eleminator30 Posted April 22, 2007 Posted April 22, 2007 I've bought 3 different video cables *A/V cables* for my Dreamcast...RCA, Composite, and S-Video. NEITHER one of them work...the Dreamcast will play the music from the BIOS, but will not display any video at all on my TV. Even when a CD *or GDROM...w/e* is not in the drive and it's playing directly from the BIOS, it WILL NOT display any video what so ever. Of course since it doesn't display any video AT ALL it's not a problem with my GDROM laser, so it has to be something hardware wise since none of the cables worked for it. Anyone possibly know what to do/tweak to fix this problem or am I just screwed without a DC for the moment?
ken_cinder Posted April 22, 2007 Posted April 22, 2007 Sounds like there is something wrong with the AV port. Could be as simple as a bent/broken pin, or a blown capacitor. You'd have to know what you're dealing with really.If you know someone capable enough, I'd suggest letting them have a look at it.
eleminator30 Posted April 22, 2007 Author Posted April 22, 2007 Sounds like there is something wrong with the AV port. Could be as simple as a bent/broken pin, or a blown capacitor. You'd have to know what you're dealing with really.If you know someone capable enough, I'd suggest letting them have a look at it.Hmm, I remember opening it up *carefully....I build and repair people's computers for a living so I know how sensitive these parts can be, I'm just no good with solder* I did see a prong seperated from the main board where the AV Port is. Of course you cant just force those prongs back down, you have to actually solder them back on the board in the correct location...sounds like I gotta mail my DC to the repair shop.
ken_cinder Posted April 22, 2007 Posted April 22, 2007 Sega recently discontinued their Dreamcast repair service. I can offer up my services if you'd like. I've been meaning to speak with Gamecop again about opening up a modding/repair service here on 1Emulation, where those of us with the know-how can offer up our help on the cheap. If you're interested, just let me know. If it's a simple matter of fixing a cold solder joint, I'll do it for nothing. All you'd have to cover is shipping.
eleminator30 Posted April 22, 2007 Author Posted April 22, 2007 Sega recently discontinued their Dreamcast repair service. I can offer up my services if you'd like. I've been meaning to speak with Gamecop again about opening up a modding/repair service here on 1Emulation, where those of us with the know-how can offer up our help on the cheap. If you're interested, just let me know. If it's a simple matter of fixing a cold solder joint, I'll do it for nothing. All you'd have to cover is shipping.alright, I think I'll hit you up on that offer...I sent you a PM.
scorpion25 Posted April 22, 2007 Posted April 22, 2007 (edited) I did see a prong seperated from the main board where the AV Port is. That is the problem I had the same thing happen to one of my older Dreamcast I had a while back nothing major should be a quick fix for Cinder, Sounds like he knows what he is doing under the iron. Edited April 22, 2007 by scorpion25
eleminator30 Posted April 22, 2007 Author Posted April 22, 2007 I did see a prong seperated from the main board where the AV Port is. That is the problem I had the same thing happen to one of my older Dreamcast I had a while back nothing major should be a quick fix for Cinder, Sounds like he knows what he is doing under the iron.That's great to hear! You know I sold my PS2 for $100 when I needed the money the most even tho the dude offered $110 for my DC? lol call me crazy but I just think gameplay is more fun on the DC over the PS2.
ken_cinder Posted May 4, 2007 Posted May 4, 2007 Ok, his Dreamcast got here today, and I have to say........this is the most BADLY abused console I have EVER seen in my entire life. It looks like a bus had it's way with it. Anyway, I took a peek at the AV port, and lo and behold......every pin but 2 were bent and broken off at the motherboard. Underneath the pins in the port itself, sits a plastic retaining piece, this is broken off.I'm guessing the AV cord got ripped out of this thing at some point, and hardcore. I've managed to solder all the pins back on, but it's still not working for me. I'm going to have to take a closer look for any cold joints etc. I will post pictures when I'm done, the abuse this thing has suffered damn near makes me want to cry.
gizmo_ult Posted May 5, 2007 Posted May 5, 2007 I did see a prong seperated from the main board where the AV Port is. That is the problem I had the same thing happen to one of my older Dreamcast I had a while back nothing major should be a quick fix for Cinder, Sounds like he knows what he is doing under the iron.That's great to hear! You know I sold my PS2 for $100 when I needed the money the most even tho the dude offered $110 for my DC? lol call me crazy but I just think gameplay is more fun on the DC over the PS2. hell yea the dreamcast is the best sega system made i love to play the mvc games on it i still have mine in great condition and people wanted to trade and/or give me money for it but i didn't want to cause mine is chipped and i can play copied games on it so i don't have to buy new games only dvds to put the info in
Ghosty Posted May 5, 2007 Posted May 5, 2007 Ok, his Dreamcast got here today, and I have to say........this is the most BADLY abused console I have EVER seen in my entire life. It looks like a bus had it's way with it. Anyway, I took a peek at the AV port, and lo and behold......every pin but 2 were bent and broken off at the motherboard. Underneath the pins in the port itself, sits a plastic retaining piece, this is broken off.I'm guessing the AV cord got ripped out of this thing at some point, and hardcore. I've managed to solder all the pins back on, but it's still not working for me. I'm going to have to take a closer look for any cold joints etc. I will post pictures when I'm done, the abuse this thing has suffered damn near makes me want to cry. Please dont! You'll make me cry too! Makes me think of my DCs...
ken_cinder Posted May 5, 2007 Posted May 5, 2007 Hardcoreness! I ripped the AV/Serial port completely off the board, straightened all the pins perfectly and resoldered. Working Dreamcast, save for his other problem of previously having it not read discs (At least he thinks that because of no audio, but that was part in parcel of the AV port problem) I am, the FUXING MAN!
ken_cinder Posted May 5, 2007 Posted May 5, 2007 Unfortunately, it would appear the controller ports daughterboard is dead. I swapped out the one from my Dreamcast, and things work fine, he'll have to foot the bill for another (If I can even find one). Here's some shots of it in pieces, and in action. Macro mode on my camera ain't all that great, closest shot I could get of my work on the AV port without it blurring. Missing a pin if you look closely, the Chroma for S-Video. Going to remove the VGA H-Sync pin and replace it with that. No VGA for you eleminator30, sorry.
ken_cinder Posted May 6, 2007 Posted May 6, 2007 Oh it's so pretty now and clean, and best of all it works very well (Can't fix broken+missing plastic components).Swapped the VGA H-Sync pin to the S-Video Chroma, so now theres just a lack of VGA support.And the controller port issue was nothing more than a blown resistor. I'd post pics, but now it just looks like any other Dreamcast.
eleminator30 Posted May 6, 2007 Author Posted May 6, 2007 (edited) Well I did buy it used. The ppl in this town HATES anything with Sega's name on it...pretty well thinking that Sega can be nearly as cool as Sony...so what happens when the local video ship buys a DC instead of a PS2? Of course it's the only console kids can rent in this town...but they will neglect it and have "their way" with it until it's time to take it back...the owners at one time told me some kid cut the video cord in half and brought it back to them...I bought the DC from them without a video cord, I had to actually pay an extra $12 or so for another video cord. So yea...I saved it from further brutality, but it sounds like I didn't buy it just in time...I was a little late...but at least it was saved thanks to you. Great job! Edited May 6, 2007 by eleminator30
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