NTSC SNES RGB cable confusion

Hi! So I just yesterday modded an NTSC SNES with a SuperCIC chip. It all works fine except I'm getting the same B/W image problems that this guy had when the console's in 50Hz mode, apparently it's because I'm using Composite Video instead of RGB. OK, no problem!

Well actually the problem is that I am a bit confused as to which cable to purchase! First off, I live in the PAL region, meaning that I have access to PAL Gamecube RGB cables which I have heard will work fine on NTSC SNESs but after a bit more digging I found some other forum threads where people were saying that the NTSC SNES RGB cable is, in fact, different to the PAL Gamecube one (something to do with sync? ugh..I dunno). Can anyone clear this matter up for me? Should I just be buying a proper NTSC SNES RGB cable?

Furthermore, if I were to buy an NTSC SNES RGB cable from this website, can someone help me with the choice of sync options? I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should be getting. (Again, I live in the PAL region and own PAL televisions - if that makes any difference).

Thanks!

 

Since you have an NTSC SNES, use one wired for C-Sync instead of Composite video as sync or Luma. Do not use PAL RGB cables on the NTSC SNES and whatever you do, do not use NTSC RGB cables wired for C-Sync on a PAL console. You will fry your TV because C-Sync pin 3 is +12V on PAL consoles.

The PAL GameCube RGB SCART cable needs mods to work on an NTSC system. The difference is that the Composite video line has a 220uf capacitor and a 75ohm resistor to ground. Also, the cable connects Multi-Out pin 3 to SCART pin 8 for a 4:3 aspect ratio. Since NTSC systems output C-Sync on Multi-Out pin 3 instead, you will end up sending C-Sync to SCART pin 8, which may damage your TV. To get it to work on an NTSC SNES, you will need to disconnect the composite video line, move the +12V line to pin 20 of the SCART plug, and send +5V to pin 8 of the SCART plug. Get the +5V before it hits the 180 ohm resistor but do not disconnect it from SCART pin 16. This will force a 16:9 aspect ratio which will make some games look bad. If you want 4:3, you will have to power SCART pin 8 with an external +12V DC adapter. If you do that, do not connect +5V to pin 8.

On that site, you will need to choose Euro SCART as the output and C-SYNC/Pure Sync as the Sync option. As long as your TV accepts 60Hz RGBS via SCART, you will be fine. RGB is neither NTSC or PAL.

Hope this helps!

EDIT: Here is the pinout for PAL GC RGB SCART cables.

 

Fantastic answer, thank you very much that was very helpful.

 

You're quite welcome. Glad I was able to help! As an American, SCART rarely saw use here so I had to familiarize myself with it. The only commercial American TVs I can think of that had a SCART connector are the RCA Dimensia line. Sadly, it was only wired for Composite video and stereo audio, no RGB or S-Video. Since most of our TVs lack SCART connectors or an RGBS input, I have to use a SCART to HDMI converter.

I use an RGB SCART cable on my NTSC SNES. After seeing the quality, I can't go back to composite video. Sadly, I wasn't aware of the different sync options at the time and ended up buying the version of the cable wired for Composite video as sync. Had I known about them, I would've gone with the C-Sync version since it is the best sync option for RGB SCART cables.