TG16 RGB

[benzaldehyde]

Hi all,

    I am noticing something about my TG16 RGB mod. Using the signals tapped from the CD bus and Waltarzar's RGB amp, I am getting a bright, clear picture, but there is a presence of vertical lines over the picture. They are slightly brighter than the rest of the picture and most notable on cool-colored backgrounds. I fear these may be similar to the dreaded NES-2 video lines that I remembered reading so much about. In such a case, the graphics chip would be to blame and there would be nothing I can do. It still beats the hell out of RF output. However, it might not be irreparable, so I'm asking if anyone has experienced such a problem and, if possible, how he fixed it. Perhaps I should take the signals directly off of the graphics chip? Thanks for any help!

[NFG]

The TG outputs super-clear RGB, what you're seeing is more likely the result of interference or bad soldering in the video circuit.  

[benzaldehyde]

Thanks. Just so long as nothing in the TG16 is damaged. I didn't go anywhere near the video chip... I wonder if the LM1881 could be bad. I rather harshly pulled it from another older circuit. Perhaps I should dig out a new one? (Thank God for sockets!) I will experiment more, but any further advice would be appreciated. The circuit is housed in an aluminum, grounded enclosure outside of the TG16, so I doubt it could be interference. Sloppy soldering is a big "probably" though...  

[Endymion]

Well since you're using the CD expansion why not keep it simple? Try alligator clips or something less permanent than a solder while you try to figure out where your fritz is coming from.

[benzaldehyde]

That's what I meant by experimenting more. Alligator clips are a bit large though. I usually just wind some wire around a small screwdriver. The wound wire is just the right size for those pins. I'm only hoping this can be repaired. AirZonk is so great in RGB!

[benzaldehyde]

I have discovered that in my case, the vertical lines are a part of the TG16 system. Testing with both the CD bus unamplified RGBS and from the chip directly, I found that the picture had the lines but their presence was drastically reduced. I wonder if perhaps no one else sees them because I have improperly amplified the RGB signals. I don't know much about amplification lines. Could anyone tell me how I could lower the power on Waltarzar's amp? It was designed for the N64, but the N64's native picture is far more dim than the TG16's w/o amplification. Thus, I fear I am probably overamplifying the RGB,  and so am seeing parts of the picture that could not normally be viewed. In any case, this will all be good practice should I ever run across that Turbo Duo I've been lusting after...  :lol: I'd be lost without you guys. Thanks!