MSX problem!

[ave]

hey guys,

a couple of months ago I finally decided to buy an MSX computer because I want to play the exclusive Konami shooters on the original hardware! I succeeded getting a Sony MSX2+ F1XV in flawless condition and got it yesterday by seamail from Japan.
But here's the issue. I can't get the video signal straight, it keeps flickering or scrolling. When I connect it to my Philips CM8802 monitor (50/60Hz RGB), the picture is just "scrolling" really fast. I attached a picture of it:

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9373/msx1.jpg

I decided to try connecting the MSX with my rgb TV and it looks much better, but the picture still "scrolls" about once a second and certain areas are "wobbling".

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5545/msx2.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7558/msx3.jpg

I tried to capture that effect on the last picture with the blue screen and text. The text is wobbling back and forth and not just bent to the right as you can see on the picture.
My guess is that it is caused by the cable because the MSX itself boots and plays cartridges perfectly fine, but the video signal i.e. gets worse when I reconnect the cable: The image shifts when reconnected whilst the MSX is switched on, like the bottom of the picture is right in the middle.

My RGB-cable is an 8-pole DIN->Scart RGB, selfmade by a guy from the Netherlands. The people I've contacted to far don't have a clue, so you guys are basically my last hope.

[onetunafish]

I don't know if that will help you or not, but I remember when I had a tv turned into an rgb monitor that there was a dial nob inside just to adjust the syncronism. Without that fine tunning adjustment I had similar problems with the image scrolling like crazy and the wobling in certain areas. Your cable could be faulty as well, I know there at least one pin just for the syncronism as well, you might want to check the solder joints on that.

[blue lander]

If it's scrolling really fast that usually means either it isn't getting a vertical sync signal ( maybe the monitor needs composite sync and your MSX is outputting seperate HV sync or vice versa), or the computer is trying to sync the screen at a frequency the monitor doesn't support.

[AB Positive]

Well just a note, just so things are more difficult - Japan and Europe have different SCART pinouts. If you are using a European scart cable, that's probably why it's scrolling.

[Arkhan]

Did you buy the cable from Bas? (bas-ditta.info)?

If so, give him an email directly. He is *very* knowledgeable about MSX hardware. He's given me straight solutions to my problems in the past, often with quick replies also

If you DIDN'T buy from Bas, give him an email anyways and explain things to him.

How does the computer work if you use composite instead of the RGB, or do you live in PAL land where that is not an option? It should still be a "kind of" option. You can hook up composite and get a B&W video signal I believe, and at least see if the screen rolls that way.

If it works composite-style, and not RGB style, that means you either have a bad cable, or a bad RGB port on the MSX itself.

also, the MSX din outputs a composite sync signal on .... pin 4 IIRC. So its possible the cable you have is not the right one.

Which cable did you buy exactly?

http://bas-ditta.info/verkoopenlinks...s%20engels.htm one from here??

EDIT: also, how is the FDD in it? They usually come complete with broken belts that require replacement!

The belts are cheap to replace (from Bas!), and simple as hell to replace as well. If you happen to have to do that, feel free to PM me. I've done it like 4 times

[ave]

I live in PAL-land (Germany) and my TV/monitor supports NTSC, 60Hz and RGB input. I've tested them with several other devices such as JP Sega Saturn, GameCube, PS2, Mega Drive...

@ab positive
Mh, I bought that cable from Bas in the Netherlands, so it's probably made for any MSX with 8-pole din out. Didn't knew there were difficulties with jap and pal RGB cables?! I use European RGB cables for all my jp. consoles and had no problems what so ever.

@Arkhan
Yes, as mentioned on top, I bought the cable from Bas. I'm in contact with him and he offers me to sent a new cable.

I've also tested the MSX with a simple cinch cable (they call it RCA jack in the states?! I mean the yellow/red/white one...) and it delivers a flawless composite picture. So the source of my pain is the RGB cable, I can be sure about that, right?

I bought a cable from the website you referred to, the forth counting from the top:
Scart ---> 8-pin DIN (1,5 m) Sony, Turbo-R 12€

The FDD should be fine but I don't have a game to test it. According to the seller he replaced the belt just a couple of weeks before the sale.