Is there anyway to minimize the bad RF on an NES toploader?

[AtariLeaf]

I don't like the vertical lines, like most people, and was wondering if there was a way to minimize the rf interference the toploaders rf puts out?

 

I'm referring to something fairly easy and straight forward, not putting in an AV mod, etc.

Edited August 16, 2011 by AtariLeaf

[+save2600]

Yeah, get yourself a cheap A/V cable for that deck.

 

-edit- wait.... what? There's NES toploaders with no A/V ports as pictured below in the thread? RF only? I did_not_know_that! Mine had the A/V port and no RF. So that's another thing I should have kept and price-gouged someone on later? lol

 

 

Vertical lines spaced perfectly apart though are normal on that system. As it is on the Genesis 2/3, AtariXEGS, C64c, etc. I had a top loading NES once and hated it for that reason. RF interference usually exhibits wavy diagonal lines that can be tamed. There's some threads about using Ferrite Magnets along the end of the cable...

 

http://www.atariage...._1#entry2303592

[genesisguy]

Yeah the RF and the lines are two separate issues. The RF noise can be fixed with the above mentioned solutions. The lines are a different issue. I hate the lines too but love the reliability of the top loader. Trade one for the other I guess.

[AtariLeaf]

Yea you're right, I'm confusing the issues. Its not RF interference its the damn lines. Since its an RF out only machine I thought they were connected for some reason. I wonder if a better shielded cable and maybe a ferrite bead would do the trick. Where's a good place to get these beads? Probably an electronics place like the Source?

[AtariLeaf]

Yeah, get yourself a cheap A/V cable for that deck.

 

Vertical lines spaced perfectly apart though are normal on that system. As it is on the Genesis 2/3, AtariXEGS, C64c, etc. I had a top loading NES once and hated it for that reason. RF interference usually exhibits wavy diagonal lines that can be tamed. There's some threads about using Ferrite Magnets along the end of the cable...

 

http://www.atariage...._1#entry2303592

 

They show up on the Coco 3 too

[Chuck D. Head]

For mine, I just used a better cable (I use the word better loosely, it was one from an Intellivision) and an RCA to F adapter and it helped a lot.

[+save2600]

They show up on the Coco 3 too

Never had one, but good to know. Pisses me off, those lines. Totally throws off the experience to me.

 

Regarding the ferrite beads, you have Radio Shack's by you? Guess if The Source retained that kind of parts selection, they may have 'em too. Or look around the house and see if any of your other A/V cords or old monitors have 'em. You'll often find 'em on the wiring of power supplies too.

 

 

[AtariLeaf]

For mine, I just used a better cable (I use the word better loosely, it was one from an Intellivision) and an RCA to F adapter and it helped a lot.

 

Next question then - what do I look for in a quality cable?

[+save2600]

For mine, I just used a better cable (I use the word better loosely, it was one from an Intellivision) and an RCA to F adapter and it helped a lot.

 

Next question then - what do I look for in a quality cable?

Fully shielded and 75ohm for video.

 

Cut apart an old Intellivision or Atari cable and you'll see what it's superior. Braided wire shielding goes from tip to tip.

 

 

 

[Rex Dart]

For mine, I just used a better cable (I use the word better loosely, it was one from an Intellivision) and an RCA to F adapter and it helped a lot.

 

Next question then - what do I look for in a quality cable?

 

I'd recommend an RG-6 cable with appropriate adapter(s).

[tz101]

Easy and cheap fix: Wrap the RF cable in aluminum foil over its entire length. Problem solved.

[STICH666]

Just get one of these.

 

[AtariLeaf]

Just get one of these.

 

 

Hmmm. Your plan is simple, yet impossible.

Edited August 17, 2011 by AtariLeaf

[MagitekAngel]

Is that the mythological A/V Toploader I see?

[+Mitch]

Is that the mythological A/V Toploader I see?

 

Looks like it. Not too many of those around.

 

I modded my toploader for composite and did the no lines mod as well. The picture quality looks great now.

 

Mitch

[TheGameCollector]

Is that the mythological A/V Toploader I see?

 

Looks like it. Not too many of those around.

