SFC - Strange faint vertical lines

Hi,

So I have been using my SFC a lot recently. I have started to notice thick faint vertical bands on the screen, which are most noticeable on blacks. It appears as though its on every game. Is this a common issue? Is it fixable? I am using RGB Scart with my LCD tv, as I am waiting on my old tv to moved to my flat.

Hope somebody can help,
Cheers,

 

It sounds like the video out connection on your SFC could be dirty. What I would recommend is getting some q-tips and some alcohol and gentle try cleaning the connections.

If the q-tip ends turn black then that is more than likely your problem.

-Disjaukfia

 

Thanks for the reply, I will try and pick up some Qtips an rubbing alcohol,

Just to make it a little clearer, I will attach an image of the issue;

 

I get the same as well. I'll try this soon. Please let us all know if it works. I think I've also heard that it's due to noise (poor shielding).

I really hope this isn't true (it's plausible).

 

Last I heard the systems that really suffered from poor shielding were the Atari 2600 and other consoles of that era, I really don't think the SFC would be suffering from this issue as well . . . I could be wrong though . . .

-Disjaukifa

 

It seems to be a common problem, and its more pronounced when using the SNES PowerPak. You might want to read the following thread (Its mentioned half way down the first page):-
http://www.nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?StartRow=1&catid=22&threadid=32536
Sounds like it might be a shielding issue(?)

 

Can you go into more detail on the shielding issue in general.

 

I am only guessing its a 'shielding issue' based off the info provided in the thread I linked to. It doesnt really sound like theres a solution, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to make sure you are using video cables that have proper shielding, and keep the SNES/SFC console away from sources of EMI interference.

 

What would be the best scart lead to go for? I have been having a browse for official scart leads for N64 and Gamecube, however I am not having much luck.

 

It definitely won't be this. Dirty connections won't cause vertical bands in an analogue video signal. Cleaning those contacts won't hurt, but it won't fix the problem either.

Buying better RGB cables may help, look for the official ones if you can. They pop up from time to time on ebay, shouldn't be too hard to find.

 

I use RGB and I notice the lines. It isn't the type of video output that is causing the vertical bar.

 

I don't think anyone said that.

 

I noticed this on every single SFC and SNES I have, to get rid of it just turn on the machine with no game in the slot and adjust the black so it is black and not a light shade of grey and then retry. Adjust brightness up a little if need be.

However as you are using a LCD, I fear that you are not going to get rid of the problem as different LCDs handle different video signals differently, and scaling the image does magnify a lot of problems that would be hidden by a CRT.

A lot of LCD screens are shite at dealing with RGB via scart and some of them will not do RGB at all (as Composite Video is on pin 20 and is used by RGB SCART to get the composite sync signal but if the socket doesn't accept RGB then you are going to get a composite video as the composite video signal is still there). A lot of consoles will look better via component or s-video then they do with RGB on some LCDs.

Try using the composite video lead and see if you get the same thing happening, I fear the picture will look the same or the problem will be a little less.

In a nutshell if you are going to use a classic console then use a decent Sony Trinitron CRT screen rather then a LCD screen, like trying to listen to Elgar - Pomp And Circumstance March No.1 in D Major on a ipood player and complaining it doesn't have the fidelity of listening to it on vinyl on a half decent turntable and value amplifier.

 

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies. I set up my SFC with my old Trinitron Sony tv, and unfortunately the problem is still persisting. I have played around with the contrast/brightness etc, I can cover up the majority of the problem however it is certainly without a doubt, still there.

Perhaps its my scart lead? I am not using an official nintendo lead, perhaps I should try this.
Could something have happend to my gpu on the SFC, or some other hardware issue?

Cheers,
Dan

 

May sound strange; but which kind of PSU are you using? The Nintendo SFC-one? A Mega Drive or a cheap wall-wart?

Also, If you life in PAL-Land, don't use the Super Nintendo or NES AC Adapters (as they put out 9VAC). I did that once, got nasty white bars all over but it didn't fry my SFC.

 

Thanks for the reply ZueriHB. Unfortunalty I do not know where the PSU originaly came from. It does not have any markings on it that can identify what it originaly came with. What would be the ideal psu to try? If this is the actual caus of the problem, you are a saviour

Edit - there used to be a sticker on the front with the details of the PSU as there is signs of sticker residue left behind. I will take a photo of the PSU and post that, hopefully one can identify it better than I can.

 

Hm... If your problem were with the console, you would notice the lines on CVBS or S-Video (if you're in a PAL country, disregard S-Video though).

So if I were you I would test it with CVBS on a good TV and check the image for such lines.

If the RGB is "poluted" with the lines inside the SNES, obviously it will be present on the CVBS output as well.

If your RGB cable is at fault (irradiating interference on the RGB signals) you won't see such lines on the CVBS output when you hook it with another cable.

Hope you figure out what the problem is. :thumbsup:

 

1) What cartridge is the pattern most noticeable on?
2) Is the power supply you're using powerful enough to run the SNES? (I found with the NES that I'd get picture noise and buzzing when the power supply was below the recommended ampage or was on the way out). You'll need 1.5A (if I remember correctly) to run a PAL SNES. A genuine SNES power supply is a mid-cable box with either raised lettering or a silver label in a raised square box. If you have a NES, try the power supply from that (as they are the same).
3) Do you get the same noise through the RF (aerial) socket and composite (yellow) socket?

 

Cheers for the replies.

Just to make things slightly clearer, the console is a Japanese super famicom, that is RGB modded and 50/60 modded with a slot widened. I found out that the PSU is a top end 9V 1.3A adapter.

I dug out a RCA cable (think thats is the name of the cable) its the Red, White and Yellow cable, and the problem is still present and looks identical to the Scart. I tried both cable methods on the LCD Sony Bravia tv in my flat, and also took the SFC back to my parents place and tried it on the old Sony Trinitron tv and I get exactly the same issue, no difference. I have yet to try RF, as I cant find that specific cable yet.

The problem is most noticeable on Final Fantasy 3 (its the game that I initially noticed this problem with), however I can now see the problem on any game I play. Even when I turn on the console with no cart in the slot.

 

The Super Famicom does not need to be modded for RGB, so what exactly was done to the console?

Also does the adaptor output AC or DC? PAL SNES consoles expect AC, but the NTSC SNES and Super Famicom expect DC and use different plugs. It is possible to plug a PAL SNES adaptor into the Super Famicom and you get problems as described in this thread:-
http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3881.0

The power requirements stated for each region are as follows:-
JPN Super Famicom / SHVC-001 / DC10V 850mA / Center(Tip) Negative
US SNES / SNS-001 / DC10V 850mA / Center(Tip) Negative
PAL SNES / SNSP-001A(XXX) / AC9V 1.3A / No Polarity (AC)