Is there really that big of a difference between S-Video and RGB on SNES?

[Drixxel]

An XRGB-3 does seem like a classy and robust piece of hardware, but there are definitely other ways to make this work. A more affordable solution for getting RGB going from a SNES (on a TV without a SCART input) would be to pair a cheap third party RGB cable like this with a SCART-to-??? video converter like this. In the case of that particular SCART-to-component video converter, an audio breakout adapter like so would be a sound idea, unless silence is preferred. Altogether, this is a ~$70 ordeal but way below the cost of an XRGB-3 alone.

[substantial_snake]

Not really.

I went the Scart-to-RGB route with my genesis because its stock composite picture is pretty lousy. It ended up costing about 60-70 bucks for the converter and a RGB cable with built in Audio splitter. It was an upgrade well worth it and the picture looks fantastic on a CRT screen.

My SNES was an earlier model so S-video was an option. I picked up the cable and again massive improvement over composite as expected. I picked up an SCART-RGB cable for my SNES and tried it out with little improvement. So little in fact that I don't want to go through the trouble of plugging and unplugging the rather snug SCART cable every time I switch consoles. I really didn't see enough of an improvement to justify the 10 dollar cable over S-video, you might but it really wasn't that dramatic.

[Trebuken]

On an RGB monitor (I have a Sony PVM-2530) you will see an improvement in RGB versus S-video. It is most evident with a Sega Genesis, but also with a model 1 SNES.

The XRGB-3's claim to fame is that it allows you to use a modern HDTV while maintaining an image resembling what we rmember from playing on a CRT.

[Informationator]

Great points. Thanks everyone :P. Someday if/when I'm loaded and if TV technology has never caught up to the majesty that is CRT technology, I will perhaps buy the XRGB equivalent of the day, if one exists O..o

[theclaw]

RGB under ideal circumstances wildly beats anything else. That is no myth or hyberbole. However it takes extra TLC to gain its full benefit. RGB is the purest sharpest option in existence, raw video format many consoles render in. Any minute artifact WILL be visible. Especially on HD sets. Has none of the "smoothing" effect, that CRTs and/or composite provide.

[RARusk]

In my RGB modding experience I found that the SNES' RGB was the best out of the older consoles I own. Quite stunning.

However, S-Video Monster Cables (SNES/N64/NGC) will work pretty well for screen capturing because their superior build quality, as compared to other S-Video cables, allows for a much better picture on that format.

[hamburglar]

I've gone through about all the internal hardware revisions on the original SNES and they all have poor RGB picture quality, some are better than others, RGB on the original model SNES is very blurry for some reason. Every Super Famicom I've come across has the same problem.

The SNES 2 or Super Famicom JR. on the other hand, when properly modded offers the best RGB picture (it does not output RGB out of the box). A huge improvement. I prefer the look of the original SNES/Super Famicom, but use a Super Famicom JR. because of the much better RGB picture quality.

I use a Sony standard res. RGB monitor, but the difference in picture quality can be seen on everything from RGB/Component converters to the XRGB units.

[ccovell]

In my RGB modding experience I found that the SNES' RGB was the best out of the older consoles I own. Quite stunning.

I concur with Hamburglar in that the SNES' RGB isn't as sharp as other systems like Genesis, SMS, PC-Engine, Saturn, etc. The SNES has a bit of blurring/trailing capacitance on the right side of high-contrast objects that the other systems don't have. (I can't speak for the SNES Jr.)

The S-Video on SNES is clear enough that RGB isn't absolutely justified. I don't have S-V shots but my page here does have some composite-RGB comparison shots: http://www.chrismcovell.com/gotRGB/rgb_compare.html