THE SONY SERVICE CODES - Articles, Comments, Discoveries - Page 35

I do have MID3 in my service menu, but its a whole bunch of different options than the service menu PDF..I have the exact same values as the guy in this post

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post6876424

I can tweak the bottom image to where its fully there, but the bottom 1-3% is very skewed to the left.

Do you know about my 480p problem?

Has anyone who fixed their overscan in 1080i, how did you fix it for 480p? Cause I have my 1080i overscan fixed at about 2.5% all around, but when I go to 480p, the right side is is at around 5%...anyone know what I can do?

Note: 2/18/06 2:15am updates : updated with more accurate info, as #1). I didn't copy some of my "scribbled" notes very well, and #2). after another session with the set tonight, made some minor changes/improvements with various settings.


Hope you don't mind a bit of it from me here, since we've also been talking about these via PM. Thought I should mention that, as otherwise the "timing" of this post might seem odd to folks, given it's only been a couple hours since your post.


I don't have a HDMI source, yet -- but for what it's worth, and for whatever reasons and, unlike what some others(inlcuding yourself) seem to be getting with 480p DVD via V5/V6 component inputs ---- After looking at it in a little more detail per my last post on this, on my set(KD34XBR960), and with my DVD player at least, I'm still extremely happy with 480p DVD via component - Not a big difference between 480p from DVD player and 480i with say "Cinemotion", but, I'm still getting a tad better results IMO from 480p from DVD player than 480i. Maybe I'm still missing something/not seeing something important about this, though.


Note that relevant 2103-2 SHAP~PREO and SSMD settings are applicable for the Twin-view RIGHT window only on my XBR960, and if I recall correctly perhaps the very tiny "index" feature "windows" as well. The same is true for 2103-2 SCON/SHUE/SCOL. The left twinview window, and the "primary" video in "index" feature is controlled by the 2103-1 settings.

There are seperate settings available in 2103-2 for "RF", and "CV-YC" for these settings, and, sources using the "RF" or CV-YC inputs are the only inputs you can use with the right twinview window, which is allways a "4x3" window as well. I can't use Internal ATSC/HD receiver, or DVD via V5/V6 in Right window for instance, only the left window, which can be used for any source, and which will be a 16x9 window for 16x9 sources, ATSC, or even NTSC 16x9 video from widescreen, so called "anamorphic" DVD's, and it will be a 4x3 window for 4x3 source signals.

Haven't spent a lot of time with this and the "right" Twinview window, but I am currently using 2103-2/SHFO=3, PRE0=1, and SSMD=1 for both RF+CV/YC Twinview Right window. Note that I have not completely "settled" on what I'm going to use for 2103-1/2103-2 "SSMD" for various sources yet.

Although I like 2301-1 SHAP=1 for all sources that use "DRC" best, and don't think at this point I would want to use anything higher than that elsewhere for 2103=1 - Higher values for 2103-2/SHAP do seem useful for Twinview's right window in my case. Note that a "seperate" sharpness slider setting, or AFAIK, another other "sharpness" offset is not available specifically for the right twinview window. So, I currently have 2103-2/SHAP=4 for CV/YC, SHAP=5 for RF.

Given the same source signal used for both windows+given the applicable settings that involve the left window(2103-1 SHAP~PREO for instance), so far, and given my current settings that effect the left window, this is the closest I've gotten to "matching sharpness" of the right window with the left -- For instance --- Lower SHAP values in 2103-2 result in the right window being "blurrier" than the left.


At this point, FWIW, I'm preferring SHFO=3 for everything effected by these settings -- It's not as noticable as 480i DVD via component, and it is hard to say -- but at times I think I am also noticing improved detail with it vs. SHFO=2 - especially from very "clean" OTA NTSC sources, and perhaps via SD Satellite receiver or via S-video as well.


While I seem to be getting, and noticing the exact same things as you are with 2103-1/SHAP~PREO, ---- nevertheless, in some cases I seem to be getting something a little different with settings for SSMD and the "Y" symmetry at the narrow end of the wedges in the AVIA TVL 200 resolution pattern, and in just one case concerning overshoot.

