PSone screen - composite input, how to make video darker?

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 6:45 am

I have the N64 part of my project outputting video via composite, looks fine, but slightly bright (even when the contrast button on the PSone screen is down as low as it can go). Is there any easy way to make the screen a bit darker please? The PSone screen is unmodded, I am not too keen on it being modded.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:36 am

I've never heard anyone wanting their PSOne screen darker. Usually my main concern is making the screen brighter... I know you mentioned not wanting to mod the screen, but generally putting in LEDs is a sure fire way to reduce brightness. It's such an easy process, but the only downside is a bit of unevenness in the lighting. However, it's never been enough to bother me.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:42 pm

It's not the process of modding a PSone screen, it's the result. I have seen pics and videos (inc yours) of a modded screen, and the unevenness of the lighting is not ideal to me (otherwise as you say, this would certainly make the screen darker). The screen's brightness is great for the GBA, but a bit bright from the N64 in my view. Not a problem, it would just be nicer if it were dimmer.

Post by **marshallh** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:57 pm

You can put a very low resistance (< 10 ohms) resistor in series with the composite video line. If you don't have any small resistors, just wire a few in parallel.

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 11:25 pm

I've done what marshall suggested in one of my projects before. I just used a small pot and adjusted it perfect, then measured and substituted the correct resistor.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:07 am

What's the colour coding on the resistor you suggest please?

Oh, BTW, I notice the bodies (not the markings) of resistors seem to come in different colours: tan brown, sky blue and mid green - what is the difference please??

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:42 am

Bookmark this helpful page:
http://www.dannyg.com/examples/res2/resistor.htm
I cant remember what the value was, since its been quite a while now... Just experiment with what you have lying around, and go from there.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:47 am

grahf - thanks.

When I referred to the colours of the bodies of the resistors I was referring to this - rather than the colour stripes - I was wondering if they represent anything or if the colour of the body doesn't matter?:

johnbjuice · Post by **johnbjuice** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:07 pm

It refers either to the accuracy or the temperature handling capability of the resistor. Not important unless you are using them under high-stress conditions. As I recall, green resistors are strongest/most accurate, then blue, then brown...I think.

- Juice