CD32 - noisy video

endre1952 · 05 January 2012, 00:23

The video output (composite or S-video) of my PAL CD32 is quite noisy and it seems like the distortion is caused by the CD-ROM drive. Is there a way to get rid of the video noise?

I once modded the CD32 for RGB output. I did get an RGB picture on the TV, but the video was still noisy. The mod was rather awkward, fragile, eventually the motherboard got blown and I replaced it with another one from Ebay.

spiff · 05 January 2012, 18:03

Got a similar problem with my CD32. Most visible as rolling "sync" noise on black backgrounds. I did some cap exchange but it didn't help any.

If you could get RGB and buffer the signal with some caps (like with RGB scart signals) and maybe that would clean it up somewhat.

spiff · 06 January 2012, 17:29

Did some "testing" with my CD32, 2 things that improved noise.

1 A more expensive S-Vid cable with extra/separate shielding to minimize cross-talk. Probably called something like pro cable with double shielding... around $15

2 For my plasma TV, I get better result from lowering brightness about 10% and then raising contrast about 50%. Lowering the brightness lowers the "blackness" cut off level and filters some of the noise that can be compensated with the contrast. It won't filter out noise on bright areas, but its less visible on black background.

I'm guessing the basic issue is that the signal amplification isn't very good and getting old.

endre1952 · 07 January 2012, 19:40

Thanks for the info. I use a CRT display for all my retro hardware. If I were to use my 1080p LCD, I would just load up WinUAE.

05 January 2012, 00:23	#1
endre1952 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hungary Posts: 102	CD32 - noisy video The video output (composite or S-video) of my PAL CD32 is quite noisy and it seems like the distortion is caused by the CD-ROM drive. Is there a way to get rid of the video noise? I once modded the CD32 for RGB output. I did get an RGB picture on the TV, but the video was still noisy. The mod was rather awkward, fragile, eventually the motherboard got blown and I replaced it with another one from Ebay.

06 January 2012, 17:29	#3
spiff Oh noes! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Neverland Posts: 766	Did some "testing" with my CD32, 2 things that improved noise. 1 A more expensive S-Vid cable with extra/separate shielding to minimize cross-talk. Probably called something like pro cable with double shielding... around $15 2 For my plasma TV, I get better result from lowering brightness about 10% and then raising contrast about 50%. Lowering the brightness lowers the "blackness" cut off level and filters some of the noise that can be compensated with the contrast. It won't filter out noise on bright areas, but its less visible on black background. I'm guessing the basic issue is that the signal amplification isn't very good and getting old. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by spiff; 06 January 2012 at 17:39.

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05 January 2012, 18:03	#2
spiff Oh noes! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Neverland Posts: 766	Got a similar problem with my CD32. Most visible as rolling "sync" noise on black backgrounds. I did some cap exchange but it didn't help any. If you could get RGB and buffer the signal with some caps (like with RGB scart signals) and maybe that would clean it up somewhat.

07 January 2012, 19:40	#4
endre1952 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hungary Posts: 102	Thanks for the info. I use a CRT display for all my retro hardware. If I were to use my 1080p LCD, I would just load up WinUAE.

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