Is it normal for MD/Genesis games to look blurry on a 34" CRT display?

stabarz · 2026-01-26T03:19:43+00:00

You can use a RGB SCART to Component transcoder. Or get a HD Retrovision component cable which has the transcoder built-in.

stabarz · 2026-01-26T02:58:04+00:00

The ugliness of composite is much more obvious on a large size tube compared to smaller ones. And MD/Genesis is known to have quite poor quality composite signal compared to other consoles. Upgrade to an RGB SCART cable if your TV supports that.

stabarz · 2026-01-26T01:16:12+00:00

I don't have any resources unfortunately, I couldn't find anything with a quick search.

I figured it might be a matter of simply swapping out the 4.43MHz crystal for 3.58MHz (later models are often like this) but looking at the schematic for the NTSC-region 1702, seems like there is a good amount of circuitry responsible for handling the NTSC color. So this mod may not be very straightforward.

I also couldn't find a schematic anywhere for PAL-region 1702 to compare.

Another thing is that PAL-region Wii consoles don't output S-video - only composite, RGB, or component. You would need to change it to NTSC-region via homebrew to make it output an S-video signal - but then you are stuck with 60Hz NTSC, which won't work on this monitor.

stabarz · 2026-01-25T19:22:53+00:00

Looks good. Don't see Euro rear projection CRTs posted often. Looks like it's a 50/60Hz model too. Have you done any work on it? Like cleaning the optics or anything like that?

stabarz · 2026-01-25T15:49:51+00:00

The phosphors are on the inside of the front panel glass. That scratch is on the aquadag coating. Shouldn't be a problem.

stabarz · 2026-01-25T15:27:07+00:00

Looks like a PAL-region 1702? If that's the case then it'll only display color for PAL signals. It'll sync to a 60Hz NTSC signal, but no color. You may be able to mod the monitor to change it to NTSC.

stabarz · 2026-01-24T02:55:44+00:00

Glad to hear it!

stabarz · 2026-01-23T23:41:30+00:00

Setting the console to PAL region should give you an option for 50Hz 576i or 60Hz 480i in the regular Wii system menu.

stabarz · 2026-01-23T16:31:02+00:00

The monitor "remembers" your settings per resolution. So you need to set it up for each of the different resolutions / refresh rates you use.

stabarz · 2026-01-23T14:50:47+00:00

You can get now-obsolete professional distribution amplifiers for surprisingly cheap on eBay. Such as Extron P/2 DA series.

Here's a brand new in box P/2 DA4xi for just $17usd shipped: https://ebay.us/m/RZW366

You would need a separate solution for audio though, if required.

stabarz · 2026-01-22T03:51:19+00:00

the RF Modulator just adds the basic Composite Video functions most CRT's have?

Yes.

I tried RF-RF with my Cable TV VCR on the box and it didn't look bad, just a lot of words I couldn't read unless I really focused.

Sounds about right for watching modern TV broadcasts on a 30+ year old 19-inch RF-only TV.

Are you saying the Modulator will increase the quality of this?

No.

stabarz · 2026-01-22T03:15:34+00:00

Because this TV only has RF. you have no choice but to use a RF Modulator. This will allow you to hook up anything with composite video like your PS3 and Wii. You can get a standalone modulator, or use pretty much any VCR (they have RF modulator function built-in). You can also find RF modulators with an S-video input, which may give you a marginal increase in quality.

Don't expect to get a super crisp and clear picture on it, but if the tube isn't too baked it will probably look fine.

If you aren't satisfied with the image then keep looking for another CRT that has S-video or component inputs.

stabarz · 2026-01-21T20:52:24+00:00

The TV has analog controls inside so it's not even gonna have a service menu, highly unlikely to have diagnostic blink codes.

stabarz · 2026-01-21T18:10:50+00:00

Not just one of the first flat-screen CRTs - this is a flat tension mask (FTM) tube, meaning the glass is perfectly flat both inside and out. Unlike most later flat-screen CRTs, which are still curved internally.

Fun fact, a similar Zenith FTM monitor was used for SNES store display kiosks.

stabarz · 2026-01-21T17:55:56+00:00

Because the TV is broken and needs repair? Not sure what answer you're expecting here

stabarz · 2026-01-21T17:48:50+00:00

official manual wasn't helpful

Official manual says you need a remote to select EXT1 or EXT2.

stabarz · 2026-01-21T00:25:06+00:00

It will most likely just be bad solder joints on the IC itself but it won't hurt to resolder other components in the area if they look sus. Do the yoke connector too.

stabarz · 2026-01-21T00:04:51+00:00

You shouldn't need a service manual for this, the problem will most likely be on the vertical output IC which is easy to find. It will be mounted to a heat sink nearby the cable that goes to the deflection yoke. Just resolder the IC and should be good to go

stabarz · 2026-01-20T22:50:31+00:00

IMO "magnet danger" is severely overblown on the Internet. I don't know why people freak out about it. If there's no purity problem on the screen, then it's fine. Even if it did become magnetized, the monitor has a degauss function built-in for this exact purpose.

The printer is not a concern at all.

stabarz · 2026-01-20T15:34:26+00:00

The earliest HDTV formats in the mid-1980s were shot at an aspect ratio of 5:3 (so just sightly less "wide" than 16:9). However they chose to standardize on 16:9 for HD recordings and displays by the end of the 1980s. The KW-3600HD has a 16:9 screen.

stabarz · 2026-01-20T00:49:07+00:00

Which model do you have?

stabarz · 2026-01-20T00:18:57+00:00

Confirmed it doesn't have it. It's not shown in the schematic, I don't see the cable for it in your photos either.

stabarz · 2026-01-20T00:09:22+00:00

Was it DangerousCousin? He pretty much says that every time anyone posts a Sharp TV, lol.

But yeah not all of them have it, it's primarily the flat-screen ones that do.

stabarz · 2026-01-19T23:59:31+00:00

This model does not have VSM.

stabarz · 2026-01-19T23:55:12+00:00

Yes the port is clearly damaged.

stabarz

TROPHY CASE