SNES2VGA

SNES2VGA

SNES2VGA Dongle for Nintendo Consoles

Introduction

This dongle takes the AV Multi output used on various Nintendo consoles and adapts them into HD15 (VGA), so you can use the commonly available VGA cable for transmitting RGBs video and stereo audio.

Note that consoles usually require RGB mods in order to output RGBs signal.

Console Compatibility

Nintendo Entertainment System / Nintendo Famicom

The NES/Famicom do not generate or output RGB signals natively. They generate composite video and output it as-is or encode it to RF.

For them to output RGB, modding it with an NESRGB and the Nintendo AV Multi style port is required.

(If you installed an 8 or 9-pin MiniDin port, please check my 8DIN2VGA and 9DIN2VGA projects instead.)

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Super NES / Super Famicom (Jr.)

• NTSC consoles not output RGB signals natively, and need to be modded to restore RGB output with SNES RGB Bypass.
• PAL consoles output an RGB signal, but outputs 12V on the same pin where CSync is output on a NTSC console. Care must be taken when assembling the dongle.

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Nintendo 64

No native RGB output. Different models require different levels of modding to restore RGB output (Simple RGB Bypass, N64RGB, etc)

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GameCube

• NTSC consoles don't output RGB signals. RGB modding, such as GCVideo, is required.
• PAL consoles support RGB output natively, however the same 12V on CSync ordeal is still present.

Sync

You can choose among CSync, Luma and composite video as your sync signal with the jumper on the PCB.

WARNING: PAL consoles output 12V on the CSync pin. CSync related components should NOT be populated if you are building this dongle for a PAL console.

Audio

Audio can be sent within the VGA cable, or broken out from the 3.5mm jack on the dongle. Buzzing may be noticeable when audio is transmitted through the VGA cable in certain scenes in certain games. This is due to insufficient shielding in most VGA cables. If you find the buzzing to be annoying, please use the 3.5mm jack on the dongle for audio outputting. This will ensure the cleanest audio output.

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Variation - N64D2VGA

This one works with my N64Digital mini HDMI to Full HDMI Dongle so you could achieve analogue RGBS & digital dual output with full sized plugs without interference.

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Parts

Common Parts

• PCB

  • Main
  • Sub

• Nintendo AV Plug - Link

• VGA Port Slim, Female - Link

• Vertical 3.5mm Headphone Jack - Link

• [1x] M3x20mm screw and nut - Link

• [2x] Imperials 0603 SMD Capacitor 6.3V 10uF - C4, C5

• 3D Printed Shell

  • Top
  • Bottom

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NTSC Configuration

• C1, C2, C3: [3x] 220uF / 6.3V / Imperial 1206 Size - Link
• [1x] Imperial SMD 0603 Resistor 470 Ohm - R1, ONLY if you choose CSync

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PAL Configuration

• C6: [1x] 220uF / 6.3V / Imperial 1206 Size - Link
• [4x] Imperial SMD 0603 Resistor 75 Ohm - R2, R3, R4, R5

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Printing the Shell

Print the files with the split face facing downwards.

Print with support.

For a better mating surface finishing, use raft for bed adhesion.

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PCB Assembly

Solder sub PCB to the main

First, align the sub PCB on top of the main PCB, align with the helper line and make sure the correct sides are facing the outside. Solder the two outside-most castellated pins and pads one by one, making sure the outside of the two boards are flush, so the plug can be soldered properly. Then proceed to solder the rest of the castellated pins to the pads.

Solder on the video plug

Next, take a Nintendo video plug. Note the pins on the soldering side are sticking out straight. Now bend both rows of the pins inwards, with the help of the edge of a table. This way, the pins will actually be able to touch the pads on the PCB compound.

Tuck the plug onto the compound PCB. Make sure the plug is pointing the correct way up - the notched side of the plug is up, and the side with the smaller sub PCB is up. Align the pins to the pads as good as possible. Make sure there is no gap between the plug and the PCB on the mating edge. Then, solder one pin on each side with a generous amount of solder. Remelt and adjust the position if needed. Then proceed and solder the rest of the pins to the PCB with generous amount of solder.

SMD Components

Solder on the SMD components. Note for NTSC and PAL consoles, the component configurations are quite different. Please follow the instructions on the silk screen.

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NTSC Configuration

• Populate C1, C2, C3

Choose A Sync

CSync

• Populate R1
• Leave JP2 open

Composite (CVBS) or Luma As Sync

• Do NOT populate R1
• Short one side of jumper JP1 for CVBS or Luma. Choose only ONE
• Short JP2

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PAL Configuration

• DO NOT populate R1
• Populate R2, R3, R4, R5
• Short C1, C2, C3 with individual conductors
• Populate C6

Choose A Sync between Composite (CVBS) or Luma

• Short one side of jumper JP1 for CVBS (recommended) or Luma. Choose only ONE
• Leave JP2 open

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Through hole components

Solder on the through hole VGA and 3.5mm audio port. Note they are supposed to be on the bottom side of the PCB. Pay attention to the silk screen markings.

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Final Assembly

Tuck the assembled PCB into one side of the shell. Make sure the video plug fits correctly in. Then drop the other side of the shell in and slowly bring the two sides to a close. Inspect the shells for any remaining support material if you can't correctly close it up. Finally, put in the screw and nut to secure the whole assembly.

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Misc Info

Non-CSync signals are incompatible with the AV3 input on the OSSC. Only TTL CSync works with AV3 on the OSSC.

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Special Thanks

Mike Chi - Beloved creator of RetroTink

• https://www.retrotink.com

Javier Rodas

• https://twitter.com/JaviRodasG

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Shield:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.