Nintendo Consoles Causing Video Flicker on a Newer CRT-TV

[Chronogears]

Hey guys,

This is my first post in these forums. I've been visiting Racketboy for years, so this was the first place that jumped to mind when this issue arose.

I'm having a weird problem with a pretty snazzy CRT TV I picked up from a thrift store. I snatched it up because it's one of those last-gen CRTs with flat screens, and it also has an S-Video port... and it was $2.99. I've been looking for a TV like this on the cheap for years. The TV is made by RCA. The only thing close to a model number I can find is a "TruFlat" label on its casing.

Here's the issue:

When connecting an NES, SNES, or N64 to the TV via first-party composite RCA, the image cuts in and out constantly at random intervals. I can get a good ten seconds sometimes, but it never ceases. The same thing happens with the 3rd-party S-Video cable I use for the N64 and SNES. The audio remains intact and the games are running fine.

Now, the interesting thing is that my PSX has no connectivity issues, neither via first-party composite nor first-party S-Video, even after extended play. Why on Earth would the PlayStation display perfectly, while the Nintendo systems do not?

I've tested all the cables on another TV with no issues, so it doesn't seem to be them. I've also tried running the RCA cables through a "system-selector" box, just for kicks, and I've tried using some random RCA cables for the NES (since those don't have a proprietary connection), but the problem persisted. And now for a long list of stuff I've tried, as requested by the sticky: I've tried only plugging in the video cable, plugging in both the S-Video and Composite at the same time, plugging in both of the above AND the RF Modulator on the NES/SNES, tried all of the inputs on the TV in both the TV's S-Video setting and normal setting... no luck. I can literally use the same cables for the PSX and the NES - it will work fine for the former and cause the flicker on the latter.

While it was kinda fun to try to beat Super Mario Bros. with only 70% visibility (made it to 8-3 thankyouverymuch), I can't help but wish I didn't have to. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Many thanks in advance, and I'm sorry if I violated some unspoken rule by seeking help as my first forum post.

[flojocabron]

hi new person!

Did you use the ports in the back of the tv or just the ones in the front?

make sure that you are connecting it correctly to your tv. Sometimes the video input is a little bit farther than the audio inputs.

Maybe thats why the tv was so cheap? I doesnt work too good because the last person who owned it may have used the front av YELLOW RED WHITE too much and loosened the pieces (connectors) inside. All that yanking does affect some tvs.

Try the ones in the back to see if that makes a difference.

Or get some classic RF cables for you systems.

Use regular, not s video ports too. And hook up a dvd player to see if the same thing happens when a movie is playing. If you have the tvs remote, fiddle with the settings to see if maybe you can change a few things.

Sometimes if the picture is choppy you have to put a piece of paper or plastic between the cables on the tv to make the tv's yellow inputs not move as much and the paper forces the metal to touch and gets a better signal.

Its a temporary solution but its not a good one.

cause if you remove that and play another console the same thing will happen again.

[Chronogears]

Hi veteran person! Thanks for your fast reply!!

Sorry, I updated the post with a little more information. I my edit didn't go through the first time. Good thing I'm used to this and CTRL-C'ed it all in advance, mwahaha.

I have indeed tried all the ports, front and back, with both composite and S-Video. I've even tried all available combinations with the RF-Modulator plugged in from the SNES/NES, just for completion's sake.

For the record, all the TVs at the Goodwills around here are set at $2.99... it's just that most of them are garbage. This one actually has a nice picture. You're right that it could be that the ports are just loose from being yanked around carelessly, but I would wonder why the PSX connects to the same ports (tested front and back) with no issue.

I'm not totally sure what you mean by putting a piece of plastic or paper between the TV's connections. Is the idea to better secure the plugs?

Sadly, I don't have a DVD player or VCR laying around right now, but I still wonder why the PSX was fine, while the Nintendo systems were not. That seems to indicate to me that the TV's ports are functioning decently. Is there some flaw in my logic there I'm overlooking?

But thank you, again, for your fast reply.

