Can someone recommend me a good tv?

[Aionic]

First of all, I've only recently started importing. Everything that I've imported arrived fine. The problem is that since I've started using my NTSC PS2 on ANY TV it seems to start to slowly ruin it for all games (PAL and NTSC). Ever since I've used my NTSC PS2 the right-hand border line has on some games come in a few inches (it hates Grandia) and on others curve inwards at the top right. This has happened on both my Beko 21" and new Sanyo 32". The text also isn't solid at all on games, as best as I can explain it like it's slighly untuned...very annoying for someone who plays mostly RPGs.

I use the Blaze RGB cable recommended on here. I've tried changing back to my standard PS2 cable to see if the problem would go away, no go.

Can anyone recommend a good gaming TV, or just a TV that can keep to it's borders and has solid text? this TV thing is driving me insane.

[gossi the dog]

It sounds like it's the RGB cable - it's a quirk of their design in that often the picture won't quite be in the middle. However if the border is still there with an AV cable I honestly don't know what's wrong.

[Aionic]

Yup, I've already tried the AV cable that I'd used for years on my PS2 before and even my old PS1 in the aerial socket. The NTSC PS2/RGB cable must be doing something since this only started after I started playing imported games, and on two different TVs.

Strangly, the border problem only happens on games. I can watch DVDs and the TV fine. My uncle even tried to move the screen across to hide it...if anything it only became worse.

On some games the issue isn't that bad. All you can see is a slight curve at the top right, a curve that makes anything by it slightly slanted. The hell if I know why it likes being picky over what games to annoy me on.

Before the Sanyo, I also tried out a 28" Phillips TV. That had the border issue and, by going on the picture quality, seemingly didn't match NTSC games at all. Is is it possible to damage the TV somehow by using NTSC stuff on a TV that doesn't support it fully? I always got the impression by the picture quality on the Beko/Sanyo it could handle NTSC.

I wish I'd never got into importing. If I knew it'd be the reason I'd pay ?500 for a TV and still be unhappy...

[Cobertizo]

Is it possible to use the "service mode" on the tv to access settings which will let you align the picture correctly? Unfortunately I can't remember any of the sites which have instructions for accessing such settings, but I'm sure that there will be others on this forum who can.

[EDIT: Having said this, I found this site http://www.eserviceinfo.com/ mentioned here: http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/showthread.php?t=53454 ]

[Aionic]

*Repost* Just to sum everything up in one post since I'm bumping this up.

I've been having issues with two different televisions ever since I started using my NTSC PS2+Blaze RGB cable.The first TV, my old Beko 21", has now got a fairly large black line on the right-hand side which lead me to order a new TV, and the problem is the same on the new TV. The problem itself is rather hard for me to explain... I guess it's best to describe it simply as a very weird issue with the right-hand border. At first it's just a slight annoyance at the top right/bottom right moving slightly inwards, something and nothing really. The real problem with it is that it seems to be slowly moving more and more inwards over time, like something is eating away at the TV. This only happens when playing games.

Can anyone see anything wrong with the TV specifications that would cause the problems I have?

Sanyo 32" http://www.tesco.com/electrical/prod...966820%7CSanyo

Power: AC 220-240V 50Hz
Television System: System I
Colour System: PAL/NTSC4.4.3
(PAL/NTSC4.43/NTSC3.58 in AV mode)

Also, if anyone can recommend a good gaming TV in the ?300-500ish area it'd be helpful. I could just use my current TV for movies.

[andrewfee]

The reason for this is because most sets are not set up to properly centre NTSC signals. Most games consoles do not fill the frame, but overscan typically hides this.

If it's not centred, then overscan will often hide all but one side, but look fine with DVDs, and an Xbox. (as it scales the output to fill the frame) These sources still aren't centred though.

I know that most recent Sony sets have an RGB centring option. Most sets these days will do processing on the image, and not lock out the RGB colour control, unfortunately, but you still want to avoid 100Hz.

The "curvature" of the image is just because it's a CRT. As for text being "fuzzy" - try turning down the contrast control, if it is set too high, it can affect convergence and you'll often see a blue/red "fringe" on the edge of white text. Lower the setting until it disappears. (you'll also want to set sharpness to zero, or the mid-way point if it's a Panasonic)

I don't know what your viewing distance is, but you want your screen to be 1/3 that distance, or less. If 28" is suitable, Currys have what should be a pretty decent Sony set for ?250. (KV28HX15U) Or a 28" IDTV for ?320 (KD28DL11U) From the looks of things, the digital one is the same, but with a Freeview tuner built in as well as the analogue one. If you want to save sockets/space etc, then I'd go for the IDTV, but if it's not an issue, I would spend that money on the Sony external Freeview box instead, as it will be better.

Both are 50Hz, so ideal for gaming.

Most places seem to be dropping CRTs, so the selection is quite limited now.

[Aionic]

Cheers man. I feel better now that someone has managed to understand what I've been going on about forever.

After already going through 3 TVs, KV28HX15 is the set you're on about, yeah? I ask because I want to be 100% and because I can get it easier through my catalog, with the obvious hike in price. KV28HX15U is half the price (o.O), but it says they're out of stock currently at Currys. http://www.ciao.co.uk/Sony_KV28HX15__5728456

The RGB centring option sounds great. I take it that the Sony set that you mentioned would have it and it's simple to use? It's not something I've really heard of before.

As for the text issue, well... changing the settings doesn't do anything with it. I've noticed that it can become a pain on 2D games with the characters having the same "untuned" look as all the text on the TV has. I've always sat pretty close to my TV since I like to mess about on my PC (the TV and PC are next to each other really) and play. It's fairly annoying when you mostly play RPGs and the text isn't exactly solid. I just sit a mile away from the TV whenever I play games now.

As I said in the thread I made about importing my PS2; sorry for sounding as stupid as I probably do.

[andrewfee]

You might want to see in a local shop if they've got one in stock, rather than ordering online. I think Currys (try Dixons too - they're the same company) are selling them so cheap because they're reduced to clear - they plan to stop selling CRTs soon.

I believe RLench here has one of those sets, so you might get more specific answers from him.

You might want to take a console along with you and actually try it on the set. The cable you're using could be causing some problems too though, I found any cable other than the official Sony one to be very poor quality.

[Aionic]

I've messaged RLench.

Yeah, I'll probably end up doing that. The only reason I haven't taken my PS2 up town is because I'd look like a complete prat.

I have no idea if the cable is causing all this. I only ordered the cable because a few people on here said it'd give better picture quality on NTSC games. It does give better picture quality on everything, sure, but I'd much rather keep the borders from coming inwards. Should I just use my standard cable on my next TV?

[andrewfee]

You need an RGB lead; the provided one is composite.

This is the official Sony one you need: http://shop.uk.playstation.com/produ...partno=9108603

The corners "coming inwards" is because you're using a CRT - you need a fixed pixel display to avoid geometry issues.

An RGB lead is a significant improvement over composite, but the third party ones are cheaply built and very prone to interference.

[Aionic]

Oh, I wasn't aware Sony sold it. I would've got that instead of my Blaze RGB lead if I'd known before. The Blaze RGB only cost around ?8... is the Sony cable worth the hike in price? I don't mind paying if it is.

I decided to go and have a look for the Sony set up town. Dixons didn't stock any Sony TVs, nor did they allow you to test the TVs in store due to their alarm system. It looks like I'll just have to buy and try.