14 Sept 2017, 02:38

Hello all, I'm having trouble getting color picture in a Sony Wega KV21FS140(A) CRT TV through composite either setting (PAL) mode=2 or (PAL) mode=18 in Recalbox's config.txt

Refresh rate is ok, getting 50hz /50fps, having tested Amiga (uae4arm) everything is perfect; smooth scrolling (no tearing) and perfect audio (right pitch/tuning) but in B&W.

A description of the TV, its behavior and my findings:

  • 2 composite inputs (named "video 1" and "video 2")
  • 1 component input (named "video 3")
  • This model is from 2006 and was made in Brazil
  • In the TV's menu you can select color mode for "video 1" and "video 2", which as I mentioned are composite inputs: you can set it to "Auto", "NTSC", "PAL-M", "PAL-N". Neither of this options gives color to the picture.

As I have no cables to hook my Rpi3 through the COMPONENT input ("video 3") I tested the input with a Playstation 2 and the game "Black", european version, which lets you select PAL 50hz or PAL 60hz. Both modes work fine with color picture.
Now, hooking the PS2 through COMPOSITE cable, it happens the same as the Raspberry: no color on 50hz mode but ok color on (PAL) 60hz mode.

So my guess would be there is a problem with the composite settings, maybe accesible in service mode, as the TV is able to get 50hz AND color through component input.

OR maybe there is an option you can set in config.txt for another PAL mode other than 2 or 18, maybe this "PAL" modes are not compatible with "PAL-N" mode this TV has (are they even different, PAL / PAL-N?...)

@ironic may I summon you, as I've read your investigations and maybe you or someone you know may know how to enable this, I'm quite shure it can be made. By the way, I have found the TVs service manual but dare not fiddle with the options yet.

Thanks in advance to all the community