By default, 2-chip/3-chip SNES models (referred to in the remainder of this page as "2CHIP") have significantly lower video quality than 1CHIP consoles, which is especially apparent over RGB output. Several mods exist which can help improve the video quality on these consoles.
2CHIP Filter Mod
Originally devised by Japanese modder Torapu, simplified by Buttersoft and refined by others over the years, this video filter mod can dramatically improve the video output quality on 2CHIP consoles. While it does not completely fix the blurry RGB on 3-chip consoles, it does reduce the blur considerably and consists entirely of inexpensive and readily available parts.
Check out the following links to learn more. All three guides build upon each other.
- First post covering the
SHVC-CPU-01: SNES 2-Chip RGB Filter Mod - Second post covering the
SNS-CPU-RGB-02: SNES 2-Chip RGB Filter Mod: SNS-CPU-RGB-02 - Third post covering the
SNS-CPU-GPMandSNS-CPU-RGB: SNES 2-Chip RGB Filter Mod: SNS-CPU-GPM and SNS-CPU-RGB
2CHIP YPbPr Mod
This mod is NOT RECOMMENDED, but a guide is provided here for posterity. This mod was designed to provide component video on certain 2CHIP consoles, but can possibly damage the video encoder over time.
Edge-Enhancer
The Edge-Enhancer is a mod board created by Voultar that reduces noise and improves color fidelity, but also recovers video content, completely eliminating the blurred video that the original 2CHIP chipset is most notorious for. In addition to improving RGB output, it also provides improvements to composite and S-video and fixes the vertical line issue that affects many 2CHIP consoles. However, it is a proprietary solution that is currently only available on Voultar's website and is rather costly at US$80, which almost approaches the cost of a 1CHIP console. Disregarding cost, it is currently the only option available which totally addresses the blurry video quality of 2CHIP consoles and like the filter mod, is compatible with all NTSC 2CHIP SNES and Super Famicom consoles.