Famicom World

Family Computer => Technical & Repair Assistance => Topic started by: Hachi on July 25, 2013, 06:35:40 pm

Title: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: Hachi on July 25, 2013, 06:35:40 pm
Hello,
I've recently bought a Famicom and got it hooked up to a PAL CRT using just the NES RF cable. My AC adapter is 9V, 800mA.
I tuned the frequency on the TV manually to get to where the Famicom was broadcasting and I got perfectly clear video, but instead of the game audio I get a distorted buzzing sound. Sometimes when the music changes ingame, the buzzing changes a bit too.
I checked to see if the second microphone was the issue, but turning it down or blowing into it changed nothing.

What should I do to try and get audio running?

Update: Seems the changing of the buzz tone is from the screen changing, not the game audio.
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: 80sFREAK on July 25, 2013, 10:05:43 pm
Yo, m8 :) Your TV might not support NTSC-J or either sound subcarrier in famicom RF unit drifted off.
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: Hachi on July 25, 2013, 11:38:21 pm
I did some more fiddling with the TV controls and it turns out there's a setting called COL SYS that I can set to Auto, PAL, NTSC3.58 or NSTC4.43. NTSC3.58 and Auto both give me fine colour at the frequency I have the TV set to, and PAL and NTSC4.43 give me no colour. When I manually tune the frequency a little to the side of where it is, I can get colour on the PAL and NTSC4.43 settings but then the TV locks back in to the frequency it was at before, because it seems to think that one is "correct". I think that one of those will be able to get me sound if I can make the TV actually stop at the slightly different frequencies but I can't seem to make that happen.

Even when I disconnect the Famicom and tune it there separately, it goes back when I plug the system back in.
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: 80sFREAK on July 26, 2013, 12:03:11 am
You should have manual tuning in the TV, but, again, it might be issue with famicom's RF unit itself, so find a "channel" with the best picture and we will start from there.
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: Hachi on July 26, 2013, 12:42:37 am
Quote from: 80sFREAK on July 26, 2013, 12:03:11 am
You should have manual tuning in the TV, but, again, it might be issue with famicom's RF unit itself, so find a "channel" with the best picture and we will start from there.


I do have manual tuning, I needed it to get to the picture because there's a big gap between channels 3 and 4 on NZ TVs, which is where the Famicom frequency is. What should I look for?
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: P on July 26, 2013, 04:31:26 am
One solution to this problem I usually suggest is to use a FM radio for sound, since you already got an OK picture through your TV.

So if you can't get it to work in any other way, you can try connecting the RF cable to a two-way splitter and connect one end to the TV for picture and the other one to an FM radio antennae for sound. This article http://famicomworld.com/workshop/articles/famicom-fm/ explains more about the FM radio.
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: Hachi on July 26, 2013, 06:29:56 pm
Quote from: P on July 26, 2013, 04:31:26 am
One solution to this problem I usually suggest is to use a FM radio for sound, since you already got an OK picture through your TV.

So if you can't get it to work in any other way, you can try connecting the RF cable to a two-way splitter and connect one end to the TV for picture and the other one to an FM radio antennae for sound. This article http://famicomworld.com/workshop/articles/famicom-fm/ explains more about the FM radio.


Tried this, it fixed the issue. Thanks a lot!
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: spoung45 on September 28, 2013, 01:59:37 pm
I have a buzzing/hum from my Twin Fami I know it is from the Mic any one know any good repairs or solutions to fix it? It does not put up my voice to well, it dose pick up me blowing in to it, other then that I get the 60 htz hum.
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: P on September 29, 2013, 08:21:12 am
Try this http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8105.0.
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: ebinsugewa on October 05, 2013, 12:43:49 pm
Just clean the contact with alcohol, really fine grit sandpaper, or even a pencil eraser. Should be fine.
Title: Re: Buzzing from Famicom
Post by: spoung45 on October 05, 2013, 04:26:42 pm
cools thanks everyone! It has worked and now The MIc works nice.