Is the AV Famicom's video quality superior to the NES Toaster's?

[treismac]

  I am curious if anyone can verify if the AV Famicom does indeed have superior video quality to the original North American NES. Also, is there an established order amongst all of the different Japanese (Twin Famicom, Titler, etc.) and American versions of the systems in regards to video and other factors such as sound, reliability, or what-have-you? 

[treismac]

Yeah, it's 1080i HD with built-in 3D effect and true color palettes.

Oh thank heavens.  I am so tired of false color palettes prancing about on the Famicom and NES. 

[Phosphora]

Long answer short, The Sharp Titler is the only unmodded NES/Famicom that has good video output. It has an RGB PPU and Native S-Video output. The RGB color palette is a bit off, but completely irrelevant compared to the hideous video output on all other NES/Fami consoles. Unfortunately, the controller cords are only like 3' long on the Titler. However, the short controller cables didn't bother me at all in my rear projection retro-reflective home theater setup.

As for the Toaster vs an AV for composite, I'd say that both are very comparable with the slight edge going to the AV. After seeing a Titler first hand both will look like arse anyway, so go for the cheaper toaster if you don't have an FDS collection (or get an insanely rare Hudson Family Adaptor for FDS use on a toaster).

[RGB_Gamer]

I concur with the last poster. My RGB modded NES makes you never want to view anything composite video again. I actually liked the AV famicom for it's size and video quality vs the Toaster. I also liked the AV more sincw FDS worked on it which a Toaster could never do without an HES Unidapter (I own one, and they are rare).

[crade]

The reason people say the av is better is because it doeant have the jailbars that the nes 2 has.  i think other than the nes 2 the rest are equal but i havnt tried the regular famicom yet.  the titler is rgb which some people love but looks like an emulator ti me..

[crade]

The reason people say the av is better is because they paid more for it

Huh? It's not any more expensive than the NES 2 is.

[NintendoKing]

I equally like my NES 2 and AV Famicom, both serve their purpose.

[sconley666]

I think he means compared to a toaster or CORRECTLY modded fami

[NintendoKing]

I was just trying to say that the jailbars on NES 2 are really not bad, overall the benefits of a toploading model completely outweigh its inferior picture quality. NES-101 > NES-001

Also picture wise NES 2 is the same as original Famicom which also has jailbars, overall NES and AV Famicoms picture looks the same as I have access to all 4 to compare.

[GohanX]

I respectfully disagree, when I popped my NES2 in for the first time the jailbars astounded me with how bad they were, and I expected it.

That being said, AV modding it isn't particularly difficult. My NES2 outputs a signal as good as a toaster, although I can't answer the original question about if it's better than an AV Famicom or not since I've never used one.

[NintendoKing]

Some NES 2 are worse then others while some are actually contain no jailbars and in rarer cases Official AV NES 2 exist with exactly the same quality as AV Famicom.

I have also heard that fixing the jailbars is mega simple.

My NES 2 has extremely faint jailbars so I guess mine was a lucky one?

[sconley666]

I respectfully disagree, when I popped my NES2 in for the first time the jailbars astounded me with how bad they were, and I expected it.

That being said, AV modding it isn't particularly difficult. My NES2 outputs a signal as good as a toaster, although I can't answer the original question about if it's better than an AV Famicom or not since I've never used one.

I have 2 NES2s a SUPER SUPER low number one and a later model both are rf and the older one is far superior jailbar wise but the tv is key. On my old flat CRT tv 267" the jailbars aren't there at all with a little contrast brightness tweaking it looks great, the other one however looks good enough but you can see them, and the nicer or bigger or newer the tv the more they are noticeable. My dad gave me a 13" CRT with RCA and coax to play games on and they don't even seem visible on the tv at all.

That being said there are a few people who really are super knowledgeable about how to fix jailbars or av modding.  The biggest issues IMHO with the jailbars on the original FC and nes2 is shielding(none at all) and star grounding.

If you want sound advice from very bright and cool people talk to 80sFreak and Drakon both do great work and if you actually want to know WHY you are doing the mods and what they are accomplishing you you know what the hell is going on 80sfreak can explain it in a way that helps the comprehension process along quite nicely. He is actually a very nice person and very helpful. I think the same of Drakon.  But brilliant people that they are if you are super sensitive they may come off harsh to some. But if you are upfront and willing to put in the work yourself to not only do it but understand the process you will be very pleased with the outcome.  To me that is more meaningful than someone who doesn't who shot about anything posting a "tutorial" on how to and gives out bad information because lord knows people don't need to have bad info, spreading around.  If you want an explanation handed to you on a silver platter or a step by step then you may want to look elsewhere, because they just don't really work like that. Both are really cool dudes though.


Sorry for the book! hope I could help. Good luck mate!
Chao

[famifan]

for correct brightness level just use tested AV amplifier circuit with the proper gain level and the right output impedance.

[DerZocker]

I have the feeling that the picture on my TwinFami looks than the AV picture of my PAL NES. Can't speak for AV-Fami, though

[Great Hierophant]

Just over the three year anniversary, but I wanted to share my own answer to the original question.  My short answer is yes.  I see no jailbars with my licensed cartridges and my Famicom AV, even the NES carts through a pin converter except in the dark green color.  Jailbars exist more or less in every other standalone Famicom outside the Famicom Titler.  However, they are not particularly noticeable with a NES Front Loader unless you know what to look for.