PAL SNES on NTSC TV HELP

I recently moved to USA, packed my PAL Super Nintendo in the hope we could hook it up over it. it's been a nightmare, due to US TVs only accepting 60Hz NTSC formats. PAL SNES obviously running in PAL/50hz.

I need to know whether buying a PAL to NTSC converter like this would do it?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAL-NTSC-SE...=US_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item4857d2f0c1

Assuming I bought that box for $30,
The next issue is the Multi out AV cable that connects the SNES to the av box. My PAL SNES in the UK was always hooked up using RGB (the single RCA style connector to Aerial COAXIAL on TV) NOT using the Multi out AV socket.
So do PAL SNES' allow you to output via both RGB and the AV Multi out? (As unlike US models, they don't have the switch on the back)

I happened to find an NTSC AV multi out cable for snes over here, but I am unsure whether or not I will need a PAL one? Are they different? I have seen both PAL and NTSC versions for sale. I could always order one from Amazon in the UK for a few quid, then get it shipped over.

Any experts or or fellow ex pats that have this issue down? Any advice really appreciated...
the alternative would be to attempt to sell it and re buy a US model, and all the games, and accessories

 

Here's two options:

1. Buy a NTSC SNES and a region converter so you can play your old PAL games, although not all of them work
2. Get the PAL SNES modded with a SuperCIC, which means it'll be able to play anything, although some PAL games won't work properly in NTSC mode.

 

So will the pal-NTSC converter not work then? Why?

I am focusing more on using the original snes and games, on a US TV, rather than which type of game I can play on which machine.

I never see region converters on eBay over here (however eBay UK has the Jap/NTSC to Pal console converters, but that's no help)

I am aware of the mods, but don't fancy risking breaking the unit. I was convinced that this av converter would presumably just run the snes at 60hz and work with the US TV.

I could also buy a 'multisystem' TV which accepts both pal/NTSC inputs, and can be used globally- right?

Thanks

 

Multiav outputs rgb. What you are describing is rf - the worst picture quality you can get out of the console.

 

If you have room for a small dedicated gaming CRT, start hunting for a Sony PVM monitor that can do both 50hz and 60hz. There's no good way to get 50hz games up and running on consumer TVs in the USA. They simply do not do 50hz. Even if you successfully convert the signal, with something like a DVDO Edge video processor, there will be a jerkiness in the motion due to the different input and output framerates.

One way of getting your SNES up and running on an American consumer television would be if you were to mod your console to do 60hz and then use an external encoder to convert RGB to component, s-video, or hdmi (or even composite if that's what floats your boat ). That should work fine on US TVs, and any games which were not properly optimized for 50hz to begin with will now play at their intended 60hz frame rate. Of course, any games that were actually properly optimized for 50hz are now going to play too fast if at all.

 

Basically. Finding an HDTV who takes PAL composite is one thing, tolerating how bad that'd look is another.

The switch on the back changes channel. It has no effect for multiav.

 

Getting a cheap US SNES, then disable its lockout chip is what I would probably do in a pinch. A SuperCIC is very nice to have, sure, but not strictly necessary, at least not for most titles.

Keep in mind that since you're in the US, you're likely to pick up a few US carts sooner or later, which won't fit into a EU/JPN slots as-is - and those mutilated cases with "expanded" slots look horrible!

 

You might have better luck with an rgb to vga upscaler http://retrorgb.com/upscalers.html

 

I was about to recommend sth along those lines, but pablomaldito already mentioned a framerate conversion/jerkiness issue with that setup.

 

That depends on the upscaler and the TV, if you get an upscaler that only does 15khz -> 31khz conversion and leaves the frame rate alone then you might struggle to find a TV that supports 50hz VGA. If you get an upscaler that can output a 100hz signal then you'll stand a better chance (assuming you have a TV that will accept a 100hz input).

Short of picking up a CRT that supports 50hz RGB (like old commodore monitors) there isn't much you can do to give a perfect output though.

 

Thanks for these excellent responses, and thank you for going easy on me and my lack of understanding. I think its time to admit defeat and eBay my snes, perhaps stand alone, then hope that one day I find a converter cartridge at a flea market or something, short of re buying all the games, some of which were so rare in the UK, I would imagine almost impossible to find and replace over here. But I also like the idea of having a US SNES, guess I gotta start again.

