Gamecube too dark on S-Video

[ChaoZ]

I bought a 3rd party s-video cable for the gamecube and it works good enough on a regular TV. However, when I plugged it into my HDTV, most games end up being too dark to the point of it being unplayable. The regular yellow RCA cable works fine, but it's not nearly as crisp.

Has anybody faced the same sort of problem? If there's no easy solution, I will probably wait for the Revolution to play the games on in component instead.

[Dimmona]

Better question - why are you using S-Video for the Gamecube if you have a HDTV?  It looks sooo much better in 480p w/ the component cables (provided you have the patience to order them off of nintendo.com).

[ChaoZ]

Because

1. They're no longer available from Nintendo.com (ebay people are having a field day selling these)
2. My two Component video inputs are used by the PS2 and Xbox

[Cleric7]

Because

1. They're no longer available from Nintendo.com (ebay people are having a field day selling these)
2. My two Component video inputs are used by the PS2 and Xbox

Your reason #2 there is the same reason I use s-video for my GameCube. I don't notice it being too dark though. It's a very sharp picture on my Sony 42A10. Could you adjust the TV brightness just for that input?

[ChaoZ]

I've tried setting the brightness, but all it does it make the overall image lighter (no more contrast) Bumping up contrast doesn't seem to help either.

You know, I have no idea what I'm going to do when the new consoles hit (with the Xbox 360 not being backwards compatable and all). Gotta get a component switchbox or something.

[Clay]

S-video improves picture quality by separating the color data stream from the light/dark data stream.  So, maybe a pin on your s-video cable is broken or there's something wrong with the cable or input on the tv such that the light/dark signal isn't coming through.

[coopasonic]

You know, I have no idea what I'm going to do when the new consoles hit (with the Xbox 360 not being backwards compatable and all). Gotta get a component switchbox or something.

component switching receiver

I used s-video with my gamecube on my rp hdtv and had no issues with brightness or contrast.

[The Grue]

I have a question.  Are the S-Video cables something you have to buy extra?  I never had a TV with S-Video or above and now I have an HDTV.  All my components are taken up, so I can't use the component cables and I guess it would be nice to at least have S-Video.  Did the S-Video cables come with the CUbe or do you have to buy them separate?

[Americanidle]

You can get decent component switch boxes for $20-30. I picked one up from Target in that range and it works great for me. It's got 4 component ins and the 1 out to TV.

[ChaoZ]

You can get decent component switch boxes for $20-30. I picked one up from Target in that range and it works great for me. It's got 4 component ins and the 1 out to TV.

Good to know.

I suspect as more devices go HD that the demand for such devices will go up. It'd be nice to have a device that can be switched remotely for example.

[coopasonic]

You can get decent component switch boxes for $20-30. I picked one up from Target in that range and it works great for me. It's got 4 component ins and the 1 out to TV.

Good to know.

I suspect as more devices go HD that the demand for such devices will go up. It'd be nice to have a device that can be switched remotely for example.

component switching receiver again. Most receivers above your basic home theater in a box have component switching though many only do 2 in 1 out, 3 in 1 out should be enough for most people given the TV has 3-4 component inputs plus HDMI or whatever that other hi def input standard is.

DJ - the s-video cable is not included, it's an additional investment

[Purge]

If someone wants, I do have a component GC cable (make sure you have a digital port on the back). I was going to ebay it (they go for 90+USD) ... I'm lookin' at selling for 60USD (plus shipping).

LMK if you're interested. I'll be putting it up on ebay end of this week / early next week. (I will eventually put up something in the trading forum if no one is interested).

Note: I have used it briefly; it's like new. I sold my cube last weekend. It is the official Nintendo one; and it is FINE.

[Destructor]

(they go for 90+USD)

Holy crap. Way to go Nintendo, killing the ONLY way to make the Gamecube look as good as it can be. Yet another stupid decision when it comes to video output (the first making it so the only way to get the cables in the first place was through Nintendo).