Retro Consoles and HDTV's

Full_TiltKeith

Ok, so I decided to go back to my youth, sell the Xbox 360 and play nothing younger than a PS2.

I fear I may have lept before I looked

How the hell can I get my newly acquired:

SNES
Megadrive
Dreamcast

to work on my HDTV???

The RF cables are not working just a really bad picture and no sound??

Thanks guys

*Edit I think this should maybe moved to the retro forum, if you can be so kind mods Thanks

scottp68877

I don't know much about retro consoles but here is a what Enter posted and it looks like it can help you

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056561579?page=1#post_77318237

Myrddin

Simply put...don't even try. Retro consoles will look like crap on a HDTV panel. They really look bad. If your lucky enough to have the space, pick up a cheap old style crt tv. No more than €30/40, & purchase RGB scart cables for all your consoles, I got most of mine from http://www.consolegoods.co.uk/

Your PS2 will work nicely on the HDTV, as a lot of games are designed for 16:9. as with Dreamcast/Gamecube etc. But anything older than that will definitely be more enjoyable on a crt. 28" would be ideal, but given my space, I have to make do with a 21".



Moved to Arcade & Retro

Jack burton

Yeah what he said.

I have a SNES playing on my 32" HDTV and with the rgb cable it looks really nice

Full_TiltKeith

Jack burton wrote: »

Yeah what he said.

I have a SNES playing on my 32" HDTV and with the rgb cable it looks really nice

Ok,

So what I need is a replacement cable for the RF cables?
@Enter, thanks but I wouldn't have the room for a CRT

Myrddin

Full_TiltKeith wrote: »

Ok,

So what I need is a replacement cable for the RF cables?
@Enter, thanks but I wouldn't have the room for a CRT

Well you don't really, the rf cables should work. It's just the difference in quality between rf & rgb scart is massive. No sound on your rf channels could be a tuning issue, or dodgey rf cables.

Best advice is that if you can't get a crt, at the very least replace your rf cables with rgb scart

lasersquad

Hey Keith, we can discuss the topic when we swapping goods tonight - its kh10304 here

This subject been bothering me for years though - I have an OCD when it comes to graphics and I was in for a bad shock when first connected my PS2 to an HD LCD. Some folks are ok with it but I can`t live without that peculiar SD glow

If you REALLY don`t have space for an old 21 incher then yeah, as said above invest in proper cables. With Dreamcast you`re in luck thanks to the wonder of VGABox - look it up (well as long as your HD set has VGA input, if not you can hook it up to PC monitor). I think there`s one for sale on Adverts at the moment actually.

Here`s what I use for reference on the topic: mega post from Racketboy:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=18367

See ya later on

Full_TiltKeith

lasersquad wrote: »

Hey Keith, we can discuss the topic when we swapping goods tonight - its kh10304 here

This subject been bothering me for years though - I have an OCD when it comes to graphics and I was in for a bad shock when first connected my PS2 to an HD LCD. Some folks are ok with it but I can`t live without that peculiar SD glow

If you REALLY don`t have space for an old 21 incher then yeah, as said above invest in proper cables. With Dreamcast you`re in luck thanks to the wonder of VGABox - look it up (well as long as your HD set has VGA input, if not you can hook it up to PC monitor). I think there`s one for sale on Adverts at the moment actually.

Here`s what I use for reference on the topic: mega post from Racketboy:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=18367

See ya later on

Good stuff man! thanks

Full_TiltKeith

EnterNow wrote: »

Well you don't really, the rf cables should work. It's just the difference in quality between rf & rgb scart is massive. No sound on your rf channels could be a tuning issue, or dodgey rf cables.

Best advice is that if you can't get a crt, at the very least replace your rf cables with rgb scart

Can RGB scart be bought in Maplins?

Myrddin

Full_TiltKeith wrote: »

Can RGB scart be bought in Maplins?

For retro consoles? Unlikely, be prepared to PAY if they do. Consolegoods are your best bet, I think he sells on ebay too.

