[NOTE: A regularly-updated Table of Contents follows this Introductory article]
01 - INTRODUCTION
Following is a continuing series of short articles about the Sony service codes and what they do. (Comments, additions, corrections, and discussion welcome!) No one has yet come up with an official source for the detailed code descriptions, although the charts that are available from the service manuals are a big help, especially in understanding the relationships among some of the codes. Where there is speculation involved, I'll try to be fairly open about my thought processes so some sort of informal peer review can take place in this forum. I am an engineer and scientist by trade and with decades of experience, and I feel quite fearless to try anything that makes sense. I hope I can contribute some insight - or at least the results of some my reckless experimentation!
I own a fairly new Sony 36XS955, plus a decent Toshiba SD3950 DVD player, really good SHVS decks from JVC and Mitsubishi, and clear reception of HDTV in the Portland, OR, area from an attic antenna (UHF, $25 from Radio Shack). I am using the latest Digital Video Essentials (DVE) DVD, the single disk for DVD-NTSC. I have a good eye for color from lots of experience setting up to graphic artists' computer monitors, working in digital photo-editing, and enjoying color photography as a once-semi-business, now hobby. I enjoy a bit of an obsessive-compulsive streak that has served me well in most things.
I have made such substantial improvements to my TV that I can't imagine others not wanting to do the same. Some of these settings were brain-damaged out of the box (black level!), and others evidenced little insight or care in their initial settings (color temp, corner color purity, centering). The picture modes other than Pro can be hijacked for your own purposes for different setting-groups or suites that suit *you.* I have no need for Vivid, for example, so it's open for repurposing. The Picture Modes are just groups of settings and can be made all identical, if you wish, then altered to suit different purposes. If you write down the original settings or have a decent chart for your set, then the original settings - should you ever wish to return - won't be lost. Clear thinking and an aptitude for fussy detail are required, however, and the undisciplined or impulsive (you know who you are!) may wish to avoid any of this.
The purpose is to share what I *think* I have deduced or know first-hand about the codes and to stimulate others to contribute to these threads with additions, questions, and clarifications. While experimenting, it is possible to gain sudden insight into how these settings relate to one another, test it out, then comment publicly, to everyone's benefit.
Others have contributed generously to this discussion already. Let's keep this discussion lighthearted, clearheaded, and free from fearmongering. The risks of tinkering are not nearly so great as some would have you believe.
Mild rant: It's my strong opinion that the following CAUTIONS are mandatory:
HAVE AVAILABLE at least one copy of the service-data chart for a TV similar or identical to yours. These charts, derived from Sony's own data, are indispensable for seeing the relationships among the settings that interact and their relationships to the various operational modes. Some settings, for example, simply point to columns elsewhere in the code tables, and it wouldn't be obvious without the charts.
An aside: The signal- and deflection-processor chips are identical for all of these late-model sets in the HS, XS, and XBR lines of CRT TVs. Its called a CXA2170, and the code groups are named for the processor: 2170P for picture parameters, and 2170D for deflection parameters. Even if the exact factory defualts dont match what your sets exact chart might show, in many cases they are close or are actually identical but thats NOT really why you have the chart. It is to allow you to map those codes to rational concepts. Get a chart; its your road map! If it matches your set, all the better for those default settings. Youre going to pencil-in your initial settings anyway, right? (Same generally goes for the other chips, too.)
ALSO HAVE AVAILABLE the widely-circulating Excel spreadsheet or its PDF equivalent, which lists the service codes and some good commentary and description on what they do. It's not the last word, as it is a work in progress; but it helps a lot by complementing the data charts.
KEEP RECORDS of what you are doing, especially the factory settings before you change them. A notebook with generous penciled notes is a great idea. Or pencil-in numbers directly onto the charts and lists. Whatever works to keep you from burning bridges.
[The attached files are Sony's very useful charts of service data for these TVs.]
