RPi4 to PAL CRT composite

Meatjunk

I'm trying to output my pi4 to a PAL CRT via 3.5mm composite but I get that horrible flicker for any setting I try

Pi Model or other hardware: Pi4
Power Supply used: 5.1V PSU
RetroPie Version Used: 4.8
Built From: buster 4.6

my config.txt:

# For more options and information see
# http://rpf.io/configtxt
# Some settings may impact device functionality. See link above for details

# uncomment if you get no picture on HDMI for a default "safe" mode
#hdmi_safe=1

# uncomment this if your display has a black border of unused pixels visible
# and your display can output without overscan
#disable_overscan=1

# uncomment the following to adjust overscan. Use positive numbers if console
# goes off screen, and negative if there is too much border
#overscan_left=16
#overscan_right=16
#overscan_top=16
#overscan_bottom=16

# uncomment to force a console size. By default it will be display's size minus
# overscan.
#framebuffer_width=1280
#framebuffer_height=720

# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
#hdmi_force_hotplug=1

# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (this will force VGA)
#hdmi_group=1
#hdmi_mode=1

# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
#hdmi_drive=2

# uncomment to increase signal to HDMI, if you have interference, blanking, or
# no display
#config_hdmi_boost=4

# uncomment for composite PAL
enable_tvout=1
sdtv_mode=2
sdtv_aspect=1

#uncomment to overclock the arm. 700 MHz is the default.
#arm_freq=800

# Uncomment some or all of these to enable the optional hardware interfaces
#dtparam=i2c_arm=on
#dtparam=i2s=on
#dtparam=spi=on

# Uncomment this to enable infrared communication.
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir,gpio_pin=17
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir-tx,gpio_pin=18

# Additional overlays and parameters are documented /boot/overlays/README

# Enable audio (loads snd_bcm2835)
dtparam=audio=on

[pi4]
# Enable DRM VC4 V3D driver on top of the dispmanx display stack
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d,composite=1
max_framebuffers=2

[all]
#dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d,composite=1
overscan_scale=1

I followed this: https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/config_txt.html#composite-video-mode

I'm using this cable: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274617695212
And yes I've switched the red and yellow cables, still nothing

mitu

Only enable_tvout=1 is needed in config.txt for RetroPie's image. The instructions in the RPI documentation (i.e. adding ,composite=) are for newer RaspiOS releases and don't apply to the curernt RetroPie image.

Meatjunk

@mitu I did begin with just that and it didn't work, that's when I thought I was missing something so I followed that guide. I've removed it now so it's just those three lines for composite PAL, still no luck

I have tested the tv using a snes with component cables and it works fine

mitu

@Meatjunk said in RPi4 to PAL CRT composite:

I have tested the tv using a snes with component cables and it works fine

There's little chance the TV is at fault. Most likely the cable is not the right one.

Meatjunk

@mitu Yep it was that. Bought an official cable and it works. Now I just need to work out how to get emulationstation and the console to be the same scale