The so-called "analog switch-off" has concluded successfully in many regions of the globe, forcing users to replace their screens, or alternatively, seek digital tuners for conversion. However, there is another possibility: create an analog TV channel at home. Recently, an ultra-compact transmitter with a power of 200 milliwatts appeared on AliExpress, which also generates NTSC/PAL signals and accepts HDMI or RCA as sources. The best part? It is a ready-to-use package, no soldering or hacks.
Anything can be transformed if we are bold enough, and that includes old televisions without video inputs. Want to connect a PS5 to a black-and-white tube? All you need is a modulator that takes the HDMI signal and converts it to RF. Does the antenna have two screws instead of a coaxial input? Add a 75-300 balun to the setup, tune to channels 3 or 4, and enjoy a fabulous retro experience. Examples? Here's one with a Chromecast, and another with a Raspberry Pi.
But that is not the only path. In fact, there is a method that allows us to "inject" video into a TV without connecting or modifying anything on its back, and that is by emulating a television channel. While there are issues of power and tuning to consider, it is an option with very little friction, especially with the help of transmitters like the ones that have appeared on AliExpress:
A Customized TV Channel for All Your Televisions
One of the first to publish a demo of this transmitter was Bruce Rayne from the Branchus Creations channel. The device is small, with dimensions similar to a smartphone, but equipped with six controls. It can transmit on FM, VHF, and UHF frequencies, accepting HDMI or RCA sources (also allows modulating from HDMI to RCA). Unfortunately, the documentation is almost nonexistent, but mastering its functions only takes a few minutes.
The three switches on the bottom are for power, and for setting inputs and outputs. The three top buttons are used to navigate the menu and change options. Pressing "Menu" moves to the next option, while "Add" and "Cot" are essentially + and -. The frequency control doesn't have that much granularity (I can finally use that word), and the presets are eight for each band. The last value is SIF, which defines the audio subcarrier. This can vary between NTSC and the different PAL versions, but it ranges from 4.5 to 6.5 MHz. If the image is solid and there is no sound, it is necessary to modify the SIF value.
To finish, the two videos by Bob Andersen from the bandersentv channel show the transmitter's operation under VHF/NTSC, and what its limitations are. Apparently, the transmitter was designed with Chinese PAL in mind (technically CCIR System D), and some channels have a certain offset. The solution he found was to transmit at 200.25 MHz, which places it (if I remember correctly) between channels 10 and 11. How much does this transmitter cost? AliExpress offers it for 30-35 euros, not counting shipping costs.
Transmitter on AliExpress: Click here
