N64 and S-Video: Should it look like this?

aclbandit · 08-13-2008, 10:29 PM

I finally got my N64/GCN s-video cable, having decided NOT to RGB mod.

Upon hooking it up, I was met with a strange "checkerboard" pattern. Awesome, right? </sarcasm>.

I read somewhere that it could be crosstalk between the s-vid channels or something.

My question: Should I send this cable back or something? It's the Pelican N64/GCN S-video cable; the only other mention of it I found said it had the same problem. I'm quite disappointed. Has anyone else had this problem/found a solution? I'd hate to have to go back to composite video...

MasterJSP · 08-13-2008, 10:42 PM

I also have that checkerboard problem when I hook up my SNES with s-video, but I don't know why it does that.

aclbandit · 08-13-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterJSP

I also have that checkerboard problem when I hook up my SNES with s-video, but I don't know why it does that.

Yep, just tried the same cable on SNES, it did it too. Is it just that that pelican cable bloze or what?

Agressivadue · 08-13-2008, 10:49 PM

Heeeey. What you have is a sorry cable. Find a better one, and the pattern goes away. I had the same problem with my Gamecube. Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions as to what brand to get! At least it's not your equipment.

doubledownon11 · 08-13-2008, 11:29 PM

You can still get brand new ones from Nintendo of America, but they want like $15.00 a set. I got (3) cheap-o's off a guy who was selling them on ebay with multiples available and I don't have any problems with mine.

Agressivadue · 08-13-2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aclbandit

I finally got my N64/GCN s-video cable, having decided NOT to RGB mod.

I'd hate to have to go back to composite video...

Wait, go BACK to composite? Did you mod or not? What's wrong with composite?

Gamereviewgod · 08-13-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agressivadue

Wait, go BACK to composite? Did you mod or not? What's wrong with composite?

Composite. Not Component.

Agressivadue · 08-14-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamereviewgod

Composite. Not Component.

Oops.

bcombee · 08-14-2008, 12:49 AM

It could be your TV. Some LCD TVs can't handle the video from the N64 and SNES very well -- my 20" set isn't able to sync.

Rob2600 · 08-14-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aclbandit

I finally got my N64/GCN s-video cable, having decided NOT to RGB mod.

Upon hooking it up, I was met with a strange "checkerboard" pattern.

The SNES/N64/GC S-video cable I have works fine. The picture quality is great and there's no checkerboard pattern. Unfortunately, there's no brand name on the cable and I don't remember what the brand is.

Greg2600 · 08-14-2008, 01:16 AM

I get a checkerboard on only one SNES game I've ever had, it is Gradius III. Very strange, it is the only game that does it, and I am using the original cable from the N64.

SkiDragon · 08-14-2008, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg2600

I get a checkerboard on only one SNES game I've ever had, it is Gradius III. Very strange, it is the only game that does it, and I am using the original cable from the N64.

If I recall, Gradius III starts up with a checkerboard pattern for some reason, and then the game starts normally.

aclbandit · 08-14-2008, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubledownon11

You can still get brand new ones from Nintendo of America, but they want like $15.00 a set. I got (3) cheap-o's off a guy who was selling them on ebay with multiples available and I don't have any problems with mine.

In all honesty, 15 a set is NOT a problem, so long as I don't have to deal with poop-tastic composite video. I'll look into an official cable-- thanks a lot!

Also, just for future reference: DO NOT EVER buy the Pelican GCN/N64 s-vid cable-- I found someone on another forum talking about "basketball dots", similar to mine, which indicates that it blows.

Icarus Moonsight · 08-14-2008, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiDragon

If I recall, Gradius III starts up with a checkerboard pattern for some reason, and then the game starts normally.

That's just how Konami arcade games used to boot up. It's intentional, to create an ambiance in a throwback sort of way.

They still do it from time to time. The Konami Arcade Classics on DS is one they did lately.

Kitsune Sniper · 08-14-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aclbandit

In all honesty, 15 a set is NOT a problem, so long as I don't have to deal with poop-tastic composite video. I'll look into an official cable-- thanks a lot!

Also, just for future reference: DO NOT EVER buy the Pelican GCN/N64 s-vid cable-- I found someone on another forum talking about "basketball dots", similar to mine, which indicates that it blows.

Yeah, I've had issues with Pelican's DC S-Video cable as well. I don't remember what brand I use now, but I think I got it here in a trade.

Anyway, I use an S-Video cable I bought at Gamestop with my Gamecube. It's one of those PS2/XBox/Gamecube dealies. It works pretty well and I don't get any distortion. Maybe you can find a cheap, used one there!

Greg2600 · 08-14-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icarus Moonsight

That's just how Konami arcade games used to boot up. It's intentional, to create an ambiance in a throwback sort of way.

They still do it from time to time. The Konami Arcade Classics on DS is one they did lately.

I did not know that. All the Konami SNES games I have take an extra second or two for the Konami logo to appear. Often I think the games needs cleaning, I'm impatient.

aclbandit · 08-14-2008, 02:28 PM

Someone has offered me a Gamecube s-video cable from Monster, I think I'll grab that and see how it goes.

Gentlegamer · 08-14-2008, 03:02 PM

The official Nintendo S-video cable works quite well. It was worth the $15 to me (still available at Nintendo's online store).

