TV focus problem? (blurriness)

Koopa64

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Hi all, I've got an RF-only TV that has some blurriness problems. Due to conflicting issues with my camera and the nature of the TV I cannot provide a picture (I get a bunch of interference).

Anyway, all around the edges of the screen it's blurry and out of focus but in the center of the screen it's nice and sharp. Is there possibly anything at all I can do about this? There's no other problems with this TV other than blurriness, with a good RF switch I can get a perfect image, no interference, waviness or grittiness, just the usual RF limitations such as color fidelity and low quality image.
 
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Koopa64

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I didn't say that was my ONLY TV. I in fact have a 32" TV with Composite, S-Video and Component on it. It's just I have a nice little 27" RF TV that has blurriness issues that I've been using with my NES, SNES, Genesis 32X CD and my Model 1 Saturn.

Some help would be appreciated.
 
Koopa64

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grantspain said:
have you tried to adjust the focus control on the flyback yet
Click to expand...

:spock:

Do I have to open up the TV to do that? I'm not familiar with TV repair. Are normal consumer TVs dangerous like arcade monitors are? Where's the flyback located?

... Is this even a serious question?
 
chewurface

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Yes, you'd have to open it up, and yes, all CRTs can be dangerous.

I'm not a monitor expert, but I believe what you'd be looking for would be on the back of the tube.

My main CRT has a little pinning on the left side and the right side is a tad out of focus. I'd love to attempt to fix it, but not being a monitor tech I'd probably just make it worse.
 
Koopa64

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I'd love to fix that TV as well but I still don't know what exactly is the flyback is, nor do I know what is safe to touch on the insides of a TV for moving and stuff. :crying:
 
grantspain

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I work on an awful lot of monitors so of course I know what is safe and what is not,I would not want anyone to hurt themselves.

The flyback transformer is the high voltage transformer that runs a fair few things but in particular the crt ht voltage
29" tube is around 27000 volts

There are also some serious voltages on the power supply section of the tv chassis that could(unlikely but could) be fatal
the focus pot can be found on the flyback transformer,sometimes on later tubes you find a two focus adjustments on the flyback

Maybe its best if you do not attempt this,you would need to take the back off the tv and adjust the focus live
 
Koopa64

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grantspain said:
I work on an awful lot of monitors so of course I know what is safe and what is not,I would not want anyone to hurt themselves.

The flyback transformer is the high voltage transformer that runs a fair few things but in particular the crt ht voltage
29" tube is around 27000 volts

There are also some serious voltages on the power supply section of the tv chassis that could(unlikely but could) be fatal
the focus pot can be found on the flyback transformer,sometimes on later tubes you find a two focus adjustments on the flyback

Maybe its best if you do not attempt this,you would need to take the back off the tv and adjust the focus live
Click to expand...

What about grounding the TV? Can't you do that and eliminate the danger?

Also I don't think this is a TV made in the recent 10 years, it's a 27" (aprox.) color RF-only TV. I'm guessing it was made around the early 90s or something, give or take a few years, I'm not sure when my Dad bought it. At any rate, it's got focus problems that really annoy me and I want to fix it.
 
Koopa64

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Actually, grantspain, could you post a pic of the insides on a generic TV and point out where the flyback is? Thanks. :)
 
Hewitson

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Turn off the TV and remove the cover. Locate the anode cap on the top of the CRT and follow the thick red lead backwards until you reach the other end of it which is connected to the flyback transformer.

monitor2.jpg


Switch the set back on and turn the focus VERY VERY slightly at a time, preferably with something plastic (I use a plastic knife). Either use a mirror or get someone else to watch the screen as you adjust the pot.

And it goes without saying don't put your hands anywhere near anything live.

Also please disregard the brightness label on this picture, it is Screen Voltage, NOT brightness (of course increasing it increases the brightness).
 
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Dr. Jigglin

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@Kern

Bahaha I'm with you on that point!


First off you need a new tv, RF is rubbish. Except well for free to air.
 
Koopa64

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Hewitson said:
Turn off the TV and remove the cover. Locate the anode cap on the top of the CRT and follow the thick red lead backwards until you reach the other end of it which is connected to the flyback transformer.

monitor2.jpg


Switch the set back on and turn the focus VERY VERY slightly at a time, preferably with something plastic (I use a plastic knife). Either use a mirror or get someone else to watch the screen as you adjust the pot.

And it goes without saying don't put your hands anywhere near anything live.

Also please disregard the brightness label on this picture, it is Screen Voltage, NOT brightness (of course increasing it increases the brightness).
Click to expand...

Thanks a ton for the guide! It still seems a tad difficult to me, I mean, there's live voltages exposed inside that thing, the TV has to be turned on to be able to adjust the picture properly. Is there at least a way to ground the TV when it's turned off so I can safely have a look inside it and see what I'm working with?

lachlan said:
@Kern

Bahaha I'm with you on that point!


First off you need a new tv, RF is rubbish. Except well for free to air.
Click to expand...

That TV I have is very high quality, when using clean RF switches I get no interference at all, just the color and clarity problems inherent with RF. I'm actually planning on hitting up a Pawn Shop and getting a similar sized TV with at least Composite but for right now I have to use that RF TV.

