CRT picture shift, Dreamcast, N64

[Ross79]

Hello all, my first post here and I'm having a bit of a headache trying to get my CRTs setup properly, hopefully someone can advise the best way to work around RGB shifting to the left on the Dreamcast.

I have two CRTs, both of which have the same issue, an MX4000 and a KV-2572U. The sony is a bit dodgy outside of this issue but the B&O is spot on.

The problem I'm having is that my NTSC Dreamcast is RGB and my PAL N64 isn't. If I adjust the TVs in the service menu to suit the Dreamcast then the problem moves to the N64 being off to the right.

Short of RGB modding the N64 or using separate TVs for each console, is there any other way around it? I'm assuming an RGB N64 would also shift left,
correct? I used to use a similar Trinitron back in the day and it definitely didn't have this problem.

Thanks, Ross

[Einzelherz]

afaik, no, this is just how life is with analog consumes due to signal timing? (a topic beyond my depth). My solution was to set the screen in a middle position so that every console would get displayed fully.

[Ross79]

Hey, thanks for the reply.

What's strange is that I didn't have this problem back when In first bought the machines. The only thing that has changed is the TVs. Could have my original Trinitron (years ago) have had auto adjustment for RGB signals? Does such a thing exist?

Einzelherz, does that mean you're running borders on both sides of your screen? I can't see any way to get them both fully in screen unless I squeeze the display horizontally.

[Einzelherz]

Your screen from back then might have had more overscan which could cause you to not notice a problem?

Yes, I just leave some black on the sides. The shift isn't that noticeable for me, but maybe PAL is different?

Also, how are you running NTSC and PAL systems on the same tv?

[Ross79]

It would have had to have been quite a bit of overscan to compensate and I don't recall edges of the screen ever being missing, or either console looking off centre.

I'm noticing on both of my TVs that the image runs slightly downhill too, from left to right, which is also quite annoying and trying to fix it in the service menus presents other issues elsewhere in the picture. I guess I need a crosshatch and to spend some time getting everything right, then sort the shift afterwards.

I may have to go down the separate TV for RGB/non RGB consoles but not ideal.

Half decent CRT TVs in the UK run PAL/NTSC 50/60Hz.

Thanks again for you reply.

If anyone else has any ideas, I'll be more than happy to receive them

[Xer Xian]

The horizontal shift with RGB varies from system to system so getting another TV is not really a solution. Automatic centering does exist (I don't get RGB shift with the DC official scart cable on my JVC monitor), but when it's not there or doesn't work as intended you either live with the off-centre image or adjust the horizontal centering (or buy an RGB interface if your TV doesn't have this setting).

[Syntax]

Put a 10k pot on the sync line. You can gets fair amount of shift out of that.
I usually get to around 6k before it goes out of sync.