SNES — RGB bypass / amp¶
The Super Nintendo outputs native RGB… but the quality depends heavily on the revision. Depending on the board you need either nothing, an amp (THS7314), or a real bypass mod for the models that only output composite (SNS-101 / SF Jr).
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Systems | Super Nintendo / Super Famicom (all revisions) |
| Type | RGB amp (2-chip) or RGB bypass (weak 1CHIP / SNS-101) |
| Level | 🟡 (amp) → 🟠 (SNS-101 bypass, fine soldering on the PPU) |
Three cases by board¶
| Board | Native RGB? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 2-chip (separate PPU1 + PPU2, early boards) | yes, but a bit dull | THS7314 amp for brightness + clean csync |
1CHIP (SHVC-1CHIP-0x / SNSP-1CHIP) |
yes, excellent stock | nothing (or a light amp) — the board to seek |
| SNS-101 / SF Jr (miniature) | no — composite only | RGB bypass mod: tap the PPU to bring out R/G/B |
Spotting a 1CHIP
The RGB Grail: a board marked 1CHIP (integrated PPU). Sharper, more vivid image
without a mod. 2-chip boards are good with an amp; SNS-101 need the real mod.
Principle of the setups¶
- Amp (2-chip / weak 1CHIP): insert a THS7314 on the R/G/B lines (and buffer the csync) to compensate the DC offset and raise the level → sharp, bright image. See RGB & SCART.
- RGB bypass (SNS-101): the mini chassis doesn't expose RGB → you solder directly on the S-PPU's RGB outputs and add an amp + a multi-out. Fine soldering (closely-spaced pins).
Installation (summary)¶
- Identify the board (open, read the silkscreen:
1CHIP?SNS-101?). - 2-chip: wire the amp to the multi-out, 5 V power, csync.
- SNS-101: tap R/G/B + sync on the PPU, amp, then AV faceplate.
- Check pin 16 on the SCART side and the 75 Ω (see the RGB page).
Before / after¶
| Criterion | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| 2-chip without amp | slightly dark/soft RGB | bright, sharp (amp) |
| SNS-101 stock | blurry composite | clean RGB (bypass) |
Where to buy¶
- THS7314 amp boards ready to solder: mod shops (see RetroRGB — SNES dossier: https://www.retrorgb.com/snes.html).
- THS7314 component: electronics distributors (Mouser, TME…).
Alternatives¶
- Internal digital HDMI (FPGA-type kits) for a perfect image with no analog cable — pricier.
- Console page: Super Nintendo.
Sources & attribution¶
- RetroRGB — SNES dossier (1CHIP vs 2-chip, amp, SNS-101) — https://www.retrorgb.com/snes.html
- Texas Instruments datasheet THS7314
Review & corrections
How this space is used
Spotted a wrong value, an outdated procedure, a chip reference that does not match your board? Say so here, with what you observed (model, board revision, serial number, measurement). Every report is cross-checked against a source before anything changes — an unverifiable correction is published as “reported by …, not cross-checked” rather than silently applied.
Reading is open to everyone; posting requires signing in with Discord. Reports from the wiki's declared reviewers are handled first; anyone else's are read too, but go through a human before anything is changed.