Connecting RGB systems without using SCART

I haven't got around this yet since it will be a massive project and I need to clear the shop, but I did contacted the ebay seller that manufactures and sell the SCART cables that most people use; I wanted to ask some basic questions as why we are sticking to SCART when it's not something that most display use and it seems rather inconvenient, so armed with the information I gathered from this thread, and knowing that each console need an additional set of parts (capacitors and resistors) to make it work. The answer, as I suspected was because the extra components fit nicely inside the bulky SCART head, that is the main reason.
In fact, I asked if an RCA cable could be manufactured, so I can use RCA or BNC plus and the answer was yes, the problem is that the cables would have to be Pro Coax Cabling and this will bring the cost to $40 per cable.

So at this point, we know it's possible to make your own cables, yo don't have to use SCART, RCA and BNC are possible as long as you:
- Use the proper cabling.
- Have the crimping tools to do the job.
- Install those extra component inside each console.
- Use either component switches for those who pick RCA or the BNC matrix.

I haven't done the math but, it might be more expensive not to use SCART, however, at least for me, the race is to find pro cable, I have seen it and pass on them before, but now I know I can use it I will be stocking these for my project.

*Note I am also looking at the schematics of each RGB cable to see if I can add those extra parts (resistors/capacitors) inside the AV switcher, granted each one is different so each port on the switcher would be dedicated.

 

Remember that you can also do a breakout box if you don't want to mod the insides of your consoles. That would give you plenty of space to fit required components, build a sync separator, add switches, and even add RCA jacks if you want to run the analog audio in a different direction than the video output. It wouldn't need to be that big at all. You could even do a panel mount VGA plug if you wanted, and then just use a standard VGA to VGA or VGA to BNC cable to do the longer part of the run.

 

Yes that is a great point, and a lot easier to do, might cost a little more to build, but you don't have to mod the consoles, I just think I rather do it on an AV switcher, but I will cross that bridge when I get there.

 

Since pro coax cabling is much more money, I'm guessing because it has better shielding? If that is the case, would VGA be better since they are pretty easy to find and I've read they are shield pretty well. Maybe that is why I've seen more VGA setups than RCA, although not many of either.

Thanks for saying this, I was planning to use a older PC speaker system I don't use anymore for my retro systems and it didn't even cross my mind to do this. I'm sure it might have came to me at some point but its nice to know these things now.

 

I'm sure no one will mind if you dump a bunch of great knowledge out there. I'm sure this post will be very useful for many like my self. I am going to try to document me doing all this in hopes to be able to do the same for others.

 

Pro Coax cabling is often used in high quality VGA cables. It's much better than standard wires as it has more shielding. I recommend it for RGB video applications like this.

You should see how far Nintendo took it in the GameCube component cable... so much shielding....

 

I might be able to get a crap ton of free VGA cables from my job and just hope that they are good quality.

I recently saw a pic of a GameCube component cable opened up, I actually did a double take because I thought they hacked the wire really bad but really it was just tons of shielding pealed back.

 

That might have been one of my pics of the cable I repaired for SpaceyGee. It has like 5 layers of shielding and insulation. It was overkill but wow was it built well. One of the best cables I've ever seen.

 

Crazy they were so well built, when they were sold new, where they much higher priced than other cables?

I just did a quick glance at cables on monoprice and their high quality VGA cables are way cheaper than their RCA ones. Also they have a 11% off coupon now which makes prices even better. If you are wanting to get some stuff now franchy, might be a good time.

 

That's odd that they would price VGA cables cheaper than RCA lol.

I think the cable sold for something like $20 brand new. I'm not too sure. The thing was discontinued in 2004, I was 8 then so I had no idea about video cables lol. At that time, the only Nintendo home console I played was the SNES.

You can build a clone of the cable or upgrade to true digital HDMI for under $70. I recommend the HDMI version of GCVideo (GCVideo DVI) as it has a better picture than the official component cable.

 

So me VGA cables are individually shielded, that is the type I will be using for mine since when you have video and sound under the same shield you can hear a buzz from the speakers, Pro Coax doesn't have this problem because inside of the insulation each cable is shielded separately.