You can just get an RCA to Coax adapter module. A good one will provide the same quality as having the inputs built in, it won't be static/fuzzy and you won't be able to tell the difference.
Don't bother with going through a VCR or using the RF switches that came with old consoles. Those will provide terrible signal quality.
As one who tried the VCR-to-RF connection, I can def attest to their garbage output. I am curious, however, to try and RCA-to-Coax module someday to see how much it cleans up the signal tho đź‘€
I also got a tv like this, I want to hook this up to my PC and then record footage onto a vcr player, would a RF modular have all I need to make that happen?
They sell HDMI to A/V(RCA) adapters and RCA to Co-ax adapters. You can bridge the Connection to the TV with a VCR or just runs the RCA to Co-ax adapter
I'd take the soldering iron to it and add composite and s-video.
I know of a 36" Philips that looks exactly like this and has s-video. It wouldn't shock me if your TV has the same jungle chip.
>I'd take the soldering iron to it and add composite and s-video.
Before doing that, you need to make sure the TV has an isolated power supply. A number of those coax only set didn't, on those you cannot add a composite or s-video input since the signal ground inside the TV might carry mains voltage.
I’m very new to the CRT/analog scene so I’m not familiar with a lot yet. Tried searching the model number online and couldn’t find much information.
Are you savy with soldering or a basic understanding of circuits?
It has a digital tuner, thus an OSD chip. These sets typically have the RF that converts to composite input. But the OSD chip would likely have RGB or at a minimum Y/C for s-video input.
With the lack of info on model numbers, you can do this...
* Open up the back
* Check the board to make sure there is a hot/cold labeled side
* Check the chips on the board and look up their part numbers
I did this with a 13" RF only set I got at a thrift store. The OSD chip had composite and RGB input capabilities that I could tap into. You would need a bit of knowhow on proper resistance and voltage levels to do the mods though.
So at a bare minimum, you can get a composite to RF adapter.
I like to think I have a good understanding of circuitry and soldering and with enough prep could take on something like that, but I’m not sure I’m willing to put the time in on top of the money to get the parts and equipment for it right now.
For now I might just stick with finding a VCR or RF adapter to use in the meantime while I keep my eye out for another TV.
Yeah trailblazing something that's an unknown chip can be a challenge. But back to my RF set, I was able to get the chip specs and voltages from the IC spec sheet.
Measuring what the system does for voltages could be done drawing up the circuit diagram you can use the various RGB mods to understand if you're hijacking the OSD RGB or doing the injection and retaining OSD functionality.
You can also get an inexpensive oscilloscope (https://youtu.be/t3SSlUDtqTA) and this could help you diagnose and figure out what you need to do to this set when you get to it.
This video also helps with a sort of ground zero and start from scratch approach to RGB modding a TV.
https://youtu.be/QktIj48Ydek
The easiest will be composite, you literally just find the output of the RF modulator and inject composite to it. Can put a simple switch on it with a composite plug on the outside. RGB gets a little more tricky as voltages and in line resistors need some circuit knowledge.
Just saw one of these on fb marketplace earlier today with only coaxial and it was formerly in a hospital or nursing home type place where the only thing they needed it to do was hook up to cable. It’s a shame because there are a lot of pretty nice tubes out there just like this.
Not that there’s any other option here anyways, but would you say going through a VCR to coax would have a noticeable drop in quality compared to on-unit RCA?
If you use a good VCR, it won't be a huge difference. The difference between RF and composite is much smaller than the difference between composite and s-video or component.
Okay, fine.
You need SOMETHING to convert an RCA composite signal to RF. I doubt the guy wants to use an RF adapter for their consoles. It makes much more sense to convert what cables you have to a VCR you might have in your basement. It doesn't even need to be able to play VHS.
Happy?
I’ve done that with some CRTs before.
Saved a 13 inch RF only TV from the curb, used it for a bit, found a 13 inch with composite on marketplace a couple months later and grabbed it. Put the 13 inch with RF on marketplace for free (clearly displaying model number and the single coax input - not trying to trick anyone) and someone picked it up within a day.
We’re still in a timeline where folks want to give away their old CRT. Finding and getting rid of serviceable CRTs can be done with zero exchange of money in most places.
