AV overview
Audio and video output overview
The Super Nintendo can output a surprisingly wide range of video signals, and the quality you get depends on both your console revision and the cable or mod you use. This page compares the main options so you can choose what suits your display and budget.
| Method | Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | Low | Single yellow cable, blurry, works on any TV. |
| S-Video | Medium | Separates color and brightness for a sharper image; no console mod needed. |
| RGB SCART | High | Best analog quality; many consoles need a small amp depending on revision. |
| HDMI (internal mod) | High | Digital output to modern TVs; requires installing a dedicated board. |
Choosing an option
- For a quick upgrade on a CRT, an S-Video cable is plug and play.
- For the best analog picture, RGB into a SCART display or upscaler is the enthusiast standard.
- For a modern flat panel, an internal HDMI mod gives a clean digital signal.
Know your console first
SNES revisions differ in how cleanly they output RGB. The single chip 1CHIP boards look sharpest, older multi chip boards may need a bypass amp, and the compact SNES Jr requires an RGB bypass amp because it omits the circuitry entirely. Identify your board before buying parts.
The pages that follow cover each output method in detail, including the specific modifications certain revisions require to produce a clean signal.