Adam Tyner

I finally made the plunge and bought a GameCube, so now I have all three consoles plus a new PC in my house, which is...completely unnecessary since I have a stack of unplayed games, but anyway...

The point of this post is that because I decided to buy a console on Easter, my store options were limited, and all I saw at GameStop was a Pelican PL7109 s-video cable. I noticed a strange checkerboard pattern when I plugged it into my set (a Sony VVega KV-36FS12). When I used the composite plug on that cable as well as the in-box Nintendo cable, there were no problems. Never having used s-video on the set before, I verified that the jack itself is fine by plugging in my portable DVD player. No problems whatsoever. I did a search on Usenet and found someone else who noticed the same problem. I haven't tried the cable on any of my other televisions to see if the problem is unique to the combination of that TV and that set of cables. It looks awful, but at least it's sharp and awful , so I'll try to live with the distortion for another day or two.

Are there any alternative s-video (or preferably component) cables that I'd be likely to find locally? Last I heard, the first party s-video cables were no longer available via retail and that the component cables were only available directly through Nintendo. Preferably, I'd like to buy something and not have to wait for processing/delivery. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

jediwicz

I ordered my component cables through Nintendo.com and couldn't be happier. It kinda sucks waiting/anticipating but it's so worth it firing up Metroid Prime in progressive scan on a badass widescreen HDTV. Make sure you have a Wavebird.

Adam Tyner

Thanks. I posted this message on another forum and got the same response. Apparently Nintendo ships out quickly -- I think I might go ahead and order 'em. I did pick up a Wavebird, by the way.

young

i still don't get why the component cable is "exclusive" to nintendo.

is it b/c nintendo doesn't allow others to make it?

or, is it b/c no one wants to make it?

goatweed

last I saw, they wont be available on Nintendo.com until April 26th (I'm thinking of ordering one also).

msdmoney

I was wondering that too, I think maybe it has more to do with whether or not companies think there is a big enough market.

Bluebomber

Someone once explained it but it was quite awhile ago, something about how the cables are made to begin with, wasn't like other systems. At any rate i'll have to remember to order these at some point myself since it's the only system I don't have the cables for.

Bluebomber

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...ight=component This is the thread I was talking about.

goatweed

I also read (in this forum I believe) that Nintendo is going to do away with the digital video out port on future cubes, starting this year so the cables probably wont be available much longer.

jediwicz

Nintendo isn't doing away with the component cables, just the port on future GCN's. If you already own a GCN and it dies, Nintendo will replace it with a GCN w/ digital out port.

goatweed

I just placed an order for one, now hopefully it'll ship in April/May.

jediwicz

Your'e going to be so glad you ordered. I won't hook my X-box up to my HDTV because it' such a pain in the ass to figure out which format I can run and then setting it up. The GCN just has you hold down B after turning it on. It asks to display in prog. scan and thats it.

Check out Metroid Prime, Viewtiful Joe, F-Zero, Soul Calibur (yikes), Star Wars: Rebel Strike, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles and Metal Gear Solid: TTS.

goatweed

I have Metroid Prime already, but I've been playing it in *gasp* composite - so I can just imagine how great it's gonna look.

My X-Box was pretty easy to hook up with component - the hardest part was running the cables (for me).

KenKeith

I have Monster Cable S-video cables for the Gamecube that I'm not using anymore. They made a definite improvement over the bundled cables and they're also extra long so you can pull your game system as far away from your tv/receiver as you need to. I'm not using them anymore since I just upgraded to a 65" HDTV and bought the Nintendo component cables to take advantage of progressive scan. If anyone wants to buy my Monster s-video cables, let me know. I'm looking for $20 shipped obo.

PixyJunket

They still sell A/C adapters, cables and new controllers for the NES and SNES.. I don't think the component cables are going anywhere.

IamFlip

Actually, for the XBOX, it is easier than that. When you start the game, it will play in it's highest supported resolution automatically without pressing any button. That is if you're using the XBOX HD AV Pack.