*******************************************************
A TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS FORUM
[Currently ends at message #1940, 16 Aug 2006]
Assume that any link below may be just the beginning of a subject, and that the discussion/responses may continue for many posts to follow. Please PM me with corrections and suggestions. Links are underlined. Attached-file links are indented.
Forum Pages 1-10 (30 messages per page), Posts #1-300
01 - INTRODUCTION
- - hs420 service data chart.pdf
- - XS955:XBR960 Service Data.pdf
Excel Service-Codes Listing
- - servicecodelisting.zip
02 - NAVIGATING SERVICE MODE
- - servmodehelp.zip
03 - COLOR CALIBRATION AND BLACK LEVEL
04 - ADJUSTING GAMMA
05 - CUSTOMIZING PICTURE MODES
06 - AUTO BRIGHTNESS LIMITING
07 - DYNAMIC FOCUS
- - servicecodeslist (34XBR910).pdf
- - convergencepage.pdf (HS420)
- - geometrypages.pdf (HS420)
RE: Dead on Startup + Fix
08 - SOME USEFUL TEST PATTERNS
- - converg_geom_test.zip
FOCUS TEST PATTERNS
- - focus16by9.zip
- - focus4by3.zip
"SPOKES" TEST PATTERN
- - spokes.zip
ADJACENT-COLOR TEST PATTERN
- - adjacentcolors.zip
CURRENT-GAMMA TEST PATTERN
- - curr_gamma_test.zip
09 - GETTING GOOD GRAYSCALE
10 - "PRESETS" AND RELATED SERVICE CODES
- - xs955|xbr960 geometry.pdf
- - xs955 service data.pdf
- - 34XBR960 service data.pdf
11 - IMPROVING THE AUDIO
12 - OPTIMIZING IMAGE DECODING, "SHAPING," AND ENHANCEMENT
- - Image_Processing_rev1_1.pdf
- - image_optimizing-pats.zip
4:3 and 16:9 Focus Test Patterns
- - focusmatrix_4x3sparse.zip
- - focusmatrix_16x9sparse.zip
Convergence-geometry manual pages, XBR960+XS955:
- - xbr960_conv_geom_p1-6.pdf
- - xbr960_conv_geom_p7-10.pdf
Comments on convergence, LANDING settings
Comments on colorimetry and the 6500K standard begin
- - XS955|XBR960 Block Diagram.pdf
Ref. to Poynton etc. regarding Gamma and here
13.1 - PRECISION FOCUSING: ACCESSING THE INTERNAL FOCUS CONTROL
- - Part1_Figures.zip
13.2 - PRECISION FOCUSING: A RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE
- - FocusMatrix_4x3_1080.zip
- - FocusMatrix_16x9_1080.zip
- - Part2_Figs_Patterns.zip
Comment on balancing SBRT, Brightness, and the UBOF settings
14 - A SERVICE-MODE BUG; THE DVE PLASTIC VIEWING FILTERS
15 - THE COLOR OF BLACK: OTHER POSSIBLE COLOR ADJUSTMENTS
The set Color to Min controversy & setting grayscale & offsets begins here
Color balance vs color push
Judging color tints & pitfalls
Forum Pages 11-20 #301-600
White screen and color blobs
White clipping or brightness limiting as it applies to these TVs
The industry standards diatribe
More on intensity vs the CRTs capabilities
Dynamic Picture, Gamma, and the non-Pro modes
- - The Excel Spreadsheet, ADR version
Reference to online copy of 34XBR2 service manual
- - The geometry pages from the above manual (PDF file)
Intro to internal test patterns and also here
Wrong method for adjusting overscan! See this caution .
Setting black level for different inputs again (long)
Geometry-adjustment & magnets, real-world experience
Bad advice again on height & width adjustments in MID processor (DSperber) . See this caution .
