Having trouble connecting your N64 to your TV?
There’s no need to panic! It may still work — it just doesn’t work with your newer TV.
That’s why I created this guide to help get that old classic running on today’s HDTVs. I cannot guarantee that these fixes will work, but they’re worth a shot.
Emulations for the N64 are often inconsistent in quality and often poor. Therefore, it is advisable to stick with the real deal, whenever possible.
Here are the things you need before you get started:
N64 console
N64 power supply lead
N64 RCA connector cable (preferred) or N64 RF adaptor cable
an N64 game – the N64 doesn’t have an operating system, so it won’t show a picture without a game cartridge inserted.
Find your TV’s RCA composite/SCART ports
Ideally, you want to connect your N64 to your HDTV via RCA composite connectors (AV IN 2 in photo) or a SCART port (AV IN 1 in photo).
A SCART to RCA adapter will be required for this task.
An N64 can be connected to an AV connection on the back of a television.
In addition, you can also connect the N64 directly to the TV’s antenna connector. However, you will need to tune into the TV’s channel if you do any of those things.
Unfortunately my TV has no RCA composite or SCART connectors
Most newer TVs nowadays do not have composite connectors or SCART. In this case, you will need to use one of the following three options:
1. As a general rule you should use the component plug if you have one.
Look for component inputs on your TV. There are 5 port combinations for this connection: red, white, blue and green.
Either use the green or blue video port with the yellow video plug. But be warned: it may not work correctly.
3. Use the connect/disconnect switch on the RF adapter.
The RF adapter for the N64 may be able to connect your console to your TV via the antenna port.
Your N64 likely came out the box with it if it is a PAL system.
This means you will have to tune your N64 into a digital TV channel on your TV that does not have a video tuner.
Neither my TV has HDMI input nor any other connection works
Usually a converter or an upscaler will do the trick.
When choosing converters and upscalers, keep the following things in mind:
The N64 is usually output in 240p resolution. This input resolution must be supported by the converter or upscaler.
The video signal may lag a little bit after being processed by a converter or an upscaler.
At a modest price, you can get converters and upscalers, but you’ll probably end up with models that don’t handle video correctly.
With the Open Source Scan Converter, a high-quality picture is provided and input lag is virtually eliminated. However, these applications only work with RGB-modified N64s.
RetroTINKs can be used without a hardware mod.
Another option is to go for the UltraHDMI N64 mod – but be aware that it’s quite expensive.
The component video output from the N64 does not show on my TV, but it does on my RCA composite video input.
Despite having the right input and output ports, some newer TVs can’t decode the video from the N64 console.
