Making a Commodore C64 S-Video Cable

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  • Опубліковано 3 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 97

  • @romanhimmes171
    @romanhimmes171 3 роки тому +3

    Just created a cable with the help of this video. Works like a charm.
    Can't stress enough: Get a good DIN adapter!

  • @EngineeringVignettes
    @EngineeringVignettes 6 років тому +10

    I remember doing this as a youn 'un back in the late 80's. I did not have access to the connector though so I put copper wires into the connector on the C64, added a paper tube around it and then "poured" a connector using hot-glue. Worked surprisingly well. So it was a bit of a ghetto solution.
    So there's a tip for new players, if you don't have what you need, learn to improvise.
    Cheers,
    - Eddy

  • @Fratm
    @Fratm 6 років тому +3

    Jan, Just wanted to say to you, your videos are great. Anytime I need to work on my C64 I know to search your videos first. Great resource. Thank you for doing these videos, and cheers from the U.S.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  6 років тому

      Thank you so much! Glad to help. :)

  • @mariorol5376
    @mariorol5376 7 років тому +5

    Years ago I built an X1541 cable as my first real soldering project. Watching your video I can almost relive the trouble (and occasional swearing) I went through with all those wires and pins so close together. The cable turned out fine though!

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому +1

      Haha, yeah, the DIN connectors are painful to work with. I'll never get used to that I guess.

  • @dennisp.2147
    @dennisp.2147 7 років тому +3

    If you accidentally buy the incorrect DIN plug, you can simply remove pins 7 and 8, as you only need the 1-6 for making the cable.
    It also might be worth considering potting (encapsulating in epoxy) your solder joints inside he cable for strain relief purposes. The wires are thin and fiddly, and will break easily after a surprisingly small amount of "working".

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому +1

      Good idea removing the pins. Also adding epoxy or hot glue would definitely strengthen the cable. Thanks for the tips!

  • @smnh776
    @smnh776 5 років тому +3

    Tip: solder the resistor to the plug first, then put some heat shrink over it. Then all the rest of the soldering is around the outside and on top, and you have a lot more leeway for unsteady hands if you need it.
    Also, I don’t think you’re supposed to ground signal inputs without a series resistor or something. There’s a risk that audio-in will make contact before the ground pin and then you’re grounding your TV via the SID chip and it might not like that.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  5 років тому

      Makes sense! Thanks! :)

    • @joerinaldi5
      @joerinaldi5 Рік тому

      I usually keep case ground seperate to signal ground.

  • @mlongval
    @mlongval 2 роки тому

    Thanks Jan! I really enjoy your videos. They are very instructive. Cheers from Canada!

  • @paul1812
    @paul1812 8 років тому +3

    Excellent video. Detail is great!! Thank you.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  8 років тому +1

      +Paul ### Thanks! The results look a lot better on proper video hardware. TV stick thingy I was using for this video was broken. :/

    • @menotu000
      @menotu000 7 років тому

      nicely done, I wish there was more than one ground in that connector though - that would make the signal even cleaner... have you thought about adding a cap to filter any interference (cross talk between audio and video)

  • @sulrich70
    @sulrich70 7 років тому +1

    Nicely explained, and you made it easy to understand. Thank you.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      Oh, thanks! Glad to help. :)

  • @MultiArrie
    @MultiArrie 7 років тому

    Thank you Jan, made a cable almost the same way you did without a instruction video. I use a pc sound cable with a 3.5 mm jack they fit a lot better together in the Din plug.
    Also i bought a S-video to VGA convertor on Ebay so a old lcd pc monitor replaces the small crt tv.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      Which VGA converter are you using? I'm using a cheap HDMI converter that works fine but is a bit laggy when playing faster games so I'm looking for something better.

    • @MultiArrie
      @MultiArrie 7 років тому

      its a brandless thing with chinese osd instructions, s-video and VGA both are analog signals so not much of a conversion lag. www.ebay.de/itm/TV-RCA-Composite-S-Video-AV-In-To-PC-VGA-LCD-Out-Converter-Adapter-Box-US-FF-/132042320898?hash=item1ebe55ec02:g:AjIAAOSw9mFWJLVH

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      +MultiArrie Thanks!