For instance, as one example -- 480i DVD via V5/V6(Zenith DVD2381 player :


This paragraph updated with accurate info on "overshoot", as I'd copied it incorrectly from my scribbled notes, orginally : In my case, 1-3-1-3 results in nothing even resembling a "Y" occuring at the narrow end of the AVIA TVL200 wedges, and, also results in increased overshoot as compared to 1-3-1-0 -- With 1-3-1-0 I do have a fairly nice "Y" in the narrow end of vertical wedges, albeit it's a slightly "unsymmertical" "Y".

1-3-1-1 results in a very symmetrical "Y", but noticablely more overshoot, and perhaps even a tad bit of ghosting(but WAY to right of some edges) occuring for some reason. However(and I'm not sure I "trust this" much, hooking DVD player up via S-Video, 1-3-1-1 produces minimal ringing or overshoot, and a VERY symmetrical "Y" at the end of the wedges.

Note that also (480i using V5), 1-3-1-0 allows one to see "lines" in the lower right circle labeled "6.75MHZ", regardless of DRC setting used(Interlaced/progressive or cinemotion). those lines, for instance turn into "noise" with 1-3-1-1. Update: checking this again(and writing it down this time!) 1-3-1-3 also turns out to be one of the few "combinations" of settings with mostly "lines" and little noise in the lower right circle, although still more noise than 1-3-1-0.

Thought maybe the differences we are getting on this perhaps could involve output of DVD player(and maybe that has something to do with it) -- However, Also noticed that with 1-3-1-3, (for lack of a better way to describe it), I get sort of a "wavy" look to text in a small ID bug from 480i ATSC SD source via internal tuner, which is "fixed" with 1-3-1-0. 1-3-1-1 fixes it too, but with unacceptable ringing present.

When I get a chance, I'll try hooking up a different, JVC(it's 480i only, but believe it does use a Genesis/Farojuda chip) DVD player I have here and see what I get on these with it.

Update: Ok, tried the other player -- It's a JVC XV-N3SL - I'd used it before to see how various color settings "matched" for 2 different DVD players(and saw no differences), but, "sharpness"/EE wise -- I forgot how ugly this thing looks with the XBR960 -- WOW! Talk about oversharpening ... The player itself has a "picture control" window with settings such as variable "sharpness"(seems I can have "oversharpening" or "undersharpening" anyway) settings, and suffice it to say, nothing I do with this thing, or 2103-1 SHAP~PREO or SSMD will, for instance let me see anything like a "Y", symmetrical or not at the narrow end of the "vertical" TVL200 wedges ... What I think is interesting however, is :

#1). On another set (Toshiba 34HF84 - which uses Genesis/Farojuda Gm6010 IC - which I think is probably the main ingredient in it's scaling/deinterlacing/etc) I use it with, this JVC DVD player actually works quite nicely with it. Interestingly enough, my Zenith DVD player also works fairly nicely with the Toshiba - at 480i or 480p, but unlike with the XBR, I like 480i from the Zenith a little better with it ....

#2). Presumably, involving either one or both of the following : A). The difference in output between one DVD player and another, even with both DVD players outputting 480i, and/or b). The difference in how XBR960 is handling the "different" outputs from 2 different model DVD players.

If nothing else, the much "wider" differences I'm seeing from 480i output from these two different models of DVD players certianly has me less concerned about the differences from Ken's results I'm seeing concerning "symmetrical Y's" and SSMD values, or various combinations of SSMD+SHFO settings.

I think this also may illustrate that it also might be wise for folks to be careful about applying "calibration" settings to other inputs/sources which you "find" with your DVD player .... In my case, I'm certianly thankful for the internal "QM" section of SM test patterns for ATSC 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i !

:end update


I'm getting the same thing as you are with the "Y" on this one, and 1-2-1-2 isn't much different. However, I'm getting more ringing and overshoot with 1-2-1-3 or 1-2-1-2 than I am with 1-2-1-1, which also makes for a very symmetrical "Y".

Although I'd spent quite a bit of time with 1-2-1-0 and generally liked it, I haven't spent much time with programming material trying out SHAP~PREO 1-2-1 with SSMD=3 yet.

