Famicom on PAL TV problem

[Dennis90]

I have a composite video modded Famicom console that I'm trying to hook up to a PAL CRT TV with SCART input that supports 60hz, but I have some problems. I used an adapter like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Composite-S-Video-Component-Video-Converter/dp/B01GW8UE18 to convert the NTSC composite signal to RGB, but I never really get any good picture from it. It can output RGsB (Sync on Green) or YCbCr, but I'm wondering if maybe my TV does not accept those kinda signals? And I need like RGB with sync on composite or whatever it's called instead? Cus I have some other stuff that I can connect to SCART via RGB and it works, like my Sega Mega Drive. So I wonder, is there any way to convert the RGsB signal to like the same kinda RGB signal that my Sega Mega Drive uses? I heard about some chip called LM1881 that can convert RGB sync signals, is it possible to make some circuit that can convert RGsB signal with that chip or something?

Or also, another thought I had, is it somehow possible to convert a composite NTSC color signal to a PAL color signal and keeping the 60hz? Or maybe modify my TV so it will support both PAL and NTSC composite color? Cus since my TV supports 60hz, the Famicom gives a nice clean picture when I hook it up, but yeah, it's in black & white.

Hope someone can help!

[CatPix]

Your "problem" here is that this converter outputs RGsB, when SCART only accept RGB with separate sync. Also what do you use for the RGB connector? I see a lot of "RGB converters" that suspiciously looks like regular composite to SCART adapters.

First we need to make sure you're using the correct cable

In your case the LM 1881 could help you getting a clean picture, but in the meantime, what you could do is use the composite signal as a sync signal (it's what SCART does natively so there is no problem doing it).

There are NTSC to PAL converters and yes, do not worry, in fact the vast majority of those converters will output in 60 htz.

Another solution would be to use a television that accept NTSC (most SCART TV made from the mid-90s onward should do, older high end ones may do) or one that accept YUV/component (the RCA red, green and blue connectors) but this connector will mostly be found on very late CRT TVs and LCD panels.

[Dennis90]

Yeah I see, was afraid I probably got the wrong RGB adapter. The cable I use that goes from the adapter to SCART on my TV has those three red, green and blue RCA connectors in one end, and a SCART connector in the other. I looked inside the SCART connector housing to see which pins where connected to the RCA connectors in the other end, you can see in the diagram here that I quickly made.

Okay, but if I would use composite as sync, then I need to split the composite cable from the Famicom so it goes both into the RGsB converter and also into the SCART connector to the TV I guess?

Oh, that sounds good if it keeps the 60hz signal, maybe I could get one of those instead of this RGsB converter perhaps, do you know where I can get one or know any brand/make? Cus I already got two different PAL/NTSC composite converters, and they are pretty terrible, they convert the hertz from 60hz to 50hz, and also removes the interlacing making the image choppy, and creates ghosting and other bad artifacts, so those are not ideal to use for gaming.

Aha yeah, too bad my TV can't handle it, it is from like 2001 I think, so would had hoped it could handle NTSC via composite.

[CatPix]

If your apdater is a cable, and get the RGB and audio in, we're good on that end. One quick thing you could try is trying to link the RGB green pin and the composite video pin (N°20). You can even to it on the fly to see if it works (I don't remember if RGsB use an analog signal or a different one).

 

If it doesn't, then yeah, you'll have to splice your cable in one way or another, and wire it to the SCART connector.

 

I don't have a particular brand or model of NTSC to PAL converters, as if I have a NTSC system without RGB I use a NTSC-able TV, but try to take a cheap model, ironically. They will not include fancy options such as deinterlacing, 60 to 50hte conversion, etc... They'll take the NTSC signal and convert it to "PAL-60".

 

[Dennis90]

I messed around a bit with connecting the pins and such, the image got different, but it was never good or stable at all, so I gave up XD

I searched around to try find a good NTSC to PAL adapter instead, was pretty hard to find anything, but I eventually found this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Videosysteem-Converter-NTSC-naar-PAL/293690063760?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 So I bought one and I got it today and this one seemd to do the trick! It just converts the signal to PAL60! So I don't have to mess around with the RGB converter anymore XD But thanks for the help! :)