[Chronogears]

I finally found the same question via Google.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/archive/ ... 77083.html

The answer near the bottom seems pretty bleak. I suppose I either need to decide if the TV is worth keeping for its PlayStation compatibility, or if I should just admit defeat.

Any last thoughts or advice on this before I stop annoying all of you?

[CRTGAMER]

I finally found the same question via Google.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/archive/ ... 77083.html

The answer near the bottom seems pretty bleak. I suppose I either need to decide if the TV is worth keeping for its PlayStation compatibility, or if I should just admit defeat.

Any last thoughts or advice on this before I stop annoying all of you?

Don't believe that link. The CRT should display all the images just fine, its when you get to a LCD you run into scaling issues on older consoles. I also suspect it is the connections in the front from overuse and possibly worn jacks.

1. Try the back connections, both Composite and SVideo.
2. Run the Composite cable thru a VCR.
3. If no luck, see what the RF does.

Can you post a screenshot of the NES image?

[Zing]

It sounds like a lack of proper support for 240p video. Time to find a new CRT.

[AppleQueso]

It sounds like a lack of proper support for 240p video. Time to find a new CRT.

His Playstation should be giving the same problems as his Nintendo systems if that's the case.

Besides, iirc don't most consoles only output 240p via RGB?

[Hobie-wan]

I also agree that it sounds like it isn't too happy with the 240P signal and is choking on it. Surely you can find a VCR to borrow or that someone is giving/throwing away at least to test feeding it through.

[samsonlonghair]

Hi Chronogears,
I also have an RCA truFlat. It's the best TV I've ever owned. What great picture quality!

A year ago I had a problem with my RCA truFlat turning on and off at random. This problem was persistent regardless of what component I was using. Even a DVD player gave me the same problem. I consulted a local TV repair specialist. He told me that the RCA truFlat line has issues with the buttons on the front of the TV. There's some kind of error in how the contacts are designed. The RCA truFlat detects the TV being turned on and off whether or not anyone is pushing the button. According to what he said, electrical surge may or may not contribute to this problem. He advised that I unplug the TV set long enough to completely discharge it. I unplugged the TV set and waited for a few days.

Two or three days later I plugged my TV set back in and voila, problem solved! Now I admit, this doesn't sound very scientific. Unplugging it for a few days almost seems too easy, but it worked for me. I hope it works for you as well.

[Chronogears]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies!!!

Don't believe that link. The CRT should display all the images just fine, its when you get to a LCD you run into scaling issues on older consoles. I also suspect it is the connections in the front from overuse and possibly worn jacks.

1. Try the back connections, both Composite and SVideo.
2. Run the Composite cable thru a VCR.
3. If no luck, see what the RF does.

Can you post a screenshot of the NES image?

I've actually uploaded a video that will hopefully explain what's happening a bit better... hopefully it's not too wordy:
http://youtu.be/-f-jlsUwg3g

At this point, I've tried all possible combinations of all connections and the symptoms reproduce. RF actually produces the same video cut-out problem, but it takes the audio out with it (which seems to make sense, as it's one signal).

I also agree that it sounds like it isn't too happy with the 240P signal and is choking on it. Surely you can find a VCR to borrow or that someone is giving/throwing away at least to test feeding it through.

Thanks to you, CRTGAMER, and flojocabron for this suggestion. I will be coming into possession of a VCR tomorrow, if all goes according to plan!

Unplugging it for a few days almost seems too easy, but it worked for me. I hope it works for you as well.

Thank you, samsonlonghair, for this suggestion! I think my problem might be a bit different, as the TV itself is not shutting off, it's just losing its video signal, but I will still give your suggestion a try before I make any decisions. And, yes! The video is really gorgeous when it's all working properly... and that's why I'd love to make this my go-to TV for no-lag, native-resolution retro-gaming!

It sounds like a lack of proper support for 240p video. Time to find a new CRT.

Interesting. Would a standard composite video cable output 240p video? Is there any way I can test that this is the problem with some combination of a Gamecube, a progressive-scan-capable game, and standard Nintendo video cables?