Topic: N64 that's producing a bad video signal.

Hello,

I was given an N64 that's producing a bad video signal. It's very dark and it seems like its too red.

My first thought was an issue with the capacitors. I replaced those, and the picture is the same. I probably should have done more research before I did that. Then I thought maybe it had something to do with the multiout port so I cleaned the pins on that. I also cleaned the cartridge port while I was at it.

Then I started plugging it into different TVs. On two different CRTs I'm getting a similarly compromised image. However for some reason when I plug it into my elgato video capture device, it seems almost normal (maybe a little dark).

Here's a list of everything ive done so far

Replaced Capacitors
Cleaned Multiout Port
Cleaned Cartridge Slot
Tested with 2 different sets of OEM AV Cables

Here's a comparison of images from the different displays I've had this connected to.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It IS a very old console, so things like that may happen now and then. I don’t know much about tech however, so I can’t really help you. But, there are a few people on Nintendo Life who may know such things. I’d ask them 😃

N64 AV cables are different for different region consoles. If your console is PAL (Europe, Australia etc), you will need a PAL cable, and an NTSC cable if it is NTSC. (USA, Japan etc). They are slightly different, and common issues from using the wrong one are things like weirdly dim or bright images. Strange that it looks of on your elgato video capture device, perhaps it processes the image differently, and adjusts to compensate. Hope this helps!

I'm having the same exact problem. It started quite a few years ago, but usually went away. It was real bad last night, the picture dropped out completely and wouldn't come back.

It Internet is telling me that it's either a dirty cartridge slot (which it is a bit dirty) and/or a bad connection with the jumper/RAM expansion. Gonna have to open it up and see, hopefully that is the case.

If the Elgato Capture card has the colours right, that sounds more like a problem with the TV rather than the N64. Have you used that N64 on other TVs, and have you tried any other consoles on that TV. I have a feeling that your TV might have issues.

I would test the TV.

I had a look into it, it appears to be an issue with N64s where either the red colour is oversaturated or completely disappears. Sounds like there's a problem with the N64's red colour output. I'll see if anyone has solved the issue, though it's interesting to know that a cap replacement didn't solve the problem.