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Topic: Is it possible to connect Japanese retro systems to American TVs?

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Truegamer79

I kinda want to get a Famicom and super Famicom but i live in the US. I know i can just emulate the games but I was wondering if the actual hardware can be used on modern or even old American TVs.

Truegamer79

GX_64

@Truegamer79 For older TVs (ones that still have a composite video input) the Super Famicom should be fine, you just need to get an AV cable, not the RF adapter. However, a small amount of TVs, particularly ones from the last few years, have issues with the unusual 240p signal. You will need an adapter like the RetroTINK https://www.retrotink.com/product-page/2x-mini .

EDIT: If your TV have an S-Video input, or you get the RetroTINK, I recommend getting an S-Video cable for the Super Famicom instead of the usual AV cable. The regular composite video looks pretty bad on HD TVs. WARNING: If you get a Super Famicom JR (less common, later revision), the S-Video cable will not work, you will have to use a regular AV cable.

The Famicom will be more of a problem. The original Famicom only has RF. I have heard of some people getting it working on American TVs, but the issue is that it doesn't use channel 3 or 4, instead it uses channel 90 something, which some TVs have issues with.
EDIT: you need to use an American NES RF adapter instead of the original one. You will need to put your TV on either channel 95 or 96.
You could try getting a AV Famicom, or an original one with an AV mod. Then the issue will be the same as the Super Famicom with the unusual low resolution signal.

Also, you will need a step down transformer for power since the Japanese consoles use 100V which is lower than what is used in the US.

Edited on by GX_64

GX_64

KingMike

The only reason to get a Super Famicom in the US is for the looks.
You can clip the tabs inside the cartridge slot of a US console and it will be functionally 100% the same as a SFC (well better, because you can fit SFC carts in a US cart slot without exterior modification, but you can't do the reverse).

I use an AV Famicom, though I use a generic power supply (showing how many years ago I got it, it was one of the Radio Shack universal power supplies, back when that store was in existence! )
From what I understand the important thing is what the PSU is sending INTO the console rather what the PSU itself is doing (as for finding a replacement): the Volt (10V is the original, though I've been told 9V standard is safe enough), Amp (that equal or greater rating is safe) and tip polarity (must match).

KingMike

michaelpohara

Truegamer79 wrote:

I kinda want to get a Famicom and super Famicom but i live in the US. I know i can just emulate the games but I was wondering if the actual hardware can be used on modern or even old American TVs.

You can also go the Mini route, and buy the Famicom/SFC Minis if you're so inclined. If you do this, be forewarned that the Famicom mini's controllers are hardwired to the system, plus they are super small.

If you want/are inclined to play on physical carts, you could also not go wrong with a Super NT from Analogue, whenever they come back in stock.

Edited on by michaelpohara

"It is better to stay silent and let people assume you are a fool, than to speak and confirm their assumptions."

KingMike

Not sure why Nintendo did that with the FC Mini.
I understand the design considerations but they should've at least put the sockets on the back rather than resurrected a problem they know about 30 years earlier.

KingMike

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