 

I modded my toploader for composite and did the no lines mod as well. The picture quality looks great now.

 

Mitch

 

The Japanese AV system is a lot easier to find, but it's hard to find a converter cart to let you play US games on the Japanese system. f I could find that, I would have an AV Famicom by now so I could simply share 1 AV connection for all four classic Nintendo consoles.

[Armonigann]

Hey AtariLeaf why not just get a cheap toaster with a fresh/cleaned pin?

 

Although I have a top loader that I finally obtained a couple years back it never gets used because my toaster has such a better pic.

 

Too bad all top loaders were'nt made like the mythological A/V Toploader

[AtariLeaf]

Hey AtariLeaf why not just get a cheap toaster with a fresh/cleaned pin?

 

Although I have a top loader that I finally obtained a couple years back it never gets used because my toaster has such a better pic.

 

Too bad all top loaders were'nt made like the mythological A/V Toploader

 

I have a few toasters and even though I've cleaned the pins and they're better, they still get finicky and it becomes more of a hassle than an opportunity to play. I may look into getting a new connector and see if that helps.

[Asaki]

I'm referring to something fairly easy and straight forward, not putting in an AV mod, etc.

 

Sorry, AV mod is the only thing that'll get rid of the lines: http://nesdev.parodius.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=601

 

Unless you're lucky and got a rare refurb unit.

[genesisguy]

I'm totally a top loader convert now I used to think I'd never get over the lines but I think they are worth it stock. Only some games really show the lines(at least on my TV). Instead of shelling out the 80-90 bucks for an AV modded top loader I think a old toaster with a new pin connector is a better solution. Those can be had super cheap. Sure the reliabilty even with the new connector isn't as high as the top loader, but just use it for those games that really show the lines.

 

I have this out of whack alarmist preservationist theory that top loaders are actually better for your carts. Why? If you have a toaster with a new pin connector that has the death grip that has to cause extra friction on the carts pins that may be wearing them down. Also sliding those carts in and I know its not a repeat process but it will cause wear to the cart and the cart labels.

[keilbaca]

Is that the mythological A/V Toploader I see?

 

Looks like it. Not too many of those around.

 

I modded my toploader for composite and did the no lines mod as well. The picture quality looks great now.

 

Mitch

 

The Japanese AV system is a lot easier to find, but it's hard to find a converter cart to let you play US games on the Japanese system. f I could find that, I would have an AV Famicom by now so I could simply share 1 AV connection for all four classic Nintendo consoles.

 

I missed my chance to own one when I was in Japan I couldn't find them in any of the used shops, they all had famicoms, but no toploaders.

 

The adapter, however, is fairly easy to get ahold of. http://www.nintendorepairshop.com has one for $9.99

 

Mitch, what is the no vertical lines mod that you speak of? I use a pulled Atari 2600 RF cable for my NES, and it works absolutely perfect, with an RCA to Coax adapter. Zero interference. I just want the vertical lines gone.

Edited August 17, 2011 by keilbaca

[yell0w_lantern]

Buy a coaxial cable and get a female coaxial to male RCA plug adapter. Coaxial cables are well-shielded

[+Mitch]

Mitch, what is the no vertical lines mod that you speak of? I use a pulled Atari 2600 RF cable for my NES, and it works absolutely perfect, with an RCA to Coax adapter. Zero interference. I just want the vertical lines gone.

 

It's an extra step in the composite mod process. You can do it to the RF output but it only lightens it up considerably instead of removing it completely. It completely removes it for composite.

 

Mitch

[Asaki]

Mitch, what is the no vertical lines mod that you speak of?

 

It's in here: http://nesdev.parodius.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=601

 

Basically you have to pull up one of the pins on the PPU because its trace is picking up interference from the ones next to it. In theory, you could probably do it without even adding the A/V mod, but mine was already modded when I bought it.

[keilbaca]

Mitch, what is the no vertical lines mod that you speak of?

 

It's in here: http://nesdev.parodi...topic.php?t=601

 

Basically you have to pull up one of the pins on the PPU because its trace is picking up interference from the ones next to it. In theory, you could probably do it without even adding the A/V mod, but mine was already modded when I bought it.

 

 

Perfect. I'll try this at home.