Retr0gamer

RF cables are an absolute disgrace. Thorw them away and go full RGB scart. even on a HD screen RGB scart looks good although on a proper CRT it looks phenomenal.

Steve X2

Retr0gamer wrote: »

RF cables are an absolute disgrace. Thorw them away and go full RGB scart. even on a HD screen RGB scart looks good although on a proper CRT it looks phenomenal.

You know RF is the superior choice retr0.
Sure ya cant tell the difference between RF and RGB really anyway

*troll mode engaged

.

Full_TiltKeith

Steve SI wrote: »

You know RF is the superior choice retr0.
Sure ya cant tell the difference between RF and RGB really anyway

*troll mode engaged

.

i have tried to fine tune on the HD TV and I cannot for the life of me get the megadrive to work.

I know the cable is good because I can get it working on the CRT TV downstairs, is there an RGB cable available for the megadrive?

lasersquad

I nearly bought Dreamcast SCART off ELG on Adverts few days ago, I think it`s still on for 12 E. But would invest in VGA Box really if I was you.

Retr0gamer

Full_TiltKeith wrote: »

i have tried to fine tune on the HD TV and I cannot for the life of me get the megadrive to work.

I know the cable is good because I can get it working on the CRT TV downstairs, is there an RGB cable available for the megadrive?

Seriously, don't even bother with RF. You'll get a megadrive RGB scart cable from ebay or consolegoods.co.uk

Retr0gamer

lasersquad wrote: »

I nearly bought Dreamcast SCART off ELG on Adverts few days ago, I think it`s still on for 12 E. But would invest in VGA Box really if I was you.

Only if setting up a dreamcast so the sound can go to a ound system is feasible. You can't get sound from VGA with out another audio output device.

Andrew76

Full_TiltKeith wrote: »

i have tried to fine tune on the HD TV and I cannot for the life of me get the megadrive to work.

I know the cable is good because I can get it working on the CRT TV downstairs, is there an RGB cable available for the megadrive?

Just make sure you get the correct RGB SCART cable for the Megadrive model you have. Model 1 and 2 have a slightly different connection at the back.

Myrddin

Also if it's an MD1, consolegoods does a stereo sound cable, where the audio is fed from the headphone port of the megadrive, & routed into the scart. Otherwise, its just mono. If its an MD2, stereo is native in the din port so you only need the standard MD2 RGB scart.

Andrew76

Aye, pretty sure I got mine from this seller but not sure if there's cheaper/faster options out there like consolegoods as you mention.

80s Synth Pop

You need to get RGB cables and then pick up a few items from Arcade Forge - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74134735
That is the best you are going to get on a 50" HD screen

Doge

I picked up the same RGB Scart + Stereo Jack cable recently from Retro Computer Shack...

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Sega-Megadrive-1-High-Quality-RGB-Gold-Scart-Lead-TV-AV-Cable-Stereo-NEW-/260926939448?pt=UK_Video_Games_Cables_and_Adaptors&hash=item3cc0752138#ht_2786wt_1396





Must actually do the 60hz mod and feckin test the cable out tomorrow. Been leaving it off too long.

giggsy07

EnterNow wrote: »

Simply put...don't even try. Retro consoles will look like crap on a HDTV panel. They really look bad. If your lucky enough to have the space, pick up a cheap old style crt tv. No more than €30/40, & purchase RGB scart cables for all your consoles, I got most of mine from http://www.consolegoods.co.uk/

Your PS2 will work nicely on the HDTV, as a lot of games are designed for 16:9. as with Dreamcast/Gamecube etc. But anything older than that will definitely be more enjoyable on a crt. 28" would be ideal, but given my space, I have to make do with a 21".



Moved to Arcade & Retro

Holy Sh1t thats some collection.Is that an SNK on the N64??Were not worthy!!!:)

Myrddin

giggsy07 wrote: »

Holy Sh1t thats some collection.Is that an SNK on the N64??Were not worthy!!!:)

Cheers dude

Nah no SNK, it's either the 3DO under the NTSC N64, or the Mastersystem 2 on top of the PAL N64

Full_TiltKeith

waveform wrote: »

I picked up the same RGB Scart + Stereo Jack cable recently from Retro Computer Shack...

