ugh, yeah this is the main reason I haven’t written any changes to my PVM; decided to just live with making some quick adjustments for each system/game since it’s current setting is pretty close for all.
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I just wanted to share some soft composite shots of a 20" Sharp CX48K4 tv.
The picture is pretty good, especially from the N64. I’m not so much a fan of the SNES running anything other than RGB these days though.
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I agree that N64 looks great with a soft picture. It just looks so right.
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I mean, Nintendo thought that too
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1 out of 2 mythical beasts has been captured. I’m still team JVC but I’m curious to what the Sony - Trinitron KV-27FV310 can offer.
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Might be the wrong place to ask but couldn’t find another thread. Are there specific modes that are better to look out for PVMs? Or at least specific features you would want? Really looking for something in the 14”-17” range since don’t have room for much larger.
Others can probably speak to this with more authority, but here’s my 2¢ as a PVM owner, and long-time scene lurker.
You’ll want check for a controller board if it’s a BVM (and if needed), an rgb input card installed (especially JVCs), and component video compatibility (if important to your setup), which I think became standard in the later models.
Otherwise most have all the features you’d need, ntsc/pal compliant, various sync options, and extensive service menus for geometry adjustments.
There’s also the horizontal line count, which can range from 400-900+ Don’t quote me any of which are an improvement on (most) consumer sets.
Given their rarity the days, it’s probably a case by case assessment.
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Forgive me if I’m confusing you with someone else but how did you manage to snag a PVM in Australia?
I love my modded consumer set but I still jealously eye PVM/BVMs in the knowledge that they’re practically non-existent (or outrageously priced) here.
I’m not aware of a 17" PVM size option. Typical sizes go from 8/9" to 13/14" to 19/20". I think there may be rare ones above that. If you’re looking for one for 480p content the L5 series (14L5/20L5) are the only one that handle it (that I am aware of).
I recently found this link which seems really helpful; can’t comment on its accuracy though.
https://www.reddit.com/r/crtgaming/wiki/speclist
Also, manualslib.com is a great resource for operating manuals and sometimes service manuals.
My general advice for PVM hunting is don’t get anything that doesn’t have S-Video or better, and always buy based on the usage rather than by the model number unless you have some very specific needs.
A normally used PVM in great condition that only does S-Video is going to be better than a PVM that does SCART and component that has been left on for years
Try to grab one where the owners took care of it and it wasn’t used as an always-on display in some store window.
Also, as previously mentioned, some CRT monitors like the PVM L5 series do 480p (and higher!) and some BVMs are even widescreen and do wonders with 16:9 content. They also come in HD models.
If you want one monitor that does everything natively (aka multisync) at a decent size, I’d recommend the PVM 20L5, but they tend to go for a hefty price these days.
JVC and Ikegami also have some multi sync pro monitors though. Possibly Panasonic too.
At the of the day, don’t be afraid to blow a few hundred bucks on a good monitor in today’s market. If you get one in good enough condition it’s well worth the money.
Yes, you got it right, I’m in Australia.
I picked one up on ebay in December 2016 for A$200. Seems like a steal now.
I also bought a Blaupunk 26" Scart TV around the same time which has since died.
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I really need to get rid of my 32" sony CRT. It’s not a PVR, but it’s a nice TV. anyone in the dc metro area interested?
What model is it?
God damn like I need more…
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It’s a Sony KV-32S25 or 32S26. I can’t tell from the pic I have of the back.
Anyone have experience with a JVC TM-13U?
I think that’s related to the commodore 1702 which is rather great. Slot mask, S-video only? I think it might be RGB moddable but S-video looks amazing, indistinct horizontal scanlines (Great for N64 imo). @Mega had the JVC TM-A13SU, think he can tell you more about it.
Yeah, that sounds about right from my googling. Can’t find a picture of the back of that exact model but most around that time seem to have s-video
They’ll do the JVC for $65 
I feel like this is a good deal, especially for a local pickup?
I paid a little more than that for a 14" JVC back in 2016, I’d say it’s pretty good (depending on the hours used/screen condition)