MVP Low S-video output fix

[Wally]

Here is how I fixed the low s-video output on my two MVP's. Do this at your own risk. Open the MVP and remove the board. Turn the board over and look closely at the area near the s-video connector. Locate resistors R107 and R108 which are small black surface mount devices. These are 220 ohm termination resistors for the luma and chroma signals of the s-video output. Remove these two resistors. You can use a wide soldering iron to heat both sides at once and slide the resistor off or carefully cut them off with a pair of diagonal cutters. These resistors aren't really needed as the s-video signal should be terminated at 75ohm in the display device. You can fine tune the output by adding resistance from the luma and chroma signal to ground and maybe even use different values to fine tune the saturation. My MVP's are now at the same brightness levels as the TV Tuner and PVR-350. Before this mod, my MVP's were unusable unless I cranked up the brightness and contrast. Remember, do this at your own risk! Hope this helps.

Wally

[phantomfsoc]

you wouldn't happen to have a fix to do the pvr500 overly bright sVideo capturing? Worth a shot

[dagar]

Is this the 'it drops video on dark scenes' problem? 'Cause that's what I'm getting on mine.

[malbec]

Any chance of you posting some screen shots?

[warrenlj]

is this the new ver 2.4 boxes?

[ravenray]

I too vote on some screen shots. A before and after if possible.

[Harpo Marx]

OK...here is the procedure with photos. First of all you need to remove the four screws on the bottom of the case (Picture 001). Open the case...the cover comes off the top. You may have to carefully wedge the cover from the front plate as it is a tight fit (Picture 002). There are 2 screws holding the board to the bottom of the case that need to be removed (Picture 003).

The location of R107/R108 is near the s-video connector on the back side of the board (Picture 004). These components are TINY so you need very good lighting and eyes!

I used desoldering braid and my soldering iron to remove the tiny bit of solder on each end of the resistor. I then used a pocket knife (with a sharp blade) to remove the resistor from the circuit board. Carefully "pop" the resistor off the board...if you got all of the solder off it shouldn't take much force (Picture 011).

I checked where the resistor was on the circuit board with my multimeter to make sure that the solder didn't bridge the gap. You will get a reading, but it will be in the megaohms.

Put your MVP back together being careful to get everything lined up when you put the cover back on the case.

Enjoy the substantially improved image of the MVP!!!

[stevech]

Originally Posted by warrenlj

is this the new ver 2.4 boxes?

this is a key but unanswered question

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by stevech

this is a key but unanswered question

Look at picture 3 closely and you will see a slot for a wireless card and the number of connections on the back is more than on my version 1 MVP and also the version on the bottom of the MVP in picture 1 is H3. All of these would indicate that this is a Version 2.0? fix.

BobP.