Fun (NOT) with a top loader NES. How to fix this?

[Elizara]

So okay. I have this (I kid you not!) Mickey Mouse CRT in my room now for retro gaming. When I had my surgery, I asked Neko to let me borrow his top loader NES. (We have a VCR type/original model/front loader one too but I'm savvy and didn't want that one due to my brothers have been fighting over it) Basically, if you didn't know with that model, it's RF switch ONLY.

Well, seems the TV hates that, I am getting snow on the screen. I understand there's a adapter that might fix it but having trouble finding it. Any ideas that aren't modding that system? (I will NOT do that. 'Neko would kick my butt if I did.) Just so you know it works on the other CRT in the house just fine.

[arus2001]

Just to clarify, the NES is using the coaxial cable connection (black cord, probably silver screw-on coupling, with a needle prong inside), right? Does this TV have multiple coax inputs? Are you connecting it directly, using a splitter, or feeding it through an external VCR or other object like a switcher? I'd ask if the TV runs cable normally, but it's probably 480p or less and may only display from VCR tapes. Though if that's the case, are they also snowy?

[Elizara]

Yes it's the coax cable. Only ONE input. I'm connecting directly. Don't have a VCR or DVD player on it at the moment but it is connected (through the older composite cables to a switcher) to a PS2, which does not have the snow. I can't say for anything else though that input since if I wanted to watch TV, I'd do it though the main tv, which I have the PS4 + the PS3 + my pc + a Fire stick hooked up to.

Also if you wanna get a idea on what we're talking about, here's a ebay search for this tv. No I do not have the matching vcr or dvd player; Neko has told me he's going to keep a eye out for the matching dvd player (Well, before he lost his job) but he hasn't had luck finding one yet. (He found the original tv though a estate sale.) It might be a liiitle whimsical but it's really good for the limited space I have in my room.

[Salodin]

So okay. I have this (I kid you not!) Mickey Mouse CRT in my room

I'm just here to laugh and wish you luck. Lowkey jealous you have a working crt, but also lol

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[Elizara]

Salodin; Yeah it's a little funny. But these themed tvs are some of the last CRTs ever made, and they were for kids's bedrooms. There was a princess one, a Cars themed one, and a few ones themed to other animated characters; I don't have much information on those. I put a little Kingdom Hearts poster (about the size of a postcard) by it since my PS2 is over there (Mickey, KH, get it?) and have some perler art themed to retro gaming over there too. (I mean to add more when I can go to more cons.)

If you saw the search above, this tv is red with the speakers being Mickey's ears ha. It also (new) came with big yellow feet but those are missing, I'm hoping I can get that look back when we find the matching DVD player. What I understand; these things are decent for retro gaming, not top notch but they do the job.

Anyway since I'm in a really small bedroom, it's the PERFECT size to fit at the foot of my bed (it's a little one). So it works pretty well for the space.

[Madeline]

Remembering the Pikachu Blue & Yellow CRT VHS combo fondly.

[arus2001]

If the NES is working fine in the other room, then I'd say this puts the issue with the TV itself.

First thing I'd do is look over the power cord for any gouges or if it feels looser than it should where it connects to the TV. If you do find any knicks, put some electrical tape over them and see if it helps. Try another electrical socket and perhaps a known working surge protector if you have one, too. If you're using a metal stand, maybe try putting a towel over, too, and make sure none of the cables for anything are touching metal. The NES should also have a switch by the RF port for enabling channel 3 or 4 use. Couldn't hurt to see if one yields a better response than the other. I'm assuming it doesn't have an internal antenna and thus not picking up stray broadcasts, either. If it does, try taking it to a room without windows that could maybe dampen a potential outside signal some to see if the snow repeats. If you have any other devices connected or cords touching, remove them temporarily, too.

It'd be easier to better confirm if it was the TV if you had an old VCR or something around to try plugging into the coax slot instead. If that connection isn't going bad, which happens, the only other real alternative is to try and get an adapter to put between the TV and the RF box that would ideally minimize static and power bleed. These'll probably run you $10-15 though and may have to order online. Just make sure they're specifically for coax cables and not AV, composite, or RCA. If the connection is what's failing, I would not advise opening the TV to try and do it yourself because CRTs are big electrical hazards. Someone local may still do CRT repairs and fixing that particular connection should be on the easy side. You'll still have the bill to go with it, however.

I have like a 45" Hitachi CRT sitting down in our garage that I used to have in my room where the coax ports went bad. While part of me would like to get it fixed, I haven't touched a retro console outside of emulation since probably pre-2010. Half tempted to say if anyone here near eastern Ohio wants it, they're more than welcome to come and get it.

[Elizara]

I do have a loose DVD player I could try (tho would rather have the themed one!) so I'll try that. I'll also check the channel and the power cord, tho as I recall before I put it on the wooden stand, it looks pretty solid.

Worse case (and I've heard of these cases) it just hates the NES. (I found out that happens too, RF/Coax is funny that way) If you know where I can find that adapter, I'd be grateful. It's worth a try.

[arus2001]

Something like this would be what you'd want to try.

A quick google isn't turning up people having issues implicitly with this model of TV with old consoles, so if it is an issue, it's specific to your TV. For 21 year old hardware, the fact it's even still working could be considered a miracle since not uncommon for parts to corrode over time or have capacitors pop after long periods of disuse. Either way, if hooking up that old DVD player to the same coax slot reproduces the snow, then I'd say we have an answer.

Oh, and aside from trying different outlets, turn off other lights or fans in the room, too.

[Elizara]

Thanks. I'll check that and even move the console. I think you can understand why I asked for the top loader vs. the original model; we have enough fur flying in this house. Don't want to add more.

[Outlaw]

If all else fails I would check out a local electronics shop and see if they have a small CRT for sale. There are tons on eBay but I wouldn't buy one from the internet for obvious reasons.

[Elizara]

Outlaw; I'm not doing that. I already have a perfectly good (if oddball) CRT and I don't have room in this wittle room for a second. (Didn't I say that Mickey TV was a CRT?)