PS1 and N64 Component YPBPR system mod?

[Jim_and_Evil]

IF THIS HAPPENS TO BE AGAINST FORUM RULES, I WOULDN'T MIND IF IT GETS DELETED.

While I already have those two systems, their PQ is not very good even with s-video and an s-video to HDMI converter. I know of a place where I can two more for $20 a pop to use for moddig, because I don't want to ruin mine if the mods don't go out right.

Id like to know of there are any self mods or someone who can do them. I believe the PS1 may be possible, since the PS2/3 component cable have the same connector (it normally doesn't output through those pins, only the s-video or composite).

For the N64 one, I heard of some doing the RGB mod but adding a circuit that converts the signal to YPBPR. Id like to have both systems output 240p/480p without nasty composite/s-video dot crawl, and resorting to slow buggy emulators.

Well, suggestions?

 

[Pinhedd]

IF THIS HAPPENS TO BE AGAINST FORUM RULES, I WOULDN'T MIND IF IT GETS DELETED.

While I already have those two systems, their PQ is not very good even with s-video and an s-video to HDMI converter. I know of a place where I can two more for $20 a pop to use for moddig, because I don't want to ruin mine if the mods don't go out right.

Id like to know of there are any self mods or someone who can do them. I believe the PS1 may be possible, since the PS2/3 component cable have the same connector (it normally doesn't output through those pins, only the s-video or composite).

For the N64 one, I heard of some doing the RGB mod but adding a circuit that converts the signal to YPBPR. Id like to have both systems output 240p/480p without nasty composite/s-video dot crawl, and resorting to slow buggy emulators.

Well, suggestions?

Interesting question.

I had to do some serious digging to figure this out. I have both consoles, but I have no idea where my PS1 is right now.

For summary, here are the common video data formats used on older consoles:

1. Composite NTSC/PAL/SECAM. Typically transmitted over a RCA terminated coaxial cable, or RF modulated (often on channel 3, the display must have an RF tuner) on a shielded coaxial cable. Terrible picture quality, but almost universally supported within a large region. Largely unsupported outside of that same region.

2. S-Video. A common chromatic colourspace transmission method which separates the Luma signal (intensity) from the Chroma signals (saturation and hue). S-Video is noticeably superior to composite video, but is not suitable for high definition content.

3. SCART. A European standard for short distance standard-definition content transport. Great picture quality, but almost non-existent outside of European markets. The complexity of the connector allows it to carry NTSC/PAL/SECAM, YPbPr, and RGB signals. SCART is not suitable for high-definition content.

4. Component video. An elaboration on S-Video, component video further separates the chromatic signals for a total of three cables( Y, Pb, and Pr). Component video cables are shielded and [usually] gold plated which allows preservation of high-frequency components and minimal attenuation of the signal. Component video is capable of carrying high-definition content.

For the PS1, the console supposedly supports RGB via SCART across all models. Unfortunately, SCART is essentially obsolete in Europe is very hard to find outside of North America, and most certainly won't be found on any modern TV. Fortunately, converting between the RGB colourspace and the chromatic colourspace is extremely easy and the necessary hardware can be packed into a small DSP. If you can get your hands on a PS1 SCART cable and a SCART-RGB to component YPbPr converter such as this one you should be able to hook that up to any receiver or TV that supports component input (which is still fairly well supported, whereas SCART is not). Alternatively, get your hands on an original model PS3 (the fat one) as it supports PS1, PS2, and PS3 games. I wouldn't trade my fatty for anything.

For the N64, you're less lucky. Initial versions of the N64 had the ability to provide RGB via some tweaking, most models support only region-specific composite (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) and S-Video. In this case, you're basically SOL and will have to live with the existing picture quality.

 

[Jim_and_Evil]

TNX for your input. I all ready have a 20gb fatty PS3 that I upgraded the drive to 500gbs, but PS1 games "fell" and "run" a little better on an real PS1 unit than on the P33 or some spotty emulator for that matter. So all I need is a SCART cable (can it be the PAL ones I see on amazon or does it need to be a special Japanese one?) and an SCART to HDMI converter (don't need component as they make ones that go right to HDMI) and ill be cheese on a ham sandwich!

As for the N64, I looked that up too and the best bet is to use a VERY early N64 unit (build date of 1996, no later than 97 I hear), rgb it to SCART and send it through a converter that outputs HDMI. Fortunately, the game store I go to has a black one with a build date of 1996 for $25, and I believe my friend knows someone at collage performs RGB mods on systems like this. Looks good for me so far.

 

[Pinhedd]

TNX for your input. I all ready have a 20gb fatty PS3 that I upgraded the drive to 500gbs, but PS1 games "fell" and "run" a little better on an real PS1 unit than on the P33 or some spotty emulator for that matter. So all I need is a SCART cable (can it be the PAL ones I see on amazon or does it need to be a special Japanese one?) and an SCART to HDMI converter (don't need component as they make ones that go right to HDMI) and ill be cheese on a ham sandwich!

As for the N64, I looked that up too and the best bet is to use a VERY early N64 unit (build date of 1996, no later than 97 I hear), rgb it to SCART and send it through a converter that outputs HDMI. Fortunately, the game store I go to has a black one with a build date of 1996 for $25, and I believe my friend knows someone at collage performs RGB mods on systems like this. Looks good for me so far.

The SCART cables for the PS1 are a bit funny. From what I can gather there are two separate ones. The one that ships with the unit in the PAL regions just transmit composite PAL over SCART, so it's no better than an RCA cable in this regard. The special after-market japanese one transmits RGB over SCART. I think that the model number is SCPH-1050. However, playing PS1 games on the PS3 will look (and possibly feel) better.

 

[Jim_and_Evil]

I see. I once saw that someone made a diagram of getting a PS1 to output component by doing something with the RGB pins on the board. Now I cant find that image anymore because it was on the pavilion before it succumbed to a bloodhound. You may know what I'm talking about right?

 

[Pinhedd]

I see. I once saw that someone made a diagram of getting a PS1 to output component by doing something with the RGB pins on the board. Now I cant find that image anymore because it was on the pavilion before it succumbed to a bloodhound. You may know what I'm talking about right?

Not a clue. It's possible to convert RGB to YPbPr using some simple matrix arithmetic, but this is usually done digitally.