HDMI to Component Video Converters

[+KeeperofLindblum]

Forgive me if I'm wrong... but I thought they had "cracked it" but was just aiming for HDMI as it was the standard?

 

The big deal about the component cable is the DAC in the huge bit near the GameCube. Someone was able to analyze it and get the data off of it and thus we have HDMI adapters for GameCube. That was my understanding anyways.

 

Regardless, I'm glad to hear about this Carby one! It's cheaper and does exactly what I'd need. I was considering the EON one for all this time but kept being put off on the cost.

[Atariboy]

No, the HDMI adapters are possible for the very reason why no 3rd party component cables have sprung up through the years.

 

The GameCube outputs a digital video signal out of that port, which a component cable then have to convert internally to analog video. By tapping into that directly, these HDMI adapters are circumventing the need to reverse engineer and produce a substitute for the digital to analog converter embedded in GameCube component cables.

 

There really would be no sense even if 3rd party equivalents existed, to do it that way anyways for a HDMI adapter. Digital directly out of the GameCube will always be superior to a signal that was first output as digital video, converted to analog video by an external DAC that's built into the HDMI adapter, and then reconverted back to digital video by the external HDMI adapter before sending it to your tv's HDMI input.

Edited October 24, 2018 by Atariboy

[Tanooki]

Basically what these HDMI devices are taking a direct feed blast from the GC and the guts inside the HDMI device just translates it to a video feed for your modern TV and with the few added bells and whistles optionally usable within the menu. It's as clean as you can get without going into some other realm I imagine. It's like many aren't aware but those rows of pins off the back of most PCENgine/TG units are also a direct a/v feed too and anything attached to that will have to dumb down or direct translate what that console spits out to your TV too. I think that's why we're now seeing the upergrafx2 device out of Japan and the checkered history of the terra onion SSS3 device as it takes that direct feed and works it. The TO device keeps the lower brow RCA level output but was the first to give hucard+optical. UG2 came along and topped them doing it in digital output for HDMI and with firmware updates now does the card+optical as well too along with game saves. I think as more people figure these things and more compete in the space the prices will come to a more respectable level. We see this with the take advantage EON price vs the 1/2 their price GC adapter (with zeldaxpro in the middle.)

[Andromeda Stardust]

Okay just read the whole thread. There are competing devices now for Game Cube hdmi? I have the v2 from last year (from right before they shrank the sideways rectangular form factor to straight). Aside from the cable sticking out sideways, what are the differences between the devices? Did the new guys just rip off the original?

 

As for the op, nobody is going to bother with component anything replacement for Gamecube when component is being depreciated (much like svideo before it) and the very cheap 1st gen Wiis basically obsolete the expensive cables. Aside from GB Player, as someone mentioned earlier, Wii got you covered.

 

Unrelated, but I lost my mini hdmi dongle (bought it on amazon for $6) that goes to my ultrahdmi n64 mod. Walmart doesn't have any mini hdmi cables or adapters, just usbc to hdmi. So last time I attempted to play my n64 on my 48" tcl tv, I had to use composite. Seems minihdmi has been depreciated by the usbc plugs on mobile devices making getting cables at retail difficult. 1st world problems yes...

[Tanooki]

Okay just read the whole thread. There are competing devices now for Game Cube hdmi? I have the v2 from last year (from right before they shrank the sideways rectangular form factor to straight). Aside from the cable sticking out sideways, what are the differences between the devices? Did the new guys just rip off the original?

 

As for the op, nobody is going to bother with component anything replacement for Gamecube when component is being depreciated (much like svideo before it) and the very cheap 1st gen Wiis basically obsolete the expensive cables. Aside from GB Player, as someone mentioned earlier, Wii got you covered.

 

Unrelated, but I lost my mini hdmi dongle (bought it on amazon for $6) that goes to my ultrahdmi n64 mod. Walmart doesn't have any mini hdmi cables or adapters, just usbc to hdmi. So last time I attempted to play my n64 on my 48" tcl tv, I had to use composite. Seems minihdmi has been depreciated by the usbc plugs on mobile devices making getting cables at retail difficult. 1st world problems yes...