    • @TorstenSeemann
      @TorstenSeemann 7 років тому

      Many of the older Dell LCD monitors have S-Video input, which I've heard looks very good with C64 output.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      Oh, interesting. I was wondering which more recent monitors would work. Thanks for the tip. I’ll be on the lookout. ;)

  • @kacikretrogracza
    @kacikretrogracza 2 роки тому

    Nach diese Video hab ich sofort 2 S-Video Kabel gemacht, Das Bild ist jetzt besser als durch Scart. Danke 👍😄🍻

  • @svenpetersen1965
    @svenpetersen1965 6 років тому

    Genau danach habe ich gesucht :-) Da Du Dich so liebevoll um die C64er kümmerst, hat es mich angesteckt. Ich möchte wenigstens sehen, ob meiner noch lebt.

  • @bit-ishbulldog2089
    @bit-ishbulldog2089 7 років тому

    I got a quality S-Video cable that has a switch for Composite or S-Video (Scart) I paid £15, it was hand made, had it shipped from Europe to UK.. Quality cable. The image on screen improved 100% on LCD 32inch screen.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      +Video/Computer Games-Played-today Nice! The video quality from the S-video out is indeed surprisingly good on the C64s, especially on newer VIC-II revisions and the C64C and G. :)

  • @10MARC
    @10MARC 6 років тому

    Thanks for the video. I did not know the wiki page showed the solder side of the DIN connector - no wonder the cable I made for my VIC-20 did not work! Time to re do it!

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  6 років тому

      Yeah, I always find these pinouts confusing, too, that's why I mentioned it so prominently. Hope you get your cable working. :)

    • @10MARC
      @10MARC 6 років тому

      @@JanBeta Yes - I just changed the cable and it works fantastic now! I have the parts to make the S-video cable for my C64 so I will tackle that today.

  • @grave8digger8
    @grave8digger8 7 років тому +2

    Great and big thanx Jan

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      No problem. :)

  • @HansCampbell
    @HansCampbell 6 років тому +1

    Jan, I think it is better to have the 2 video grounds separated, like they are in your drawing. They will fit in the pin holes better, too.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  6 років тому

      Yes, it’s probably even better for the picture quality, too. Still learning my way around things... :)

    • @bryanminugh9680
      @bryanminugh9680 11 місяців тому

      (this vid just reposted today in a f. Bk forum) select the S-Video cord with separate braided copper jackets around L and C wires... proper 75Ohms coax transmission lines, the don't "ghost" smear the right side of text characters.

  • @ScoopexUs
    @ScoopexUs 7 років тому +1

    Is there some background on how the value for the resistor was arrived at? Had a quick look at ilesj's blog but I couldn't find it.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому +1

      I don't know really but I guess it was derived from the s-video standard. It's there for adjusting the C64's output (that is a bit too high) for that. Probably someone measured it sometime. I just took the value from ilesj's blog and it worked for me so I didn't do any more research in that direction.

    • @smnh776
      @smnh776 5 років тому

      @Jan Beta I think it's forming a divider with the 75Ω termination in the TV input, to reduce the signal by about 80%? That would be consistent with TTL down to 1Vpp signal standard.

  • @rimmersbryggeri
    @rimmersbryggeri 7 років тому +1

    Ground doesnt go to the sleeve? That is very strange to me? Thats where I would usually connect the mantle braid.

  • @MichaelBLive
    @MichaelBLive 6 років тому

    Exactly what I needed. Thanks!

  • @RazerMike89
    @RazerMike89 4 роки тому

    3:03 Hi Jan, do the diagrams present the plug from the front or is this the socket view? Edit: the question is about the c64 diagram, as i see that svideo is the plug front view...

    • @doctordapp
      @doctordapp 3 роки тому

      As stated, s-video is seen from the connector side....
      C64 is from the solder side, equal to machine side...
      I will put an smd 330 Ohm in it, takes less space..

