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SNES on HDTV: Not Compatible Natively. You Need an Upscaler.

The SNES (Super Nintendo) outputs 240p/288p analog (Composite, S-Video, RGB SCART). Modern HDTVs lack analog inputs and cannot correctly process 240p (often treat as 480i, causing lag/artifacts).

Solutions (Best to Worst)

Method	Quality	Cost	Notes
FPGA Console (Analogue Super Nt)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Native HDMI, zero lag, 1080p/4K, save states, firmware updates.	$190	Plays cartridges. Best authenticity.
FPGA Multi (MiSTer FPGA + DE-10 Nano)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cycle-accurate SNES core. HDMI, CRT filters, runahead.	$250+	DIY. Plays 50+ systems.
High-End Upscaler (RetroTINK 4K / 5x-Pro / OSSC Pro)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Line-doubling/tripling, 240p→1080p/4K, <1ms lag, scanlines, HDR.	$150–$600	Requires RGB SCART or Component mod on SNES (or RGB cable on 1-CHIP/JR). Best for original hardware.
Mid Upscaler (RetroTINK 2X / RAD2x / GBS-C + AIO)	⭐⭐⭐ Good 480p/1080p, low lag, scanlines.	$60–$130	Composite/S-Video/RGB in. Great value.
Budget: RetroTINK 2X-Mini / Kaico / Hyperkin HD Cable	⭐⭐ Basic line-doubling, some lag.	$40–$70	Composite/S-Video only. Better than direct.
Direct Composite/S-Video to HDTV	⭐ Terrible. Comb filtering, 50–100ms lag, wrong aspect, 480i deinterlace artifacts.	$5	Avoid.
Software Emulation (PC / Pi / Phone / Steam Deck)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4K, shaders, save states, rewind, netplay. bsnes/higan (accuracy), Snes9x (speed).	Free	Not original hardware. Legal if you own carts.

Critical: SNES Model Matters for RGB

1-CHIP / SNES Jr / Mini (SNES-1CHIP / SNS-101): Best native RGB. Sharp, low noise. Use directly with SCART/RetroTINK.
Original 2-CHIP (SHVC-CPU-01/02): Noisy RGB. Needs RGB Bypass Mod (borti/bennvenn) for clean signal. Worth it for upscalers.

Recommendation: Analogue Super Nt (easy, perfect) or MiSTer (ultimate). Original hardware + RetroTINK 4K/5x + RGB mod = reference quality.

Nintendo DS