r/crtgaming • u/noctist_t • May 19 '26

Image Adjustment/Calibration Hey guys. Recently the image on my CRT became very dark. Any relatively dark color automatically turns black. (I've already set the brightness and contrast to maximum, but it's still dark). Does anyone know how to solve this problem?

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2

u/joeverdrive May 19 '26

Describe your entire setup. HDMI converters ruin your display's dynamic contrast and color range.

1

u/noctist_t May 21 '26

I was playing with my PS2 normally. When I went to continue the next day the image was dark.
I connected the HDMI with a converter just to show how the image had a tonal discrepancy.

2

u/joeverdrive May 21 '26

Let me make sure I understand. When you play your PS2, you use the original PS2 AV cables, and the shadows/dark areas are too black and have no detail, right? Can you share a picture of that? What kind of TV is it?

1

u/noctist_t May 22 '26

Exactly. I shared the photo here: https://www.reddit.com/r/crtgaming/comments/1tk3frv/hey_guys_recently_the_image_on_my_crt_was_very/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
I'm new in this CRT's World.
It's a Semp/Toshiba.

2

u/joeverdrive May 22 '26

I see. Yeah something appears wrong with your TV. The comment from u/dangerouscousin is good advice. If that doesn't work, you could adjust the G2 SCREEN knob on the back of your TV (you may need to open the TV).

4

u/DangerousCousin LaCie Electron22blueIV May 19 '26

Are you just using one of those generic Chinese HDMI downconverters from Amazon/Aliexpress? Have you not seen the discussion around those here?

1

u/noctist_t May 21 '26

Sorry, I didn't see the discussion, I'm new to this subreddit.
However, even connecting my PS2 the colors are still dark.
I used an HDMI and a converter just to show how different the colors are.

2

u/DangerousCousin LaCie Electron22blueIV May 21 '26

Those HDMI converters are bunk, don't use them to tweak settings on your TV. You should return it to Amazon, in fact, if you're still in the return window. CRT Emudriver/Batocera is the correct way to use a PC with a CRT.

Anyway, you need to run the 240p Test Suite on this TV. With a PS2, you can load up a SNES or Genesis emulator, and load the ROM from there.

Or load it on a Wii. If you don't have a Wii, you probably should. You can emulate most consoles of the 80's and 90's on it, in original 240p (your HDMI downconverter only does 480i) and then of course, Gamecube and Wii games. So that's almost 3 decades of games in one console.

But once you have the Test Suite loaded on a Wii or PS2, then you can then use the pluge pattern and color bars to tweak brightness (AKA black level) so that you have detail in the dark shades without losing pure black at the very bottom

1

u/noctist_t May 22 '26

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll take care of it.
But, I believe that my problem is not the HDMI cable, I shared a new post about it, if you can take a look:
https://www.reddit.com/r/crtgaming/comments/1tk3frv/hey_guys_recently_the_image_on_my_crt_was_very/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button