  • @TheDrunkenPL
    @TheDrunkenPL 5 років тому

    SVideo colors jumps on your capture card more than on composite but of course blacks/whites are more defined.
    Overall I would see that the difference in this case (which I am shocked to say) is neglictable.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  5 років тому

      The difference is far more obvious on my new upscaler. I was using a TV stick at the time and it corrected a lot of the fuzzy composite signal automagically. There is a huge difference in quality on most devices I’ve tested later.

  • @00Skyfox
    @00Skyfox 7 років тому

    How did you get that test pattern on the C64 screen?
    Very true about your note on being careful when connecting an audio source to the audio input pin. I once blew out a SID chip by connecting what was essentially a speaker out, so it was amplified. The only thing that's safe is an unamplified output, something that would normally have to be connected to a TV or external amplifier to get any usable sound.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      It's a little test pattern program I'm running (it's linked in the video description). I blew a SID once because I shorted something out accidentally so I'm very careful with these chips now. ;)

  • @daspec
    @daspec 2 роки тому

    What if you have the dual SID adapter in the C64 for stereo sound?
    I guess in that case you keep the 2 audio cables separate?

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  2 роки тому

      Yes, that's the way to do it with a dual SID adapter. There are a couple of different "standards" how the dual SID boards connect to the C64 A/V connector, usually the second SID's output connects to one of the unused pins. Should be relatively straightforward. :)

  • @timgeorg484
    @timgeorg484 4 роки тому

    Hallo Jan,
    Ich wusste gar nicht, dass es ein vom C64 generiertes Testbild gibt.
    Gibt es die entsprechende Datei irgendwo zum Download?

  • @Kordanor
    @Kordanor 4 роки тому

    Speaking of video quality I was wondering which camera you were using to film this. Seeing this video is already 4 years old and you have excellent picture quality, even though you are filimg in a darker environment. For example there is no grain in the shadow of your hand. Do you remember which camera you used back then? Did you replace it in the meanwhile?

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  4 роки тому +1

      Oh, I'm using elderly iPhones actually. I found that they are the best value for money cameras, even after trying a vastly more expensive DSLR. They are also light and don't take up a lot of room (especially when I'm working on something and have to set the camera up in front of me). I think when I shot this, the "camera" was my old half-broken iPhone 5S still. Upgraded to an SE in the meantime. I use the Filmic app, which adds a lot of useful controls (like fixed focus and exposure) and allows you to record less compressed video.

    • @KordanorsReviews
      @KordanorsReviews 4 роки тому

      @@JanBeta Alright, coo, thanks a lot! Got a Mi A2, but unfortunately the camera isn't really good enough to record anything in environments not flooded with light. Will continue my search to find a decent camera

  • @rddr41
    @rddr41 6 років тому +1

    Hi Jan, I did love your Commodore c128 resto, and now did I see this C64, video cable making,
    and I just send you a link to a page on the net that shows how to make a RGBI cable to scart for the c128,
    it says it will work in 40/80 rows.
    Maybe you can make one and show how it works. I know that I would buy one if any one make them.
    Kind Regards
    Dennis R

    • @rddr41
      @rddr41 6 років тому

      sorry did forget the link
      sites.google.com/site/h2obsession/CBM/C128/rgbi-to-scart

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  6 років тому

      I'm planning on doing a slightly different adapter for the C128 soon (already have the parts laying around here). :)

  • @be236
    @be236 5 років тому

    Nice! I wanted to do this type of cabling... but it just seemed too time-consuming.. dont they have these various types of cablings on E-bay? I have a Commodore VIC-20 and with its 5-pin video port, but have Commodore 64 8-pin video cable.. so can't use that.. Need to get the correct VIC-20 video cable.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  5 років тому +1

      You can use any 5-pin DIN cable for the C64 or the Atari 800XL on the VIC-20, too. It’s not S-video, only composite, though.

    • @be236
      @be236 5 років тому

      @@JanBeta Yeah, I tried to splice a 5-pin DIN connector , and it didnt work. My soldering skills not good and I dont have patience and the time.. I saw a 5-pin DIN connector cable with two RCA jacks output, one video, one audio... on ebay for about $5 from HK.. so I'll probably just get that... I would like to play with my VIC-20 again soon.

