapter can also reduce the problem.

[Chocograph]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGVn9sRoV-g I did this. I can barely see it after this mod so it's a success for me.

[darcagn]

On 1CHIP-01 and -02 units you have to perform the vertical bar fix though.

Could you go into more detail about this fix?

SFC/SNES has a light vertical bar in the center of the screen. You can't really tell unless you're looking for it, but it's more apparent whenever the screen is in a really dark screen or in a scene transition where the entire screen is black. It's very noticeable in the intro/title screen for FFVI (JP)/FFIII (US). It's present in all SNES 1CHIP systems, although from what I have heard it is not present in the SFC 1CHIP-03 (but is present in SFC 1CHIP-01 and SFC 1CHIP-02). You can eliminate it by performing the RGB amp bypass mod linked to in the OP.

[CkRtech]

It's present in all SNES 1CHIP systems, although from what I have heard it is not present in the SFC 1CHIP-03 (but is present in SFC 1CHIP-01 and SFC 1CHIP-02).

Hmm. I haven't noticed it in my 1CHIP-02. I have multiple SNESes available, and I do see it on the other ones after using them with the same cable/power/xrgb/television I do with my 1CHIP-02.

[Thomago]

I have a 1CHIP-01 and don't see any vertical bars as well, even if I crank my Framemeister's brightness all the way up. I guess it isn't as easy as saying "1CHIP-0x does have vertical bars, 1CHIP-0y doesn't".

[Chocograph]

Spent some time today changing all the old caps in my 1chip and tried the rgb amp again. Got the exact same image noise as before. It's probably got a lot to do with the power supply then. Anways, my snes is now future proof I guess. Unless some other component breaks, lol. And there was absolutely NO change in image quality after changing the caps on the stock snes so....I finally got that question answered.

[Xan]

Image noise could be from using certain generic switched-mode PSUs.