Aurora problem - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

dominicbeesley · 17th Jul 2009, 1:53 pm

Hello all,

I've been experiencing a problem with my Aurora today. I've not used it for a few months and decided to hook it up to my TV24. I get the test card ok but it won't display anything else when I plug it into my freeview box.

Before I starting pulling it apart is there anything I should check, is there a fuse on the input?

Cheers

Dom

ppppenguin · 17th Jul 2009, 2:01 pm

If the test card is working then the Aurora is certainly 99% OK. It is just possible that the analogue decoder chip has failed but this is very unlikely. Or it's just possible that one of the handful of passives between the video input and the decoder chip has failed. Again unlikely.

Are you sure you are putting composite video into the input? Put a scope on it and check. It's possible you are putting one of RGB (which are without sync pulses) into the Aurora and this won't work at all.

dominicbeesley · 17th Jul 2009, 2:52 pm

Thanks Jeffrey,

I will double check the signal, though I set my Freeview box to output CVBS - it certainly works ok with my other stuff not much of which is capable of RGB working - it took me a while to find a freeview box with both composite out and a UHF modulator!

Dom

tubesrule · 17th Jul 2009, 3:37 pm

Hi Dom,
Since the test card is working, even some of the internals of the video decoder chip are functioning since it is used as the clock source for the entire unit. As Jeff pointed out, verify that you are supplying a good CVBS signal to the unit. (correct signal with syncs, PAL mode) If so, then it might be possible that the CVBS input to the decoder is damaged. It is extremely unlikely that any of the passives on the video input failed as its just a couple of R's, C's and an L.
Keep us informed on your progress in deducing the problem. This just may be the first verified failure of a unit.

Darryl

dominicbeesley · 17th Jul 2009, 4:11 pm

Will do - got visitors arriving in a couple of hours so don;t think that I'll be allowed to drag any test equipment into the living room....

Will track down and reply on monday

Dom

dominicbeesley · 17th Jul 2009, 5:06 pm

My sincere apologies to both Jeffrey and Darryl, it turns out I was using a dodgy scart lead with a broken wire! I've now got everything back up and running as it should be!

Mod you may now close this thread!

Dom

17th Jul 2009, 1:53 pm	#1
dominicbeesley Octode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,885	Aurora problem Hello all, I've been experiencing a problem with my Aurora today. I've not used it for a few months and decided to hook it up to my TV24. I get the test card ok but it won't display anything else when I plug it into my freeview box. Before I starting pulling it apart is there anything I should check, is there a fuse on the input? Cheers Dom

17th Jul 2009, 2:01 pm	#2
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Aurora problem If the test card is working then the Aurora is certainly 99% OK. It is just possible that the analogue decoder chip has failed but this is very unlikely. Or it's just possible that one of the handful of passives between the video input and the decoder chip has failed. Again unlikely. Are you sure you are putting composite video into the input? Put a scope on it and check. It's possible you are putting one of RGB (which are without sync pulses) into the Aurora and this won't work at all.

17th Jul 2009, 2:52 pm	#3
dominicbeesley Octode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,885	Re: Aurora problem Thanks Jeffrey, I will double check the signal, though I set my Freeview box to output CVBS - it certainly works ok with my other stuff not much of which is capable of RGB working - it took me a while to find a freeview box with both composite out and a UHF modulator! Dom

17th Jul 2009, 3:37 pm	#4
tubesrule Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 325	Re: Aurora problem Hi Dom, Since the test card is working, even some of the internals of the video decoder chip are functioning since it is used as the clock source for the entire unit. As Jeff pointed out, verify that you are supplying a good CVBS signal to the unit. (correct signal with syncs, PAL mode) If so, then it might be possible that the CVBS input to the decoder is damaged. It is extremely unlikely that any of the passives on the video input failed as its just a couple of R's, C's and an L. Keep us informed on your progress in deducing the problem. This just may be the first verified failure of a unit. Darryl

17th Jul 2009, 4:11 pm	#5
dominicbeesley Octode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,885	Re: Aurora problem Will do - got visitors arriving in a couple of hours so don;t think that I'll be allowed to drag any test equipment into the living room.... Will track down and reply on monday Dom

17th Jul 2009, 5:06 pm	#6
dominicbeesley Octode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,885	Re: Aurora problem My sincere apologies to both Jeffrey and Darryl, it turns out I was using a dodgy scart lead with a broken wire! I've now got everything back up and running as it should be! Mod you may now close this thread! Dom