Yes, they all use the same tech stolen/borrowed from others years worth of work that was made public. You can pay $75 for Carby when it's for sale(is it yet?), $100 for ZeldaXPro, or $150 for the EON choice. Carby is as their pic shows a nice little shell with a light in a fold over cardboard box with some nice art on it. ZXP with a muted bland boring zippo (or less v2) shell comes in a plastic bag with printed instructions. EON comes in this heftier cardboard box with an overly stylized 3D printed shell for the device.

 

They all do the same, have the same choices. So being cute and stupid about it, let's compare it to mac n cheese. You can buy Kraft in a nice box cheapest (carby), make your own in your bland cooking bowls for a bit more(zxp), or you can go to some hipster shop and pay $10 for a bowl of mac n cheese(eon). In the end it's all the same stuff, noodles and cheese, gets the job done, but you can pay up the scale for the same deal except in this case the mac n cheese tastes identical and just use a different type of eye catching noodle or not.

 

 

And you reminded me I need to dig out that minihdmi to hdmi cable I have around here somewhere which I had intended for plugging my tablet into the TV and did maybe half a dozen times ever with it. My launch day N64 returns tomorrow upgraded.

[Andromeda Stardust]

And you reminded me I need to dig out that minihdmi to hdmi cable I have around here somewhere which I had intended for plugging my tablet into the TV and did maybe half a dozen times ever with it. My launch day N64 returns tomorrow upgraded.

Figures with 3 competing devices out at once all using the same firmwares. Sucks that everyone just ripped off the original creator of that Game Cube hdmi thing. But that's what happens whdn you open source hardware I guess. Proud to say I supported the original.

 

Nice you finally jumped on the n64 ultrahdmi mod aswell. I felt like a jackass plugging my hdmi capable n64 into my tcl 4k hdtv using composite. I needed an excuse to test out that new retrofighters gamepad.

https://retrofighters.com/#home

It's legit. Looked everywhere for that stupid mini hdmi dongle before I said "screw it" and plugged in the composite cable, lol.

[Asaki]

In the end it's all the same stuff, noodles and cheese, gets the job done, but you can pay up the scale for the same deal except in this case the mac n cheese tastes identical and just use a different type of eye catching noodle or not.

I don't know, have you ever been to Lee's or KFC? I'm pretty sure, instead of cheese, they use Elmer's glue with orange food coloring.

 

...and then there's the Velveeta Shells 'n Cheese debate!

[Tanooki]

Asaki haha I just figured it would be an amusing comparison using that, and well there you go.

 

 

Kosmic - I got a deal I couldn't pass up for it as I got a little bit off on both the install and the part itself so I went for it. I've been reserving my last HDMI port on my switcher box for the day anyway so it's all good. And with that I'm down to just optionally the PS1 (when not using the LCD) and the Core Grafx 2 using the old cables. I'm going to have to sell a few more items seeing what the N64 everdrive v3 costs annoyingly because I also need to have a little saved up for the Namco 10" arcade cab from My Arcade too as I'd like both. That fighter pad I saw it for the n64 but I really never had a problem using the original other than the stick would get slippery like wet ice if your hands sweat at all playing games but comfort was never an issue. I've got like 2-3 N64 controllers and some accessories around so it'll have plenty to use along with my couple dozen games.

[+-^CrossBow^-]

So if something goes open source, then how is it ripping off someone else? If they make it open source then isn't that the whole reason for it, is so that others can create their own version of the same sauce? But to get back on topic, the Carby would be the one I would go with if I was in the market for this. But I actually do use my Wii on component for GameCube games. Course if I actually had a gameboy player, then the Wii would be retired from service and an actual NGC would be used and a Carby purchased for it. The carby is in a nice looking molded clear case with a red power LED (Which, has been complained about due to how bright I guess it is). But they have plans to release it in standard black casing and with subdued LED in the future I believe. And as I stated previously, they plan to eventually do the same as HDretrovision in that they plan to offer all in one cable solutions for the various systems to basically have everything end up with an HDMI on the end of it to make it simpler for everyone.

[Asaki]

I'm going to have to sell a few more items seeing what the N64 everdrive v3 costs annoyingly...

The v2 is almost $70 cheaper, and the only real difference is that if you play one of the few titles that supports gamepak saves, you have to reset before powering off.

