GameCube Hardware - Connectivity FAQ
Author: Adam Godbeer
Alias: DragonQ
E-mail: DragonQ0105@gmail.com
Date Created: 25/08/07
Current Version: 2.2a
Copyright Adam Godbeer (2007)
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GameCube Connectivity FAQ:
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CONTENTS
**********
1) Introduction
2) Version History
3) Note About GameCube's Life Cycle
4) The Cables
a) R/F Modulator
b) A/V Composite Cable
c) S-Video Cable
d) RGB SCART Cable
e) Component Cable
5) Conclusion
6) Special Options
a) Progressive Scan (NTSC)
b) 60Hz Mode (PAL)
7) Contributors
8) Legal Information
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1) Introduction
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Well, I saw the lack of guides explaining the ways in which you can
connect your GameCube to your TV, and so decided to make my own. This
Guide contains info on each of the 5 Leads you can use, including
quality and availability. Use this guide if you are unsure about
buying a better cable, for example, or perhaps just wondering which
ones your TV can use or what the differences between the cables are.
Any suggestions, corrections or opinions should be sent to the e-mail
address above. Thanks.
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2) Version History (Dates are in International Format - DD/MM/YY)
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- 1.0  (10/01/05) - First Version.
- 1.0a (12/01/05) - A few minor spelling/typo mistakes corrected.
- 1.0b (20/01/05) - More spelling mistakes corrected, added Version
Number and Contact E-mail to the FAQ.
- 1.0c (11/02/05) - More spelling/grammar mistakes fixed, added note
explaining the date system, other mistakes fixed (e.g.
words missing, words repeated, incorrect words etc.).
- 1.1  (04/09/05) - Corrected mistakes regarding the Component Cable,
and other minor mistakes also.
- 2.0  (21/09/05) - Added new "Special Options" section, added
new information regarding the R/F cable.
- 2.0a (26/09/05) - Fixed 2 stupid mistakes that should have been fixed
in Version 2.0.
- 2.1  (30/06/07) - Revised layout, basically rewrote a lot of sections
to make them easier to understand, improved consistency,
finally went over all the misuses of capital letters,
changed "Gamecube" to the correct "GameCube".
- 2.2  (24/08/07) - Some minor corrections, added a new section warning
about availability due to the GameCube's lifecycle having
ended, another new section to thank contributers/correctors
and updated some of the availability sections.
- 2.2a (25/08/07) - Edited legal information to allow this FAQ to be shown
on www.neoseeker.com.
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3) Note About GameCube's Life Cycle
*************************************
The life cycle of the GameCube has now ended, and so it is going to be
far harder to find new cables for GameCubes even online. The Wii uses a
different AV connector, so Wii and GameCube cables are not interchangable
(although GameCube, N64 and SNES cables are). Your best bet to find cables
is now probably eBay, or Amazon Marketplace or something similar. The longer
you wait for that Component cable though, the more you'll pay! Also, if you
have a Wii, you can play all GameCube games on that anyway, so just buy the
very widely available (in all regions) component cable for that to enjoy
GameCube and Wii games in the highest quality possible!
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4) The Cables
****************
In this section, I will be using the following format to describe each
cable:
vvvvvvvvvvvvv
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
DESCRIPTION: A brief description of the cable
CONNECTING: An explanation of what the cable looks like, and
how it connects to the TV
QUALITY: A brief description of the quality the cable
produces
AVAILABILITY (PAL): Availability in the UK and Europe of this
cable for PAL GameCubes
AVAILABILITY (NTSC): Availability in North America of this
cable for NTSC GameCubes
RATING: Rating out of 10
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
a) R/F Modulator
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
DESCRIPTION: This cable is also known as an "aerial cable". It is old
and was the standard for connecting aerials to television sets many
years ago...and still is today! All indoor aerials and analogue
outdoor aerials use this cable to connect to the TV. This cable is
one of the reasons analogue Television quality is so poor compared
with Digital...
