Tips for making my own cables

[zedrein]

This is my very first venture in making my own cables for RGB console gaming. I have already purchased a Amiga Commodore 1084 monitor and it's on it's way, but in the meantime I need to throw together a AV cable that will work on it.

I have been able to easily find a SNES RGB (SCART lead) cable, so I need to

1.) Attach a DIN-6 connector for the video portion

2.) Attach stereo RCA connectors for the audio portion

I would just like some tips on some of the materials used to help make a good cable: I bought some shrink tubing for the wires and it is extremely stiff and difficult to work with, nothing like the black cable housing we are all used to that's nice and flexible, I would also like to know if there is a "breakout" piece that will take the one cable (which contains all the video, sync, and audio wires) and break it into 3 different cables (1 video, 2 audio)

If you guys can provide any help about specific materials and where to get ahold of them, along with some practical tips for assembling everything, I'd surely appreciate it.

Thanks everyone!

[Samstag]

Heatshrink tubing is really only meant for short straight runs, as you're finding out.  For flexibility you'll probably want spiral wrap or expandable sleeving.  You can see what's available here.  I really like expandable sleeving and use it when I build cables at work.  It can be a bit expensive for a big spool but maybe if you search a bit you can find shorter lengths for sale.  When I have to break out from one cable to several, I just overlap the sleeving.

My only other recommendation would be to pay extra for high-quality connectors if your budget allows.  They're generally easier to install and last longer.

[zedrein]

Thanks alot Samstag, I have noticed there is not alot of really knowledgeable people when it comes to making your own cables. I do have a few more questions, so if you find that time to answer them, I'd appreciate it:

1.) My SNES SCART cable only brings out 1 "ground wire" to my knowledge the left/right audio + the video connector all need ground lines ran to them, how am I supposed to go about getting that 1 wire into 3?

2.) When purchasing the spiral wrap or expendable sleeving  you mentioned, how do I know what size to get, or do they come on one general size? My video and audio cable will be different because the video cable will have 5 lines (Red, Green, Blue, Sync, and Ground) and the audio will only have to (hot and ground)

I think that's about it, thanks again for your time and wish me luck on my little cable making ventures!

[Samstag]

Thanks alot Samstag, I have noticed there is not alot of really knowledgeable people when it comes to making your own cables. I do have a few more questions, so if you find that time to answer them, I'd appreciate it:

1.) My SNES SCART cable only brings out 1 "ground wire" to my knowledge the left/right audio + the video connector all need ground lines ran to them, how am I supposed to go about getting that 1 wire into 3?

You'll want to splice 3 grounds on the SNES side (as close to the SCART connector as you can).  Just twist all 3 together, solder, and get some heat skrink over it.  getting it close to the signal source cuts down on interference a little.  Using shielded cable and grounding the shields at the same place will help more, but probably isn't necessary.

2.) When purchasing the spiral wrap or expendable sleeving  you mentioned, how do I know what size to get, or do they come on one general size? My video and audio cable will be different because the video cable will have 5 lines (Red, Green, Blue, Sync, and Ground) and the audio will only have to (hot and ground)

The site I linked has a max diameter for both types.  This is the inner diameter so you need to bundle your cables together and see how thick the whole package is.  Then get something bigger.  Spiral wrap is pretty forgiving with tight fits but the expandable stuff is hard to put on if you don't get it at least 1/8" bigger.  Getting it too big makes it look a little sloppy but I'd rather it be too big than too small.

[Blanka]

Here are the pinouts on the SNES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MultiAV
Just buy some flexible ready to use audio/video cable with all threads shielded. Get a 2 shielded wire one for audio (preferably two mono cables connected that can be split on the last few cm), and get at least a 3 shielded thread cable for the RGB. Solder the 3 shields together to the ground pin on both sides. So don't make your own cables! It's impossible to do right. And don't lengten the existing cable. Connect the new stuff to the plug directly.

[Blanka]

Something like this:

That's impossible to make yourself

[zedrein]

I simply need just the black sheath that's grouping the wires together, that's all. I don't need to make my own RGB cables or anything, my SCART lead has all the audio/video lines I need, I just to be able to put it together correctly.

[Blanka]

You mean you cut open the scart-cable and regroup the stuff? 
Scart has no individual shielding, so the shielding will be lost. Just buy 2 new shielded cables and throw away the 20 lead Scart one.