Forum Pages 21-30, #601-900
DSperber again on geometry
KenTech: Refining the image; eliminating ringing & edge enhancement
- - The referenced chart, latest version (IPChart06Tall.pdf)
Comments on focusing the tube
The service-codes charts, again
- - 34XBR910 Service Menu vADR.zip
- - XS955:XBR960 Service Data.pdf
Warning about warmup changes
Discussion of MTRX (SD vs HD color matrices)
Nitewatchman starts his
breathless posts
Nitewatchman on MS color and MTRX unpredictability
KenTech on MTRX & service-data charts
Coring and Limiting in the image processing discussed here and here
Using the QM test patterns for color calibration
Argument for DIY adjustment
Centering the raster and the video frame
Warning for fast-fingers on remote while in service mode
HELPFUL NEW CHARTS
- - GS&ColorCharts04.pdf
Forum Pages 31-40, #901-1200
Using a DVD frame for show-and-tell
- - Sample frame from Monsters, Inc.
Cautions on color correction in CXA2171 processor
A suggestion on using the Picture Modes for experimentation
Observation on the characteristics of the SYSM settings in 2170P-3
Observation on the configuring of VM
More image-processing parameters discussed (ADU)
here (ADU) and also More on image-processing as a frequency-response matter (several messages)
More on sharpness and how SM-settings affect it (Napoleon D)
The HDPT (high-def pass-thru) parameter Is it dangerous?
Recommendations for small Warm and Cool color offsets and here
Article: The Neglected CXA-2103 Image Filters and Their Significant Effects on Image Quality and this revision note
New experiments with the 2103-1 parameters, SSMD and PPHA
New Image-Processing Codes Chart: IPChart06tall.pdf
ADU: More on image-detail parameters
A method of setting LANDING parameters
Definitive Statement Regarding Phosphor "Lag" (Persistence)
Article: Tuning the 2103 Processor for the Cleanest, Sharpest Picture
Article: A New Approach to SYSM=3 Image Processing
More on what MIDE is all about
Minor Changes to SYSM=3 Recommendations and "Tuning" the 2103 Chip
Some clarification about VM (scan-velocity modulation)
SERVICE-MODE DOCUMENTS & CHARTS REPOST
- - XS955|XBR960 conv_geom_p1-6.pdf
- - XS955|XBR960 conv_geom_p7-10.pdf
- - XS955|XBR960 Service Data.pdf
Forum Pages 41-50, #1201-1500
More on color and its decoding matrix
BY REQUEST, A FEW CURRENT SETTINGS (KenTech)
A summary of the internal test patterns
A source of convergence-correction magnets? (DSperber)
Service-mode AUDIO settings (and see subsequent posts) and also here
- - Also see conflicting data tables here
Forum Pages 51-60, #1501-1800
Is the high voltage going to kill you?
Green or pink blobs that come and go
HDTV bit depth & standards (Nitewatchman)
Discussion of how Sony TVs scale the various video inputs (different forum)
Discussion of what the MID1-MID3 groups do
RWetmores discovery about setting RDRV~BCUT very high & discussion
Yet another discussion of white balance and the need for 6500K
Restatement of Sonys official centering-adjustment method and here
KenTechs firm position on the 6500K controversy
- - Useful test pattern for photographing grayscale on-screen: Pluge + ExtremeGray.pdf
Comment on eyeballing grayscale adjustment and associated rationales
Test pattern: TRIED-AND-TRUE SELF-REFERENCING GRAYSCALE CALIBRATION
- - GSLinearityTest2.zip
Nitewatchman: Long commentary on his grayscale experiments
Article: MEASURING SCREEN BRIGHTNESS WITH A PHOTO LIGHT METER
- - Referenced graph for above article in ZIP and PDF formats
Discussion of whether the _CUT settings really affect black level begins
(OT) KenTech rant about the (measured) low screen brightness in theaters
Article: EQUIVALENCE OF VARIOUS BLACK-LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS, OFFSETS, AND COLOR CUTOFFS
Caution about adjusting height in the MID1-3 groups
Color-cutoff discussion, a question and its resolution
KenTechs experiments with RWetmores high _CUT settings and here
RWetmores satisfaction with his grayscale settings
Using RGBS for isolating the red, green, and blue CRT guns
The difference between the _DRV and _CUT settings and RYR~GYB
Forum Pages 61-70, #1801-2100
An input-calibration method (Nitewatchman)
A question: What does 2170P-1/DCOL do (dynamic color)? and a proposed answer .
