US Gamcube on UK tv

[ianpeto]

This problem seems to be quite common, but there is so much different advice and so many different suggestions, I'm finding it hard to work out the best solution.

I have an American Gamecube with an RGB scart cable going out of the Analogue socket directly into the second scart socket of my TV. It works but comes up in black and white.

I have also tried putting it into Input 3 of my dvd player and then the DVD connect to the TV by scart. But that gives sound but no image.

Putting the gamecube into scart 1 of my tv also gives sound but no image.

I am now the embodiment of confusion.

Specs:

TV - Sanyo CE 21DN4
Scart 1 & 2 and Red/White/Yellow in.

DVD - Sont RDR HXD710
Line 1 Scart (TV); Line 3 Scart (In/Out); Line 2 Red/White/Yellow & S-Video (In); Line 2 Red/White/Yellow & S-Video (Out); Line 4 Red/White/Yellow & S-Video (In) and Component Video Out.

Which cables do i need?

Help!!

Thanks.

[nsb.]

US or Japanese Gamecubes don’t have RGB outputs so you can’t use a standard RGB Scart lead. You need to buy a modded cable made from Component & D cables. They’re more expensive than your standard RBG Scart cable though, around £50 when I bought mine back when the Gamecube first released, should be cheaper these days though.

[ianpeto]

Thanks for that.

Where would I get one of those cables ready made? I can't do it myself, and am having trouble finding the ready made ones.

Also, the scart cable has a RCA box on it. Is there any way I could use that instead?

Thanks again.

[Tetlee]

S-Video would be your next best alternative connection, you won't easily find an S-Video Gamecube cable in the UK as PAL Gamecube's don't support it, in the same way NTSC Cubes don't support RGB Scart.

I'm guessing you'd be able to source one pretty cheap on ebay, certainly alot cheaper than one of the modded RGB cables.

I can't tell you for certain if the display will be normal in full colour on your tv though, I assume it should.

[ianpeto]

Ok, so I've now tried an S-video cable and still no joy. Still black and White (and with that one it flickers).

I'm wondering if it's something to do with using the analogue output instead of digital? Maybe I should get an Ntsc to Pal converter? Do they even work?

Hope someone can help?!

[gunrock]

It's unlikely to work but quick and priceless to try; plug in your gamecube to scart socket 1 on the TV. As on many tv's the first socket is the only one that accepts RGB.

It sounds like your TV won't accept a NTSC signal over s-video (which is fairly common).

I know this sounds odd Ian, but I'd recommend that you buy a second hand PAL gamecube (not a Mario strikers one) and a copy of Freeloader 1.06B. That way you can use a scart cable for RGB output and just use the Freeloader bootdisc to boot your American games.

Alternatively, and this is a gamble, put a Qoob SX modchip (hard to come by, these days, unfortunately) in your US gamecube and then you can force the output to be PAL, which may just work with the s-video connection.

[fallenangle]

It does sound as if your TV can accept a 60Hz signal but isn't NTSC compatible. You should of course check the TV's set-up menus to see if the colour system can be changed manually to NTSC. Also make sure that this isn't just a colour level issue. I have found when I swap to a NTSC input TV's colour settings require significant adjustment. Left at the settings appropriate for PAL RGB SCART the initial NTSC source picture can be mistaken for b/w when all it needs is some adjustment to the colour.

Otherwise, as suggested ^, I also recommend buying a used PAL GC.

You can buy a complete, decent condition PAL GC for £20 - £25 off the high street at places like CEX. It might be even cheaper via eBay. So any solution involving your US GC which costs more than this is rather pointless.

If you have NTSC games you want to play; GC Freeloader is fairly easy to source too at <£10.