Modding a Samsung TV to always turn on when power applied.

[PacManPlus]

I have a Samsung TXD-1372 (the same one 8-Bit guy converted to RGB), and it was a successful conversion. I'm actually using it in a Pac-Man cabaret cabinet - currently I have to power the cabinet on, then power the TV on with the remote. This brings me to my question:

I've been looking at the schematics, trying to find a way to 'force' the TV to be 'on' whenever there is power, instead of having to use the remote to power it on. I don't see anything that jumps out at me. Is this even possible? I'm thinking that I have to pull a signal either high or low that usually gets set when you hit the power button of the remote...

Here's the service manual link from the 8-bit guy thread: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GoGtO6 ... 2Kual/view

Thank you in advance,
Bob

[SuperSpongo]

I ran into a similar problem a couple of years ago. I came up with two solutions, both involving an Arduino:

The TV I used started in Standby as well, but could be switched on by pressing "Program Up" on either the remote, or the front panel. I wired a digital output pin of the Arduino to the front control board of the TV, used the 5V rail of the TV to power the Arduino and sent a short HIGH signal to the Arduino Pin on boot up.

The second solution would use an IR LED and a software lib for Arduino to send the necessary IR remote codes.

[PacManPlus]

Thank you for replying!

I was hoping for something more straight forward, like tying a signal to either ground or +5v... but thank you...

[bobrocks95]

Do you still have access to the front buttons in any way? If you hold the power button and then plug the TV in, maybe it will turn on and stay on? In that case maybe you can get away with a jumper wire closing that circuit, or something along those lines?

[PacManPlus]

Good Idea - I'll give that a shot, and hope that it doesn't turn off if it's still held in... I'll report back.

[PacManPlus]

Holy Crap!

That actually worked! And I kept the button held in while it was on for a bit and it didn't turn back off. Simple! I never would have thought of a non-electrical solution, thank you so much!

Now If I can just get the horizontal screen shortened, I'll have a perfect monitor.

[bobrocks95]

Awesome, will you be able to do something as simple as taping the button down or do you need to get inside and do something to keep the circuit closed?

[PacManPlus]

Yep!

I actually did something a little more permanent - soldered the two connections together. This will never be anything but a monitor for this game.

Thank you again!
Bob

[PacManPlus]

Added: Pictures. It looks *much* better in person. Also, you can see how the heading "1UP HIGH SCORE 2UP" is off the top of the screen.

[bobrocks95]

Looks very nice, since it's permanently installed see if you can't get into the service menu and adjust the H.Size to get it perfect! (Hopefully the always-on power button doesn't stop that)

[PacManPlus]

Thanks!

Actually I already tried the service menu before I even put it in the cabinet. Changing the values literally did nothing.

[bobrocks95]

Hmm, well it's not too bad or anything. Maybe it's one of those sets with pots inside near the back that let you adjust screen size? Though if they bothered to put it in the service menu, you'd think it would actually do something...

[SuperSpongo]

Such a simple solution! Awesome

Yeah, these small TVs sometimes don't have many options of adjusting the picture, unfortunately. I agree that your best bet would be a pot on the chassis.

[PacManPlus]

Thank you both!

I was looking for anything on the motherboard that looked like it was adjustable; didn't find any there either that did anything to the horizontal size. I read somewhere about adjusting the coils on the neck of the tube, but I wasn't about to fool around in that area while it was on.

Thanks again,
Bob