  • @techstormster
    @techstormster 7 років тому

    Made the Cable using a 270 degree 8 pin din by removing the unused pins. Didn't use an Svideo cable. I used a three wire component cable to use on my Lu/Ch to SVideo Adapter and on the old Commodore monitors I have. Soldered all the grounds to pins 2 and 5. Video is Fantastic but I don't have any sound. Probably my poor Sid Chip.

    • @techstormster
      @techstormster 7 років тому

      It was the Sid Chip. Good Cable.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      Ah, I was about to say that it works for me. Are you going to source a real SID or going for a modern replacement part like SwinSID?

  • @svenpetersen1965
    @svenpetersen1965 6 років тому +1

    Irgendwie haut es mit dem S-Video bei mir nicht hin. Ich habe den 330R-Widerstand in der Chroma-Leitung, am USB-Framegrabber funzt es prima, am deleyCON SCART/HDMI-Adapter, der mit composite video halbwegs anständige Bilder macht, ist es mit den Farben unter S-Video ganz blöd. Ich habe mir einen LumaFix64 gebaut, damit kann man ja den Widerstand in der Chroma-Leitung von 0-2k einstellen. mit hell auf dunkelblau im Startbildschirm geht es nicht wirklich gut, aber mit weiß auf schwarz geht es gar nicht. Mein erster S-Video/HDMI-Umsetzer ist noch schlechter, aber anders schlecht. Was hast Du den für einen Umsetzer von S-Video auf Monitor?

    • @MUFSpoiler
      @MUFSpoiler 2 роки тому

      konntest du das Problem inzwischen lösen? habe Probleme mit S-Video am Dell 2001 FP. Habe das Schachbrettmuster. Sehr nervig. Ich hoffe es durch ein besseres Kabel weg zu bekommen. Lumafix hab ich nicht geplant bisher.

  • @deborahberi3249
    @deborahberi3249 6 років тому

    Sorry but only my wife has a Gmail Account but I wanted to comment on the fact that I don't recall seeing you connect the S-Video Ground wires to Pin 2 of the DIN? Am I wrong there and if so can you provide me with the time in the Video where you do that so I can watch it?
    Thanks....Mark.

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  6 років тому

      Hey Mark, I did solder all the grounds to pin 2 but as I state in the video, my camera gave in half-way through soldering so I had to edit it out. :/

    • @deborahberi3249
      @deborahberi3249 6 років тому

      I wanted to see how you managed to solder all those ground wires in that tiny hole on Pin 2. I counted 2 Ground wires from the S-Video, 1 Ground from Audio in and at least 1 (maybe 2) Ground(s) from the Audio cable.
      It seems easier to connect all those wires with a Butt Heatshrink connector to ONE wire and the just soldering that one no?
      -Mark

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  6 років тому

      If I remember correctly, they just about fit in in my case because the audio wires are really thin. You could of course solder on another wire or attach a crimp connector if it doesn’t fit any other way.

  • @-dj-d4r065
    @-dj-d4r065 6 років тому

    I made same cable but mine works diffrent. The screen jumps up and down. On plain text i see it esier. In games or demos almost not. Could this be because of poor tv? I can't test it on other tv. Maybe it's prefer tv for svideo cable. I don't know how to get info from my tv that it have real svideo compatible. Sorry for mistakes. I came from PL

  • @cyb3rk3v
    @cyb3rk3v 7 років тому

    What's the purpose of the 5V signal on pin 8 of the older units?

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      I don't really know. Maybe it was meant to power external stuff like RF modulators before Commodore decided on integrating a modulator into the C64?

  • @Chris290470
    @Chris290470 5 років тому

    Just found this video :) Since everyone hates soldering DINs, why not just use a MIDI (5 pin DIN) cable and cut off one end and attach the RCAs + resister ? much easier job.

    • @Epezpalace
      @Epezpalace 4 роки тому

      Nobody answered yet, but 5-pin-cable haven't middle pin for chroma. Btw you still have good monochrome-picture even with component signal.

    • @infindebula
      @infindebula 2 роки тому

      Even if the 5-pin MIDI cable had all the signals you'd need for S-Video, the pins are oriented differently. It physically won't plug in to the C64.

