Super Nintendo & Nintendo 64 Video/Audio Setup F.A.Q.

What this section about?

​Simple info on connecting a Super Nintendo (SNES) or Nintendo 64 (N64) to TVs video/audio.

I got my childhood SNES/N64 out and I’m not sure the best way to connect to play?

​Remember 3 options:
1. A Retro TV. Super simple. Super cheap. Work very well!  Cost is $10 to $200.
2. Convert to HDMI. Use Modern Big TV. Little complex. Old Light-Guns will not work. Just buy some new stuff. Cost is $200 to $1,000.
3. PVM/BVM Setup. Premium Setup. High-End Special Retro TV. Special Cables. Cost is $1,200 to $5,000.

Option 1 - Simple, Cheap, & Works Well !

Option 1A:
  • ​Get/find your Nintendo Composite cable. That Nintendo Yellow/White/Red cable; they can be purchased anywhere for $10. You likely still have original with your SNES or N64.
  • Get/find an old-style big space taking childhood TV. Pawn shops, thrift stores, electronics recycling, or friends at work. Try it out in the store/recycle center (play the game quickly & check the buttons), & get a spare or two.  Say one for kids to run into the ground & one for yourself.
  • Idea, calendar-in the next big city/town curbside trash/recycling day. Get a van/truck ready & drive around for curb side pickup. Pick up 2-3. Test at home. If some don’t work send them back to recycling.
  • Home Setup. Find spare place in your home. Use that spare night table. Clean everything up with Windex. Try keep this setup all year round. Simply cover it with clean white cloth. So your nice setup not end up frozen in attic or rain on in shed one day.
  • You’re done! The picture quality will be fine and if you take care of it - it will last to the end of civilization! Which may not be long. 
Locate this cable!
Locate a Retro TV!
Plug them together!
Option 1B:
  • If those old big TV not for you. Know some flat screen can take the Yellow/Red/White cable (Composites Cable).
  • Some models may have lag; some do not. Lag means when Mario jumps there few seconds delay. Not a good thing!  
  • Suggest a "Dell Ultrasharp 2007FPB" + Speaker! 
  • Go for the professional model; the "__B" model!
  • Check if includes Speaker or purchase separately. 
  • Buy Dell 2007FPB Monitor: https://ebay.us/CwWIo1
  • Buy Dell AS501 Soundbar: https://ebay.us/Lll0I1
  • Y Cable Adapter for Sound: https://amzn.to/3mBmCuy
Dell Ultrasharp 2007FPB!
Dell AS501 Sound Bar!
Click on image for Video!
Tip 1, an update standard that came after composite is called "S-Video". It can give extra noticeable quality. You'll need S-Video cable & TV.
Tip 2, some Tube TV's can get an "RGB Mod". TV modified for high quality video inputs. See applicable TV's at https://crtdatabase.com/.
S-Video Cable!
TV S-Video Input!
RGB Mod TV!

Option 2 - Convert to HDMI !

All modern TV & PC screens use HDMI. Your SNES & N64 needs to convert to HDMI.
Regular HDMI Cable!
Regular HDMI Input!
Option 2A:
  • Remember this word – "Upscaler".
  • It’s a magic box that converts “Yellow/White/Red (Composite cable) from SNES/N64” to HDMI. Do not use cheap $20 units on Amazon. You’re looking at $100 to $500 for a good one. Yes, expensive, but they are custom engineered. Someone worked very hard to build this for you!  
  • We recommend Retro Tink model below. Its super simple to setup. Just need power the USB. He makes other types as well.​
Retro TINK 2X MINI - Setup!
Tip 1, Can get more picture quality from certain N64 consoles. By putting in a RGB circuit board inside. See this video. 
Tip 2, Can do same for SNES Mini consoles. See this video.
Tip 3, Can do S-Video as well which helps improve picture quality.  
Option 2B:
  • Remember the words “N64 HDMI Mod Kit”.
  • This puts the magic circuit board right inside your N64. Your N64 gets and HDMI output plug.
  • This Circuit Board is fancy with build in menu, options, firmware, & very best modern quality picture.
  • Its expensive $300+ & need a "install guy" that you’ll send your N64 too. 
  • We recommend Pixel FX: www.pixelfx.co.
  • See hardware Kit (Circuit Board): www.pixelfx.co/product-page/retro-gem-universal-hdmi-upscaler-kit
  • Pixel FX - Install guy list: https://docs.pixelfx.co/GEM-Details.html
  • Super Nintendo does not have a ‘SNES HDMI Mod Kit” yet on the market.
  • Remember going HDMI on N64 is cool, but your enlarging choppy graphics & it will not look the way you remember.
  • This is because it was meant for original Tube TV’s & we gotten used to modern high quality TV & graphics.

