I need RF!

[RAINCRAFTER]

So, I want an old video game console. The NES 2, specifically. It only has RF out, and my TV doesn't have RF in. So could someone please guide me to an RF to HDMI or AV converter or a cheap TV that takes RF? Remember, you can't play KSP forever. (Not good enough? Hmm... how about I try) Knowledge is power. Everything we know now was discovered, so do this for retro joy!

[Flymetothemun]

Usually the RF in on newer TV's will be an antenna hookup. That's all any antenna is, a receiving and/or transmitting apparatus for RF, or radio frequencies.

If your TV doesn't have Antenna In, if you have an old VCR laying about you could take the RF signal, pump it into the VCR and hook up the RCA/Component cables to an HDMI convertor.

[RAINCRAFTER]

No antena in for me, and I heard about the VCR trick but I don't have a VCR.

[Flymetothemun]

No antena in for me, and I heard about the VCR trick but I don't have a VCR.

Go down to the local thrift store or goodwill, they'll probably have one for cheap. Better yet, get a tube TV (The old heavy & big SOB's with the glass front) from the thrift store/goodwill, then you'll be able to play Duck Hunt properly. If you can't do either, then try to find an RF to HDMI converter on Amazon or an RF to RCA and RCA to HDMI converter and chain them together.

Edited August 5, 2015 by Flymetothemun

[RAINCRAFTER]

Ok, they're at Goodwill stores. I have one near my house. Thanks! Also, I don't really want to get the old TV and the Zapper just to play Duck Hunt. Still, thank you so much anyways.

[Flymetothemun]

Ok, they're at Goodwill stores. I have one near my house. Thanks! Also, I don't really want to get the old TV and the Zapper just to play Duck Hunt. Still, thank you so much anyways.

C'mon! You haven't truly lived until you've had that [CENSORED] dog laugh at you like you were a fool!

[Tex_NL]

Really? Absolutely NO RF input in your TV?

Most modern TV's still have the round coaxial RF input even though it's used for digital input (or old fashioned analogue TV). Try unplugging that one and use it for your NES.

If all else fails instead of converting to HDMI you might find it easier to convert the RF signal to SCART or composite RCA. Don't waste money/time/energy on converting to digital when you don't have to. Converters are sold on eBay for $20-30.

Edited August 5, 2015 by Tex_NL

[RAINCRAFTER]

Well, I'm still doing the VCR trick probably. (It only costs $110, and a hundred of those are for the NES.) Unless it looks too awful, I'm staying here.

[cantab]

The old consoles send what is effectively an analogue TV signal. While a modern TV will almost surely have an antenna input it's very possible it's only able to decode digital signals with no capability to handle the old analogue ones whatsoever.

[Tex_NL]

Of course it is possible a new, modern TV will only accept a digital signal though I highly doubt it. An analogue decoder is very basic, simple and cheap technology but still very relevant. If your new TV only accepts digital you should buy a better TV.

[Cydonian Monk]

Remarkably there are still RF (split and coax) to RCA, Component and/or HDMI adapters available. Check Amazon or your local Wal*Mart (or equivalent). WallyWorld always has decades old RF tuners whenever I dig through their electronics/tv gear section. Probably a little bit cheaper than a used VCR. You'll also find that RCA-out on lots of older VCRs may not work thanks to dead or dying capacitors. (Both of the audio-outs on my VCR are dead, and I'm too lazy/busy to crack it open to replace the dead caps. I also haven't watched a VHS tape in more than a decade....)

You really might have trouble finding a new TV that will decode analog signals. The latest Samsung I bought (a small 27" that I use for X-Box LAN parties) will only tune to digital stations (3.1, 4.1, etc), and won't go to their analog equivalents. The tuner is probably still physically there but the TV's software won't let me get to it. That TV was only $100 though, so ya gets what ya pays for. If your TV is more than a couple years old you'll be fine. Obviously if your TV doesn't even have a coax in then that whole last paragraph is irrelevant.

Edited August 7, 2015 by Cydonian Monk

[cantab]

Depends on country. Britain has completely done away with analogue TV broadcasts, rendering the ability to receive them irrelevant to anybody who doesn't want to use a really old games console, VCR, or suchlike. And consider that some models of the NES and all SNESes supported composite video which is something you are likely to want and get on a modern TV, so you're looking at NES era or even earlier to find equipment that demands the ability to receive an analogue TV broadcast type of signal here.

To our OP, consider finding a NES that supports composite video output and getting hold of the relevant cables. I think the original North American NES does but the updated top-loading one doesn't.

[lajoswinkler]

No RF port? The manufacturer must be a moron. You don't just dump such an important thing.

Buy a better TV receiver that has both RF and digital input ports.

Also, what is a "NES 2"? Are you referring to the SNES?

NES

SNES

[pincushionman]

No RF port? The manufacturer must be a moron. You don't just dump such an important thing.

Buy a better TV receiver that has both RF and digital input ports.

Also, what is a "NES 2"? Are you referring to the SNES?

NES

http://www.soundonsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/NES-01.jpg

SNES

http://www.dosgamers.com/uploads/images/original/snes_jpn.jpg

I presume he's talking about the NES-101, which had the top-loading cartridge port similar to the SNES. And ditched the RCA video/audio out. If they hadn't taken away those RCA ports, he wouldn't be in this problem.