  • @piotrkochanek3192
    @piotrkochanek3192 7 років тому

    i made and is monochrome black & white.next i was trying with potenciometr 1k and still is b&w. what's wrong???

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      Mh, difficult to say from a distance. Seems like you only get the luminance (brightness) signal out there and missing the chroma (color). Does the TV support standard S-video? It might be that the C64's signal is too far away from the standard for this particular TV/monitor you're using. Otherwise I'd guess there's a connection missing or shorting out to ground somewhere in your cable.

    • @piotrkochanek3192
      @piotrkochanek3192 7 років тому

      yes 100 % compatible with s video. i made s video mod in all my consoles and it works ok. i was trying on dlp projector, crt and lcd tv and c 64 is monochrome. i using s video ( luma chroma and ground) the cable is 100 % correct (i was measured with multimetr)very good connectors and cable quality and not working good.

    • @piotrkochanek3192
      @piotrkochanek3192 7 років тому

      composite has color but it;s not s-video...

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      That's strange. Maybe the monitor is too picky and does not accept the levels of the C64 s-video. Even if you put resistors in, it might still be slightly off. Sorry I can't really help. :(

  • @kumsuk77777
    @kumsuk77777 2 роки тому

    What about audio?

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  2 роки тому

      The cable I made has dual mono audio via Cinch plugs (as explained in the video).

  • @Fred_Klingon
    @Fred_Klingon 5 років тому

    Hi, the support that you're using for soldering is called "third hand" ....not dirt hand :) maybe I heard bad tough...

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  5 років тому

      Oh, I know that, probably my German accent got in the way again. :D

  • @TheSocialGamer
    @TheSocialGamer 5 років тому

    MAN.! You didn't record the most important part. I wanted to see how tight and neat you placed the shell cover of it. 😣

  • @alexisautube
    @alexisautube 4 роки тому

    Could have made all the connections to a small "junction# box in line with the main cable and only bring into the jack a very minimum amount of wires, which would help a lot with the jack assembly and also reliability.. NICE Video though, I enjoyed it!

  • @randysmith7094
    @randysmith7094 5 років тому

    WTF DIN numbering!? 71425386!? That makes a lot of sense!?

  • @snesfan8935
    @snesfan8935 6 років тому +2

    Too bad that C64 doesn't have RGB. Disappointing.

    • @CrazyBossDK
      @CrazyBossDK 5 років тому

      Should SVIDEO not be almost the Same?

    • @SuperGachet
      @SuperGachet 4 роки тому

      @@CrazyBossDK Not at all. RGB carries 3 different signals, one for red, green and blue. S-Video only separates the chrominance and the luminance.

    • @sa3270
      @sa3270 4 місяці тому

      Well S-Video is almost as good. It eliminates color fringing, which is the most objectionable artifact in composite, and also permits a sharper picture. Colors have to originate as either RGB or an HSL, and since RGB was not ubiquitously supported by TVs and monitors back then...HSL it was. Even if it did have RGB...it would merely be doing the same conversion that already happens in your TV. For the resolution of the Commodore 64 and the limited color palette...there's not much to gain from RGB.

  • @uwemalzahn3685
    @uwemalzahn3685 Рік тому

    Schöne Beschreibung ich kann nur kein Englisch 😢

  • @infinitecanadian
    @infinitecanadian 6 років тому +1

    Cable connectors shouldn't have to go to the trash. Most electronic components should be recyclable in your country.

  • @MiamiMillionaire
    @MiamiMillionaire 7 років тому +1

    Also ich benutze eigentlich immer den normalen Antennenanschluss, die Bildqualität davon was mir immer genug .

    • @JanBeta
      @JanBeta  7 років тому

      Gibt tatsächlich schlechtere RF-Modulatoren als die Teile, die im C64 verbaut wurden. Gerade auf moderneren Bildschirmen macht das aber schon einen ganz schönen Unterschied, weil du jede kleine Störung im Signal siehst.

    • @MiamiMillionaire
      @MiamiMillionaire 7 років тому

      Da bin ich einfach Oldschool, Ich hab für meinen einen extra CRT Fernseher über dem Schreibtisch an die Want geschraubt.