Does anyone have any links I could visit that have step by step instructions on how to correct overscan on a Hitachi set? I have the 57T500 which I believe has the same guts as the Hitachi 57S500. My set currently has the overscan on either side set to about 6.5% and I'd like it reduced to 5% on either side. I understand once an adjustment is made, you have to redo the convergence, something I've never done.

I'm looking for a step by step guide along with what tools i will need to accomplish this. Any feedback/links/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

PJStyles

Decreasing overscan on your set is possible, but it can be a major PITA!

The job consists of "shrinking" the projected image. On a Hit CRT RPTV, this involves adjusting the Horiz/Vert. Size pots inside the set (on Hit's--at least the 2 models I've owned--they are white plastic "Philips Head" pots attached to the main circuit boards.

Using AVIA's o'scan pattern as reference, I was able to get my current TV (Hit 51F59A) down from around where yours sits to a solid 4% all around. This is as low as yours will likely get (and is the target ISF cal techs such as Mr Bob usually shoot for o CRT-based sets). Any lower, and your convergence grid lines may start to curl or "feather" at the edges.

Reducing the H/V size does a serious number on your set's convergence and geometry. The only tools for this are a small screwdriver to gently and slightly move the size pots.....and a pair of eyes that are able to spot convergence/geometry errors readily. And the knowledge of how your set's service level convergence system (called DCAM on Hitachis) operates. Although correctable, if you have little to no experience doing such things, you are best left having a pro do it. My current level of experience (nowhere near someone like Mr Bob!!!) came from various boneheaded tweaks I did to my last CRT RPTV (Hit 43UWX10B). Considered that one my "test project". Once I was able to finally correct the various errors I had brought upon myself with that set (from conv adj, o'scan reduction, etc), I realized that it had some phosphor burn-in (4:3 black sidebars - ran too high contrast for too many years) and eventually, the set experienced some convergence IC failures. Opted to go new instead of fixing.

Surprisingly, I went CRT RPTV again with my current Hit. Great TV...and knowing what I know now, looks better than the previous one did and WILL NOT experience any burn-in (due to precautions taken against that). Plus, I gained 8" of screen, an HDMI in, new set of CRTs....

Anyway....haven't really answered you...sorry!:o Such a job (CRT RPTV o'scan work) is not for the inexperienced. If you plan on keeping this TV for some time (you should....properly set up, it'll look fantastic), I'd consider a pro calibration. Cheaper than a new TV, and you end up with a "new" TV when it's done.

Since he's been such a wellspring of knowledge to me, I always recommend Mr Bob. Easy to find here on the RPTV or CRT FP forums. He will fly to anywhere there's a ticket provided to him and knows CRT RPTV tech perhaps better than anyone here. If an in-person visit is out of the question, he also does phone consultations as well. If nothing else, just look for any of his numerous posts (the "Don't Dump Your CRT RPTV" thread here is his) and click the link to his website.

Other than that, I suggest serching for the service manual for your set. Might find it here:

http://www.servicemanuals.net/service.aspx

One Hitachi manual that might also help you in terms of convergence/geometry adjustments would be this:

Hitachi DCAM Manual (http://home.comcast.net/~leebailey00/Hitachi_DCAM_Manual.pdf)

This is a Hitachi pocket manual from 2003 that was issued to service techs. Covers most facets of convergence work on Hit CRT RPTVs.

Good luck!