SNES - trying to find a more ‘authentic’ CRT image vs 1-chip

[andykara2003]

I’ve been using a 1-chip PAL SNES (with SuperCIC) for years, but have realised that I don’t really like the super-sharp image. I’m looking to get a less overtly pixelated image on my consumer trinitron, so I’ve bought a 2-chip PAL SNES to mess around with. I’ll probably settle on using RGB on it for a slightly softer but still cleanish RGB image, but I’d like to try s-video and composite as well. I have an official PAL RGB SNES cable, an official NTSC N64 s-video cable and an official NTSC N64 composite cable.

Am I right that the NTSC N64 composite cable should be fine with the PAL SNES?

I think the PAL SNES supports S-video - is that right? If so, is there an official PAL SNES s-video cable? I like using official cables for everything, but if there was no official cable, I assume my NTSC N64 cable will be no good - so where would I find a good quality PAL SNES cable?

[Fudoh]

S-Video is fuzzier, but it's not neccessarily softer than RGB. This comes down the TVs internal splitting process (after all the cathode is driven in RGB).

You'll like the RGB image from a non-1-chip SNES - I do too. Unfortunately there're huge differences in terms of quality between the myriads of board revisions. I'd recommend a really early model. If you were to shop for a SFC unit, you could look for one with four rubber feet (instead of two). I can't tell you though how to recognize an early PAL or US SNES. On those early machines you a subtle soft touch without the massive ghosting or interference you might get from later 2-chip revisions.

[Xyga]

Shocking! I'm not the only earthling to like a slightly soft SNES picture.

[Link83]

The PAL SNES video circuit was completely redesigned from the NTSC SNES, seemingly as some sort of 'region lock' on the video cables. There are official PAL Composite and RGB SCART cables, but no S-Video cables. For a PAL SNES each video cable needs to have a 75ohm resistor to ground on any of the six video signals that are used in the cable (Composite, Luma, Chroma, Red, Green, Blue) Since no official PAL S-Video cable exists, you would have to get one custom made.

Heck knows why Nintendo thought this was a good idea, my only conclusion is that they wanted to have strict market/region control and prevent any imports or third party versions. They did a similar thing with PAL NES and PAL SNES controllers:-
https://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=con ... region_fix
(Eventually on the PAL 1CHIP's they switched over to using Super Famicom front panels which are compatible with any region controllers)

You can often use NTSC Composite cables and get a picture but it will often be washed out/too bright, or in the case of NTSC RGB cables the picture will fade to black on the 2-chip PAL SNES due to the 220uF capacitors.

[andykara2003]

The PAL SNES video circuit was completely redesigned from the NTSC SNES, seemingly as some sort of 'region lock' on the video cables. There are official PAL Composite and RGB SCART cables, but no S-Video cables. For a PAL SNES each video cable needs to have a 75ohm resistor to ground on any of the six video signals that are used in the cable (Composite, Luma, Chroma, Red, Green, Blue) Since no official PAL S-Video cable exists, you would have to get one custom made.

You can often use NTSC Composite cables and get a picture but it will often be washed out/too bright, or in the case of NTSC RGB cables the picture will fade to black on the 2-chip PAL SNES due to the 220uF capacitors.

Thanks! Great to have this info, particularly from yourself :)

On those early machines you a subtle soft touch without the massive ghosting or interference you might get from later 2-chip revisions.

Thanks Fudoh, I didn't know that. Would that interference be obvious on a conumer CRT?


The one I bought's serial number is UP14968139 and has 4 feet. I've had a good search and there doesn't seem to be much info about PAL serial numbers with respect to revisions. Would anyone be able to shed any light as to whether it's an earlier or later 2-chip? Apologies for the large image:

[Taiyaki]

The biggest difference between RGB and S-video to me is the colors.

[rama]

"UP14" sounds like an SNSP-02, which is favourable over the -01 for having the revised CPU B (that doesn't tend to die as often).
Otherwise, the -02 is pretty much identical to the -01.
There were only these 2 revisions of 3 chip PAL machines.

Link83:
I came to the same conclusion with each of the specific PAL changes that Nintendo engineered.
These can really only be explained by wanting to have region locked everything. Even the accessories ><

[Classicgamer]

Take that Pal snes and throw it in the trash where it belongs.

A softer image is the least of your problems with a pal snes. All games will be squashed with ugly black borders at the top and bottom covering nearly 20% of the screen. On games that have borders on the NTSC version like Street Fighter 2, you lose close to 1/3 of the screen on the pal console.

Plus, all games will run 17.5% slower than on the ntsc consoles which is appalling. If you have a 60hz capable tv with rgb, get an American snes and a scart cable and play games as they should be played.

The American snes is the best one to get as it can also play Japanese carts (once you snip the plastic bars out from inside the slot). You can play pal games (in 60hz fullscreen, full speed) with a simple cart slot adapter.

[andykara2003]

"UP14" sounds like an SNSP-02, which is favourable over the -01 for having the revised CPU B (that doesn't tend to die as often).
Otherwise, the -02 is pretty much identical to the -01

Thanks :)

Take that Pal snes and throw it in the trash where it belongs.

I appreciate your point! I'll have a superCIC installed though so it's all good..