CONNECTING: This cable ends in a male circular plug (1cm in diameter)
which is hollow except for the middle spike. This plugs into the
similar female    socket, typically on the back of your TV
QUALITY: Quality is very poor. All Video and Audio signals are sent
along a single     wire, which creates relatively large amounts of
interference, reducing quality and causing streaking lines across the
screen (commonly seen on indoor TV Aerials also). Sound is mono.
AVAILABILITY (PAL): Not as commonly available as the Composite Cable,
but can be found in most large electrical stores.
AVAILABILITY (NTSC): Not as commonly available as the Composite Cable,
but can be found in most large electrical stores.
RATING: * Very Poor. Only use this cable if your TV has none of the
other inputs.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
b) Composite Cable
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
DESCRIPTION: This cable is extremely common and is used for many
devices, such as VCRs, DVD Players, Consoles, and Cable Receivers.
Commonly known as an "AV Cable", this cable is actually three
cables together - one for video, two for stereo audio.
CONNECTING: This cable consists of 3 "phono" cables, which are
single-pin male plugs which are similar to the R/F Cable's plug, but
with the spike in the middle sticking further out. This spike
is 0.3cm in diameter. The yellow phono cable is for video data.
The white/black cable is for mono/left audio, and the red cable is
for right audio (not used for mono). These plug into 3 female phono
ports on the TV (or 2 for a mono TV), which look similar to
headphone/microphone sockets.
QUALITY: Quality isn't bad. Video and audio signals are separated,
which means the video signal experiences much less interference
(although the cables are tied together, they are shielded pretty well).
However, these cables are notorious for producing what's called
"colour bleed" or "dot crawl", where the edges of different objects
are not fine lines, but red/purple blotches which sometimes flash.
The audio quality is decent stereo - what you'd expect.
AVAILABILITY (PAL): Extremely common - comes with the GameCube and
is available in nearly every shop that sells GameCube accessories.
AVAILABILITY (NTSC): Extremely common - comes with the GameCube and
is available in nearly every shop that sells GameCube accessories.
RATING: **** This is the "standard" cable for casual users, or those
without any other inputs. You can live with this quality without
losing sleep, but ideally you don't want to use it unless you must.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
c) S-Video Cable
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
DESCRIPTION: This cable is sometimes called S-VHS as it was
originally used for connecting S-VHS VCRs to TVs (which were
improvements of normal VHSs, but were replaced by DVDs). These are
common in North America, and are sometimes used for DVD Players and
cable boxes as well. They are rarely used in Europe because almost all
A/V equipment uses SCART sockets for simplicity and superior picture
(when set up to use RGB correctly). S-Video outputs are sometimes found
on DVD players, but are not normally used. This cable splits the video
into two signals - Luminance and Chromance, and results in a sharper
picture than composite cables provide. Colour bleed seen with composite
cables is also removed. Audio is transmitted separately, usually via
the same phono cables used in composite connections.
CONNECTING: This cable usually consists of 2 "phono" cables, which
transmit stereo audio (see Composite Cable section for more info), and
a circular 7-Pin S-Video Plug (male). This S-Video plug looks similar to
the plugs used by older (non-USB) keyboard or mice, called PS/2 plugs.
Once again, there is a female socket on the TV to plug it into, as well
as the two (or one) phono socket(s) for the audio.
QUALITY: Quality is good. Video and audio signals are separated,
which means the video signal experiences much less interference,
and the Video is further split to provide a sharper, clearer
picture. There are no noticeable artifacts on the screen, and the
picture is very good for most games and provides good contrast and
nicer, bolder colours.
AVAILABILITY (PAL): None. S-Video output is disabled on PAL GameCubes
since S-Video is rarely used in Europe (in favour of the technically
superior SCART cable).
AVAILABILITY (NTSC): Common. Most gamers will want this since the
improvement in quality over composite is great, and serves for much
better gaming.