Discussion of sidebar size, blanking, overscan
Different experiences with color calibration, especially non-DVD
A problem with vertical linearity and SD vs HD
More on dangerous service-mode button combinations
DVI, HDMI, black level, and bit depth
Definitions of horizontal and vertical color convergence
Using a Memory Stick for test patterns
Success with color-decoder adjustment (bast525)
What is VON and AKBO? They shut down my TV! and a good comment from another forum here )
hs420 service data chart.pdf 141.68359375k . file
XS955:XBR960 Service Data.pdf 405.4189453125k . file
01 - INTRODUCTION
Following is a continuing series of short articles about the Sony service codes and what they do. (Comments, additions, corrections, and discussion welcome!) No one has yet come up with an official source for the detailed code descriptions, although the charts that are available from the service manuals are a big help, especially in understanding the relationships among some of the codes. Where there is speculation involved, I'll try to be fairly open about my thought processes so some sort of informal peer review can take place in this forum. I am an engineer and scientist by trade and with decades of experience, and I feel quite fearless to try anything that makes sense. I hope I can contribute some insight - or at least the results of some my reckless experimentation!
I own a fairly new Sony 36XS955, plus a decent Toshiba SD3950 DVD player, really good SHVS decks from JVC and Mitsubishi, and clear reception of HDTV in the Portland, OR, area from an attic antenna (UHF, $25 from Radio Shack). I am using the latest Digital Video Essentials (DVE) DVD, the single disk for DVD-NTSC. I have a good eye for color from lots of experience setting up to graphic artists' computer monitors, working in digital photo-editing, and enjoying color photography as a once-semi-business, now hobby. I enjoy a bit of an obsessive-compulsive streak that has served me well in most things.
I have made such substantial improvements to my TV that I can't imagine others not wanting to do the same. Some of these settings were brain-damaged out of the box (black level!), and others evidenced little insight or care in their initial settings (color temp, corner color purity, centering). The picture modes other than Pro can be hijacked for your own purposes for different setting-groups or suites that suit *you.* I have no need for Vivid, for example, so it's open for repurposing. The Picture Modes are just groups of settings and can be made all identical, if you wish, then altered to suit different purposes. If you write down the original settings or have a decent chart for your set, then the original settings - should you ever wish to return - won't be lost. Clear thinking and an aptitude for fussy detail are required, however, and the undisciplined or impulsive (you know who you are!) may wish to avoid any of this.
The purpose is to share what I *think* I have deduced or know first-hand about the codes and to stimulate others to contribute to these threads with additions, questions, and clarifications. While experimenting, it is possible to gain sudden insight into how these settings relate to one another, test it out, then comment publicly, to everyone's benefit.
Others have contributed generously to this discussion already. Let's keep this discussion lighthearted, clearheaded, and free from fearmongering. The risks of tinkering are not nearly so great as some would have you believe.
Mild rant: It's my strong opinion that the following CAUTIONS are mandatory:
HAVE AVAILABLE at least one copy of the service-data chart for a TV similar or identical to yours. These charts, derived from Sony's own data, are indispensable for seeing the relationships among the settings that interact and their relationships to the various operational modes. Some settings, for example, simply point to columns elsewhere in the code tables, and it wouldn't be obvious without the charts.
