Blurry picture on Philips 8235

Rookie (18)

25-05-2019, 03:09

I just got a Philips 8235 for The Netherlands. I am in Australia. I understand we both use PAL.

I have plugged it into 3 different TV's using the antenna cable and a SCART to RCA cable, but I get a very blurred picture. It is not possible to read the words on the screen.

Does anyone have an idea about this please? Before I send it back, which may not actually be worth the postage cost, I want to see if I can fix it. I don't know if I need another cable or there is something wrong. When the seller posted it he showed a picture of it working, so maybe something is loose from being shipped?

I have bought a Spectravideo 728 from Finland in the past that works with RCA with no problem, so I don't think it is because the TV's are not compatible.

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By sdsnatcher73

Enlighted (4298)

25-05-2019, 08:07

These are your main options in order of picture quality (if the machine is working properly):

1. If your TV has a SCART input (not sure if TV’s came with those over there) a SCART to SCART cable would be a good try.
2. The VG8235 also has a DIN monitor plug which does output composite video (typically in RCA form), a cable from a VG8020 works on the VG8235 (I’ve tested this myself). A Pinout is described in the forum to create a DIN-SCART. For DIN to RCA you just use pins 3 and 5 for audio and video respectively and 2 for ground on both RCA ends.
3. The Netherlands as well as Australia (according to Wikipedia) used PAL-B/G standards for TV transmissions, so your TV will likely accept the RF signal from the VG8235 as well, you’ll need an RF cable. In Europe this would look like this, the female connector will fit the VG8235, not sure what input TV’s have in Australia. Just hook it up and tune the TV to UHF channel 36 or do an automatic scan.

In your opinion was that machine packed well enough? I have gotten quite a few machines from Japan (I’m in the Netherlands) and never had video issues. I’ve also shipped many machines across the world (a Philips CDI to Australia) and never had issues (apart from someone in Germany expecting to buy a used VG8020 for €40 and it not being a collectors item ;)). Also have you been in contact with the seller? Oh and a photo of the blurriness might help the tech guys identify the issue better.

By RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

25-05-2019, 07:48

What input(s) do you have available on the TV('s) you intend to use? By far the best picture can be expected using a SCART -> SCART cable.

For composite video: have you tried using the signal from the DIN connector? (marked "MONITOR" on the back). According to the service manual, the composite video signal on the SCART connector goes through an additional buffer, as compared to same signal on the DIN connector. And the French version (VG-8235/19) only has composite sync on the SCART connector.

Last: several transistors in the video circuit use a 12V supply. If that's missing (or noisy), you may get "garbage in, garbage out". As a quick & dirty check: is there original drive in this machine, and does it work?

Edit: oh sdsnatcher73 typed faster

By zett

Hero (608)

25-05-2019, 08:32

only use scart(rgb 16khz) for a sharp image.
This guy modded a tv to rgb https://youtu.be/DLz6pgvsZ_I

By ryan.darby.54

Rookie (18)

25-05-2019, 08:46

Thanks very much for your replies.

The TV has the RF antenna, and RCA (white, red, yellow) and HDMI. I have tries SCART to RCA and the antenna cable but they are the same problem.

This is a picture of the problem:

I don't have a DIN to RCA cable but I have the cable that came with the tape drive, it looks like a DIN with 2 thicker and 1 thin plug on the end, would that work?

I will now see if the disk drive works. I have an MSX-DOS1 disk I can put into it but nothing else, hopefully it will do something.

I don't think it was that well packed as it could move a bit in the box. It was full of padding but not tight. I have contacted the seller and he has said I can send it back, but for a 120 Euro computer (plus tape drive) I paid 60 Euro postage and will pay more sending it back as it is expensive from Australia, and it may not be worth it. I seem to have bad luck with these things!

By ryan.darby.54

Rookie (18)

25-05-2019, 08:47

Picture

By ryan.darby.54

Rookie (18)

25-05-2019, 09:23

How do I tell if the floppy drive works?

When I start the computer the FDD Busy light is orange for a second then goes out.

I put a disk in that is an MSX-DOS disk that I use on a Spectravideo 728. It does not boot from it when I start the computer. If I enter DIR A: the computer beeps but does nothing. At no point do I hear the drive move.

By RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

25-05-2019, 10:02

Start machine with nothing in the drive, insert an empty disk, and type "_FORMAT" (or "CALL FORMAT") in BASIC. If you can't read it on the screen, try to blind-type it.

You may get some questions concerning drive A/B, single sided or double sided (try this on an emulator, check some YouTube videos, or ask other VG-8235 owners here what the exact sequence is. Anyway: MSX will then ask (and wait) for a keypress to start. Any key will do for that. After that, the drive should at least spin up & try to do something with the disk.

The question for single sided or double sided may be absent if a single sided drive is installed (like in factory state). If this machine's floppy drive has been replaced at some point (by a 720K drive), then the diskROM will have been replaced & "single sided or double sided" will be asked.

Alternatively: start machine with a self-starting disk in it that you know to be working with the drive in this machine (read: single sided). Or measure +12V supply voltage directly (with a multimeter - this can be done through the cartridge slot!).

By ryan.darby.54

Rookie (18)

25-05-2019, 10:57

The orange FDD BUSY light is on but the drive is not making any noise. I am used to floppy drives making a lot of noise. I do not think it works.

By Manuel

Ascended (19678)

25-05-2019, 11:30

Type FILES in basic, not DIR, which is for DOS.

By RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

25-05-2019, 14:10

I'm thinking it looks like PAL encoder IC (LVA510) is dying, or +12V supply has failed. Or floppy drive has a belt, that is broken as well, and it's just coincidence...

In other words: you need a voltmeter. And perhaps a screwdriver too.