Hi Everyone,
I just wonder if I should bother to get av cables for my genesis model 1 hd and genesis 3 model and my snes since I only use rf for everything. I have my systems on a 25 in flatscreen lcd and I was just wondering if it will make a big difference in the colors and background. Will it make games like sonic and rocket knight and mario all stars or donkey kong country look night and day? I just thought I would ask before I spend like twenty dollars or so for all the av cords for all three systems and find out it doesn't make much of a differance. Thanks ahead for the answer's.

It'll make a massive difference. The hierarchy: HDMI=DVI>VGA>Component=RGB/Scart>S-Video>Composite>RF.

I'm sure someone might come along and debate the superiority of VGA over Component, but the point is that both are preferable to S-Video. If you have a model one SNES, I would recommend getting S-Video cables for that if you have the option.

Specifically, everything is much better than RF. The only advantage of RF is that you can naturally daisy chain everything, so you don't have to worry about switch boxes.

Speaking from experience, if RF is what you're used to, it's not hurting anything to stick with that. I used RF for the longest time but now I have upgraded everything i use to at least composite (because that's what most systems come with when you buy them these days), and it does make a difference but I wouldn't recommend upgrading any higher unless you're just picky and don't mind paying quite a bit. The only systems that are absolutely horrible in RF (in my opinion) are the Saturn and Genesis.

Get the best connection you can for each system. Composite will get rid of the RF fuzz for the Genesis. Even better, your SNES can go SVideo which offers Chroma Luma separation.

You forgot DisplayPort.

My experience with the NES is that RF is only slightly worse than composite. It's definitely noticeable, but not gamebreaking.

That said, if a composite cable is cheap and easy to get, there is really no reason not to if you plan on playing the system with any frequency.

You definitely want it for the Super NES so you can have stereo sound.

I have ALWAYS gotten bad interference while using RF connections (screen distortion and occasional scrambling). They are so finicky and temperamental. A/V is the way to go for most of my older systems.
My Atari Jaguar was pretty much unplayable until I got an A/V cord (and later S-video from Hobie).

I use AV for everything. I've got a pretty big TV so I always try for the best connections...but then I have a box of like 100 cables somewhere in my basement, so I've rarely even had to go out and buy them. Use S-Video on the SNES if you can. The cables are real cheap (I got a universal Nintendo/PS/oXbox S-Video cable for $6). In my opinon that's definitely worth the money. Even with my VCR I always use Composite. It's a day and night difference for me. I think it's worth it - but some cables secondhand, and if you don't like them, resell them. No problem.

Keep in mind that with the SNES you'll also get stereo sound if you use the AV or S-AV cables. That's important.

No, I didn't.