[XCSSA] NES Wavy Line Ugliness

[X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio]

On Aug 11, 2008, at 5:09 PM, X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio  
wrote:

> On Monday 11 August 2008 16:57, X-otic Computer Systems of San  
> Antonio wrote:
>> So this is slightly off topic, but since we have been talking retro
>> with SIDs, Amigas, etc., I thought I would see if anyone might have
>> some suggestions to issues I am having with my NES.
>>
>> So I have my NES at my desk at work ready to stomp someone at Super
>> Mario Bros. (I'm wanting to get some old cartridges and get my
>> collection going again, but that is for another day). Last time I
>> broke it out, I was using a standard CRT TV, but noticed ugly wavy
>> lines. The same wavy lines on my HDTV at home. I thought it was the
>> HDTV but I actually think it might be something else, like a dried up
>> cap or something. I'm using the RCA outs for audio/video so I can
>> avoid the need for the RF converter and associated RF modulator.
>
> The dried up cap (or leaky cap) is most probably what it is.. That's  
> what you
> see (in a video signal) when you begin to "see" the AC ripple in a  
> DC power
> supply.

That's what I figured as well. Trouble is, I can't find any mention of  
capacitors relating to a bad video signal on the NES. I found one  
article where someone though a bad cap caused the NES to refuse to  
play games. I can just open it up and replace all of them I suppose :)

>
>
>
>> Thoughts? Emulation doesn't count :) As many of you now know, I much
>> prefer the real deal over emulation (if my MidiBox SID is any
>> example :) )
>
> Maybe you could harness the ripple and sequence some music out of it  
> Tim..
> hehe.. ;)  Though I guess it would be pretty boring (being a mono- 
> tone 120 Hz
> signal.. ;)

Well that would be boring yes, this wouldn't be:

http://www.wayfar.net/0xf00000_overview.php

:)

Tim