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Any thoughts concerning why we seem to be getting something a little different with SSMD, and or perhaps the "combination" of certian SHFO+SSMD settings ? (thanks ahead of time)

For "completeness" note that I am I'm restarting TV after 15 minutes before looking at these. And, I am using the image processing settings(2170P-3/3d-comb where applicable/etc) as recommended in your Post 707 updates. Exceptions perhaps being :

#1). Update: I did have 480i V5/V6 set to use MIDE column 57"(I have MID5 columns set up as described in your PDF attachement to Post 707), but tonight I decided #60 is better for 480i via component from my DVD player. If we are using "different" MID5 columns, don't think it really seems to effect what I'm getting with the "Y"'s in the TVL-200 wedges.

#2). I'm currently mostly using VM at "Low" or "medium" in user menu, and VML=2 or 4", with VMCR~VMDL(mostly) at 0-3-0-6. Although I expect it probably does not effect this, do note that I should have checked to see if the VM settings had any effect on this, and probably should have turned VM to "off" before looking at the test patterns, but in this case I did not.

This is a typical situation where you need to evaluate the picture from the DVD output at 480i, 480p and 720p/1080i if it will upscale. Depending on the processor in the DVD player, de-inerlacing and scaling can be better in the TV. The XBR960 can produce an excellent picture on V5/V6 with a 480i signal. Never discount this option because all de-interlacing and scaling is not the same.

Typical or no, I agree it most certianly does produce an excellent picture via V5/V6 with a 480i signal from the DVD player. I don't believe I said otherwise, anywhere in my post.

The same is true for that matter from 480i ATSC(from internal OTA ATSC receiver) or, NTSC sources from RF(OTA in my case) or CV/YC inputs(I use S-video mainly with S-VHS deck and Dish 311 receiver), or what it also does with 720p source signals -- in my case from 720p ATSC OTA broadcast sources ....

In other words, what I said was, with my particular *DVD player, IMO, it's just a tad better with 480p from player than 480i from the same player, or for that matter in comparision to another(but certianly "cheaper"), newer JVC player(480i only) I own. I didn't say 480i from the DVD player didn't also provide an "excellent" pic, it does.

And, again that is just my opinion, which also does happen to include evaluations/comparisons of 480i/480p from the same DVD player(including comparisions of 480i with DRC interlaced/progressive+cinemotion and various "custom DRC pallate" settings in addition to the factory default Pallate #1) concerning various results with various test patterns, such as the AVIA TVL resolution patterns.

Why that is, I don't know. I do know I've allways been happy with the 480p output from this particular DVD player, including in most cases with other displays I've used it with. Maybe it's just something wrong with my eyes, though, who knows

* - It's A older Zenith Model # DVD2381 from around ~2000~2001 - and no, it doesn't upscale to 720p or 1080i.

If there is some sort of "deficiency" I'm not aware of concerning how XBR960 handles 480P signals, I'd certianly be interested in hearing about it.

Anyone?

This is what it is all about, finding the combination that looks best with the equipment you have.

You have determined the deinterlacing in your DVD player works/looks better than the one in the your XBR960, mission accomplished.

Allright, but why wouldn't it make sense to tame 2103_1 first (480i), then make the secondary adjustments with 2170P_3, then fine tune with the mid/pop tweaks as necessary ? (sharpness, edge enhancements)

Your latest finding, Ken, I think, has been the most important of all. Looking at my service manual, out of the box, my setting for SHUE in 2103_1 was 11 for rf (erred to green) and 5 for cv/yc (erred to red). So let's don't talk about color decoding settings. What was Sony thinking about? SHAP is 9 for rf, what? How much oversharpening does rf need? What is tuned here that is compensated for later in the chain? Anyway SCON,SCOL,SHUE are tamed to middle point, 7, middle of the slider, and later tweaked in 2170P_3 for my purposes. Then, of course, comes color decoding again.

Back to the original purpose. Tonight tested your latest findings, with great sucess. RF is much improved with a 2103_1 SHAP setting of 5, from the default of 9. You're right, looks kinda 3D-ish. 480i thru component looks great at 0 and SHFO set to 1, and tweaked later in 2170P_3. Mind now, I'm using MIDE - 0, and the "cone" or "flower" has disappeared on a 200tvl all together.

