Famicom RF with NES TopLoader?

[SmaMan]

I've used the Famicom RF switch (the one that goes through that beige box with the black knobs on it) on my PC Engine and it works fine. However I was trying to get it to work with my US NES TopLoader (NES-101 I believe?) last night and it wouldn't work.

Does anyone know if this is supposed to work, and if so, would it go over channel 3/4 or 95/96?

[DragonmasterDan]

I've used the Famicom RF switch (the one that goes through that beige box with the black knobs on it) on my PC Engine and it works fine. However I was trying to get it to work with my US NES TopLoader (NES-101 I believe?) last night and it wouldn't work.

Does anyone know if this is supposed to work, and if so, would it go over channel 3/4 or 95/96?

I've done the reverse and used a US RF switch on a Famicom and top loader and that worked fine.

[SmaMan]

I've sort of done that, using my US TopLoader RF with my PC Engine. I can't remember off hand which channel it went to, but I believe it was 95.

I notice the static on channel 3 gets a little bit brighter whenever I turn the power on. I remember seeing some color at one point too, but twisting it around only seems to have marginal efforts. The RF cable may have just finally kicked the bucket. I noticed the pin on it was a little bent out of shape.

[DragonmasterDan]

I've sort of done that, using my US TopLoader RF with my PC Engine. I can't remember off hand which channel it went to, but I believe it was 95.

I notice the static on channel 3 gets a little bit brighter whenever I turn the power on. I remember seeing some color at one point too, but twisting it around only seems to have marginal efforts. The RF cable may have just finally kicked the bucket. I noticed the pin on it was a little bent out of shape.

I've not used the Japanese RF switches, but the US one works for Famicom and NES top loader (or SMS, TurboGrafx etc) without a hitch as long as you have the right channel set.

[esteban]

I've used the Famicom RF switch (the one that goes through that beige box with the black knobs on it) on my PC Engine and it works fine. However I was trying to get it to work with my US NES TopLoader (NES-101 I believe?) last night and it wouldn't work.

Does anyone know if this is supposed to work, and if so, would it go over channel 3/4 or 95/96?

The cables/RF switch are agnostic....the console is responsible for generating the signal, so U.S. RF-out should be channels 3/4.  This is a general rule and applies to all devices...  

PROTIP: I concocted this answer without a shred of science or actual knowledge of electronics!

[DragonmasterDan]

I should probably ask if you're using an American television set (made for America) or a Japanese television set.

That might make a difference as far as what channel it comes in on.

[ApolloBoy]

Why not use one of these: http://tinyurl.com/mwou7h4

[Opethian]

Apollo thats great but what will you do about sound? lol

[ApolloBoy]

Apollo thats great but what will you do about sound? lol

It's RF, both the video and audio signals are passed through the same cable.

[Opethian]

yea but that adaptor doesnt break out the audio
most people just use an old VCR to accomplish this.

[SmaMan]

I saw stuff like that before, and heard about the audio problems. I've been looking for something like that to get Audio/Video off my C64 (I have some awesome SID chiptunes my dad and I made decades ago)

Either way, I grabbed an old NES "grey box" RF cord. Works well. I guess it's about time I ditch the Fammy one.

Oh and my TV is US, btw.

EDIT: Ooh! Maybe this trick would work with the audio.

[ApolloBoy]

yea but that adaptor doesnt break out the audio

Neither does any RF switchbox. Again, this is RF so the video and audio signals are going to be combined with the same cable. I suggested that adaptor because it's a little easier to set up than a switchbox and it drastically reduces interference when paired with a proper shielded cable. I've used one with my Famicom and PCE before I modded them and it worked fine.

[SmaMan]

So, hang on, lemme try to understand this... both the audio and the video would be going through the yellow video cable?

[ApolloBoy]

So, hang on, lemme try to understand this... both the audio and the video would be going through the yellow video cable?

Composite video (which is represented by a yellow cable) is just that, composite video. The audio is separate and hence you'll need separate cables for that.

However, we're talking about RF, which carries both the video and audio signals on a single cable to your TV. With that adaptor I linked to earlier, you plug your cable from the RF port on the system into it, and then you plug the whole thing into the cable input on your TV. Now it doesn't matter which cable you use; a composite video cable will work fine for RF, although it's better to use a shielded cable to reduce interference.

[Duo_R]

Sounds like a good reason to composite mod the system

[ApolloBoy]

Sounds like a good reason to composite mod the system

Or even better, S-video.