GBA:Innovation GBA TV Converter
 | Unless you already have a Innovation GBA TV Converter on hand, there are better options to play GBA games on the big screen. |
This page describes how to install the Innovation GBA TV Converter into your Game Boy Advance. The Innovation GBA TV Converter is a peripheral that enables audio and composite or S-video output from your Game Boy Advance. While the mod is meant to be plug and play via a ribbon cable once you open the console, it has much better video output if you solder it straight to the pins.
After this installation is complete, you may also want to modify the adapter for higher-quality RGB output. Unfortunately, the unit outputs an interlaced 480i signal, instead of progressive 240p.
An alternative to the Innovation adapter, the GBA Transverter, is also available. Its output is similar, but the installation is different.
Installation
To install the Innovation GBA adapter, you have two choices:
- The official method, using a push-on ribbon cable. This method suffers from lower picture quality and jitter.
- The direct soldering method, more difficult but provides higher picture quality.
Once you've installed the TV adapter into your GBA, you can modify the adapter to output RGB.
If you'd like to see how this mod compares to the other GBA - TV options, please check out the comparison page.
The GBA TV kit comes with a push-on cable for the video connection. You'll notice that it simply lines up the pins to the ones on the GBA’s video out cable. There’s nothing holding them together, other than the pressure of the connection. Below is an example of the flickery screen you'll get if you use the ribbon cable. Please keep in mind that this is simply a title screen, it's much more noticeable when you're playing a game.