It looks like the N64 unofficially has the ability to output RGB, however (click images to see the sites I found them on):
Also: http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/ninte ... 64_rgb.htm
This doesn't do me much good, though, because I don't have any TVs or monitors that take RGB inputs. I'd like to do component video (a la the Nintendo Wii), and I've come across some stuff on converting RGB to component for other applications. Here is the most promising DIY converter circuit I've seen:
Notes/Questions:
- Does anyone have armchair opinions on whether this should work, whether it might be worth attempting, and whether I'm on the right track?
- The ICL7660 IC on the upper-left is a voltage converter that is being used to invert the 5V input to -5V. I'm guessing that the diodes around it should be zener diodes.
- The 74HC4053 IC is a Triple 2-Channel Analog Multiplexer.
- The MAX4451 ICs are 210Mhz op-amps.
- The LM1881 IC is a video sync separator.
- Vcc across the whole converter circuit appears to be 5V, but my understanding is that the N64 only has 12V and 3.3V internally. A 12V->5V voltage regulator would therefore likely be required to drive it from the N64's internal 12V line. Would a voltage regulator remove the need for the diodes and/or capacitors around the voltage inverter?
- I'm not sure whether the "composite sync" line could/should be used for the sync input of the RGB->component converter circuit. If not, then I'm at a loss as to how to deal with this.
- What the heck is this guy on about? The info there doesn't seem to gel at all with the other RGB info I've encountered.
- I know there are various RGB-to-whatever converter boards/kits out there, but most of them are expensive and/or overkill. If anyone knows of one for under $20 USD that should work for this, I'd prefer it over a DIY solution.
Edit 2: Based on Link83's motherboard revisions sticky, I'm guessing both of my N64's are way too new for RGB modding. One has a serial starting with NS24 and the other with NS27. Maybe I'll just mod in a built-in S-Video port so that I don't have to go buy a cable