Reddit reviews Gam3Gear SNES Nintendo N64 Gamecube S Video Cable

Edit: I badly screwed up the title. It should read, "Upgrading from Composite to S-Video", not "Component". Component would only be available on this system with an RGB mod, and then an HD Retrovision SNES Component cable.

I have a 2009-era Sharp TV with one S-Video input, so I decided to try it. Overall, I'd say it was worth $8. I wouldn't say that it's immediately noticeable, but when you look closely, you can definitely see sharper lines around big color changes. I can also see each pixel more clearly, and you can see the Nintendo 64's anti-aliasing and horizontal blur at work.

Here's what I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LE3EAIK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Top right is standard OEM composite cable, bottom right is nice new s-video cable w/out the composite video sitting unterminated from Amazon @ http://amzn.to/29Fx78x for only $7.50! Compatible with SNES, N64 and GCN! Honestly got a bigger jump in quality than I expected... Ordering more of these now!

GameCube and Game Boy Player is the standard setup. The startup disc for the Game Boy Player can be a bit pricey these days, but you can softmod the GameCube and use the free Game Boy Interface software as an alternative.

From there, you can get an HDMI adapter and HDMI capture card (lots of those to choose from). Or if you need to save some money, a good S-Video capture device like the IO Data GV-USB2, an S-Video splitter, and a GameCube S-Video cable will still get you a pretty decent-looking capture. Either way, set it up in OBS and you're good to go.

I'd suggest also getting an SNES controller adapter. I find it way nicer than using the GBA as a controller. There's also one for Wii Classic Controllers if you prefer.

You should get svideo instead! But eBay and Amazon work well.

This one works well

Gam3Gear SNES Nintendo N64 Gamecube S Video Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-GNRAbA17YEAR

Wrong type. I bought this one a few years back for S video. It works on SNES, N64 and Gamecube...

https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable-Super/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1537543778&sr=8-17&keywords=snes+video+cable

This cable is a true s-video cable and it works great, much better than composite if your TV supports it.

https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable-Super/dp/B00LE3EAIK

Alternatively Gamecube games look perfect on a Wii over component too, the cable and console are both available for cheap. This doesn't resolve for Gameboy Player unfortunately, wish we had a better solution for that.

I bought this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable-Super/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=gam3gear+snes+nintendo+n64+gamecube+svideo+cable&qid=1573130992&sr=8-3

I’ve seen the original on eBay for like 65.

Welcome to the wonderful world of retro gaming in 2018.
Hopefully you have a setting for it like mentioned, if not, your tv just doesn't like that resolution. Solution is different tv, modded console, or upscaler. They do make cheap ones, but they are usually not great and you get what you pay for. If you find a Tv that still supports Svideo that's the best cheap option for n64. i've actually had good experience with [this] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LE3EAIK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) cable.
Also remember that a lot of the cheap composite to hdmi "upscalers" don't actually upscale at all. They just convert the composite line to hdmi, and still send the same signal. So you get the same problem. Also some HDMI inputs just don't like 240 or even 480i at all. I ran into this thinking a cheap $10 SD to HDMI adapter would solve a similar problem for my genesis. Nope, not a true upscaler.

Then ignore GCVideo unless you feel like spending the cash for a new 'Cube.

Any old RCA>HDMI box is going to get you to about the same place and I'm going to assume that your TV doesn't support S-Video.

Anything like this should get you started if you just want to play:
https://www.amazon.com/enKo-Products-Composite-Converter-Input/dp/B00I482KZI

And if you want a better experience, consider something like these in tandem:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B078JCNDC8/ref=sspa_mw_detail_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable-Super/dp/B00LE3EAIK

There's a S-Video input right on the back of that monitor. One side plugs directly into your console, the other into the monitor itself - super simple:

PS1/PS2/PS3 (official Sony brand and excellent quality, FYI)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N5JS5A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

SNES:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LE3EAIK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For NES, you'll also want to get a pack of these BNC to RCA connectors to use a regular RCA Composite cable off your NES: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005B4O4GG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I should add that I forgot to mention that Sega Genesis needs to be modded for S-Video - if your friend can help you mod the monitor for RGB it'll be a breeze for him (it's soldering like 5 single wires and a couple resistors - pretty darn easy). ---OR at that point, if you are actually modding the monitor for RGB, you'll probably forget about the S-Video and just use a regular SCART RGB cable or whatnot.

Also, if it makes your choice easier, S-Video really is excellent quality. You really have to see both side-by-side to notice any difference compared to RGB (especially if you're still new to all this - it's really just the finer smaller differences you can notice between the two connection types).

I had the same issue with a 4k tv, I bought these off Amazon and my N64 and Super Nintendo worked perfectly. You may just need the converter box.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AA8M630/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LE3EAIK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Of course it depends.

