Discoloration on Tube?

[RetroJames]

Ugg, typing this for the second time...


Ok, so on this pic you can see discoloration in the lower right corner.  Does not appear to match Super Off Road screenshots so thinking it is not burn.

The browninsh color is only in the lower right, nowhere else on the screen.

The coloration is under the glass of the tube. (thought it was just a stain at first)

The area where the bezel sits seems not to be colored, ie the bezel seems to have masked off  the tube.  There is not coloration under the bezel area and the demarcation line is pretty clear, it follows the bezel perfectly.

Is this some kind of sunburn?

Thanks, 1hsc

[Ken Layton]

My first reaction would be to get some good glass cleaner and a clean rag and clean the picture tube face. It's filthy.

[RetroJames]

I did after the pic was taken.  No effect regarding the discoloration.  Any ideas?

[Ken Layton]

If you're certain it's under the glass then you have what's called, 'monitor burn-in' in which the phosphor coating is burned from the previous game. This is a permanent (& unrepairable condition. The only cure is to replace the picture tube with a brand new one.

[RetroJames]

It is under the glass for sure, but why would it stop where the bezel stops?  

Also, I would think that it would match the pics on the game somewhat but it does not seem to match any screen shots I have seen.

Why only in the lower left corner. shouldn't it be fairly consistent?

lastly, the burn ins I have seen seem to be a grayish hue, this coloration is decidedly brown.

Thanks again for any input, 1HSC

[Ken Layton]

I'd say this particular tube has a lot of hours on it. I'd say if you want to keep this monitor and have it look good then you should replace the picture tube. A new tube costs around $150 for a 19" and around $200 for a 25". Then add in the cost for a technician to install and align it ($75). Might be cheaper to just buy a brand new monitor.

[RetroJames]

Again though, why only in lower left corner and not on the whole tube and why does it stop at the bezel out of curiosity?

[Ken Layton]

Monitor burn-in does not necessarily occur across the entire face of the tube. It can be localized to particular areas. Obviously this particular tube has burn in within the bezel area because the picture height & width controls were adjusted to keep the picture within the edges so the whole picture could be viewed by the player and not have any part of the picture cutoff by the bezel. Anytime a pattern is stationary on the face of the tube for extended amounts of time you will burn that pattern permanently into the phosphors.

[RetroJames]

Sigh, well I guess I will await the arrival of my vga card and isolation transformer and see what it looks like.  Cleaning it helped the rest of the tube.  Just need to see how bad it looks.`

I saw somwhere that putting slightly tinted glass or plexi over the tube would assist in hiding the burn.  I realize that is a band-aid, but speaking as a guy on a tight budget, has anyone tried that?  I assume it dims the rest of the pic as well, but it might assist in hiding the distracting burn if it turns out to look real bad.

Total Bummer

[Ken Layton]

Tinted glass or tinted plexi does indeed help to hide some burn-in at the expense of picture brightness. Some video games generate nice background patterns during game play that help to hide burn-in. We had some "1942" games that did an excellent job even when the screen was burnt real bad. Romstar's "Sky Shark" was another game that had good backgrounds for hiding monitor burn.

[RetroJames]

Wiped down the tube and took a couple pics.  1 with and 1 without the bezel.  After looking at it again, it really doesn't look too bad.  Of course I will have to see once I get the card and the isolation transformer, but either way I will have to go with it.  ($$)  If need be I will look into some tinted plexi.

Here is the pic without the bezel

[RetroJames]

Pic with the bezel

[APFelon]

I remember reading somewhere (probably this forum) that a brown hue usually means that the "stuff" on the inside of the tube is peeling, cracking, or is just toast. Time to put a bullet in that pony and buy a new monitor. Sorry.

APf

[RetroJames]

Akk, just when others had reassured me.  I am going to stick to the plan.  Get the stuff I need to test it, (VGA card, Isolation Transformer, etc), and see how it looks.  If needed I will get a piece of tinted glass to try to "hide" the burn.  The pics make it look much more pronounced than in person as I think the flash lights it up pretty good.  Worst case scenario, the pic looks horrible and I move on, but no turning back now...

[paigeoliver]

Monitor burn doesn't really detract thay much from gameplay. My Crystal Castles has some mild video poker burn. It doesn't bother me at all. While my Kangaroo REALLY needs a cap kit, but it is still really fun. Heck, my old Turbo didn't even have any green in the monitor at all, and no one ever noticed (although it was helped by the fact that Turbo's graphics are almost completely red, white and blue)..

[dphirschler]

When I last saw the picture on that monitor, it looked sharp and crisp.  Stick with the plan, James.  It'll be great.


Darryl

[RetroJames]

D,

I am sticking to the plan.  I think it is going to be fine. Put the marquee and PCB up on ebay, auction starts at 7:30pm tonight.  VGA is on the way, will be ordering the rest from Bob Roberts in next few days, hope to test by week after next.  I need to pull it from the cab so I can do some sanding and repairs though.  Was going to try to keep it in but more hassle than it is worth.

1HSC

[dhansen]

I've used tubes with burn in before, when the game is running you hardly notice it.

Doug