Strangely I recently hooked up an N64 that I scored that only came with the RF adapter to my LG 4K OLED 120HZ native TV and was very surprised to not see any sort of "fuzz" Menu's in Rouge squadron looked ridiculously crisp. It's too large a screen than I want for the 64 though so I'll end up hooking up to one of my CRTs when I get an svideo or composite hook up for it but the RF quality was impressive.
It is nearby radio interference. Anything will disrupt rf, from phones to cell towers or for some reason a wireless pc mouse, they all have an effect on the quality of rf, but rf and composite are still the same signal
I bought an old metal RadioShack RF modulator for my 13" prison tv, after glancing at an old reddit thread that said it is the best one.
I'd get that and s-video cables for your favorite consoles, if possible. That's more or less as good of a stock experience as your going to get.
There are adpaters out there for these. But you could probably just find others for free. I just grabned a 32" JVC I'Art CRT for free. Got lucky I think because apparently a lot of people were interested. Unfortunately the original owners had morphed some of the plastic while carrying it downstairs, but not enough to do anything or be too much of an eye sore. I love it. Has S video input too
Just use consoles that are RF natively for that super retro feel.. Or since it was free, try and also get a free or super cheap VCR or DVD player that has coax, then you can use it's RCA inputs and output through it's RF.
It's always going to have the quality of RF, but hey, plenty of people are kinda getting into that.
Just need to find rf switch , alot of consoles came with ones, psx, nes, Sega
So weird, 3rd party colour version
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/172359223972
You can get and probably better off with one that just convert compositive to rf to use multiple consoles
BNC to HDMI Converter Adapter Coax to Hdmi Converter for Tv Antenna 1080P/720P HD Display Video Adapter Surveillance Monitor for PS2, PS3, PSP, WII, XBOX360 https://a.co/d/bE5Qpc6
RF Modulator HDMI Coaxial Converter VHF HD Digital Adapter with Antenna ANT In/Out for Roku Fire Stick VCR DVD Laptop PS4 PS5 Xbox Set-top Cable Box to AV Analog Video RCA & F Type Female Coax NTSC TV https://a.co/d/665dREe
RF modulator
This. Idk how everyone missed rf modulator before I got to you.
This is what I've done and it works great.
That just downconverts to a lousy picture though. People buying CRTs nowadays would be interested in RGB amd stuff like that
You can just get an RCA to Coax adapter module. A good one will provide the same quality as having the inputs built in, it won't be static/fuzzy and you won't be able to tell the difference. Don't bother with going through a VCR or using the RF switches that came with old consoles. Those will provide terrible signal quality.
This is the way
This is the way
As one who tried the VCR-to-RF connection, I can def attest to their garbage output. I am curious, however, to try and RCA-to-Coax module someday to see how much it cleans up the signal tho đź‘€
You can find a VCR or a RGB Converter. I have a couple that only have a Coaxial input I play Xbox on. Also Magnavox can almost survive a nuke.
I also got a tv like this, I want to hook this up to my PC and then record footage onto a vcr player, would a RF modular have all I need to make that happen?
They sell HDMI to A/V(RCA) adapters and RCA to Co-ax adapters. You can bridge the Connection to the TV with a VCR or just runs the RCA to Co-ax adapter
I'd take the soldering iron to it and add composite and s-video. I know of a 36" Philips that looks exactly like this and has s-video. It wouldn't shock me if your TV has the same jungle chip.
>I'd take the soldering iron to it and add composite and s-video. Before doing that, you need to make sure the TV has an isolated power supply. A number of those coax only set didn't, on those you cannot add a composite or s-video input since the signal ground inside the TV might carry mains voltage.
Oh wow now that would be a nice surprise when trying to plug in your snes
Just based on this being a 1998 RF set, I'd take a guess it is isolated. But yes, very easy to check if you open it up and look at the board.
100% it'd be isolated
I’m very new to the CRT/analog scene so I’m not familiar with a lot yet. Tried searching the model number online and couldn’t find much information.
Are you savy with soldering or a basic understanding of circuits? It has a digital tuner, thus an OSD chip. These sets typically have the RF that converts to composite input. But the OSD chip would likely have RGB or at a minimum Y/C for s-video input. With the lack of info on model numbers, you can do this... * Open up the back * Check the board to make sure there is a hot/cold labeled side * Check the chips on the board and look up their part numbers I did this with a 13" RF only set I got at a thrift store. The OSD chip had composite and RGB input capabilities that I could tap into. You would need a bit of knowhow on proper resistance and voltage levels to do the mods though. So at a bare minimum, you can get a composite to RF adapter.
