PC Engine LT video issue

[Keith Courage]

After some more detailed testing and comparing the display controller PCB with the good one from the second LT I know that the issue has to be in the driver IC  SLA7160F1S. Other than the OKI M6286 which can also be found in the Game Gear TV Tuner units I can't find any reference at all about the broken driver IC.
So unfortunately a display replacement with a 5" composite screen is my only realistic option to get it working again.

@Keith Courage can you give some details regarding your recommended replacement and how the display is best fitted inside the LTs screen housing? Could something like this be a proper option for parts?

Sorry I've been slow to respond. Been forgetting to check the forums lately.

Yes, a 5" screen that can do 4:3 will work good and they still look better than the original screen. I don't know how to order one of those 5" RGB screens as the website says they can only be sold to people with a Japanese shipping address. 

Something like one of these works good. You might be able to find a cheaper one if you do more searching. LCD screens like this can also be found on ebay or Amazon if you don't want to wait for slow shipping from China.
www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802759168834.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.51.2c12847duydJQd&algo_pvid=a5e64cef-13ae-47e7-8213-74d99b749a9c&algo_exp_id=a5e64cef-13ae-47e7-8213-74d99b749a9c-25&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000022906715807%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21USD%2133.33%2116.66%21%21%21%21%21%4021227e5116745217803492144d0652%2112000022906715807%21sea&curPageLogUid=JjpSZYtfKOfy


The 3 black buttons for adjustments can even be added to the side of the LT casing if wanted which I have done before. Just drill 3 small holes in the side of the screen housing and use some hot glue to hold from behind. Also, it's best to mount the new screen with hot glue. So what you should do is add hot glue to the top edge of the screen only, power on the console, and line up the picture while it dries. Then go around and glue the other sides of the screen.

You don't need to add the buttons to the LT though if you don't want to as once the screen is set to 4:3, it stays that way unless you change the settings again. So you could just set the image the way you want without the buttons and just forgo installing them on the case.

[herr-g]

Great, Keith and thanks for sharing your experience.
I'll give that kind of display a try (I'd definately avoid drilling any holes in a LT casing ...) and then update this thread accordingly.

A shame that the LT contrast wheel won't be of any further use then, but at least the LT will be usable at all.

[herr-g]

OK I received a 5" display similar to the one from your link, and it's basically working fine.
But man, that LCD looks so awful. I'm surprised that this low display quality is still around these days. Ghosting effects worse than the old GT and LT screens, and viewing angles from hell. By far not as good than an authentic LT screen.
Can you tell if the 40-pin LCD plug is fully compatible with an IPS panel like this one? In that case I would use just the new cvideo controller with a decent panel.

EDIT: I've ordered an IPS 500 panel similar to that one from my aliexpress link. I hope it works with the cheap composite driver PCB.

[Keith Courage]

Unfortunately the quality of these cheap 5" LCD screens change all the time. So even if you find a specific brand that was good before, ordering another screen of the exact same brand 3 months later maybe completely different on the inside.

Hopefully you can find one that's better quality.

Lots of LCD screens are compatible with other boards but unfortunately sometimes the only way to know is by testing them with one.

Try doing a search online of the model number for the LCD Controller board online and see if anything shows up with a different model screen attached to it.

[herr-g]

I'll give a short update here as soon as it has arrived.