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Sega-Megadrive-1-High-Quality-RGB-Gold-Scart-Lead-TV-AV-Cable-Stereo-NEW-/260926939448?pt=UK_Video_Games_Cables_and_Adaptors&hash=item3cc0752138#ht_2786wt_1396





Must actually do the 60hz mod and feckin test the cable out tomorrow. Been leaving it off too long.

Let me know how you get on

Doge

Steve SI wrote: »

You know RF is the superior choice retr0.
Sure ya cant tell the difference between RF and RGB really anyway

*troll mode engaged

.

You might think this is funny, but for audio I'm choosing the RF cable over the RCA cable (into a scart adapter) for the c64 at the moment.

I'm not sure yet if it's the portable TV i'm using is doing this,
but the SID's audio through RCA sounds like it's being passed through a High Pass Filter!

Better definition in the high range but **** all bass.

The RF signal is much bassier and the mid range sounds a bit too boosted.

Its like the bassy early Mega Drive I boards VS the thiny sound of the later boards in the Mega Drive II!

I'll have to hook it up to my audio interface later to see if its the same.

CiDeRmAn

Gamesrooms are great, I just wish I could use mine more often!

Myrddin

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Gamesrooms are great, I just wish I could use mine more often!

Pics or GTFO

CiDeRmAn

Seriously?
Haven't you been in it???
It's a room, filled with, well, games, hence the name!

Myrddin

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Seriously?
Haven't you been in it???
It's a room, filled with, well, games, hence the name!

Yeah I've been in it, but many millions havn't. Show the damn thing off man, it's a gaming mecca.


Edit - Ooh nice sig. But it was o1s1n who was saved, I simply came along with corporate slang at the right time lol

Doge

EnterNow wrote: »

Yeah I've been in it, but many millions havn't. Show the damn thing off man, it's a gaming mecca.

I know yeah!

Sure he even had the cheek to ask me if I saw it,
and then never bothered when I told him no ffs!

Pics or GTFO x10! :pac:

Steve X2

waveform wrote: »

I know yeah!

Sure he even had the cheek to ask me if I saw it,
and then never bothered when I told him no ffs!

Pics or GTFO x10! :pac:

I also demand to see the Cider Mecca

I'd show mine off but its in the middle of a redesign at the moment.

.

lasersquad

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Only if setting up a dreamcast so the sound can go to a ound system is feasible. You can't get sound from VGA with out another audio output device.

True, it ain`t no hassle though. The boxes I`ve seen all had some output sockets so you can use headphones, Pc speakers etc - quality beats most TV speakers.

On different note, my old dilemma has been reignited. Some time ago when I was buying a CRT TV (mainly for PS2) I was persuaded to go with usual 4:3 box, since apparently "there`s only few games that use widescreen and they`re poor quality anyway". Well. Now I`ve found this list:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_2_games_with_HD_support and it`s not "few" - I`d say "a lot".

So now my OCD kicks in again and I start contemplating going CRT widescreen. It`s such a hassle though since most of these sets is piano-sized and weighs about as much. What would y`all recommend?

Myrddin

lasersquad wrote: »

True, it ain`t no hassle though. The boxes I`ve seen all had some output sockets so you can use headphones, Pc speakers etc - quality beats most TV speakers.

On different note, my old dilemma has been reignited. Some time ago when I was buying a CRT TV (mainly for PS2) I was persuaded to go with usual 4:3 box, since apparently "there`s only few games that use widescreen and they`re poor quality anyway". Well. Now I`ve found this list:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_2_games_with_HD_support and it`s not "few" - I`d say "a lot".

So now my OCD kicks in again and I start contemplating going CRT widescreen. It`s such a hassle though since most of these sets is piano-sized and weighs about as much. What would y`all recommend?