Quick and easy. S-video for sure:

https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable-Super/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=nintendo+s-video+cable&qid=1558193984&s=gateway&sprefix=nintendo+s-video&sr=8-2

Wwwwaaaayyyy better but not ideal would be a scart cable in a cheap scart to hdmi adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/Scart-Adaptor-Ozvavzk-Adapter-Set-top/dp/B07DG1KGRC/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=scart+to+hdmi&qid=1558193904&s=gateway&sprefix=scart+&sr=8-8

https://www.amazon.com/Mcbazel-Scart-Cable-SNES-GameCube-NTSC/dp/B01N8RCWK9/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=snes+scart+cable&qid=1558194072&s=gateway&sr=8-2.

Best of the best would be a high quality scart cable from retrogamingcables.co.uk in a scaler such as the framemeister or ossc which would be around 200-300$:

https://www.videogameperfection.com/products/open-source-converter/

https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/nintendo/super-nintendo/packapunch-super-nintendo-entertainment-system-snes-n64-rgb-av-scart-cable-ntsc-gold-scart

First get an S Video Cable

https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-SNES-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_63_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2CH7A9A3X2DJEGW7RZA8

Second this will work for transcoding. It forces stretching but will work. You may want to find a different unit.

https://www.amazon.com/Tendak-Composite-S-Video-Converter-Upscaler/dp/B00V2ULHBS/ref=pd_cp_23_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00V2ULHBS&pd_rd_r=83F87ZSKHXTV2F3FHJAP&pd_rd_w=GobN9&pd_rd_wg=uuPbC&psc=1&refRID=83F87ZSKHXTV2F3FHJAP#customerReviews

Yup, eBay has a very good one

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F302541545476

And I bought mine on Amazon

Gam3Gear SNES Nintendo N64 Gamecube S Video Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DCwWAbBPJYY4K


Always look for ones with just S-Video and no yellow composite. Some can be wired bad. But it's not always true

I don't know whether s-video will work for you, but I will say I've had good luck with this cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LE3EAIK/

There is a s video cable for the ps1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000N5JS5A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487642704&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=ps3+s+video&dpPl=1&dpID=413hPW-NdeL&ref=plSrch heres a link to a good high quality one it fits the ps1 ps2 and ps3 and here is a good quality snes n64 and gamecube s video cable https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LE3EAIK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487642829&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=snes+s+video&dpPl=1&dpID=41r4XvjGatL&ref=plSrch hope this helps

How about something like this then? Gam3Gear SNES Nintendo N64 Gamecube S Video Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qjQSCb5V1DV47

Do you have a recommendation? Thanks a ton

Take this one for example: https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable-Super/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=snes+s-video+cable&qid=1555157325&s=gateway&sr=8-2#customerReviews


Overall, the reviews are pretty solid. But the top rated review points out some cheap design and claims it's not much different in terms of quality as an official composite cable.

NTSC. This is the cable I have from amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable-Super/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=svideo+n64&qid=1558540564&s=gateway&sr=8-1#customerReviews

After reading some reviews seems the cheap cable may be to blame. We will see

I have tried these already:
https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-SNES-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=nav_ya_signin?ie=UTF8&qid=1487028499&sr=8-1&keywords=gamecube+s+video+cable&

https://www.amazon.com/Cinpel-S-Video-Cable-Nintendo-64-N64/dp/B00KZLEFAK/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1487028499&sr=8-10&keywords=gamecube+s+video+cable

Will the ebay one you sent be better?

Thanks so much!
As for the S-video adapter, if I have an S-video cable for the Super Nintendo, for example, then would something like this work for getting the S-video quality on the monitor while still being compatible with the Super Nintendo?

EDIT: This is my Super Nintendo S-video cable

This one same difference ya think?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_aGS4xbSTRDDYV

Here is the switcher that I use. My tv has s video input so it works great because I can use systems that output s video or composite with this one. Here is an s video cable that would work for both your SNES and your N64. Here is a composite cable that would work with your model 1 Sega Genesis, and Here would be am example of composite cables that would work with you NES.

As for the surge protector, here is the one I use and I really like it because it can hold a lot of the big power bricks that these older consoles like to use. Anyway hope that helped point you in the right direction. Of course it is a little bit of an investment, but overall I bet you will be much happier with a set up like this. I know personally I could never go back to constantly physically switching consoles out when I want to play them, this makes it so much easier to enjoy all my consoles with minimal effort. Good luck on your set up!

Nothing cheaper than the Carby for 480p, best option for a lower price is a svideo cable which will give you 480i.
https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable-Super/dp/B00LE3EAIK

This assumes you have a TV with svideo input...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LE3EAIK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

For $8 I am very happy with the upgrade over composite.

Well first off, get yourself at least some S-video cables straight away. Some of them have some quality issues, I've had no significant interference problems with this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Gam3Gear-Nintendo-Gamecube-Video-Cable-Super/dp/B00LE3EAIK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519447659&sr=8-1&keywords=nintendo+s-video&dpID=511QkWlFQdL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

It's not the best, but it is dirt cheap and it doesn't have a normal composite line to bleed over into your s-video feed.

I don't know this set in particular, but it looks like a pretty decent pick up as far as free consumer sets go. According to my google, it has component, so if you really want to get cheeky, you can pick up an rgb to component converter and set up a snes or genesis with component.