The snes video quality upgrade mod with comparison

[Drakon]

I s-video modded my backup snes mini using just the built in video encoder so now I can do an official s-video quality screenshot comparison.

The screenshots are in the following order:

1: A non modded model 1 snes with the rev 1 ppu
2: A s-video modded model 2 snes with the rev 2 ppu using the built in video encoder
3: A s-video modded model 2 snes with the rev 2 ppu using a sony cxa2075 video encoder









The sony cxa2075 encoder mod is much more difficult mod to do, but as you can see the results are outstanding.  All of these screenshots are s-video screenshots directly captured from my various snes consoles.  I can also confirm that some model 2s have the black translucent bar in the middle screen and some don't.  My backup model 2 has the bar but my main one doesn't, both systems have the exact same pcb revision.

For anyone who's interested here's the process of building the cxa2075 encoder mod.  First you need to build an entire cxa2075 ntsc internal trap application circuit, which is lot of work.  I bought appropriate sop to dip adapter pcbs so I could wire the cxa2075 into dip and be able to solder it easier with nice big dip connections.  Then you need to tap the rgb, sync and colourburst lines from the built in encoder in the snes and feed them into the inputs of your cxa2075 circuit.  I power the cxa2075 circuit from the 7805 voltage regulator.  The resistors on the luma and chroma output need to be tweaked and changed from the application circuit so play around with the strengths until it looks good to you (I honestly forget what strengths I wound up using).  Here's the entire schematic:



The s-video and rgb outputs can go to any kind of connector you like, I recommend using the built in snes multi av port that your model 2 snes will already have.  Doing this mod on a system with a rev 1 ppu is a waste of time since the rev 1 ppu snes outputs a more blurry rgb signal.  The easy way to be gauranteed to get a rev 2 ppu is to buy a snes mini.  Some late model 1s came with the rev 2 ppu but you'd have to crack open the system and see if the pcb has it or not.

[Frank_fjs]

I think I prefer the output from:

2: A s-video modded model 2 snes with the rev 2 ppu using the built in video encoder

Colours seem a little better, with more contrast. The Sony chip seems a tad too bright.

[HercTNT]

I disagree, i like the brighter colors. Then again he picked a good game. I'm very partial to secret of mana

[Bernie]

I am having a hard time seeing a significant difference.   

[roflmao]

You're not the only one, Bernie.

[ProfessorProfessorson]

The color quality on the 3rd system mod is thinner, def less warm. Looks like the contrast is raised.

[CPTRAVE]

I am having a hard time seeing a significant difference.   

I am also having a hard time seeing the differences.

[Arkhan]

Am I the only one that thinks the unmodified one looks fine?

[Tatsujin]

You can only judge the picture in motion. AV gets all fuzzy and shit when it starts to scroll, whilst S-Vid or better does (almost) not.

[Ji-L87]

The built in encoder mod strikes a nice balance but I prefer the sharpness of the Sony mod...but...I think I'm seeing jailbars in both the Sony mod and the normal one?

...or maybe it's just JPEG artefacts...hard to tell.

[HercTNT]

For those who can't see the difference. look closely at the lettering in the menu's and the color of the d-pad. Also look at the lettering on the inn sign and the color of the ground. The s-vid mod in general makes things sharper. Now the internal encoder and the the sony encoder also have noticeably different colors. I agree with the professors assessment of the colors, and i also agree with tats that difference would be easy to see if it were moving.

[PunkicCyborg]

Which unit has the best rgb quality?

[Joe Redifer]

Am I the only one that thinks the unmodified one looks fine?

You are not.

[Drakon]

I think it's just jpeg artifacts on my tv there's no jailbars to be seen.

The built in encoder mod strikes a nice balance but I prefer the sharpness of the Sony mod...but...I think I'm seeing jailbars in both the Sony mod and the normal one?

...or maybe it's just JPEG artefacts...hard to tell.

I guess this all depends on how sensitive you are to video sharpness.  Going between the built in encoder and the sony cxa2075 on the same tv right away I can see the difference in sharpness.  The sony encoder changes the colours a little bit but it looks amazing so no big deal.

I should also add that I recently did this mod on my second snes mini.  Before I did the mod when using the built in video encoder the system had that annoying translucent bar in the middle of the screen.  After I installed the sony cxa2075 circuit the translucent bar completely disappeared in s-video.

[Black Tiger]

Do the modded systems have s-video jacks, or are all three using the same cable from the A/V port?