Gamecube Component Cable

[TJ_Kat]

Looking around for pinouts for the Gamecube's Digital AV port, I see that cables connection to that port have a Digital to Analogue Converter chip in them.

Is there any way to build (or otherwise obtain) a component cable for the Gamecube without paying Nintendo's obnoxiously high price for it?

[NFG]

The DAC is a custom Nintendo part.  Without knowing the precise format of Nintendo's digital output you can't buy a replacement part.

That said, I wonder why you think a combination cable, connector and DAC mounted to a nice PCB is expensive @ $30, or even $15.

[dj898]

like my old man said you get what you paid for...    

[TJ_Kat]

I think it's expensive because you can get component cables for the PS2 or Xbox for $2 or $3.

And even that D-Terminal cable... As much fun as splicing it myself would be, when you take the final auction cost, plus shipping cost, plus the cost to turn it into a YUV cable and it becomes cheaper just to order one straight from Nintendo. No, I've already spent my next 3 months entertainment budget, so I was kinda hoping there was a solution in the under $10 range.

None the less, thank you for the input. Maybe if I wander through some electronics supply stores or pawn shops I'll find something.

[NFG]

The GameCube is cheaper 'cause they didn't stuff it with extra things no one would use, like DACs outputting component.  So few people used it they removed even the option of it from new Cubes.

That said, let it be a lesson to you: if you want the best quality you gots ta PAY for it.  Free rides are for people happy with composite video.  =D

[-Martin-]

Another needlessly complicated AV condition introduced by those marketing strategies morons at Nintendo - anyone remember the YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN RGB LEAD TO PLAY WITH 60HZ! (even though you don't on the PAL GCN) campaign they did in the UK?
What's the point --??
The majority of GCN owners are fanboys/little kids who think RGB is a typo for RPG.

[Endymion]

It seems that Nintendo will retrofit current GameCubes with the component adapter at the expense of a fee. I called them last week and grilled them about this, at first thinking that they were replacing new units with refurbished ones. I was assured in no uncertain terms that the unit they return to you with the component adapter is the componentless one that you send in. So it isn't quite so bad, but yeah, you still have to pay for your quality.

[Endymion]

I think it's expensive because you can get component cables for the PS2 or Xbox for $2 or $3.

The component cable for the PS2 has no DAC in it. I'm not 100% sure but I don't believe the Xbox component cable has this either. (Even the ones with the cable-wart.)

[Guest]

I'm confused. What do you mean they removed the component from new gamecube models. I they have a d-terminal connection and not component so I am confused.

The only thing I can guess is that YUV data is not on the d-terminal pins or something like that.

P.S made one of the vga cables from the component cables and currently use a commerically modded d-terminal one that didn't fall apart like mine did.

[phreak97]

they removed the whole "Digital AV Out" connection, though i am yet to see one of these so i cant give any further info.

[NFG]

IN the new models there's a single, SNES-style MultiAV connector, not the dual-port goodness you see on most cubes.  There's no hole or anything where the old port used to be, just a big flat expanse with a single hole.

I wouldn't mind a look inside one of these someday, but I don't care enough to BUY one.  =)

[Guest]

IN the new models there's a single, SNES-style MultiAV connector, not the dual-port goodness you see on most cubes.  There's no hole or anything where the old port used to be, just a big flat expanse with a single hole.

I wouldn't mind a look inside one of these someday, but I don't care enough to BUY one.  =)

NOA will add it for a service fee  

[dj898]

wouldn't it make more business sense to just replace the unit with digital port instead of installing it? What's the point to carry the stock for possible request from the customer. might as well as carry refurbished units and exchange on request - which sucks coz you bought brand new unit and to get the digital port you will have to exchange it for possibly refurbished second hand unit?

nice business tactic, not... o_O

[Guest]

wouldn't it make more business sense to just replace the unit with digital port instead of installing it? What's the point to carry the stock for possible request from the customer. might as well as carry refurbished units and exchange on request - which sucks coz you bought brand new unit and to get the digital port you will have to exchange it for possibly refurbished second hand unit?

nice business tactic, not... o_O

It sucks ass but lets face it Nintendo has a history of omiting features in later hardware revisions. I guess overall it makes more business sense for them to save money and install one upon request.  

[NFG]

It sucks ass but lets face it Nintendo has a history of omiting features in later hardware revisions. I guess overall it makes more business sense for them to save money and install one upon request.

And so does Sony and Sega and Atari and pretty much everyone who ever made a console.  This isn't new or surprising.

I'd be surprised if they actually soldered a new connection onto the system; chances are they open it up and swap out the motherboard, and use a backplate with the extra whole.  Prolly do the whole swap inside of five minutes with practice.

[dj898]

sounds like you get refurb M/B inside your brand new shell with different back plate... o_O;

here's the thought if enough people send their GC to get them modified will Nintendo reversed its decision and reintroduced the digital port... probably not...