RATING: ****** This is the "better" cable for normal users, and if
you have an S-Video input on your TV, you'll get much better quality
video if you use this cable. If not, you'll have to settle for the
composite lead. This quality is good and most users will be very
surprised with their GameCube's picture when switching to this cable.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
d) RGB SCART Cable
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
DESCRIPTION:
*****************
IMPORTANT NOTE:
*****************
This cable is not to be confused with the SCART adaptor that PAL
GameCubes ship with! These adaptors simply allow you to use your
SCART socket to transmit a composite image, resulting in no
increase in quality over using the standard composite cables!
SCART is the most common connection type in Europe, and rightfully so. SCART
can actually transmit many different types of signals - composite, S-Video and
RGB. Using S-Video over SCART is fairly rare, and almost all devices support
RGB over SCART anyway (which is better), but unfortunately the majority of
devices are not set up to use RGB. RGB normally has to be chosen within the
device's setup menu, but most people will not do this, meaning they actually
receive a composite image over their SCART cable. However, when in RGB mode,
SCART allows the red, green and blue components of the video signal to be
transmitted without any compression. This results in a picture quality that
is simply brilliant compared to that provided by composite cables. This cable
transmits stereo audio too, so no need for extra cables. Apart from it being a
bit bulky, this is the best cable for anything connected to a TV that doesn't
support progressive scan or the newer digital DVI/HDMI connectors used in
upscaling DVD Players and HD sources. It is also worth noting that the signal
used for computer monitors (over a VGA cable) is RGB. Unlike RGB SCART,
however, is also progressively scanned (more on that later).
CONNECTING:
*****************
IMPORTANT NOTE:
*****************
Be Warned! Some TVs have more than one SCART socket, not all of
which accept RGB signals. If you plug an RGB SCART cable into a
SCART socket that doesn't support RGB then you will get a
composite picture. Check your TV's manual to find out which SCART
sockets are RGB-Enabled, and use one of them with your RGB SCART
cable.
This cable is just one big wire with a rectangular male plug on the end
which plugs into the same shape female socket on the back of your TV. A
word of warning: this plug consists of 21 separate wires. If you look
at the male plug, there will be 21 pins. If the plug only has 7 of these
pins, then it is not true RGB and is just a composite signal being
sent through a SCART cable. Although many people suggest only buying
the official Nintendo one since all the others are not true RGB, I
have bought 3 different cables from different companies and all were
true RGB - you just have to be careful when looking. Also, if the RGB
SCART Cable has an Audio Run-off block (consisting of two female red/
white phono sockets), then you'll be able to use an external source for
audio (e.g. external speakers), just like with S-Video and composite.
Gold-plated SCART cables technically provide a better picture and last
longer, but in reality, the best way to avoid corrosion of the pins (and
sockets) is to use the same type of metal for both the socket and plug.
Since normally SCART sockets on TVs are nickel-based, it's probably best
to get a nickel-based RGB SCART cable. However, the corrosion that occurs
is minimal in reality so either will be fine really.
QUALITY: Quality is excellent. The split-colour signal means the
picture is yet another improvement on picture quality, beating S-Video.
Another advantage is that all of this colour information as well as
the stereo audio is sent through one large insulated cable. There is no
noticeable interference (if there is, you might have a dodgy cable) and
the picture quality is the sharpest you can get without using your
Digital-Out port. Colours are vivid, images are bright, everyone's happy!
AVAILABILITY (PAL): Official cable is easy to come by. Proper third
party ones (which are often better since most have Audio run-off blocks
while the official one doesn't, and they're considerably cheaper)
are harder to find. I bought mine at www.darkplanets.co.uk.
AVAILABILITY (NTSC): None. RGB output is disabled on NTSC GameCubes,
and most TVs in NTSC regions do not use SCART anyway.
RATING: ********* This is the best cable for avid gamers, and if you
have a PAL GameCube and an RGB SCART Socket, you will get a very clear,
sharp picture - as the devlopers wanted their games to be seen. The Video
quality is great and should satisfy even the pickiest of gamers.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
e) Component Cable
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
NOTE: To use this cable, you need a Digital Out port on the back of
your GameCube (located next to the normal Analogue Out port you use for
all other types of cables). Why they call it a "Digital Out" Port is
beyond me, since the only type of cable that plugs into it is still analogue,
but whatever. Only older GameCubes have this port since Nintendo decided not
enough people were using it so stopped putting them on their newer models to
save money. This also means the cable is very expensive.
