Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

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DiegoPonga
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Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2017 11:01 am

Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by DiegoPonga »

Hi there!

Description of my situation:
  • Problem description: channels R (red) and B (blue) seem to be swapped somehow
    Console: PAL N64
    Expansion Pak: Yes
    Games tested: PAL Super Mario 64, PAL Bomberman Hero
    Installed mod: N64RGB
    Cable used: PAL SNES Packapunch from RetroGamingCables (link)
    Test #1: connected to a v1.6 OSSC and then through HDMI to my LED screen from TCL
    Test #2: connected to an old PAL TV with native SCART input (same problem)
A couple of quick facts:
  • My RGB SCART cable is working perfectly on my non-modded PAL SNES
    This RGB cable is, however, Luma Sync (they offer two options: Luma Sync and CSYNC) :arrow: This might be what causes the problem
    Retailer is not answering my emails, so this is why I am asking you guys ;)
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Kez
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Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by Kez »

If red and blue are swapped, and the cable works on the SNES, it seems logical that the red and blue wires are swapped in the N64RGB mod. A few questions:

Do you have any pictures of what the video ouput looks like?
Did you install the mod yourself?
Has it ever worked properly?
DiegoPonga
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Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2017 11:01 am

Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by DiegoPonga »

Kez wrote:If red and blue are swapped, and the cable works on the SNES, it seems logical that the red and blue wires are swapped in the N64RGB mod. A few questions:

Do you have any pictures of what the video ouput looks like?
Did you install the mod yourself?
Has it ever worked properly?
1) Image
2) No, I did not. I gave the console to a local store, quite famous in my country actually, and they always made super good job. They closed recently, unfortunately.
3) The guy at that store showed me it worked properly with his cables. However, I never tested at home it until very recently. This is why bad wiring seems not possible. Switching to a CSYNC cable could do the thing?
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Kez
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Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by Kez »

That certainly looks like red and blue are swapped. I can't really think of any other explanation that makes sense honestly.

If the modder's cable was also wired with red and blue swapped then it would appear that nothing was wrong when they tested it (maybe even they had a non-standard cable and didn't realise, and adjusted the mod to make it look right when they were testing).

I think your options would be:
- fix the mod yourself or get someone to fix it (should be very simple for someone with a little soldering experience)
- get/make a cable with the red and blue channels swapped
DiegoPonga
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Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by DiegoPonga »

Just made a quick channel swap using Photoshop:

Image

So the problem is accurately described. Now the thing is getting the cause. Does anybody know if the sync option might cause this?
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Konsolkongen
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Location: Denmark

Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by Konsolkongen »

Sync can't cause this. I agree with Kez.
DiegoPonga
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Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by DiegoPonga »

Kez wrote:That certainly looks like red and blue are swapped. I can't really think of any other explanation that makes sense honestly.

If the modder's cable was also wired with red and blue swapped then it would appear that nothing was wrong when they tested it (maybe even they had a non-standard cable and didn't realise, and adjusted the mod to make it look right when they were testing).

I think your options would be:
- fix the mod yourself or get someone to fix it (should be very simple for someone with a little soldering experience)
- get/make a cable with the red and blue channels swapped
So the LumaSync/CSYNC is not causing this?

I found this:
https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/SUP ... CART-CABLE
Wired for sync over luma for NTSC consoles, or as Composite Sync (CSYNC) which is compatible with both NTSC and PAL consoles which have been modified for RGB video
So it says a LumaSync (my case) would be problematic on PAL consoles.
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Konsolkongen
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Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by Konsolkongen »

DiegoPonga wrote:
Wired for sync over luma for NTSC consoles, or as Composite Sync (CSYNC) which is compatible with both NTSC and PAL consoles which have been modified for RGB video
So it says a LumaSync (my case) would be problematic on PAL consoles.
Yes the AV out differ between PAL and NTSC units. The NTSC consoles have a 75 ohm resistor to ground and 220uF cap in series on the signal, so your cable isn't ideal on a PAL console. But you are getting an image regardless, and unless these missing components are making your TV act really crazy it really shouldn't be the issue.

https://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:nintendomultiav
DiegoPonga
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Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by DiegoPonga »

Konsolkongen wrote:
DiegoPonga wrote:
Wired for sync over luma for NTSC consoles, or as Composite Sync (CSYNC) which is compatible with both NTSC and PAL consoles which have been modified for RGB video
So it says a LumaSync (my case) would be problematic on PAL consoles.
Yes the AV out differ between PAL and NTSC units. The NTSC consoles have a 75 ohm resistor to ground and 220uF cap in series on the signal, so your cable isn't ideal on a PAL console. But you are getting an image regardless, and unless these missing components are making your TV act really crazy it really shouldn't be the issue.

https://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:nintendomultiav
I'd like to keep the cable (/it is expensive and buying the exact same cable with that tiny detail would be spending a lot). What are the consequences?

Anyway, I will send the console to some modder I know, let's see what they can do...
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Konsolkongen
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Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by Konsolkongen »

DiegoPonga wrote: I'd like to keep the cable (/it is expensive and buying the exact same cable with that tiny detail would be spending a lot). What are the consequences?

Anyway, I will send the console to some modder I know, let's see what they can do...
I’m not sure what the consequences could be. I guess you could damage your TV, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in and explain in more detail :)

Just ask your modder to cut the luma trace and add these components inside the console :)
neorichieb1971
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Re: Problematic with PAL N64 and RGB outputg

Post by neorichieb1971 »

What a strange outcome.

I have a retrohdvision component cable that doesn't work with red. But it just comes out grey where red is.

I suppose RGB is processed differently but i'm surprised that blue would appear instead of red in a game.

I got a N64 modded about 2 years ago during covid to use with a Rad2x. It wouldn't work correctly until the composite line was cut. Since I wasn't going to use composite any time in the future I had the line cut. N64's throw out some weird stuff.
This industry has become 2 dimensional as it transcended into a 3D world.
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