Options 3 - Premium PVM/BVM Setup !

Background Info:
  • We all grew up with consumer Tube TV’s (regular TV’s).
  • Professionals had higher-quality Tube TV’s; known as Professional Video Monitors (PVM).
  • PVM are not super big screens. Many range from 8" to 20". Expect smaller screen size! 
  • They are heavy, deep boxes, with front buttons like an aircraft cockpit or something expect from a Nuclear Power Plant.
  • PVM are high build quality for Doctors, Security Guards, Wall Street, & Television Studios (Called Broadcast Video Monitors - BVM’s).
  • Most PVMs & BVMs been replaced from original use and fell into the retro-gaming ecosystem.
  • Retro gamers now own, maintain, and make custom cables for PVM’s & BVM’s. They maintain/own this technology now.
​Setup:
  • PVMs can get quite technical. If your good with technical stuff research on your own. Double check everything before buy! Then check again!
  • Regular folks need some support. Get to know/locate at PVM repair guy, pay him, & know him by his first name!
  • He’ll help you locate, deal, prices check, setup (over the phone), & let you know the right cables, etc.
  • Once your setup you’ll have very lovely picture quality (best picture on the planet). And be envy of other retro gamers; they'll know you have one.
  • Good shape used PVM can range from $700+. BVM $4,000+. Price depending on quality, condition, & screen size. ​
Super Mario World - PVM Setup!
Donkey Kong Country - PVM Setup!
Super Mario All-Star - PVM Setup!
Tips:
  • Remember all PVM will need service time. So, you’ll need your repair guy for tune-ups and future repairs.
  • These things are built to last!  You can sell it later at higher cost than you likely paid. So its sort of an investment.
Best Links:

Whats Vintex 64 personal recommendations?

  • Do what works best for yourself! Just because a YouTube guy does this, not mean you have to!
  • Invest in what fits your needs, priorities, space, & budget. What important for you!
  • Option 1 - great for tight budget, easy way to start, & for people that play once in a while.  
  • Option 2 - great for modern TVs, more future proof, it save space, & easy for people who often move. 
  • Option 3 - permanent setup/investment for many future years. For people with space, money & time. For those who apricate the best natural picture, who plan to keep original hardware, & they keep a plan ready when something comes up. 

What is your setup?

  • Some of Option 1. Easy, quick, affordable, and safe for test/development. Tube TVs handy for Super Stunner 6 tests. 
  • Our PVM is PVM-20M2MDU - Olympus OEV203, medical grade monitor, run both SNES & N64. Decent size, affordable, repair are well document, & high build quality.  We RGB mod two N64s & looks great. We use it for your orders, our personal play, & Super Stunner 6 tests.
  • Option 2b we’re investing more in HDMI N64 mods to help with general builds cycles & tests.
Olympus OEV203
SNES PVM Cables !
Olympus OEV203 - Video Example!
OEV203 in past medical use! 
​The PVM in the upper left corner!

You didn’t talk about elaborate multi-console setups or SCART Connectors?

  • True, we kept this page simple with focus on SNES & N64.
  • We personally didn’t need to invest in fancy multi system setup or SCART switchers.
  • We just moved a cable over sometimes between the N64 & SNES consoles. Its our 5 finger switcher; it never become obsolete. 
  • You pro-players likely already know everything about these elaborate multi console setups, SCARTS, & are way ahead of us. 

What the future for video output & TV solutions?

  • Tube TV might re-enter production or slowly become extinct. Yet so many of these are still out there!
  • Those who have/kept a good Tube TV will be setup for a long time. 
  • There are a lot of innovations in mod/adapters with these older video game consoles.
  • These innovations may continue to bring down cost, remove complexity, add convenience, & become more user friendly. 
  • The world will continue to change fast! We and our retro consoles will just have to adapted just as quickly!
Disclaimer: By placing an order you acknowledge to have read and understand the product description and back/rear label of the Vintex 64 Game Pak/Card.