DESCRIPTION: This cable works in a simliar way to S-Video cables. The black
and white signal is sent down one wire, and the colour signal is sent down
the other two wires. For example, the green wire could be used for the black
and white signal (Luminance), and then the amount of red and blue colour
in each pixel is sent down the blue and red cables (Chromiance). The amount
of green colour is then calculated simply (amount of Luminance minus amount
of red minus amount of blue). Since the cables are high-quality and have a
relatively large bandwidth, these cables can be used for Progressive Scan
signals used in certain DVD Players etc. This Progressive Scan feature can
be used by some NTSC GameCube games also. These cables are used for some
European DVD Players also, but SCART is still the most commonly used connector.
In the USA, these cables are more commonly used for DVD Players and GameCubes.
CONNECTING: It looks similar to a composite video Cable, but there are
3 of them, all used for video. The 3 plugs on the component lead should be
plugged into the corresponding coloured ports on the TV (red, green and blue).
You will need to use the standard composite cables plugged into the Analogue
Out port on the GameCube and then into the correct audio sockets on the TV
(usually the ones nearest to the component video ports) for stereo audio.
QUALITY: Quality is excellent. The split-colour signal means the picture
is yet another improvement on picture quality, beating even SCART because
the wires are separate resulting in less cross-talk and interference between
the wires. However, in reality, it is very hard to see any difference between
component and RGB SCART. Although there are 5 cables involved (including
audio), it's still the best option even if you hate wires everywhere. Again,
there is no noticeable interference and the picture quality is the sharpest
picture possible on your GameCube. Colours are vivid, images are bright,
everything is super-sharp and super-clear. Yay!
AVAILABILITY (PAL): Cable is very hard to come by. Only one site I've ever
seen sell it is www.lik-sang.com, and that was closed down. Try eBay, but
prepare to pay a high price. Apprantly more common in Australia, although
probably not anymore.
AVAILABILITY (NTSC): Hard to come by, now that the GameCube's life cycle has
ended. Try the internet - Nintendo used to sell official cables on their online
but you're more likely to find one of these on eBay. Prepare to pay a high
price however.
RATING: ********** This is the best cable. Provides best picture
quality possible from your GameCube, and all hardcore gamers should use
this if they can. Stunning picture.
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5) Conclusion
***************
- Buy a Component lead if you own a GameCube with a Digital-Out port
and a TV with component inputs. No excuse not to.
- Buy an RGB SCART or S-Video cable (depending on which type of GameCube
you have) if you haven't got component inputs on your TV or a Digital-Out
port.
- If you have no SCART or S-Video inputs on your TV, you'll have to settle
for composite.
- If you don't even have composite inputs, but have a Non-RGB SCART Input,
you can use an adapter (comes with the GameCube normally) to get composite
picutre quality through the SCART socket. It will not be RGB, but anything
is better than using an R/F Modulator!
- If you have no other options, you'll have to stick with an R/F Modulator
I'm afraid. It has been reported that the standard R/F signal produced by
the GameCube can be boosted using an external signal booster, but you'll
never get a great picture. For those who have no other option, a signal
booster might be worth considering.
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6) Special Options
********************
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
a) Progressive Scan (NTSC GameCubes only)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
REQUIRED CABLE: Component cable
DESCRIPTION: Usually, TV images are interlaced. This means that instead
of displaying a whole frame (image) on the screen at a time, it only
displays half of the image (switching between just the odd lines, and just the
even lines). This way of transmitting and displaying the image was used
because in the early days of TV, the available bandwidth was small, and
using interlaced pictures, a possible 60 Fields per second (i.e. 30 Full
Frames per second) could be sent at a resolution of 525 lines using
standard analogue transmitters (PAL uses 50 Fields or 25 Frames per second
and 625 lines of resolution).