Even better findings. My old, trusty vcr, thru composite, with 2103_1 SHAP set to 4, is performing like new again. Gone is the overblown, over unsharp masking edges that will plague VHS tapes. Looks dvd-ish......... well not.

I'm doing a little testing of my own, in the audio section, with a spl meter. Figured you will get there eventually. I thought I had a decent 5.1 system, but heck, this 40XBR will run the onboard down to an audible 28 hz, not bad IMO. Most of the parameters deal with "equalizing" the sound that FWIW, Sony did a decent job in this department. The only one that does not seem to behave is the "steady sound".

DRC. Can't wait for this one. Cheers.......

I might be guilty of starting that one a while back.

480p fullscreen (4x3) thru my set with a Sony DVP-NS715P was awesome, but for me, if I'm watching anything compressed to 16x9 (960i), I've lost the benefits of the "no flicker" 480p scan. Just for me, seemed sense to make the jump and tinker.

I agree -- besides, it's fun -- well, it's fun for me anyway



Will do Ken, thanks ! I'm eager to try this, but I'd better start counting sheep right now

Note that In addition to some slight improvements I found, I also discovered tonight in a "SM session" with the set that I originally copied some of my scribbled notes incorrectly concerning some of my post on 2103-1 and I have just updated that post with the correct info. Most importantly+specifically, I copied down+originally posted wrong info concerning what I was getting with "overshoot" with SHAP~PREO+SSMD at 1-3-1-3 vs. 1-3-1-0 with 480i DVD via component --- follows is the updated, corrected portion of the post(the bolded section shows the change) :

In my case, 1-3-1-3 results in nothing even resembling a "Y" occuring at the narrow end of the AVIA TVL200 wedges, and, also results in increased overshoot as compared to 1-3-1-0 -- With 1-3-1-0 I do have a fairly nice "Y" in the narrow end of vertical wedges, although its a slightly "unsymmertical" "Y".

Interesting how we all seem to be going along similar, but different tracks on this sharpening stuff. Lately I've been getting more away from looking at patterns and focusing more on the effect the basic 2170P-3 parameters have on actual video content, and beginning to reintroduce some VM and Sharpness (via 2170P-3/SHOF) back into the equation, now that the effects of the different edge controls are a little easier for me to distinguish.

I think I've finally nailed down exactly what SYSM does as well. All it really does is modify the coarseness or scale of the effect from other edge controls. 1=Coarse, 2=Medium, 3=Fine. This is why the Sharpness control has a dramatic effect with SYSM=1, but creates only relatively minor looking changes with SYSM=3.

Which SYSM setting you choose may simply depend on the coarseness of the effect that you desire from other edge parameters with a given signal. Let's take the 2170P-3/F1LV and CTLV controls as examples...

If you pause on a frame from Attack of the Clones with a good range of contrast and detail, and set F1LV to its max setting of 3, then vary SYSM from 1 to 3, you should be able to see the change in coarseness between the three SYSM settings pretty well. With F1LV=3, SYSM=1 should create some fairly bright, coarse and noticeable (and rather ugly-lookin) edge artifacts. If you increase Sharpness, these edge artifacts will become even more pronounced and uglier-lookin. Now change SYSM to 2. The edge artifacts become smaller and more tightly confined. Raise SYSM to 3 and the artifacts become even smaller in scale and less apparent. The effect of both F1LV and Sharpness becomes progressively smaller and less noticeable/dramatic in scale as you increase SYSM from 1 to 3.

CTLV is a little more subtle, but you should see the same shrinkage of effect with that as well. If you set CTLV to the max of 3, then flip between the three SYSM settings you should see the softening effect on color detail change from being pretty broad and soft (SYSM=1) to more tightly confined and harder to see (SYSM=3). The "strength" of the softening effect on colored edges may not be changing, but the "area" effected becomes narrower and more confined as you increase SYSM.

The change in behavior of CTLV can be easily seen on this pattern as well. Set SYSM to 1, and then raise and lower CTLV from 0-3, and should see changes in saturation on both the thin and fat colored lines. Change SYSM to 2 and 3 however, and you'll see the desaturation effect of CTLV become more limited to just the thinner lines.

