S-Video Modded 7800 Project: With Pictures

[Smoke Monster]

I knocked another project off the list today by finishing up my 7800 s-video mod. I also recapped it and added RCA AV jacks. I bought longhornengineer's video board on eBay and highly, highly recommend buying from them.

The s-video quality is absolutely superb. It's crisp and colorful, and still glows with that original warmth. The 7800 went from being the absolute worst video quality of any console I own, to nearly the top of the list. So far I've only been able to test it plugged straight to my TV, and it will improve when I'm able to run it through my Extron DVS-204 to a T-SLG.

The mono audio is also excellent, but the composite video is nowhere near as good as s-video. Both are a huge improvement over RF obviously.

I mounted the AV jacks on the back of the console, which is something I hadn't seen done before. If you go this route, make sure to get the exact s-video jack that I used. There isn't enough space inside that area for standard s-video jacks.

[mickcris]

I mounted my connectors there and used the s-video connector that came with the kit. It was a tight squeeze though.

 

Game-Tech-US also did this recently in a video:

 

Your connector is probably easier to install though.

Edited March 17, 2015 by mickcris

[Smoke Monster]

I mounted my connectors there and used the s-video connector that came with the kit. It was a tight squeeze though.

 

Game-Tech-US also did this recently in a video:

 

Your connector is probably easier to install though.

That video makes me feel so much better! Sometimes it's refreshing to see a pro struggling with things too. I ran in to a problem after installing the mod initially and Joe (AKA longhornengineer) offered to look at my 7800's motherboard. He was able to fix it, which was a godsend because I must have spent an hour installing the board and four or five trying to diagnose the problem. I don't think Gametech should write off all 7800s because of his nightmare experience though. From what I could tell, it's built like a tank and really easy to work on.

 

I tried using the included connector but failed, so you must have more skills and/or patience than I do. Even after I trimmed the included s-video jack to fit, it seemed like the plastic was too thick to screw on the big nut that keeps it in place.

 

[mickcris]

I glued it in and didn't use the nut. Not really the proper way to do it but it worked.

[Smoke Monster]

I glued it in and didn't use the nut. Not really the proper way to do it but it worked.

I doubt you'll have any problems

 

I have a list of further plans for the 7800 as soon as some parts arrive. I'm going to replace the internal video wiring with 75ohm video cable, remove the RF box and add a TIA-9 switch in its place.

[ApolloBoy]

Joe (AKA longhornengineer)

Actually Joe is not LHE, he just sells the LHE board.

[Smoke Monster]

I ended up removing the RF box and replacing it with a hefty on/off switch for the TIA-9 line. The switch is overkill of course, but it's what I had on hand.