Post
by Aer Fixus » Sat Mar 07, 2015 4:08 am
I wouldn't be wary about getting another FZ-10. I've literally never heard of a problem like this in any 3DO, ever. It sounds like a unique problem to this unit. It's very unlikely that it would happen again. One of the things I love about repairing video game systems is that problems are usually known and documented because units are almost always identical. Sometimes, though, there's a one-off problem that would take much more time than it's worth to try and figure out what's wrong. If you have a choice to return it, that would be the best option.
On the other side, make sure to thoroughly test what you can test. Who knows. Maybe the AV circuit is acting up on only one of the output methods. Test out everything you can (RF, Composite, S-Video). I personally think this issue is deeper in the unit than this, but there's still the potential it's something with the particular port or associated circuit. If that doesn't help and you aren't prepared to send it to someone to get repaired, returning it is the best option.
In addition, are you skilled in soldering? Even if we were to find the issue, it would likely be a part replacement and you should consider if you are prepared to fix it yourself, anyway. It would be small surface mount work which isn't hard per se, but it's not what you should start learning on as it isn't easy either.