So I was about to sell my 4 year old Sony KP-46WT500 RPTV to help fund a plasma purchase when I decided to mess around in the TV's service menu for the first time last week. I figured it couldn't hurt to try to improve the TV since I was considering ditching it anyway. And WOW! The TV looks much, much better. So much better that I've decided to keep the set. The only problem I now have is that the set's geometry is off.

In early '03, Sony had a voluntary recall of one of the CRT guns in my set. I took advantage of this and had their local repair center swap out the possibly faulty gun. When I got the TV back, the set's convergence was terrible. They sent a serviceman out to calibrate my TV, but he really had no clue what he was doing. The convergence was half-assed and done in the Wide Zoom mode, which he later wrote to all other screen modes.

I eyeballed the grid geometry as I calibrated the TV, and while it's a huge improvement over the serviceman hack job (not only was it saved in Wide Zoom, there were ripples in the grid), it's still off in areas. My question is:

Is there some sort of reference I could find to set my TV's geometry by? As of now, all I can think to do would be to draw the grid the way I want it on a large, heavy sheet of drawing paper, tape it to the screen and set the green grid to it. Is there something the pros use? Is there a magical geometry reset button I've missed while reading the service manual?

I really don't want to pay $400-500 to get this set calibrated by a pro when I know now that I can do this stuff my self, but is that the best option I have? Thanks!

There are test patterns on AVIA and Video Essentials that may be what you're looking for.

I have DVE, but what I need is an unmolested geometry grid reference to set the TV by or a way to reset the whole thing. The test pattern in DVE doesn't really help since it deforms as the geometry goes off-kilter.

Never bought one myself for my year-2000 Philips 64" CRT RPTV, but Philips and other firms sometimes offer a plastic screen-size grid pattern used for alignment (service department). I did buy a service CDROM when I bought the Philips, and service manuals or discs outline the correct alignment procedures after a major repair such as replacing a CRT. AIUI, you attach the grid to the screen, align the green gun using a test pattern (mechanical and/or electrical adjustments), then adjust the blue, red gun patterns over the green. No doubt those who have used them, or eyeball the procedure, can elaborate, and those in the calibration forum could offer tips. -- John

You could go the route of locating the specific screen jig for your set (as mentioned previously). The part # for it should be found in the service manual (get one if you don't have it already--helpful if you want to do further tweaks to your set). Or it's possible that the exact jig measurements are listed/shown in the Sony sm, so a "homemade" one could be done on computer. That could be dumped to a CD and done up full scale on an AutoCAD (to either mylar or vellum) at most print shops. A poster on the Hitachi F59 Tweaks thread did this (done as .pdf files) for those sets and posted downloadable links for them there.

Keep in mind that if you do use a jig, you will be stuck with the "factory spec" overscan rate. If this isn't a problem, then no worries. If you did wish to reign in any potential overscan down the road, the jig would be useless afterwards (your set's convergence crosshatch would be smaller than the jig).

However, you may not even need a screen jig---if your Sony allows for conv./geo. adjustments while actual external video is displayed on screen (newer Hitachis, Mitsubishis and a few others allow this). You could fix geo. errors by using images like the crosshatch grids on DVE/AVIA, panning still images (think Discovery Channel docs, for example), rolling credits at the end of movies (for horizontal geo. "speedbumps") and vertical text crawls like those on CNN or ESPN.

Worth a shot, but I'd highly suggest tracking down a service manual first. A small investment that will be a great help in bringing your set back to life--PQ-wise.

String and some tape... seriously.
Hammer

You could go the route of locating the specific screen jig for your set (as mentioned previously). The part # for it should be found in the service manual (get one if you don't have it already--helpful if you want to do further tweaks to your set). Or it's possible that the exact jig measurements are listed/shown in the Sony sm, so a "homemade" one could be done on computer. That could be dumped to a CD and done up full scale on an AutoCAD (to either mylar or vellum) at most print shops. A poster on the Hitachi F59 Tweaks thread did this (done as .pdf files) for those sets and posted downloadable links for them there.

Keep in mind that if you do use a jig, you will be stuck with the "factory spec" overscan rate. If this isn't a problem, then no worries. If you did wish to reign in any potential overscan down the road, the jig would be useless afterwards (your set's convergence crosshatch would be smaller than the jig).

However, you may not even need a screen jig---if your Sony allows for conv./geo. adjustments while actual external video is displayed on screen (newer Hitachis, Mitsubishis and a few others allow this). You could fix geo. errors by using images like the crosshatch grids on DVE/AVIA, panning still images (think Discovery Channel docs, for example), rolling credits at the end of movies (for horizontal geo. "speedbumps") and vertical text crawls like those on CNN or ESPN.

Worth a shot, but I'd highly suggest tracking down a service manual first. A small investment that will be a great help in bringing your set back to life--PQ-wise.

I have the service manual, saw no part numbers for the jig and Google turned up zilch. I have DVE and I already eyeballed the geometry with it. I need an outside source to truly get it right.

String and some tape... seriously.
Hammer

Yeah, unless there's a reset button on the TV that's pretty much the way I'll have to go.

Thanks everyone!

You could check to see if any local Sony service tech has the appropriate jig (if it exists). Of course, you end up with the possibility of a tech that may not know a jig from a hole in the ground :mad: (or no idea what to do with it) and very likey have a somewhat pricey service call to deal with.

You could check to see if any local Sony service tech has the appropriate jig (if it exists). Of course, you end up with the possibility of a tech that may not know a jig from a hole in the ground :mad: (or no idea what to do with it) and very likey have a somewhat pricey service call to deal with.

If my previous experience with them is any indicator, the local Sony service center won't be of any use. Last time I asked if any of the equipment he was using was for sale to the general public, he gave me an icy stare and said "Not unless you want to break the law. These are available to service techs only." So yeah, I don't expect much help there.

If my previous experience with them is any indicator, the local Sony service center won't be of any use. Last time I asked if any of the equipment he was using was for sale to the general public, he gave me an icy stare and said "Not unless you want to break the law. These are available to service techs only." So yeah, I don't expect much help there.


Right, 'cause if a "regular" person bought service parts/gear without "authorization", the cops would be kicking down your door within minutes and busting the "source". :mad:

Bummer. Yet, ignorant and/or a-hole techs seem to be common everywhere.

Might consider e-mailing Mr Bob (local AVS Forum poster/ISF tech/CRT RPTV guru) or posting your questions/concerns over on the "Don't Dump Your CRT RPTV" thread that he started. Always willing to offer tips/advice. Check for any of his posts for the link in his signature for his website/email.

Right, 'cause if a "regular" person bought service parts/gear without "authorization", the cops would be kicking down your door within minutes and busting the "source". :mad:

Bummer. Yet, ignorant and/or a-hole techs seem to be common everywhere.

Might consider e-mailing Mr Bob (local AVS Forum poster/ISF tech/CRT RPTV guru) or posting your questions/concerns over on the "Don't Dump Your CRT RPTV" thread that he started. Always willing to offer tips/advice. Check for any of his posts for the link in his signature for his website/email.

Will do.