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Best quality picture using N64 on newer TV

  • 07-08-2012 1:36pm
    #1
    PhlegmyMoses
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭


    Just bought an N64 from eBay. My issue now is that I no longer have any CRT to play it on. I'm presuming that it is going to look pretty rubbish on a modern TV. I really don't have room for an old CRT so that's not an option. Any ideas on how to get the best possible picture using an LCD TV?


Comments

  • #2
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    PhlegmyMoses wrote: »
    Just bought an N64 from eBay. My issue now is that I no longer have any CRT to play it on. I'm presuming that it is going to look pretty rubbish on a modern TV. I really don't have room for an old CRT so that's not an option. Any ideas on how to get the best possible picture using an LCD TV?

    Buy the s-video modified cable from consolegoods. Best quality image you'll get from a PAL console. It's going to look horrendous on a large lcd though, regardless.


  • #3
    Pyongyang
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,328 ✭✭✭Pyongyang


    SLG3000 and Sync Strike will do the job. Or you could also modify the console?

    http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/nintendo/ntsc_nintendo_64_rgb.htm


  • #4
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    Pyongyang wrote: »
    SLG3000 and Sync Strike will do the job. Or you could also modify the console?

    http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/nintendo/ntsc_nintendo_64_rgb.htm

    It has to be an NTSC N64 for that mod. Is your N64 PAL OP?


  • #5
    PhlegmyMoses
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭PhlegmyMoses


    Yup, PAL console. LCD is 32".

    Will give that s-video cable from eBay a go and I'll see how it gets on.


  • #6
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    PhlegmyMoses wrote: »
    Yup, PAL console. LCD is 32".

    Will give that s-video cable from eBay a go and I'll see how it gets on.

    Make sure its from consolegoods, there's loads of cheaper av cables floating about that are rubbish.

    http://www.consolegoods.co.uk/


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  • #7
    Pyongyang
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,328 ✭✭✭Pyongyang


    EnterNow wrote: »
    Make sure its from consolegoods, there's loads of cheaper av cables floating about that are rubbish.

    http://www.consolegoods.co.uk/

    Agreed. Robert at Console Goods is a sultan. Ordered loads from him in the past and I've had no problems at all. :)


  • #8
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    Pyongyang wrote: »
    Agreed. Robert at Console Goods is a sultan. Ordered loads from him in the past and I've had no problems at all. :)

    I've used him a few times for most of my RGB needs, & I've never had issue barring with the PAL Gamecube RGB...but that's not specific to consolegoods so can't fault him really.


  • #9
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 51,782 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    Consolegoods is the only place that I know of that sells those modified s-video cables. The picture quality out of the one I bought is superb. If you buy an unmodified cable you'll get an overly bright washed out image.

    If you are only dabbling in collecting N64 games then it's OK to go PAL. However if you are seriously considering collecting N64 games then I suggest you sell the PAL console and get a US console. You can modify most US N64 consoles to RGB video quality which is slightly better than s-video. However the big thing is with a US console the games will run faster and won't have borders messing up the aspect ratio. For the N64 were most games struggle to keep a high framerate up the 20% extra speed increase makes a huge difference. Also it's cheaper to get US games which is a bonus.
    Untitled Image




  • #10
    80s Synth Pop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 734 ✭✭✭80s Synth Pop


    A USA console, modded for RGB with the amp method with an official Gamecube RGB cable running through an scaler kit is the best of the best. I've some pics somewhere...

    For casual N64 gaming you might be better off with a wii and the virtual console.


  • #11
    PhlegmyMoses
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭PhlegmyMoses


    Decided to get the PAL version because I have a rake of old N64 games - 20+. Definitely a dabbler.

    Will give that s-video cable a shot - going to order one today, I think - but if it's still looking a bit rubbish, I'll have to look into finding room for an old CRT somewhere. Cheers for the help lads.


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  • #12
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    PhlegmyMoses wrote: »
    I'll have to look into finding room for an old CRT somewhere. Cheers for the help lads.

    That's really the solution I'd recommend, even over scalers etc. Lcd's are all 16:9's & even with artificial scanlines done through scalers etc, I never think a native 4:3 console looks right on a 16:9 tv, even in 4:3 mode.


  • #13
    CiDeRmAn
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,626 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    Speaking of N64.....

    Anyone spot this nifty N64 controller hack?
    n64-dual-analog-stick-controller-by-clarky.jpg
    linky

    Looks... interesting, perfect for Pod Racer and Goldeneye!


  • #14
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    Some serious plastic fabrication there, it looks flawless


  • #15
    PhlegmyMoses
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭PhlegmyMoses


    How would you even go about using that controller? :eek:


  • #16
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 51,782 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    PhlegmyMoses wrote: »
    How would you even go about using that controller? :eek:

    There's a controller option in goldeneye that lets you play the game using two controllers to replicate dual analogue controller. If you are crazy enough to think goldeneye is still worth playing these days then you are crazy enough to think that this is the greatest N64 add on ever.
    Untitled Image




  • #17
    PhlegmyMoses
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭PhlegmyMoses


    Retr0gamer wrote: »
    There's a controller option in goldeneye that lets you play the game using two controllers to replicate dual analogue controller. If you are crazy enough to think goldeneye is still worth playing these days then you are crazy enough to think that this is the greatest N64 add on ever.
    That's actually the one game that I have that I'm not looking forward to playing. The likes of the Zeldas, Banjo Kazooie, Star Wars, Donkey Kong etc will be great fun but an FPS from 15 years ago will become slightly tedious having played BF3 for the past year. :P


  • #18
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 51,782 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    PhlegmyMoses wrote: »
    That's actually the one game that I have that I'm not looking forward to playing. The likes of the Zeldas, Banjo Kazooie, Star Wars, Donkey Kong etc will be great fun but an FPS from 15 years ago will become slightly tedious having played BF3 for the past year. :P

    Despite what the rose tinted glasses brigade say, Goldeneye really isn't the game you remember. A lot of the non-nintendo games havve aged really badly on N64. Donkey Kong 64 is another that's pretty terrible on reflection. Still some classics on the console though.
    Untitled Image




  • #19
    CiDeRmAn
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,626 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    There are some who would maintain that the best way to view a Pal N64 is from the open lid of the bin into which you just threw it!

    But Blastcorp is brilliant, reminding us of when Rare made games instead of Mario 64 clones with anthropomorphic animals with googly eyes stuck on.

    Glover is great as well, Pilotwings 64 has aged well despite a poor frame rate and Rayman plays great, redone recently on the 3ds but still looks great and has more imagination in it than most of the Rare platformers of the same era.


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