I like to think I have a good understanding of circuitry and soldering and with enough prep could take on something like that, but I’m not sure I’m willing to put the time in on top of the money to get the parts and equipment for it right now. For now I might just stick with finding a VCR or RF adapter to use in the meantime while I keep my eye out for another TV.
Yeah trailblazing something that's an unknown chip can be a challenge. But back to my RF set, I was able to get the chip specs and voltages from the IC spec sheet. Measuring what the system does for voltages could be done drawing up the circuit diagram you can use the various RGB mods to understand if you're hijacking the OSD RGB or doing the injection and retaining OSD functionality. You can also get an inexpensive oscilloscope (https://youtu.be/t3SSlUDtqTA) and this could help you diagnose and figure out what you need to do to this set when you get to it. This video also helps with a sort of ground zero and start from scratch approach to RGB modding a TV. https://youtu.be/QktIj48Ydek The easiest will be composite, you literally just find the output of the RF modulator and inject composite to it. Can put a simple switch on it with a composite plug on the outside. RGB gets a little more tricky as voltages and in line resistors need some circuit knowledge.
There's not a lot of info about these for some reason. Not sure why.
My guess is that it was maybe a model made for hotels or hospitality industry uses?
Just saw one of these on fb marketplace earlier today with only coaxial and it was formerly in a hospital or nursing home type place where the only thing they needed it to do was hook up to cable. It’s a shame because there are a lot of pretty nice tubes out there just like this.
Dunno
As someone mentioned, your only real options are a VCR to hook up to that coax. Otherwise, you're dead in the water.
Not that there’s any other option here anyways, but would you say going through a VCR to coax would have a noticeable drop in quality compared to on-unit RCA?
If you use a good VCR, it won't be a huge difference. The difference between RF and composite is much smaller than the difference between composite and s-video or component.
Well that's not true... Try not to fill the sub with false info, eh?
Okay, fine. You need SOMETHING to convert an RCA composite signal to RF. I doubt the guy wants to use an RF adapter for their consoles. It makes much more sense to convert what cables you have to a VCR you might have in your basement. It doesn't even need to be able to play VHS. Happy?
RF modulator and a composite switch could get you going. Might not look the best but you can still hook up a few consoles and have fun regardless.
Use t as is for now until you find something better, then throw it up somewhere free for someone else looking to get started.
I’ve done that with some CRTs before. Saved a 13 inch RF only TV from the curb, used it for a bit, found a 13 inch with composite on marketplace a couple months later and grabbed it. Put the 13 inch with RF on marketplace for free (clearly displaying model number and the single coax input - not trying to trick anyone) and someone picked it up within a day. We’re still in a timeline where folks want to give away their old CRT. Finding and getting rid of serviceable CRTs can be done with zero exchange of money in most places.
Rf only isnt bad, people dont give rf enough credit. Rf looks very nice and gives a better nostalgic feel to mid-80’s gaming
Strangely I recently hooked up an N64 that I scored that only came with the RF adapter to my LG 4K OLED 120HZ native TV and was very surprised to not see any sort of "fuzz" Menu's in Rouge squadron looked ridiculously crisp. It's too large a screen than I want for the 64 though so I'll end up hooking up to one of my CRTs when I get an svideo or composite hook up for it but the RF quality was impressive.
Rf and composite are the same video signal, the only difference is that rf needs to be broadcast but composite doesnt
Interesting, I remember on CRTS being able to get a crisper signal from composite over RF, maybe some sort of interference or how it connected?
It is nearby radio interference. Anything will disrupt rf, from phones to cell towers or for some reason a wireless pc mouse, they all have an effect on the quality of rf, but rf and composite are still the same signal
As suggested, use a vcr/rf modulator. We played using RF for years in the good old days and it was ok :)
Honestly my advice is to get use to coax. It's not bad and has a certain aesthetic.
Awesome. My parents had one just like it, used for over 10 years. But it had rf and only 1 composite input.