"Fine tuning" of SSMD+PPHA seems to be working for me to find those "sweet spots" I was looking for! And I'm really liking what I'm seeing. For me, the key to finding those sweet spots has involved :

#1). First settling on the value of 2103-1/SHFO I want to use - which is SHFO=3. I'm also using SHAP=1 and PREO=1, except for higher SHAP values in 2103-2 for right twinview window. I don't know at this point If I'll put much time into finding the combinations of SSMD+PPHA that will work for SHFO=2, as at this point at least, I think I've pretty much decided on SHFO=3 for all sources/inputs.

#2). Finding the combinations of SSMD+PPHA which seem work best for SHFO=3. In some cases, as you noted in your post there are even several combinations of SSMD+PPHA which work in an "in the ballpark" sense with any given setting of SSMD, generally with PPHA values 5~6 or so apart in my case. This involved :

A). Use of The AVIA sharpness+TVL patterns to get in the "ballpark" to find the various combinations of SSMD+PPHA which produced minimal ringing or overshoot, and "symmetrical Y's" in the narrow end of the TVL wedges+where possible "less clumpy" horizontal sweeps/etc ... Note that I checked these extensively with DVD player at 480i via V5+V6, and a little less extensively with DVD player via S-video(CV/YC).

B). Checking the various combinations I found with a). with real programming material from various sources/inputs and finding the ones that *-work best for each input/source -- Which, in some cases do not necessarily involve the absolute "best" combination of values of SSMD+PPHA concerning looking at the test patterns most symmetrical Y's/etc -- But, at this point, my preferred settings are also from the "list" of "in the ballpark" combinations of SSMD+PPHA.

I think for me, BOTH A+B were/are very important. Without "A", I doubt I would have ever had much luck with "B".

* - While I think I've found some nice "sweet spots" for now, for the reasons you mentioned, this is going to be a "ongoing thing", and it may be quite a while before I completely "settle" on the combination of SSMD/PPHA to be used for any given input/source.


I think this perfectly describes what I've also experienced with this so far. Excellent post(in its entirety)+ description of these !


Not frustrated here at all -- I think it is interesting that while not "exactly" the same, the combinations of SSMD+PPHA I'm getting for the "sweet spots" are mostly within a couple of values for PPHA from your numbers, and in one case(SSMD=1/PPHA-10) actually *IS* exactly the same.

On my set, With SHAP~PREO 1-3-1, using 480i DVD via V5/V6 component and the AVIA test patterns, here is the list of "in the ballpark" values(first values to right of each "SSMD" value seem best at this point and are my current preferences) for :

SSMD=2 or 3 -- PPHA 8 or 7, PPHA 3 or 2, PPHA 14 or 15
SSMD=1 --- PPHA 10 or 5
SSMD=0 --- PPHA 8 or 7 , 2 or 1, 14 or 13

Here's the list of best values(I didn't spend as much time on this - the below do make for VERY good results from the Y's in the TVL wedges/etc) I could find using DVD player hooked up via S-video :

SSMD=2 or 3 - PPHA 6
SSMD=1 - PPHA 8
SSMD=0 - PPHA 10 or 5

I thought it interesting that these turned out a little different than 480i DVD via component. While it is awfully difficult to say -- It appeared that, for instance SSMD=2/PPHA=8 may or may not have resulted in *very slightly* less overshoot than SSMD=2/PPHA=6 -- everything else(including programming material via S-video sources) is telling me PPHA=6 is better.

At first I thought, well, if this is the case with S-video inputs(which appears to be the case with real programming material via s-video sourdces as well), then perhaps it has more to do with something involving output of my DVD player via component, and perhaps ONLY the DVD player is working best with those settings ... but, using real programming material, and trying for instance SSMD=2/PPHA=6 with RF and 480i ATSC, It seemed apparent(at this point at least) that just does not seem to be the case.

So, at this point at least, I believe it is only the S-video input that needs slightly different combinations of settings for SSMD~PPHA. I'm not really using composite video inputs for anything(except from RF input), but it might be interesting to hook DVD player up via composite video input and check the test patterns and see what I get.