[Tanooki]

Well yeah if I didn't have one already I'd grab carby too, I like what they're doing, and yeah if they do it for everything in time I could see buying their goods for the PCE format. I've always had my GB Player and disc more or less, so the Wii was pointless to use for the Cube, and now there will no longer be allowed Wii anything branded stuff in this house so it's the only way.

 

 

And you're right about the $70 price drop. The SRAM thing I find a bit of an annoyance, it's like the old out of date PowerPak's from bunnyboy doing that junk. Other than saving, it's an usb port that'll never get used and I don't see the big deal about a click-click pop out memory card slot vs just sliding it in, it's fluff. There is the RTC but I'm not sure what would use that other than some Japanese games, like Animal Crossing which could be fun, but unless someone translated that beast would be pointless.

[Asaki]

The SRAM thing I find a bit of an annoyance...

It's been fine for me, so far. The only problem IMO is that dust settles inside the reset button too easily, and it starts to get jammed up.

 

It's mostly only Nintendo published titles that even support it, though. Most games cheaped out on that feature, and require a Controller Pak.

 

There is the RTC but I'm not sure what would use that other than some Japanese games, like Animal Crossing which could be fun, but unless someone translated that beast would be pointless.

AFAIK, it's just Animal Crossing. There are two partial translations for it, but it's essentially the same game that was on the GameCube, just without all the expanded content.

[derFunkenstein]

The v2 is almost $70 cheaper, and the only real difference is that if you play one of the few titles that supports gamepak saves, you have to reset before powering off.

Just cart saves, right? The controller port memory card saves shouldn't need it. So the list should be pretty small

[Tanooki]

It's been fine for me, so far. The only problem IMO is that dust settles inside the reset button too easily, and it starts to get jammed up.

 

It's mostly only Nintendo published titles that even support it, though. Most games cheaped out on that feature, and require a Controller Pak.

 

 

AFAIK, it's just Animal Crossing. There are two partial translations for it, but it's essentially the same game that was on the GameCube, just without all the expanded content.

You make some good points. I probably should just let it go as the 3 is just a fluff piece as i won't waste time already as it is on the RTC, and you're right, most games used the memory pak anyway. The Nintendo games mostly used the save chip in the game because a bunch of third parties wussed out and went cheap. Since it uses the same menu, and same feature set otherwise, it's not like it's a clunky mess like the Super ED is vs the SD2SNES. Easily save nearly $100 on the v2.5 as it is anyway. I have most the 1st party Nintendo releases anyway, especially those I'd waste time on at least. The appeal of the cart is avoiding stupid people prices, but also those yummy Japanese translations of stuff we got hosed out of like Wonder Project J, Evangelion, etc.

[Punisher5.0]

Basically what these HDMI devices are taking a direct feed blast from the GC and the guts inside the HDMI device just translates it to a video feed for your modern TV and with the few added bells and whistles optionally usable within the menu. It's as clean as you can get without going into some other realm I imagine. It's like many aren't aware but those rows of pins off the back of most PCENgine/TG units are also a direct a/v feed too and anything attached to that will have to dumb down or direct translate what that console spits out to your TV too. I think that's why we're now seeing the upergrafx2 device out of Japan and the checkered history of the terra onion SSS3 device as it takes that direct feed and works it. The TO device keeps the lower brow RCA level output but was the first to give hucard+optical. UG2 came along and topped them doing it in digital output for HDMI and with firmware updates now does the card+optical as well too along with game saves. I think as more people figure these things and more compete in the space the prices will come to a more respectable level. We see this with the take advantage EON price vs the 1/2 their price GC adapter (with zeldaxpro in the middle.)

Ive been thinking about getting the SSS3. Even though it has some flaws (that are still being worked on) its still a great value for all it offers. Do you know if you can use the Genesis component cable with it? It should work but havent heard anything about it

[Tanooki]

Nah I don't remember. I'm sure someone brought it up when it was over at that neo geo forum cesspool as there was some long ongoing threads about it there. Maybe a google site: type search using the genesis cable as a keyword search might pull it up. If not they have their own forum now too little too late that might answer it there which would be newer information anyway.