Besides, like I said before, I have a 32" TV upstairs that is pretty good. There's also many other TVs in my house, I just use the RF TV for my "older than 1994" consoles. :P
 
Dr. Jigglin

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The RF is that good?

Lucky bastard, I remember playing Super NES on RF. Some blurry stuff there.

I hope you're not playing Neo Geo on RF. Dont even say it. :)
 
grantspain

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sometimes in life you need to throw caution to the wind,just don't stand in a bucket of water and stick you hand across the primary power supply with the tv switched on

seriously,switch off the tv-make sure the tv is on safe surface(i.e a sturdy table)-remove the back cover-locate the flyback focus adjustment-position a mirror so you do not need to make any effort to see what is going on with the screen-then adjudt the focus using an insulated flat screwdriver until its good-put the back into place whilst making sure you never go near the tube neck as it is delicate
hey presto
 
Koopa64

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lachlan said:
The RF is that good?

Lucky bastard, I remember playing Super NES on RF. Some blurry stuff there.

I hope you're not playing Neo Geo on RF. Dont even say it. :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, it looks good. The NES and SNES look quite good on it, but sadly the Genesis 32X CD looks like crap on it no matter what I do. But I will say this, I've done comparisons and while the RF is as good as it can get, composite is still way ahead, that's why I'm considering getting a new TV for use with my older consoles. Also, if I had a Neo I'm not sure where I'd put it, I'd need to consider where to put such a beauty carefully. :scratch:

grantspain said:
sometimes in life you need to throw caution to the wind,just don't stand in a bucket of water and stick you hand across the primary power supply with the tv switched on

seriously,switch off the tv-make sure the tv is on safe surface(i.e a sturdy table)-remove the back cover-locate the flyback focus adjustment-position a mirror so you do not need to make any effort to see what is going on with the screen-then adjudt the focus using an insulated flat screwdriver until its good-put the back into place whilst making sure you never go near the tube neck as it is delicate
hey presto
Click to expand...

I'm just not sure about it. Maybe I do need to just say "screw it" and adjust the focus. Though if I'm gonna look around for a replacement TV with composite I may not need to do anything with my current TV.

So just don't touch anything on the back and I'll be fine? Nothing except for the black plastic frame on the front?
 
norton9478

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Older TV's do have good RF...

Half the problem with RF is that as TV's got newer (and cheaper), Manufactures started to slack on the overall build quality.

Then as Composite/SVHS/Component became more utilized, Manufactures really started to slack on the RF Inputs.

Also, Most RF units that came with consoles are crap.

You can get much better quality by eliminating the pass through switch.

I use an RCA cable with an F-Type Converter.
 
madman

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Koopa64 said:
I'm just not sure about it. Maybe I do need to just say "screw it" and adjust the focus. Though if I'm gonna look around for a replacement TV with composite I may not need to do anything with my current TV.

So just don't touch anything on the back and I'll be fine? Nothing except for the black plastic frame on the front?
Click to expand...
Basically don't be stupid and you'll be fine. I would recommend turning the knob w/something non-conductive, as using a conductive material to make the adjustment can cause minor issues. I don't know if radio shack sells the proper tool for this or not.

While the TV is on, just avoid touching anything back there and you'll be fine.
 
Koopa64

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madman said:
Basically don't be stupid and you'll be fine. I would recommend turning the knob w/something non-conductive, as using a conductive material to make the adjustment can cause minor issues. I don't know if radio shack sells the proper tool for this or not.

While the TV is on, just avoid touching anything back there and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Hmm, that might prove to be a problem. I can't really think of anything that could be used instead of a flatblade screwdriver, we don't have plastic silverware at my house. :scratch:

Also, there hasn't been a local Radio Shack where I live for a least a few years.
 
C

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The obvious solution is just to trash the TV and get one in good condition that has s-vid / composite. It should be no problem to upgrade, people have trouble giving away TVs that are better than the one you are trying to fix for free. Check the for free section on craigslist.
 
Koopa64

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Hey guys, I just remembered an odd quirk about that TV. Take a look at this picture:

antennars0.jpg


My real big question is (and has been for a long time), what is that thing to the right of the Antenna input for? I'm really hoping they're focus and brightness adjustment screws.

EDIT: I had another look and it can almost be seen in the picture, the top hole is marked F and the bottom is marked S.
 
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Koopa64

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Hell yeah! It's a focus adjustment screw! It looks better now, I can't get it perfect but it good. :)

But... I scratched up the center of the screen when I swiveled it on the floor to get better look at the stuff on the back... Now I really need a new TV... >_<
 
Arcademan

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Koopa64 said:
Hell yeah! It's a focus adjustment screw! It looks better now, I can't get it perfect but it good. :)

But... I scratched up the center of the screen when I swiveled it on the floor to get better look at the stuff on the back... Now I really need a new TV... >_<
Click to expand...
Ouch with the scratch. Sorry to hear that. If you have to make a monitor adjustment I found the one thing most valuable in doing it...a MIRROR. Put it at an angle in the front and use the reflection of the picture in it while you're making monitor adjustments.
 
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