Connecting the SNES to a modern TV
The Super Nintendo doesn’t natively output HDMI. But there are several good ways to connect it to a modern TV — from a simple SCART cable to an HD Retrovision component cable that delivers impressively sharp image quality.
What you need {#what-you-need}
Choose one of the following options, from easiest to best quality:
Option A — SCART (easiest, but not all modern TVs have it)
- SNES SCART RGB cable
- SCART input on your TV (increasingly rare on modern TVs) or a SCART-to-HDMI converter
Option B — Component via HD Retrovision (best analogue quality)
- HD Retrovision SNES Component cable
- Component input on your TV (5 connectors: red/blue/green + L/R audio) or a component-to-HDMI converter
Option C — HDMI converter (easy + modern)
- A SCART-to-HDMI or component-to-HDMI converter
- Combine with Option A or B above
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What gives the best image?
The HD Retrovision component cable gives the best analogue image — sharp, with accurate colours and without the noise of lower-quality SCART cables. Combined with a good HDMI upscaler (like the RetroTINK 2X or OSSC) the result is beautiful. SCART also works well, but cable quality varies widely.
Connecting via SCART
- Connect the SCART RGB cable to the AV output on the SNES (the round multi-out connector)
- Connect the other end to the SCART input on your TV
- Set the TV to the correct AV input
- Turn on the SNES — you should see a picture immediately
No SCART on your TV? Connect the SCART cable to a SCART-to-HDMI converter, then connect that to your TV via HDMI.
Connecting via component (HD Retrovision)
- Connect the HD Retrovision cable to the SNES multi-out connector
- Connect the 5 component connectors (green/blue/red + 2× audio) to the component input on your TV
- Select the correct input on your TV and turn on the SNES
No component input? Use a component-to-HDMI converter between the cable and your TV.
Connecting via composite (backup option)
The SNES also carries a composite signal through the multi-out connector (yellow connector + red/white audio). This gives the worst image — blurry with limited colour depth — but works on virtually any TV.
Note: PAL vs NTSC
European SNES consoles (PAL) run at 50Hz and some games run slightly slower than the Japanese or American NTSC version (60Hz). For the best gameplay experience, look into a 60Hz mod or a Super Famicom (Japan) with a frequency switch.
Done
With a good SCART or component cable you’ll immediately see the difference compared to a composite signal. The image is sharper, colours are more vivid, and text in menus is clearly readable. For the best results on a modern TV, combine with an upscaler like the RetroTINK 2X.
Questions or doubts? You’re not the first. We’re happy to help you through it.