it is not the switch. if you plug the console into the same same port on the tv it does the same thing. i did try using the other rca port and the picture looks good and playable but when i plug in the cable to a 2nd tv or vcr it gets much darker. i guess at least the issue is the tv and not somewhere else. i have been considering replacing it with something bigger. been changing things around with the plan of getting a larger tv. just have to wait to come accross the right tv