You can mod it to add HDMI out, but I couldn't find anywhere selling the mod any more.I do run all my gamecube games on a Wii these days, since it was easy to mod and install them all to a memory card.Regarding your c/sync question, you want integrated sync. I seem to recall the best results to be had on my PAL 'cube were with the component cable, which wasn't massively expensive back in the day.I have a Freeloader disc, but can't recall ever doing anything with it beyond booting up American game discs.
I started importing American games for it because I got sick and tired of the 'will it or won't it support 60Hz?' Lottery that buying PAL games always used to be.If I recall correctly, progressive scan is a component cable only thing, and Scart (Euro connector) is only capable of carrying an interlaced signal.Your best solution is to either buy that component cable and stick with your trusty Gamecube, or stump up for a Wii and Wii2HDMI adapter. Depends whether there are Wii games that you want to play, really. Don't expect image-quality miracles from that HDMI adapter, though, because the Wii is a standard-definition console, i.e.
That's going to look a bit crummy on modern screens no matter what you do.If you go down the Wii route, bear in mind that they stripped the Gamecube compatibility out of later Wii hardware revisions - so you'll have to make sure you get one of the earlier models. The original Wii console has 2x Gamecube memory card slots and 4x Gamecube controller ports hidden away under a flap on the side. Later models lack any of those ports and can't play Gamecube games. There is an application 'nintendont' for wii u that allows you to play gamecube games on wii u using its wii hdmi output. Because the hardware is in there, its not emulated and gives the full experience of the original game in performance terms but I think it doesn't use standard gamecube controllers even if connected to a gamecube port to usb adapter but not sure about this.
It's another option to consider. Personally I use a wii for gamecube games but I'm intending to sort out homebrew on my wii u. Basically I'm going to play and enjoy Zelda on the wii u and then after that start mucking about with it and installing homebrew etc. The GC component cable was only available in Japan from a few select outlets and Nintendo trade fairs, there are believed to be less than a thousand in existence. The Component cable was never compatible with PAL machines as the Digital out on PAL machines was different to the NTSC/JP Gamecube's. I was lucky to own a Component cable when I had an early modded NTSC machine, the 480p output was pretty good but only worked with a few select titles that required a button combo press on start up allowing the user to select resolution.The best you can achieve today on original hardware is the HDMI mod via a FPGA board, but this requires a deft hand with the soldering iron as it connects directly to the GPU and a certain amount of mounting work within the chassis for a neat installation. Unfortunately there seems to be no FPGA HDMI mod boards currently available.
No worries mate, I'm not all that switched up on the Wii, but I'm led to believe the Wii component output is considerably worse than what was achievable with the component solution on the Gamecube.Unfortunately the GC component cables are big money, if your ever in the market for one then you'd be looking to part with up to £200 these days. I bought one many years ago from a local game importer for £90 which I thought was pretty extortionate, but he only ever had the two with no chance of ever acquiring more, I use to use it with the Toshiba CRT picture frame sets, probably the finest CRT available before the onslaught of LCD and plasma, the picture was excellent, not so great though when used on modern panels which does seem to be the case with all legacy hardware on modern sets these days.Mind you having read and watched few Tube vids on the HDMI mod, that does produce a stunning picture upscaled 720/1080p on modern TV's. I totally understand the OP's quest for optimal picture quality on 'retro' consoles - I shelled out for an official RGB Scart cable for an Atari Jaguar (for about 2 games), experimented with RGB / S-Video cables on the SNES / N64, imported an American Xbox for its superior video, and even an original-model US PS3 just to be able to play my PS1/PS2 games with HDMI clarity. So if the OP is on a 'geeky quest', it's a quest that I can relate to and am on myself!
If you love retro games, it's worth itDidn't know about those Wii2HDMI dongles prior to reading this thread, so I reckon I'll have to grab one of those now, and see how F-Zero GX looks. They seem very reasonably priced too, at somewhere between £5-£10 incl. JoeGBallad wrote:So I went for the lazy option and ordered an RGB Scart cable.
Gamecube Digital Port Pinout 3
Gamecube Digital Port Pinout 2
I am fully aware that it's probably one of the 'middle-ground' options but it looks like UK suppliers won't be doing the HDMI mod for a while.I was considering Nintendont on Wii U, but two things stopped me: I don't want to brick my console, and I'd rather just play my gamecube discs than have to dump them onto an SD card.I'm not sure I understand why you didn't go for a back compatible Wii and a component cable to be honest.Anyway personally I go with CRT + RGB for standard definition consoles. If I had to play an SD game on a massive HDTV I'd be more likely to consider emulation, though I have no idea what it takes to emulate GC nicely.