OldBoy

Didn’t know where to post this, but I just found and dusted off my Gamecube. Found all my games and Wavebird and wires. What exactly do I need to get this to work on my all HDMI tv?

I know I need a converter and additional hdmi ports for tv as all are used. There is an hdmi in port free on my Xbox One. Can I use that somehow?

If no, can someone link the cheapest 2 components from Amazon that I would need to get this to work the best on tv? Needs to be Amazon.

Would love to boot this up again. Thanks in advance.

lwhy?

Does your tv not have red, white, and yellow (RCA) inputs? If it does, you should be able to just plug it into your tv.

OldBoy

it does not. All hdmi and USB ports.

Mike86

There’s also HDMI adaptors for GameCube (and most retro consoles).

Simple and relatively cheap option.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/HYPERKIN-3-In-1-HDTV-Cable-for-GameCube-N64-Super-NES/923496164?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=17453&adid=22222222228295659722&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=359732683362&wl4=aud-834279576206la-780038500236&wl5=9020516&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=120804798&wl11=online&wl12=923496164&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAiAob3vBRAUEiwAIbs5Ts5UZz0WpA_P8hyhOfnCRcilmHgfrEkcIJHCCWvtw29NHxV_CbwbPxoCz7IQAvD_BwE

OldBoy

yes, that’s what I’m looking for. Links for the cheapest/best, if possible and the component for additional hdmi ports for tv.

lwhy?

Hmm are you sure? I just got a new tv and it had them, but they were in a weird spot on the bottom of the tv....

Mike86

I edited my post above. Probably not the best but it would work and is pretty low priced.

OldBoy

Thanks Mike, but I have gc for Amazon and just looking for all I need on their site.

Mike86

They sell the same thing.

Hyperkin 3-In-1 HDTV Cable for GameCube/ N64/ Super NES

OldBoy

But what does this usb power thing mean?

OldBoy

I thought these 3 would be all I need?

OldBoy

and where would I plug the Gamecubes red/white/yellow cable into or does this plug into gamecube back and that’s it? And still don’t know where I would plug usb into...

Mike86

Those Hyperkin adaptors use their own power source. So basically just a USB plug-in. If you have electronics you likely have a bunch laying around.

OldBoy

so I can just plug into unused Blu-ray player USB port or cable box and that’s it? Does Blu-ray player have to be on when I would use gamecube?
thanks for all this Mike. Starting to get giddy...
I would still need an hdmi switch for more ports, correct? That hdmi in port on Xbox one wouldn’t work?
Or I wouldn’t need an hdmi cable or additional ports at all?
that adapter you linked plugs into gamecube, then usb into Blu-ray and that’s it? Just a bit confused...

Michael Corvin

Go big or go home. I bought an GC Video Plug N Play 3.0. It runs $100, so not for the faint of heart. That being said, the price pales in comparison to the $350+ Nintendo component cables. This doesn't require an external power source.

Alright so a couple things with the gamecube. First you need an original/ early console that has a digital out that was originally for the component cables. The digital out allows you to do progressive scan and improve the video quality. So this adapter allows you to do this. The video comparisons in the youtube review below are legit. I forgot how different games looked with component/in progressive mode.

You can do a simple and cheap RGB composite to HDMI but you're still pushing a basic signal to your tv.

This review explains it better:

OldBoy

Isn’t that just for the N64? I just want something for Gamecube. Isn’t the one Mike posted all I need, with no hdmi cable or extra hdmi port adapter needed? Just that plugged into Gamecube and USB port on another electronic device like Blu-ray? And no way I’m spending $150 to make GC work, but thanks. But if Mike’s is all I need, still don’t understand how it would play on tv when not hooked via hdmi cable...

Michael Corvin

Oh shit sorry. Wrong device. I have a similar one for the GameCube. I'll have to dig up a link.

*edit - Fixed post above with the correct device.

OldBoy

But don’t you still need to plug the red/white cable for sound? The video shows both plugged in with only yellow cable not plugged in. How would I get sound if I don’t have the analog ports on tv? What would I need for sound and video to work on a strictly hdmi tv? And again need something on Amazon since I have gift cards for it. Thanks for all.

Michael Corvin

Nope. I don't have composite or component on my tv either. HDMI passes audio & video.

From the FAQ:

Does Audio and Video go through the HDMI Cable?
By default, audio and video are enabled through the HDMI Cable. However, the original audio cables may have to be used depending on the TV. In our testing, only one tv needed that, an LG 24” TV/Monitor. Every other TV worked with just the HDMI Cable. We have tested this product on several TV brands such as Samsung, Vizio, Sony, Insignia, Philips, JVC, LG, and Zenith. They ranged from 32”- 60”, 720p to 4K.

OldBoy

so what if i have red/white, but no yellow composite input? i have red/white/red, then R/G/B. can i use that at all with my R/Y/W composite from Gamecube?

OldBoy

ok, i got it all hooked up, sound, video, but the language is Japanese, i believe. how do i fix? it is a modded GC and i pressed the mod button but either way menu comes up in Japanese. almost there. please help...

nm...fixed. i think i'm good to go. holy shit that was tough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bc of my wall mount the composite and component inputs are right behind the bolted mount. i had to unscrew the bottom bolts just to get in there enough and it was fucking back breaking because the composite of course is not that bendable and to try to find the right holes and try to get them in secure while twisting my hands in ways they should not go up through and behind the mount which i could just barely get in since top still bolted in was a bitch to say the least. i have the red/white of composite in correctly and the yellow i put into the green component input (which i am not sure how that worked, but it did). and that did it. the pic is, well, GC quality, but it is working, booted up Twilight Princess (which i always wanted to finish) and it was set to go. of course the memory cards that have been in there for years needed to be reformatted so i guess i don't have any saves for any games which blows bc i had everything infinite in Resident Evil 4 and loved blasting through that with the loaded weaponry, but i guess small price to pay. seriously, this was a fucking bitch of a job, but like lwhy? said way back those inputs were there and they did work. thank god for snow days.

but seriously thanks to all for your help. never would have even attempted anything without everyone's input. i truly appreciate!!!

OldBoy

I still don’t understand how my yellow composite cable can be inserted into green component input and work. Can someone explain that? I thought r/g/b was all video and therefore all had to be component inputs.

will I get a significantly better picture quality if I went hdmi route as spoken about above?

Michael Corvin

If I'm not mistaken the color of the wires has nothing to do with the signal crossing it. In theory you could use standard composite cables as component and still work.

OldBoy

Ok, thanks MC. But would using the hdmi methods described by you and Mike make a significant difference in video quality or just minor given the limitations of such an old system?

Michael Corvin

That depends on the version of the console you have. If you have one of the originals (first couple years) with a digital port, then yeah, it makes a huge difference. Just watch the video I posted above. I was skeptical but after getting one and hot swapping it out to view the video signal, it's like night/day comparison. I mean we're not talking jumping to 4k here, more like jumping from VHS to DVD. There's a clear difference. I had the original Nintendo component cables so I never realized how bad the Gamecube SD signal looked over composite until recently.

I have a generic adapter that I started with and all it does is convert the composite cable to HDMI, so it's simply an SD signal converted to an HDMI output. Looking at the description of the Hyperkin cable Mike posted, it sounds like the same thing. That type of cable simply allows you hook an old system up to a modern set. If it plugs into the SD port you're not going to get anything better than an SD signal. The digital port is the only way to get a better signal and enable progressive scan.

Mike can chime in though if I'm reading that wrong since I don't have any first hand experience with the Hyperkin cable specifically.