Hi all. I've been seeing many more Dreamcast's with the '' no video output fault'' as of late. Either straight from boot or during gaming. And the price for our beloved machine is generally increasing.
So I thought it would be good to have a thread with all the video output faults people have experienced and how they fixed them, to try and help save as many Dreamcast's as possible.
I myself am aware of a few causes of it (feel free to correct anything):
1.Psu failing/acting up:
-Cause 1-Failing/leaking caps on psu. Fixes-Re cap PSU/Replace PSU/ Buy dreampsu/picopsu etc.
-Cause 2-Dirty psu connecting pins/bad connection between pins and psu board.FIX 1=Clean pins with isopropyl. Fix 2:Can also apply pressure to pins to bend them slightly to make better contact with connector when seated (havee to bend in diff direction for PAL machines)
2. Fan not detected by dc:
Cause 1-Fan simply unconnected. If the fan isnt connected then you wont receive video. FIX=reconnect fan.
Cause 2-Fan connected but not detected/fragile connection. Flakey/loose fan connector on controller board. they can come loose or start having dodgy connections. FIX 1= reseat fan connector. FIX 2- If that fails try and resolder/reattach the connector.
3. Video Encoder Chip Fault- FIX. Replace video output chip. Available on aliexpress?
4. AV port fault- The AV port and the traces/points behind it can have issues sometimes. FIX. Clean AV port with isopropyl. Fix 2. Find any issues with traces and components behind the AV port. This guy used a jumper wire to fix his https://youtu.be/-oMSwLmzb1c
Im sure I'm missing a few causes and symptoms here , so feel free to add. Thanks
Dreamcast ''No Video Output/Black Screen'' Repair Tips Thread
Moderators: pcwzrd13, mazonemayu
Forum rules
Please check the other forums in the Dreamcast section before posting here to see if your topic would fit better in those categories. Example: A new game/homebrew release would go in the New Releases/Homebrew/Emulation section: http://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=5 or if you're having an issue with getting your Dreamcast to work or a game to boot it would go in the Support section: http://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=42
Please check the other forums in the Dreamcast section before posting here to see if your topic would fit better in those categories. Example: A new game/homebrew release would go in the New Releases/Homebrew/Emulation section: http://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=5 or if you're having an issue with getting your Dreamcast to work or a game to boot it would go in the Support section: http://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=42
-
- dark night
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 4:37 am
- Dreamcast Games you play Online: none at present
- Londinium
- dirty sailor
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2021 6:28 pm
- Dreamcast Games you play Online: I'm up for anything
- SEGA RPG FAN
- Developer
- Posts: 601
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:01 pm
- Dreamcast Games you play Online: PSO
Quake III
Starlancer
Alien Front Online
Chu Chu Rocket - Location: Minnesota USA
Re: Dreamcast ''No Video Output/Black Screen'' Repair Tips Thread
I'll add: if normal av outputs work (e.g composite) but no picture with VGA box or anything else that draws power, there's an SMD fuse on the 5v output that can blow.
PSO Dreamcast 100% Legit: Eda FOmarl, Automaton HUcast
-
- Fancy Pants Admin
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2023 4:33 am
Re: Dreamcast ''No Video Output/Black Screen'' Repair Tips Thread
Apply gentle pressure to pins to slightly bend them, improving contact with the connector when seated. (Note that bending direction might differ for PAL machines.)SEGA RPG FAN wrote:I'll add: if normal av outputs work (e.g composite) but no picture with VGA box or anything else that draws power, there's an SMD fuse on the 5v output that can blow.
-
- fire
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2018 1:51 pm
- Dreamcast Games you play Online: Quake, Starlancer, Chu chu rocket, AFO, PSO
Re: Dreamcast ''No Video Output/Black Screen'' Repair Tips Thread
Can this fuse bereplaced?andreen wrote:Apply gentle pressure to pins to slightly bend them, improving contact with the connector when seated. (Note that bending direction might differ for PAL machines.)SEGA RPG FAN wrote:I'll add: if normal av outputs work (e.g composite) but no picture with VGA box or anything else that draws power, there's an SMD fuse on the 5v output that can blow.
-
- Fancy Pants Admin
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:37 pm
Re: Dreamcast ''No Video Output/Black Screen'' Repair Tips Thread
You're absolutely right about failing capacitors, dirty connections, and bad solder joints on the PSU being common culprits. Replacing or recapping the PSU can be effective, but consider alternatives like DreamPSU or PicoPSU for modern and reliable power solutions.
-
- Fancy Pants Admin
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:40 pm
- Dreamcast Games you play Online: PSO
Re: Dreamcast ''No Video Output/Black Screen'' Repair Tips Thread
PIcoPSU worked best for me when I had this issue.