PAL TV, Fuzzy Picture (switches between black/white and colour) and static sound

[masterkeaton1000]

Hi all,

New here, but from browsing around it seems that this is the place to go for assistance with Famicom related issues.

I received a Famicom today from Japan (looking at the bottom its an HVC-001 model with a 1983 copyright) and I've hooked it up to my TV (an LG Flatrom M2280D) and after some time I have managed to get it to be sort-of tuned in but here's where the trouble starts.

The screen displays the image, but it is fuzzy and cuts from black & white and colour occasionally, as far as sound goes all I get is static noise. This is connected using an RF cable which I had laying around so that may be an issue.

The tuning has the channel set to the following: System DK, Band V/UHF and Channel 5 (according to my TVs setup and using an automatic tuning)

Is this a case of the TV just not being compatible with the system, or is there something that I can do about it?

Thanks in advance for any responses, and apologies if this is in the incorrect place.

~masterkeaton1000

[fredJ]

The RF cable isn't a problem, but TVs behave very different from Japanese signals.

My European TV can usually pick up famicom signal with no problem (channel S-96 or 97), but on some consoles it doesn't get sound.
I get Pc Engine just as easily on the same channel.
In many cases, TVs have a fine tuning you can do that might improve the picture.
But I can't tune in earlier Sega consoles (sg-1000), I just get a very noisy picture at best.
Most PAL TVs will have a black/white picture, or sound problems from famicom consoles. Some work, but it is a gamble.

Modding is recommended, will improve the picture too, and isn't that expensive/complicated. (if you live in Europe, I can help you out)

[masterkeaton1000]

Yeah, somehow I feared it might be the fact that my TV isn't compatible, looks like I might have to get it AV modded then.

I do live in Europe, well, the United Kingdom at least.

EDIT: I am able to get a slightly better picture using an official N64 RF cable, but still get static sound. As a last ditch effort I'm going to try a Mega Drive RF Switch, if that doesn't work then the AV mod is definitely the thing I'm going to do.

[P]

If you manage to get an OK picture but still not good enough sound you can use an FM radio for sound http://famicomworld.com/workshop/articles/famicom-fm/. You'll never get as a good picture from RF as you can get from pure AV though.

[masterkeaton1000]

Yeah, I think I'm probably just gonna go ahead with the AV mod.

Do you know anybody within Europe/ the UK who can do the mod? I don't trust myself enough (even with guides) to carry it out properly.