Does anybody have experience with a JVC TM-13U or similar crts? I also would like to know if there is an instruction manual available online
Here you go:
http://pro.jvc.com/pro/attributes/monitor/manual/TM-A13SU_A13UCV_A13SUW.pdf
Looks like this is composite only. That’s not a dealbreaker by any means unless you want your games to be very sharp.
I wouldn’t pay a ton for it though. Probably would be best to keep it well under $100 if you’re going this route since you could do much better with a set capable of S-Video once you start hitting the 3 figures range.
Most importantly, if you’re going to buy any CRT, make sure you have it tested, ensure the phosphors aren’t worn out, and make sure the geometry isn’t warped. Also, if it’s going to be shipped, make sure the person sending it to you knows how to ship CRTs (freight shipping only). Otherwise, it could get very damaged when shipping.
Let us know if you have any other questions about it. Generally JVC made CRTs of comparable quality to Sony, Panasonic, NEC, and Ikegami. So if you want an idea as to its quality, check out posts and screenshots of other composite-only CRT monitors made around the same time.
Edit - whoops, I posted too fast, looks like this DOES do S-Video. Just disregard the first few paragraphs of my post, I’m probably sleep deprived lol.
It should be a fairly great set if it’s in good condition.
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How does s-video on a CRT like this compare to RGB?
Depends on the CRT. The difference can be stark for very high end RGB monitors. Here is the most stark sort of comparison you could have:
You can see the BVM monitor has a nearly clinical picture where the s-video is more blended. Take a look specifically at the word “Super.” On s-video it looks more like a gradient. On the BVM it’s more like 3 very distinct shades.
Personally, I think S-Video can be great if you don’t care to see every single pixel distinctly represented.
Here’s another:
(component and scart are basically interchangeable for retro systems in terms of quality).
The most important thing S-Video does is it gets rid of dot crawl and rainbow artifacts from composite. It’s not quite as sharp as Scart and Component, but it’s a perfectly stable image with good colors and no dot crawl or extreme color bleed.
Text will be clean, sprites will be vibrant and distinct, polygons will be clear. It’s just not RAZOR sharp. I’d still say that without factoring in the capacity for increased resolutions, the jump from composite to S-Video is higher than that from s-video to RGB as long as you’re sticking to 240p/480i.
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Thank you so much for helping me.
No prob.
One more thing - in terms of sharpness on N64, there is no discernable difference between S-Video and SCART. It’s that close for that particular system.
A CRT capable of S-Video in good condition is always preferable to an RGB monitor in bad condition.
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Is this all on a PVM/BVM?
I believe the S-Video is a consumer set, but not a PVM. The JVC should still be fairly comparable to it if not superior. Here’s also a thread on this topic that maybe of help:
Do you have suggestions for s-video cables?
https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/upgrading-from-s-video-to-component-cables-snes-are-my-expectations-off/812/6?u=heyman980
What systems are you looking to connect? For SNES/N64 retrogamingcables from UK makes one that should be good. For Dreamcast, Saturn, Neo Geo, PS1, PS2 etc… I think those are going to be very difficult to get your hands on. No-name cheap cables tend to just pipe a composite image through the S-video port.
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I was going to connect a ps1.
I would definitely go with a first party cable if you can. Not generic.
As far as I can tell this monitor is a 13 inch 320 TVL slot mask display intended for industrial, educational, surveillance and point of sale systems. It isn’t like a Sony PVM where the intent is video production. The lower TVL is much more similar to what a good consumer level TV would have had – it’s not a bad thing, it delivers an image more true to what people would expect 20-30 years ago, but you won’t get very defined scanlines.
I found a game being displayed on the exact same model:
Personally I love the way that looks. I primarily use a 13 inch 350 TVL s-video capable slot mask security monitor, and it gives a really nice picture while providing a natural softness to the whole image, and best of all compared to “higher end” CRTs you get a really great look for 480i. I actually went back to using it from a 750 TVL monitor with very defined lines.
Here’s a photo I took a couple years ago of Link to the Past on my monitor:
I will echo @Peltz that condition is the killer here. I got mine new old stock and I have a couple extra similar monitors new old stock stored. If the same monitor had been used for years as a beater security monitor it wouldn’t be worth taking up space.
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That looks really great. The thing OP has to also take into account is that pictures never really do a CRT justice. In person it should be even better if the condition is good. Especially if he hasn’t played in a crt in years.
Plus I agree - for 480i a low line TV set is going to provide the cleanest image. Perfect for PS2 games.
The seller has four of the TVs, so I get to pick the one in best condition.
Here’s a link to the Craigslist post:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ele/d/vintage-heathkit-c-jvc-crt-video/7368918406.html
I found someone in this forum that had one:
https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?165518-TV-for-old-games
I found this adapter:
https://castlemaniagames.com/products/hd-retrovision-ps1?ref=w9_zngec1o_
Would this be better than using an official cable? I found the link on the RetroRGB website.
No. I wouldn’t go this route. That cable may look like s-video, but I think it’s actually mini-din. Looks similar, but it’s different.
I’d get one of these and feel confident in my purchase:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/203528934807?hash=item2f63451597:g:pSEAAOSwlChguoSi
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274909889595?hash=item4001e8043b:g:BlcAAOSwa6FhHFCQ
PS, $125 for that CRT is a very fair deal these days (if the condition is good). I’d buy it in a heartbeat and play everything prior to the HD consoles on it and be very happy with my purchase. PS2 in particular is going to really shine on this type if CRT more so than anything sharper. And even the 480p-capable systems will look pretty great in 480i mode.
Of course, all the 240p systems like PS1 and prior are going to look fantastic too.
I hope your purchase goes smoothly and you enjoy it!
Let us know if you want any help configuring it afterwards.
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