 

Using what you have isn't as much trouble as finding games here.
Retro stores are non-existent in rural areas, even then don't expect much PAL if any. Few Americans are interested.

But our godlike zero import duty is no understatement! Post office charged me nothing on an XRGB Mini.

 

What about if the pal snes was component modded,would it display correctly on a ntsc hd tv?

 

No because it's still PAL and 50 Hz.

 

Component doesn't have pal or ntsc. Just 480i or 576i being "ntsc" or "pal" respectively

 

RGB cable and 60Hz mod is the best and cheapest solution. If your TV doesn't have a RGB input then you could use a linedoubler like the very cheap GBS8220 to get to VGA.

 

After a lot of research, I have gotten really hooked on this subject.
I have been considering all my options and had a choice between a XRGB mini or a PVM/converter/scart route-

I chose the following due to the potential frame rate issue you guys pointed out.
I need some confirmation before plunging straight in, like an inexperienced donut.
My wife is now very aware of the rising costs of the extra bits I may (or may not need!)


BUYING:


Sony PVM 20M2MDU monitor - $100 delivered. 50/60hz, awesome, scan lines etc


NTSC 1CHIP SNES bundle
I'm gonna keep current PAL Snes for PAL games. Hook up both consoles to the PVM.


What is bare minimum I need to buy to complete this setup?


From what I can make out, these:


A SCART RGB to YUV converter/Scaler: $50


http://www.ebay.com/itm/221156873851?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


Regarding this unit, Can someone confirm a few things:


I will need a "true" RGB SCART AV cable for both PAL and the NTSC SNES - eBay.com and eBay.co.uk - as the wiring is different right?


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Ninte...92060898&sr=8-1&keywords=Snes+RGB+scart+cable


I already have an NTSC AV cable for my US SNES.


Secondly, I will need a component to scart cable to connect the output of the YUV converter to the female scart connector of the PVM scart-BNC cable - right?
As I can't find any info anywhere on the cable needed to connect to your PVM cable.


Can I blag using a cheap one like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCART-to-RG...ion_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item4cfeb73800


Or do I need something more expensive(!!) like this, with additional audio jacks:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2M-5-RCA-MA...ion_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item4841583876


Also this mid priced one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-5M-5-RCA-...=US_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item2c7c316c1d


AUDIO- so, do I also need one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221190880604?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
to connect to the YUV box to get an audio signal presumably.


Do I have alternative audio options here? - I'm thinking surround sound system, via that scart switch with audio outs on it.


Next, (!)


Will I need a SCART switch at all? - is there a cheaper version, perhaps with two inputs?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scart-Switc...d=100040&prg=1011&rk=1&rkt=1&sd=190733956389&


What is the alternative route to connecting from snes-YUV-BNC ?


Finally,


The main female SCART to BNC cable - http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/sony-pvm-scart-converter-bnc.html - I won't need the one with sync stripper right? $40


(I've seen a few YouTube videos where guys have made their own cables- I am all for this, provided I am directed to the correct type of RGB scart and component cables required, and have the right RCA/BNC adapters- oh, and a circuit diagram to boot?? I am not experienced though.. I figure by the time I've ordered the individual bits I may as well just buy the pro cable.


OK, so buy all this stuff and I'm good to go... Right?? Thanks again in advance

 

Nooooo, do not get the RGB to YUV box if you're getting that PVM 20M2MDU. It already supports RGB inputs, so there's no need to convert to component first. All you need is an adapter with a SCART socket on one end and BNC connectors for video & RCA connectors for audio on the other end - like this one on ebay. Of course, you can also skip the SCART to audio adapter too, since the SCART to PVM adapter already has audio outputs.

 

Right, Nintendo changed their PAL wiring. Our AV socket on the SNES end is original Japanese.

 

So I have a Sony PVM 20M2MDU. I ordered the BNC SCART cable (with sync stripper) and a PAL RGB SNES cable.
after speaking with the guy who makes them, he offered to add a sync stripper kill switch for free, too.

I connected it all: the NTSC SNES (with PAL RGB cable) looks stunning. The PAL console.... Total FAIL. Black screen with the syncstripper active, and flickering RGB lines when it's set to off. Will this console ever see a signal???

Any ideas? I was convinced this would solve my dilemma. The PVM is 50hz, the console has worked well for a long time, it has been recently cleaned too.