JVC AV-27D201

# JVC AV-27D201 D-Series CRT RGB mod

The JVC D-Series is a CRT that is popular among retro gamers. The curved CRT used in this model and its look are likely appealing to many because the tube was widely used in arcade cabinets in the 1990s. Some people prefer the earlier models that have fine pitch tubes. Even with some of the imperfections, the RGB image on it is one to behold.

This tutorial covers the RGB mod for JVC AV-27D201.

Instructions should also work for JVC AV-32D201

AV-27Dx00 and AV-27Dx01 have full geometry adjustments compared to the later models. AV-27Dx00 and AV-27Dx01 have the same tube A68AEG25X01.

# CRT Safety

READ THIS BEFORE CONTINUING

# Plan of attack

READ THIS TO PREPARE

# Theory

Sometimes it is nice to know the theory behind the mod. I have put this on a separate page. This shows how the various resistor values are calculated.

READ THE RGB MODDING THEORY

# Service Manuals

• JVC AV-27D201 Service Manual
• JVC AV-27D201 User Manual

# Specs

• NTSC, 60 Hz, 118W
• Chassis: GR2
• Tube: A68AEG25X01 (RCA Thomson Tube)
• Jungle Chip: JVC JCC1007A
• OSD Chip: MN1876478JD

# Schematics

# RGB mux diagram

# Performing the mod

Now that you roughly know what needs to be done, prepare for the mod. Place the board on a comfortable place. Make sure you are not putting pressure on the flyback or other components.

# STEP 1: Add caps and diodes

• Remove stock electrolytics caps and replace with ceramic caps. C801, C802, C803
• Replace jumpers Y706, Y707, Y708 with diodes. Pay attention to the direction of the diodes.

# STEP 2: Remove and replace the following components

There are two areas to focus for STEP 2 and 3

First focus on Area 1 and remove the following three SMD resistors.

• R717 (330 ohms)
• R719 (330 ohms)
• R721 (330 ohms)

# STEP 3: Connect RGB, Blanking wires

Next, focus on Area 2 and attach the blanking wires. There is a conveninet hole nearby to route the wires. Make sure you are soldering the wires to the correct leg.

# STEP 4: Sync and audio wires

Sync goes to the green component jack (Video Input 2). Left and right audio also goes with the Input 2.

# STEP 5: Build your mux board

Below mod uses the RGB mux board. This is optional, but will make your mod easier and stable. You can also create the circuit presented in the schematics above without the board. Please also checkout the precalculated resistor values.

I used a different version of the RGB mini mux board (Rev C) here to perfectly fit this on the back of the D-Series.

Look at the tight fit in the below pictures.

One must carefully plan where the mux board should go.

End result is very satisfying. This is where the SCART port belongs on a 27", D201.

# STEP 6: Attach the female SCART connector to TV

Creating a SCART cutout and mounting it is an art. I have a dedicated section for it. How to create and mount a SCART female plug?

# Service Menu

• Press the SLEEP TIMER key and set the SLEEP TIMER for 0 MIN
• While the SLEEP TIMER is displaying on the CRT, do the below
• Immediately press the DISPLAY key and the VIDEO STATUS key of the remote control unit at the same time.
• Then enter the SERVICE MENU screen shown in figure.

# Pictures

# Mux overlay

RGB Overlay

# Games

NES - Super Mario Bros

NES - Super Mario Bros (Close up)

NES - Robocop

NES - Adventure Island

NES - Adventure Island (Close up)

SNES - Yoshi's Island

SNES - Super Metroid

SNES - Super Mario World

PS1 - Sony Logo

PS1 - Boot (close up)

Wii - Just Dance

Sega Genesis

# Patterns

Pattern - Grid

Pattern - SMPTE

Grid/Geometry - before adjustment

Grid/Geometry - after adjustment

# Flyback

# Tuner board

Used the tuner board to fine tune the resistors needed for the RGB mod.

# Tube

# Speaker

# Other CRT pictures

Glow from the cathode

Back label

Front AV connector had to be reflowed

Back open

From the label, the tube used in this CRT, A68AEG25X01, is made in the USA. In addition, the tube, model number A68ADT25X01, was also used in many mid to late 1990s TVs from JVC, Samsung, Mitsubishi, and other brands.

A68ADT25X01 and A68AEG25X01 are not compatibleopen in new window

RCA Thomson A68AEG25X01 tube is confirmed to be found in the below CRTs

• JVC AV-27D200
• JVC AV-27D201

RCA Thomson A68ADT25X01 tube is confirmed to be found in the below CRTs

• JVC AV-27230 (Serial number at the back ends in an R)
• JVC AV-27320
• JVC AV-27330
• Sanyo DS27214

Please note other tubes can also be found in the above models.

32" Hitachi Tube

• A80LJF30X08

# Issues

# Funhouse scrolling issue

See discussion hereopen in new window. This is apparently fairly common on the JVC D-Series.

You can see the issue in the video below.

This funhouse missor issue is not severe in this particular JVC D-Series. If you are someone who cares about every single detail, this might be something that can be seen as bothersome. According to /u/r1gglesopen in new window, modifying the horizontal deflection circuitryopen in new window might help improve this. They also suggest a recap of the deflection circuitry before trying anything else.

Replace the film caps for the chassis, do a full recap for the end of scan squash (right side of the screen shrinkage). For the squashed center you'll have to try with different s-correction values, in the comparison video between the flatter tube it's still pretty bad, there's still "fun house" distortion going on there, just less due to the scan moving faster at the edges than in the center due to deflection angles of the edges being further away.

The S-Correction cap (a film cap that's usually in the 400nF range) is meant to fix this, sometimes these were just off from factory, other times they've aged. Replacing film caps is a bit expensive, just a heads up, so don't let that be the first thing you do, just replace the s-correction capacitor. Has to be metallized polyester, ceramic or whatever substitutes despite their voltage rating being comparable will just burn up and likely take out a transistor in your horizontal deflection circuit with it.

Seeing as the issue is center squash rather than edge I'm going to guess it's just bad from factory, I'd try a film cap that's ~40nF less than default to start with. You can also put small 10nF film caps on a small board in parallel with the main one to experiment with different values, for example if the factory one is 400nF, you can get a 340nF film cap and a few smaller 10-20nF caps to find the geometrical sweetspot with.

What the S-Correction capacitor does is that it changes the start and end speed of each scan, (think of the horizontal deflection signal as a sawtooth shaped signal, where it draws each horizontal line at a constant speed from left to right across the screen, but since screens have the edges further away and at an angle compared to the center of the screen you need an S-shaped sawtooth that can compensate the curvature and draw the beam slower at the edges so that it matches the speed it draws the beam at the center of the screen, more of an S-shape means a slower start and slower end).

The S-Correction capacitor can be identified pretty easily with some effort, it has to be in the horizontal deflection directly in line with the in or out of the yoke connector (horizontal deflection coil of the yoke), in parallel with this film cap you'll have a small ceramic capacitor and a small resistor (they're there to lessen an effect called parasitic capacitance).