PC monitors (except very early ones) display non-interlaced images
(commonly called Progressive Scan) because the standard VGA cable is capable
of sending much more data per second than the old R/F cables that TVs use.
Newer Digital TVs support this Progressive Scan format. Progressive Scan can
be used by some DVD Players/Recorders, and some consoles - such as the
GameCube. Some Digital Cable and Satellite companies have started transmitting
some channels not only using Progressive Scan, but also using higher
resolutions (similar to those used by PCs - 720 lines, 1080 lines for example)
for TVs that support "HDTV" (High Definition Television).
While the GameCube cannot transmit images in HDTV (higher resolution), it can
transmit images in Progressive Scan format. Progressive Scan can be sent along
Component cables or the newer digital DVI/HDMI cables. The GameCube uses only
component cables for Progressive Scan.
HOW TO USE: Connect your GameCube to your TV using component cables (make sure
your TV is capable of showing progressive Scan signals through the component
ports). Hold down 'B' while starting the GameCube. If the game supports
Progressive Scan, it will ask if you want to use it. Choose 'Yes'.
EFFECT: Increases picture quality by using progressive scan instead of
interlaced images. Picture is sharper, and less flickery.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
b) 60Hz Mode (PAL GameCubes only)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
REQUIRED CABLE: Composite, RGB SCART or Component
DESCRIPTION: In the US, terrestrial TV images are sent using the TV format
"NTSC". This format has some problems with colour consistency. It uses a
vertical resolution of 525 lines (only 480 lines are visible), and a field
rate of 60Hz (30 Frames per second). In Europe, and some other places, a
different system is used, which builds and improves upon NTSC. It is called PAL.
Colours look more consistent due to the PAL's improved technology, but while
producing the PAL format they decided to change other aspects of NTSC's system.
Since AC electricity being sent from power stations to homes in Europe use a
frequency of 50Hz, it was easier in the early days of colour television to have
the signal being displayed on the TV also having a frequency of 50Hz (50
interlaced fields per second, 25 frames per second). This meant that there was
some spare bandwidth not being used, so it was decided to use the extra
bandwidth to increase the resolution of the picture to 625 lines (with 576
visible lines).
If you have a PAL GameCube, it is possible to use NTSC's picture system, with
reduced resolution, but higher frame rate. This mode, commonly called PAL60,
is essentially the same as NTSC but with PAL's improved colour system.
Remember, however, that S-Video, RGB SCART and component do NOT use PAL or
NTSC's colour systems. So, why would you want to use PAL60? In the early days
of video gaming, games made for 60Hz were usually poorly converted to 50Hz for
Europe. They were left with large borders, an incorrect aspect ratio, and
normally slower gameplay than their 60Hz counterparts. Most PAL GameCube games
are optimised for 50Hz though so they run at the correct speed and aspect ratio
(and indeed with higher resolution than their NTSC counterparts). So, the days
of using 60Hz mode to play games at their intended speed and aspect ratio are
basically gone. However, there can be benefits to having an increased frame
rate (at the cost of resolution), particularly in fast-paced games like racing
games. Smoother motion should be seen in games like this (and the reduction in
resolution won't be noticable except on larger TVs).
So, if you own a PAL GameCube, and you have a game that supports 60Hz, you have
2 options: play the game in normal mode (if you prefer the increased
resolution) or play in 60Hz Mode (if you prefer the higher frame rate which can
be useful for fast paced games).
HOW TO USE: Hold down 'B' while starting the GameCube. If the game supports
60Hz, it will ask if you want to use it. Choose 'Yes'.
EFFECT: Reduces vertical resolution, but increases frame rate.
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7) Contributors
**********************
I would like to thank the following people for sending corrections and
additional information to me by e-mail:
- Raymond
- David Tran
Thanks guys!
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8) Legal Information
**********************
This Guide may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for
personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise
distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide
on any web sites other than the ones listed below or as a part of any public
display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. You may,
however, link to the websites and point to my FAQ.
Allowed Websites:
www.GameFAQS.com
www.neoseeker.com
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by
their respective trademark and copyright holders.
Thank you!
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