Pal N64 Woes

NUS-001(FRA) 4.80 Euros

I'm happy with that purchase

 

To be honest, I agree with an earlier post. If you're gonna do proper retro gaming do it on a CRT monitor. No matter how good the signal is or the tv is the image will never looks as good as it will on a good old SD low res crt tv. I'd take a Crt tv with my saturn over it being in a flat screen anyday.

 

RGB is possible on all N64's. I know at least four different mods. Three modifications are shown on this page (only in German though):
http://free-for-all.ath.cx/daten/n64rgbmod.html

The 4th modification was developed by a guy called Moosmann. Here are a few photos:


photos taken from: http://www.gamefreax-forum.de/nintendo-64/24002-kann-ein-pal-n64-s-vhs-2.html

Only a handful N64's were modified because Moosmann ran out of chips. I'm the lucky owner of the one shown on the photo. It's a very late model from 1999 and the picture quality is similar to the common NTSC mod.
As far as I know the chip used for this mod is the same as on the JAMMA N64 board which actually outputs RGB.

 

I had already linked to that in this thread. However go the price of the chip it's not worth it. I bought a compatible n64 cheaper

 

oops, sorry I haven't noticed your topic.

I haven't paid a fortune for that mod, but there are cheaper solutions available for sure.

Anyway this mod might be interesting for people who'd like to overclock their N64 as well. Later N64 models are better suited for overclocking.

 

I keep hearing that... what is the actual difference in the later consoles vs the early ones?

 

wait dont ALL GPU's build and output RGB direct from the chip?
shouldn't it be possible to just tap into the GPU to get the RGB your looking for?

also all game consoles from the 5th gen look like shit
the N64 just happens to look the best

it dosnt really matter if you use an old CRT or have your HD tv in 4:3 mode
its gonna look the same on both sets because they are both outputting SD video

and even if you had RGB its still gonna look like shit things didnt really look sharp until the 6th gen consoles dreamcast onward

 

Directly no you can't just tap RGB from the GPU. But the CPLD mods I've seen do pretty much just that if I understand them remotely correctly.

 

ok i see then the RGB direct from the GPU is different then the RGB used by TVs?
because i highly doubt its digital video signals mostly because how costly it would of been in 1996

but then again one of the RGB mods posted in this thread uses a DAC ( digital to analog converter )

what makes it even more confusing is the game cube digital cables need there own chips in the cable to even make it work i believe those chips to be a DAC

the N64 seems like a real pain in the but for outputting RGB thanks nintendo

 

Pal NUS-001FRA seems to be prepared for RGB looking at the diagram.
Here is an explanation for French people:

http://www.gamekult.com/forum/topic-n64-le-rgb-amplifie-methode-alternative-536501n.html

 

Considering how many N64 games have an awful filter that makes them look like composite even via RGB, I respectfully disagree.

The RGB on PlayStation and Saturn is TOO good.

 

it was more a jab at how the saturn and playstation and 32x are all low polygon blocky messes not really a comment on the picture quality

the N64 has alot of smooth nice looking textures and a decant amount of polygons just look at Mario 64

 

SNES via RGB is great too.

RGB if possible on anything - even if i have to import a french n64 to do it.

 

usually later consoles generate less heat and are more stable at higher clock speeds.

 

Is there any source or information on a manufacturing process improvement to the CPU during the n64 lifetime? or it is just an assumption/educated guess based on real world testing?

Could be something else?

Not doubting you, but just like to know "why"

 

Truth be told my engineering skills don't extend quite that far, but my guess is that the GPU does output digital signals and TVs wanted analog thus would require a DAC. At least until now when digital streams are becoming the norm.

 

Thats pretty much the jist of it. The DAC used on the N64 doesnt support RGB (except obviously the few that do). The one shown above and I linked to earlier is a replacement that will output rgb.

However, quick look at prices was around £5 for the chip + Programming it (I dont have that adapter, so include adapter in cost) vs 4.90 euro compatible console.


If there was a lot of demand, I would probably knock up a small PCB and use SMD resistors and it would look tidy and not cost a lot - but I doubt its anywhere near worth the trouble.

 

See I rarely if ever find RGB compatible N64s here on my side of the States let alone one for <$10 that is complete. Getting the CPLD and programming it would be worth it.

The real problem is that the US as a whole is mostly without RGB capable TVs.

 

This is the one I bought: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260802461370&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

But, to make it worth designing a little pcb and buying the chips in high enough amounts to get cheap prices - would need to shift around 100 at least.

I dont see there being that much immediate interest, and I wouldnt want to hold onto them for ages to recoup costs.

 

I cannot confirm it, but I've read about it in several forum discussions.