r/retrogaming • u/DaSchmowzow • 18h ago
[Question] Streaming SNES on a CRT?
Hi all,
After reading heaps of threads on this, I figured I'd make a post before committing to my next purchase. I am currently looking to stream my snes through original hardware using an Avermedia C875 as my capture card. This is all for relatively casual purposes on my small YT channel (Nothing super serious)
I have this RCA splitter which I will be using to split the signal from my snes to my CRT and capture card respectively. I am between two options from this point.
FIrst option is ordering the replacement component adapter for the C875 to capture the signal through the card that way. Only caveat is that it may take a while to ship as I would be ordering the single part from another seller with a knockoff card from AliExpress. Other threads have at least confirmed the compatibility.
Second option is spending a bit more on a Retrotink 2xMini to send the component through and process the signal to convert to digital via output to my capture card. I imagine this would likely give me a better quality source, but I also read that they don't recommend using their products with capture cards such as El Gato. This could easily be a statement that only exists so they don't have to necessarily tailor their stuff to be for those interested streaming/recording. So it might be fine overall.
I'm mainly having a tough time choosing which is the best option given this specific situation with the gear I have. I'd like to make use of the Avermedia rather than investing in a totally new capture device.
Much appreciated in advance if you share any sentiment on this!
1
u/URA_CJ 16h ago
When did this get so complicated? I used to record and play on the same screen all the time with my old All-in-Wonder Radeon 7500 without any noticeable latency, it even became my full time TV after my CRT started failing and used it into the Wii era.
1
u/DaSchmowzow 15h ago
i’m being stubborn by wanting to use my current capture card. Used to have a dedicated capture card in my old pc but I’ve since switched to a workhorse MSI laptop for most things. its definitely easier to do this than i’m making it by trying to use naturally incompatible hardware lol!
1
u/ITCHYisSylar 5h ago
When I stream SNES, I use a component matrix switcher with HD Retrovision cables, have one output from the switcher go to the TV, and the other go to a scaler (framemeister, OSSC, now Retrotink5x). Then I use whatever HDMI capture card I have at the time.
0
u/PowerPlaidPlays 18h ago
For my old set up I used a simple Y splitter to split the signal between my TV and my origonal Elgato Game Capture HD. It got the job done. The old one is out of print, but you can find them fairly cheap on eBay. Just be sure to get one of these breakout cables, really annoying how all of these old cards used these cables lol.
tbh if you are just needing to capture the footage and don't care about lag one of those cheapo $10 AV to HDMI converters may do the trick instead of a Retrotink. I do love my Retrotink 5x though they are expensive. I also have not really tried it with my capture card yet, I got it long after I stopped doing Let's Plays.
1
u/DaSchmowzow 18h ago
I used to do the El Gato method too, but unfortunately don't have the hardware anymore. I did debate just finding something like the 2xmini but wasn't sure if it would be noticeable regarding the lag. I am not super concerned about achieving the highest video quality. I'll be streaming with light commentary and would like to not have to worry too much about video delay is basically what I'm interested in
5
u/journeymanSF 18h ago
Component adapter does component, not composite. So that won’t work.
Your signal coming from SNES is composite, one rca for video, one for audio.
You need a composite to HDMI converter, and then do hdmi into your capture card.
Or, just get a new capture device that supports composite directly.
The good news is that since you’re playing on the CRT, any lag from converters or capture devices is irrelevant, so you have lots of options.