PS2 is fine through a 16:9 lcd, sure some games even support component resolutions. Crt is really best for PS1 era and under.

lasersquad

Nah, like I said earlier for me LCDs and PS2 (or any old gen) don`t mix.

Guess will have to finally make the jump and drag one of these behemots in to find out

CiDeRmAn

Regarding my Gameroom, I really don't see it as a great collection at all.
In terms of sheer volume of games, sure there's tons, most visibly on the PS2.
There's a decent N64, Snes and PS collection too.
But in terms of the really interesting stuff, the Famicom, the Shump nuts, the ephemera that folk are harvesting from the auction sites, retro shops and charity stores of the world, that I have got little of.
My collection is large but common.
I am far more impressed with the bijou and unique.
Like Atavans stuff, the boxed Pokemon and Ninty gear he has, or Pyongyang and his arcade and associated media collection.
I feel fairly humble mixing with you folk, you know.... sniff...

redmdc

Ive found this thread probably the closest to my problems so here goes.

I decided to dig out my old consoles namely master system and dreamcast to have some retro gaming in my life. I have a PS50C490 samsung 50inch 3d plasma.
Took me forever to get a decent picture from either on em but figured out the master system in the end,
both are connected through the standard rf cables that come with the console.
for the master system i had to manually search for the channel, channel 36.
the picture was flickering like mad! so i went through the options and changed colour system to PAL and everything worked fine.

The dreamcast operates on the same channel but picture was all screwed up. to get a stable picture i had to change sound system to L. the picture was then perfect but weirdly the sound had dissappeared! before i changed the sound system there was sound but picture was crazy. So im stumped, i either have sound or picture never both!!!!!! may just buy a red white and yellow rca cable!!!reckon that would sort the no sound issue?

Retr0gamer

Don't get RCA cables. If you are going to buy a cable get RGB scart. Much better picture quality and most likely not to give you any issues. RCA yellow, red and white cables will look awful, almost as bad as RF.

Doge

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Don't get RCA cables. If you are going to buy a cable get RGB scart. Much better picture quality and most likely not to give you any issues. RCA yellow, red and white cables will look awful, almost as bad as RF.

After witnessing the difference with the Mega Drive I seriously have to buy an RGB Scart for the PS2 to replace my composite cable that came with it.

Why Sony didn't include them with the console is behind me,
would have really been a better "advertisement" for the their graphics and colour it was capable of.

I know not all TV's support RGB, but they could easily have sent RGB + S-Video + Composite through the Scart cable using the various pins.

Retr0gamer

waveform wrote: »

After witnessing the difference with the Mega Drive I seriously have to buy an RGB Scart for the PS2 to replace my composite cable that came with it.

Why Sony didn't include them with the console is behind me,
would have really been a better "advertisement" for the their graphics and colour it was capable of.

I know not all TV's support RGB, but they could easily have sent RGB + S-Video + Composite through the Scart cable using the various pins.

Well to be honest, the Sega saturn came with RGB scart as standard for the European launch and there was uproar because at the time not all TV's supported RGB scart. Little did people know Sega were doing them a favour :P

It's mostly just a cost saving measure by companies that they don't include the higher quality cables but tbh if they included the cables as standard for the PS2, GC, Xbox generation they would have had a big upper hand. The difference in quality between RCA composite and RGB Scart is so massive it's like moving to a new generation of console and would have been a good marketing tool. For instance the PS2 was no where near as powerful as the GC or Xbox but it would have looked a lot closer if people were comparing RGB on the PS2 to composite on the other two.

Myrddin

waveform wrote: »

Why Sony didn't include them with the console is behind me

Simple, $$$

Doge

EnterNow wrote: »

Simple, $$$

My thinking was that the investment in a better cable would attract moar monies!

I guess you'd have to educate people in the manual about the better video standards though.

And at the end of the day maybe be a worse quality signal wouldn't really be a deciding factor for 99% of the people out there!

Myrddin

waveform wrote: »

And at the end of the day maybe be a worse quality signal wouldn't really be a deciding factor for 99% of the people out there!

Now you have it.