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My preferences at this point :

Using SHAP~PREO 1-3-1 for all effected inputs/sources, Here are my preferred settings at this point per inputs I'm using+some notes. Again, I also haven't settled on all of these completely yet, but at this point at least they all seem to be working very nicely :

RF Input(In my case, used only for OTA NTSC sources) :

SSMD=2
PPHA =8

From what I can tell so far, at this point this seems to be the *definite* sweet spot for OTA NTSC sources. It looks wonderful.

CV/YC :

I use this with S-Video inputs, specifically Dish Network 311 receiver and JVC S-VHS deck :

SSMD=2
PPHA=6

At first, I had spent quite a bit of time with this one and SSMD=2/PPHA=8 -- per the results I found with Test patterns+480i DVD via component -- which seemed to work fairly well(more detail than you might expect from SD NTSC sources for instance), but, still there was just something that didn't quite seem "right" about it. So, Considering what I found with the test patterns via DVD hooked up via S-video after looking at quite a bit of programming(and user menus in Dish network+the S-VHS VCR), for now, I've decided I like SSMD=2/PPHA=6 better. Chances are good I might "flip flop" on this one again, though ...

ATSC 480i and V5/V6 for 480i DVD :

SSMD=1
PPHA=10

Important note : This one is a bit of a dilemma. While I think at this point I like SSMD=2, PPHA=8 for DVD just a tad better --- unfortunetly, 480i ATSC+V5/V6 use a single PPHA value from the "others" column, and at this point I think I'm seeing a fairly clear preference for SSMD=1/PPHA=10 for ATSC 480i. Seems to be The "sweet spot" for natural looking, and detailed "textures" for a few high quality 480i ATSC/OTA sources of importance which I'm not quite getting with SSMD~PPHA=2~8. High quality 480i ATSC sources(some in the area certianly are not "high quality" however) very much have a "DVD-like" quality with SSMD=1/PPHA=10, that is *almost* but not quite there with SSMD=2/PPHA=8 ....

At first I thought this wouldn't be much of a dilemma, since previously, I've allways slightly perferred sending 480p from the player. HOWEVER, now it looks like with SSMD=2, PPHA=8, (but not so much with SSMD=1/PPHA=10) I'm starting to develop a slight preference for 480i from the player, as it now seems just a TAD bit(but not much) better than 480p concerning "natural looking" texture, and perhaps even a tad more detail visable ... decisions, desisions ...

I tried to see if using SSMD=0/PPHA 8 or 7 might be a good "in the middle of the road" compromise that would work well for both 480i ATSC and 480i DVD, but it didn't seem to be the case, as for instance, I still perfer 480p DVD over this option, and it didn't work as well for ATSC 480i either.

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Noticed this as well -- it effects CV/YC(Dish network receiver/etc) in my case as well, but Not V5/V6 or 480i ATSC (component video sources).

I haven't checked it yet, but at some point I will probably check AVIA/DVE color tests with DVD hooked up via Svideo with "one gun" tests using RGBS and see what happens with SSMD=1. As, from what I recall before with balancing color+S-video input, I'm thinking there may be a slight possibility SSMD=1 may be useful for me for S-video in this regard.

Could be temporal to start with. If SYSM simply varies the clockspeed/frequency of the edge filters under it's control, the differences would translate into a broader (SYSM=1) or narrower (SYSM=3) effect in a horizontal direction on the screen. I'm not sayin that's exactly what's happenin since this is beyond my scope of expertise, but if you set Sharpness to it's highest or lowest setting and then switch between the different SYSM modes while looking at a pattern like this, that's pretty much the effect you'll see. The Sharpening or softening effect becomes more condensed in a horizontal direction as SYSM is increased from 1 to 3. And it seems to work the same for F1LV and CTLV.

I have a question that i couldn't find the answer to by searching the thread. I have a patch of discoloration for lack of a better word in the upperleft hand corner right along the edge and about an inch from the top of the screen. It's kind of blueish i guess. I only really notice it when that part of the screen is white. Is there a setting i can play with to correct this?