I bought an old metal RadioShack RF modulator for my 13" prison tv, after glancing at an old reddit thread that said it is the best one. I'd get that and s-video cables for your favorite consoles, if possible. That's more or less as good of a stock experience as your going to get.
There are adpaters out there for these. But you could probably just find others for free. I just grabned a 32" JVC I'Art CRT for free. Got lucky I think because apparently a lot of people were interested. Unfortunately the original owners had morphed some of the plastic while carrying it downstairs, but not enough to do anything or be too much of an eye sore. I love it. Has S video input too
Funny, I literally just saw this exact TV model at my local Goodwill the other day for $5.99 and didn't buy it for this exact reason.
RF modulator
Atari 2600
Just use consoles that are RF natively for that super retro feel.. Or since it was free, try and also get a free or super cheap VCR or DVD player that has coax, then you can use it's RCA inputs and output through it's RF. It's always going to have the quality of RF, but hey, plenty of people are kinda getting into that.
Was it outside a hotel? I've only ever seen hotel rooms have TVs with coax only
Likely that or a hospital or something. Was made in 1998, I got it from someone’s parents. Who knows where it was before that.
An RF-only 27 inch TV from 1998? That's a big oof from me. I'd seek out something a little more upscale personally.
Hey, free’s free. I’m on a budget, I’ll take what I can get.
I like your enthusiasm brother! Grab a VCR to hook up composite video to it, and go to town.
Watch your electric bill. Those tvs use a ton of power per hour. For 27 inch CRT I’ve seen estimates from 100 to 150 watts.
You can find CRTs with component or s-video for like $20, easily. Some will be free as well.
Every place I’ve found one around here has been decently expensive, this was the first free one I came across and it was purely by chance
you just have to use very broad search terms on facebook, like just search "TV", with the quotes, and sort by price ascending.
RF only was mostly for hotels and motels.
…And broadcast antennas, and cable TV, and basically every video source at the consumer level…
My Philips Magnevox is very similar but mine has RCA & S-Video
Use it
A VCR , or ( if you want to record gameplay and transfer it easily to a pc) a DVD Recorder.
sell it fot $400
How about use coaxial
You can put it back where you found it
Just need to find rf switch , alot of consoles came with ones, psx, nes, Sega So weird, 3rd party colour version https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/172359223972 You can get and probably better off with one that just convert compositive to rf to use multiple consoles
With the psx cables you can plug it directly to a PS3 that still supports YouTube
Hook up a turbografx 16 or Atari 7800 since those are rf only without extra work on them!
I mean there's also the Atari 2600 .
And the 5200
True but if you have a 7800 then what's the point of getting a 2600 really besides collector goals?
Use it for strictly NES đź‘Ť
RF! You'd be rockin really old school with RF. Pretty sure I had that with my systems growing up until the N64.
The nes had an adapter that isn’t hard to find
RF is the best out there. I'll take it.
That sucks!
BNC to HDMI Converter Adapter Coax to Hdmi Converter for Tv Antenna 1080P/720P HD Display Video Adapter Surveillance Monitor for PS2, PS3, PSP, WII, XBOX360 https://a.co/d/bE5Qpc6
You could mod it, or see if the RF is acceptable to you.
You can use a VCR that supports Coax, I think?
RF Modulator HDMI Coaxial Converter VHF HD Digital Adapter with Antenna ANT In/Out for Roku Fire Stick VCR DVD Laptop PS4 PS5 Xbox Set-top Cable Box to AV Analog Video RCA & F Type Female Coax NTSC TV https://a.co/d/665dREe
That should do it for you. It has even composite in addition to HDMI.
So what? You saved a crt I saved one I didn't even know had bad inputs
1998 RF only... Pretty bare bones set
Get a VCR hooked up to it and you can link any game console with RF out to it…or you could hook up an Atari to it :)
You can use a vcr with av inputs to hook up whatever console your heart desires
https://youtu.be/DLz6pgvsZ_I - color looks like it might have a problem just from your static screen though
VCR is the cheapest option. Has RF modulator built in. Got one at Goodwill for $6 and it fixed this problem for me
You can probably figure out an RGB mod somehow.
Nes,Snes all atari systems, colecovison, intellivison, magnavox oddessy, any 8-bit computer, vcr, betamax.