The Clonus Horror · 08-16-2008, 11:20 PM

I had the same problem. I picked up a Monster cable and it cleared right up.

Ed Oscuro · 08-17-2008, 01:32 AM

Note: S-video is worthless on an unmodded SNES model 2 (for some reason, I have two of these and no regular SNES systems).

aclbandit · 08-20-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Oscuro

Note: S-video is worthless on an unmodded SNES model 2 (for some reason, I have two of these and no regular SNES systems).

Could you explain? Why is it "worthless"?

I ask because I was considering picking up another s-vid for my SNES, and the model I use is the V2.0; I have the old model in my closet, so worst case I can pull that back out.

ooXxXoo · 08-20-2008, 02:04 PM

Nintendo decided to remove the s-video and RGB signal from the native AV port of the SNES 2 slim system....Therefore, no s-video cable will work regardless of the brand, unless the actual SNES 2 System is modded llike in here:

http://www.retro-console.com/othermodifications.htm

aclbandit · 08-23-2008, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooXxXoo

Nintendo decided to remove the s-video and RGB signal from the native AV port of the SNES 2 slim system....Therefore, no s-video cable will work regardless of the brand, unless the actual SNES 2 System is modded llike in here:

http://www.retro-console.com/othermodifications.htm

Okay, glad to know.

08-13-2008, 10:29 PM	#1
aclbandit is a geek Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: H-Town, WV Posts: 702	N64 and S-Video: Should it look like this? I finally got my N64/GCN s-video cable, having decided NOT to RGB mod. Upon hooking it up, I was met with a strange "checkerboard" pattern. Awesome, right? </sarcasm>. I read somewhere that it could be crosstalk between the s-vid channels or something. My question: Should I send this cable back or something? It's the Pelican N64/GCN S-video cable; the only other mention of it I found said it had the same problem. I'm quite disappointed. Has anyone else had this problem/found a solution? I'd hate to have to go back to composite video... __________________ Console Games Collection Handheld Games Collection Arcade Games & PCBs Collection My Feedback Thread

08-13-2008, 10:49 PM	#4
Agressivadue FAP FAP FAP FAP Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 72	Heeeey. What you have is a sorry cable. Find a better one, and the pattern goes away. I had the same problem with my Gamecube. Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions as to what brand to get! At least it's not your equipment. __________________ Life is great; Without it, you'd be dead.

08-13-2008, 11:29 PM	#5
doubledownon11 Strawberry (Level 2) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 402	You can still get brand new ones from Nintendo of America, but they want like $15.00 a set. I got (3) cheap-o's off a guy who was selling them on ebay with multiples available and I don't have any problems with mine. __________________ www.VikingVideoGames.com Home of the Mini ColecoVision

08-14-2008, 01:16 AM	#11
Greg2600 Ghostbuster Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Soprano Land, NJ Posts: 1,160	I get a checkerboard on only one SNES game I've ever had, it is Gradius III. Very strange, it is the only game that does it, and I am using the original cable from the N64. __________________ The Paunch Stevenson Show free Internet podcast - www.paunchstevenson.com

08-14-2008, 02:28 PM	#17
aclbandit is a geek Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: H-Town, WV Posts: 702	Someone has offered me a Gamecube s-video cable from Monster, I think I'll grab that and see how it goes. __________________ Console Games Collection Handheld Games Collection Arcade Games & PCBs Collection My Feedback Thread


Meet the gamers with a decidedly retro edge. Remember Burgertime, Paperboy, Gunstar Heroes, Streets of Rage and Radiant Silvergun but have no problem wreaking havoc in Halo? Well then... welcome home.

08-13-2008, 10:42 PM	#2
MasterJSP Insert Coin (Level 0) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO. USA Posts: 64	I also have that checkerboard problem when I hook up my SNES with s-video, but I don't know why it does that.

08-14-2008, 12:49 AM	#9
bcombee Insert Coin (Level 0) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 29	It could be your TV. Some LCD TVs can't handle the video from the N64 and SNES very well -- my 20" set isn't able to sync.

08-14-2008, 03:02 PM	#18
Gentlegamer Peach (Level 3) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 658	The official Nintendo S-video cable works quite well. It was worth the $15 to me (still available at Nintendo's online store). __________________ My Consoles:

08-16-2008, 11:20 PM	#19
The Clonus Horror Insert Coin (Level 0) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chequamegon Bay, WI Posts: 182	I had the same problem. I picked up a Monster cable and it cleared right up.

08-17-2008, 01:32 AM	#20
Ed Oscuro It belongs in a museum! Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 16,016	Note: S-video is worthless on an unmodded SNES model 2 (for some reason, I have two of these and no regular SNES systems).

08-20-2008, 02:04 PM	#22
ooXxXoo Peach (Level 3) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Living in a Yellow Submarine Posts: 737	Nintendo decided to remove the s-video and RGB signal from the native AV port of the SNES 2 slim system....Therefore, no s-video cable will work regardless of the brand, unless the actual SNES 2 System is modded llike in here: http://www.retro-console.com/othermodifications.htm __________________ §ø Ï ζ Ξ Δ φ Ψ ς ώ ☆ ¿ ∞ ♪ ξ

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