[atom]

Yeah, but who says its refurbished? Its probably un-used.

Someone send in your GC revision and put special markings on the boards to see what it comes back as

[Guest]

Yeah, but who says its refurbished? Its probably un-used.

Someone send in your GC revision and put special markings on the boards to see what it comes back as

It's been done.

They send you back the exact one you send in.

They actually add the port at an on-site tech bench and return your original cube.  

[dj898]

there must be one in couple of thousands who sent in for the upgarde(?). if that is what they doing doesn't make the sense in terms of business... also I didn't say refurbished console - just refurbished/un-used logic board INSIDE your new GC shell... and stick an extra hole

[atom]

Actually I betabout a hundred have had it done to them. And besides, they dont do it for free do they? Thats very business savy.

[TJ_Kat]

I wonder if it ever occured to Nintendo that the Digital A/V port doesn't get used by most people because a)the complete innability for 3rd party development due to a proprietary chip requirement, and b)because all the accessories that DO use the port are so expensive.

In the end, I don't think sticking the DAC inside the box would have increased the shelf price at all. Yes, they would be making A BIT less per console sold, but they would probably have more than made up for it from increased sales of the GameCube, increased sales of in house accessories, and royalties for 3rd party accessories.

IMO anyway.

[Endymion]

What kind of royalties can you collect on a third-party accessory that requires no inside knowledge of Nintendo's IP nor their tech/hardware? It's not like they command royalties on that for this stuff now.

[NFG]

In the end, I don't think sticking the DAC inside the box would have increased the shelf price at all. Yes, they would be making A BIT less per console sold,

You are no doubt aware these are the companies who put only two rubber feet on a console instead of four to save money, right?

[dj898]

companies will do anything if they can save less than a cent per unit...
when you mass producing that amount add up to rather large figure... o_O

[TJ_Kat]

*goes and looks under GameCube*

Wow. You're right. there are only 2 rubber feet.

Still...

I'm just gonna stop now before I say something dumber.

[dhau]

wouldn't it make more business sense to just replace the unit with digital port instead of installing it? What's the point to carry the stock for possible request from the customer. might as well as carry refurbished units and exchange on request - which sucks coz you bought brand new unit and to get the digital port you will have to exchange it for possibly refurbished second hand unit?

nice business tactic, not... o_O

Normal people (i.e. 99% of consumers) can't care less about anything beyond pack-in composite AV cable, so it is a smart move to cut the core cost of unit, still being able to satisfy geeks in need as an exception from normal

[Jopapa]

Free rides are for people happy with composite video.  =D

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth...

Didn't Belkin or one of the higher quality cable manufacturers (I know Monster Cable didn't) make a component video cable for the GCa while ago? With my new scaler, all I need is RCA style component video  B)  

[Endymion]

If they did it's the first I've ever heard about it.

There is a chip inside the Nintendo component cable that enables the scan you need--only Nintendo makes this chip so nobody else has such a cable.

[Jopapa]

If they did it's the first I've ever heard about it.

There is a chip inside the Nintendo component cable that enables the scan you need--only Nintendo makes this chip so nobody else has such a cable.

Well that blows. Time to scour eBay so I can have everything I need for when the new Zelda comes out  B)  

[TJ_Kat]

From what I've seen, it's cheaper to buy one directly from Nintendo than it is to buy one off of ebay.

[Midori]

Here In sweden component cables are rare and cost more than a preown Gamecube! About 80$, new!  (O.O)

Proof(in swedish) : http://spelbutiken.se/php-bin/produkt.php?produkt=cube248
It says 599 :- and 1 $ is about 7 :-

[RGB32E]

For those who have been referencing YUV in your posts, what do you think you mean?

IS THIS WHAT YOU MEAN?

Y'UV:

"In composite NTSC or PAL video, B'-Y' and R'-Y" are scaled to form U and V components.  Subsequently, U and V are lowpass filtered, then combined into a modulated chroma component, C.  Luma is then summed with modulated chroma to produce the composite NTSC or PAL signal.  Scaling of U and V is arranged so that the excursion of the composite signal (Y'+C) is constrained to the range -1/3 to 4/3 of the unity excursion of luma.  U and V components have no place in component analog or component digital video." --Digital Video and HDTV, Charles Poynton

"I urge video engineers and computer graphics specialists to avoid the terms YUV, Y'UV, YIQ, Y'IQ, and luminance, except in the highly specialized situations where those terms are technically correct.  The appropriate terms are almost always Y'CbCr and luma" --Digital Video and HDTV, Charles Poynton

[Aidan]

In composite NTSC or PAL video, B'-Y' and R'-Y" are scaled to form U and V components.  Subsequently, U and V are lowpass filtered, then combined into a modulated chroma component, C.

Bold marking there is mine. It's nice to know that composite video is still composite video, even in this digital world. I'm not entirely sure what that has to do with YUV?