TurboDuo - No Video

[Runqy]

I just recently pulled out my TurboDuo from the closet and I'm not getting any video output to the TV at all.  I'm getting audio, but no picture.  I tried it on two different TVs and I tried a replacement cable thinking that perhaps my A/V cable went bad, but that didn't work either.  It may be that this other cable is no good or not compatible, but I was hoping to get some expert opinions on what might be the root cause before forking over the money for a replacement cable, or if necessary, repair.

A few years ago, my TurboDuo all of a sudden starting displaying smeared graphics, like little cartoon motion lines coming off of the letters and sprites.  Unfortunately, I was literally packing up to move to a new place at the time and wasn't able to do any further diagnosis.  Life went on and it sat in the closet at my new place for a few years until now, when I decided to pull it out and test it again.  Now there's no video signal at all.

Based on what I've read on the forums here and on the web, it sounds like Duos are prone to leaky capacitors and corrosion, as well as the connectors coming loose on the internal A/V input jack.  I do have a standard black North American Duo.

I'm not technically proficient when it comes to electronics, so unless it's a fairly simple procedure, repairing it myself isn't much of an option, if it's repairable at all.

If anyone has any insight as to what the cause is and if it's fixable, I would *greatly* appreciate it.  I'll attempt to attach a picture of what the smearing used to look like before the video gave out completely.  Thanks in advance for your time!

[thesteve]

could be a bad video cap (470uf by the power switch)

[Runqy]

Hmm.  I see the one you're referring to (thanks for the handy chart!)  Looks like I'll have to do some research on replacing capacitors, then.  I'm not too savvy in that department.  I suppose the thing to do is a full cap replacement, yes?  I'll have to consider whether that's something I'm willing to tackle myself or if I should leave it to an expert.

Thank you for your response!

[thesteve]

yes a full aluminum cap replacement is in order.
you can use aluminum, ceramic or tantalum caps as replacements.
note the 10uf smd cap to the right of the switch will also kill video

[Runqy]

Good to know.  And thanks for the expert advice.