Sourcing a Nintendo multi out socket?

Component and RGB out on Wii use the same set of pins. What would happen if someone plugs in Component cable when RGB signals are being fed? Do you get a black screen or scrambled rolling image? One of the two modes are supposedly to be toggled with another set of pins within the socket when used in actual Wii. In our application that wouldn't be the case. Any needs to implement some sort of safeguard?

 

You'd just get a rolling, scrambled mess but it wouldn't be harmful.

I just recently bought the composite sync version of the SNES SCART cable from Retro Accessories and it's very nice, the SNES end of the cable is nice and tight and she seems to have used a high quality VGA cord as a source for the cable so it's got a decent amount of shielding. The official Japanese RGB cable is nowhere as near as good since it doesn't have all the grounds connected (which seems to be very common with official RGB cables) nor all 21 pins present.

 

Ok I have a new design that incorporates the Composite AV Mod into the socket so all you would need to do is connect the wires to appropriate location on the board/pins.

 

That's a really neat design, I think that would be a great option to have alongside a plain multiout.

 

Wow that is awesome! You guys will definitely have to let me know when you are taking orders.

My understanding on the Wii is that it defaults to s-video and composite video. When pins 8 and 10 are shorted then it switches to component (or RGB in PAL regions). My hope was originally to be able to build a board that would do both with some sort of way to detect that short (depending on which cable I'm using) to switch between internal S-video mods and component mod on the Wii. I mentioned this to my younger brother and he immediately begin yammering on about how that would be done but can't say I understood/remember what he said.

http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:wii_multi_av_pinout

 

I had to move some components around to compensate for space on the AV plate but will still function the same. As for the wii connector we haven't really looked into what we need to do but on the NES you have only 2 choices as far as I'm aware of (RGB & Composite).

 

Don't forget S-video since the NESRGB has that as an option.

 

Well I just got through redesigning the above board as it was out of spec for the size of the MultiAV socket but is all good now. I'm thinking we will sell the standard SNES style with a pin header or solder pads (whichever people like more) and an all in one with the composite mod built into the socket pcb like what I have above. Typically the pin header/solder pad will be for the RGB and S-video mods and all I need from you guys is which do you prefer? the pads or pin header?

 

I would prefer the pin headers.

 

Pin headers are nice.

Also, does anyone know if the el cheapo ali-express style SNES AV cables have all the pins on the connector? I need to make my own RGB cable (not scart!) but the plug connectors are, of course, not really available. This kind of implies that I'd be interested in the 'non snes multi-AV' style ports, as they might be more easy to find connectors for...

Very cool project though!

 

Well I looked into the Component Wii cables which have the RGB lines on the same pins as the YUV lines and those wires on ebay are like less than $5 so I will look into designing the Wii Connector board this weekend. I also plan on using this Wii connector design on another system which I won't specify yet as to not take any momentum away from this project. I see the Wii connector being the go to choice from here on out seeing as they are super cheap and available.

 

So you're just going to scrap the SNES multiout?

 

Nothing is set in stone right now. We have multiple variants happening at the same time.

 

I was hoping for the SNES version, as I have a SNES scart cable and was contemplating getting the NES RGB board soon.

 

We plan on selling both variants so there will be an SNES style and a Wii style. I might have to redo the SNES plain board to make sure all connections are available in case they want to use the RGB and S-Video and besides that one was a bit of a rush job but good enough for some testing.

I meant in future projects I had in mind not this current project.

 

To go back to this a minute.

I am in the middle of modding a cable for a 3do rgb mod. The "donor" cable is a neogeo rgb cable from retro gaming cables.

Unshielded (completely, not even over all the cables together)
only 1 ground wired up (blanking ground)
Soldered up pretty badly inside.

Yeah, 3rd party cables are awesome.

 

Sounds like one of their earlier cables. AFAIK the stuff they have now isn't like that. I know for sure that the Retro Accessories cables have all the grounds properly wired up (even the shroud); I'm looking at my SNES RGB cable right now and it's got everything wired up as it should be.

As if first party cables are any different? Most of the ones I've found have the same problems as the cable you described (cheap construction, not all grounds wired up). Check out the December 2012 section of this page and you'll see how cheap first party cables can be.

 

You mean the post that mentions 1 1st part cable being not very good?

Sounds pretty thorough to me, I'll stop using all mine that provide less (or none) humming on audio than all the 3rd party cables I've used immediately.

Also there is little proof or evidence on his site, it's basically a case of someone said it on the Internet so it must be true. Official saturn rgb leads are better than any of the 3rd party ones I've used. Same for the snes and gamecube.

Sure, it's possible to build an awesome 3rd party one, but even your recommended supplier - I have cables here and they are crap. I admit this one is maybe a year old, but I have some that were ordered a couple of weeks ago I'll open up too, but looking at them they are exactly the same unshielded cables used in the neogeo one I mentioned above. In short, crap.

The original point was, why pay more for 3rd party when you can get first party brand new and cheaper.

It's a no brainer (you would think).

Edit:

Just opened MD1 and MD2 cables ordered a month or so ago, both missing all grounds, no shielding, etc.

 

Just to comment on Retro Gaming's cables. I have two different SNES NTSC RGB cables I got from them. One a few years back, one a couple months ago. I haven't opened up the new ones I got, but they feel and look completely different than the earlier ones I got. The cable itself feels much heavier and the picture quality I get is much better, too. The older ones weren't that nice looking inside the scart connector (cold solder joints). As I said, I haven't opened up the newer ones, as they're working fine and I have no reason to. I use it with my NESRGB modded NES (that I installed a SNES multi out into), my RGB-restored SNES 2, and my RGB modded N64, and they all look great on my PVM and through a component transcoder on my regular Trinitron TV.

All that being said, I'd rather go official first party given the choice, but I'm completely happy with their cables, especially compared to how most mass produced third party cables perform.

 

Working prototypes assembled! Kudos and a virtual high-five to Helder for making this possible. We are expecting more engineering samples to arrive in the coming weeks.