So I know phosphor trailing on tube televisions are common place which I am fine with by on my kv30hs420 they are a little ridiculous sometimes. When playing any games on the television that have darker backgrounds and lighter images the trailing can get very very bad. At some points especially in games like donkey kong country when the screen is moving fast the trailing can reach a length of an inch and a half past the object! I know there is no way to get rid of this problem completely but if anyone where to give me any advice on how to reduce it even by a little I would be thankful. Thank you to everyone ahead of time for the help!

If you're using 480p, or 480i with DRC/Progessive or Cinemotion, try switching to something that will display in an interlaced mode like 1080i, or using DRC/Interlaced (960i) for 480i upconversion. 720p should also convert to interlaced 1080i for display. Increase ambient illumination, ie turn a few lamps on and don't game in the dark. Avoid Pro picture mode if possible. Also try adjusting game gamma (especially if using Pro). Try both darkening and lightening gamma to see which works better for you. Try some different Brightness settings. See my remarks here as well. That's about all I can think of off the top of my head.

FWIW there's a shift when switching between all three SYSM settings on my XBR800.
Those terms seem more or less in accord with my interpretation, but what I see on the screen is the reverse of their descriptions. SYSM=0/1 creates the broadest/coarsest effects on my TV, while SYSM=3 creates the narrowest/finest. Perhaps they're looking at it differently though.

Understood. Not sure if this is related, but one thing I noticed in tests with SYSM=3 was that SHF0=1 seemed to have a somewhat more destructive effect on fine detail in that mode.

Another potential problem with SYSM=3 is just the fact that the edge effects are so "condensed" together that fine-tuning them may be more difficult. Switching to SYSM=1 or 2 may give a more "magnified/enhanced" view of what's going on though for effects such as Sharpness, CTLV and F1LV.

SYSM=3 could possibly be more beneficial at higher resolutions as well. 720p and 1080i are generally assigned higher SYSM settings (usually 3) than 480i and 480p in the defaults for example.
PROV should provide some control over how ringing/overshoot is centered in relation to the edge. Achieving a well-defined unsharp-mask effect like you're after may be difficult with SYSM=3 though because the edge effects may be so tightly packed together that they're basically overlapping each other (especially if the CRT guns aren't well-focused?). So the best you may be able to achieve is a more "evenly diffused" edge.

FWIW, my latest take on the 2170P-3 edge controls (excluding velocity modulation):

SYSM
Controls the coarseness of various edge effects such as Sharpness, F1LV, CTLV, and possible others. 1=Coarse. 3=Fine.

SHOF
Sharpness offset.

SHF0
Still having some difficulty describing the effect of this control. SHF0=1 seems to give the picture a stiffer, "flatter", more textural monitor-like feeling. SHF0=0 makes a deeper, smoother, looser feeling picture. Still going back and forth on these.

PROV
Adjusts the emphasis (ie ringing/overshoot) to the left or right of edges in small increments. If this control isn't "centered" well, the biased effect on edges will sort of pull your eye towards the left or right side of the screen in normal video content.

F1LV
Enhances the brightness of edges, especially elevating shadow details so they're easier to see. Coarseness of the effect is controlled by SYSM.

LTMD=0/LTLV=1-3
Smooths out low-contrast detail (including noise, grain and compression artifacts) and sharpens/defines high-contrast edges.

LTMD=1/LTLV=1-3
Enhances edge-definition across the board, bringing higher-contrast edges forward.

CTLV
Softens color details by reducing saturation at edges. 0=highest color saturation at edges and sharpest color detail. 3=lowest edge saturation, and generally softest-looking color detail. Coarseness of the effect is controlled by SYSM.

no problem. xbr910. Thanks Ken.

Looking for some basic help with geomtery and overscanning. I am using input #5 for my 360 and I would like to adjust the overscan a bit. What exactly do I need to do. I read through a thread about the service menu but I am a bit confused. Does each input have its own settings in the service menu or does a change in geometry affect all inputs for example? What about for different sources/signals? Does 1080i have to be adjusted differently than a signal that is 720P? For the most part I am mainly concerned with getting a quality display from the 360 running at 1080i. The analog signals from my cable box running through input 1 are also somewhat important or an area I may like to adjust. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I think I will leave the color and white/black levels as is for now. However if you have any suggestions for quick a dirty color adjustments I am listening.

Thanks