An aside: The signal- and deflection-processor chips are identical for all of these late-model sets in the HS, XS, and XBR lines of CRT TVs. Its called a CXA2170, and the code groups are named for the processor: 2170P for picture parameters, and 2170D for deflection parameters. Even if the exact factory defualts dont match what your sets exact chart might show, in many cases they are close or are actually identical but thats NOT really why you have the chart. It is to allow you to map those codes to rational concepts. Get a chart; its your road map! If it matches your set, all the better for those default settings. Youre going to pencil-in your initial settings anyway, right? (Same generally goes for the other chips, too.)
ALSO HAVE AVAILABLE the widely-circulating Excel spreadsheet or its PDF equivalent, which lists the service codes and some good commentary and description on what they do. It's not the last word, as it is a work in progress; but it helps a lot by complementing the data charts.
KEEP RECORDS of what you are doing, especially the factory settings before you change them. A notebook with generous penciled notes is a great idea. Or pencil-in numbers directly onto the charts and lists. Whatever works to keep you from burning bridges.
[The attached files are Sony's very useful charts of service data for these TVs.]
*******************************************************
A TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS FORUM
[Currently ends at message #1940, 16 Aug 2006]
Assume that any link below may be just the beginning of a subject, and that the discussion/responses may continue for many posts to follow. Please PM me with corrections and suggestions. Links are underlined. Attached-file links are indented.
Forum Pages 1-10 (30 messages per page), Posts #1-300
01 - INTRODUCTION
- - hs420 service data chart.pdf
- - XS955:XBR960 Service Data.pdf
Excel Service-Codes Listing
- - servicecodelisting.zip
02 - NAVIGATING SERVICE MODE
- - servmodehelp.zip
03 - COLOR CALIBRATION AND BLACK LEVEL
04 - ADJUSTING GAMMA
05 - CUSTOMIZING PICTURE MODES
06 - AUTO BRIGHTNESS LIMITING
07 - DYNAMIC FOCUS
- - servicecodeslist (34XBR910).pdf
- - convergencepage.pdf (HS420)
- - geometrypages.pdf (HS420)
RE: Dead on Startup + Fix
08 - SOME USEFUL TEST PATTERNS
- - converg_geom_test.zip
FOCUS TEST PATTERNS
- - focus16by9.zip
- - focus4by3.zip
"SPOKES" TEST PATTERN
- - spokes.zip
ADJACENT-COLOR TEST PATTERN
- - adjacentcolors.zip
CURRENT-GAMMA TEST PATTERN
- - curr_gamma_test.zip
09 - GETTING GOOD GRAYSCALE
10 - "PRESETS" AND RELATED SERVICE CODES
- - xs955|xbr960 geometry.pdf
- - xs955 service data.pdf
- - 34XBR960 service data.pdf
11 - IMPROVING THE AUDIO
12 - OPTIMIZING IMAGE DECODING, "SHAPING," AND ENHANCEMENT
- - Image_Processing_rev1_1.pdf
- - image_optimizing-pats.zip
4:3 and 16:9 Focus Test Patterns
- - focusmatrix_4x3sparse.zip
- - focusmatrix_16x9sparse.zip
Convergence-geometry manual pages, XBR960+XS955:
- - xbr960_conv_geom_p1-6.pdf
- - xbr960_conv_geom_p7-10.pdf
Comments on convergence, LANDING settings
Comments on colorimetry and the 6500K standard begin
- - XS955|XBR960 Block Diagram.pdf
Ref. to Poynton etc. regarding Gamma and here
13.1 - PRECISION FOCUSING: ACCESSING THE INTERNAL FOCUS CONTROL
- - Part1_Figures.zip
13.2 - PRECISION FOCUSING: A RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE
- - FocusMatrix_4x3_1080.zip
- - FocusMatrix_16x9_1080.zip
- - Part2_Figs_Patterns.zip
Comment on balancing SBRT, Brightness, and the UBOF settings
14 - A SERVICE-MODE BUG; THE DVE PLASTIC VIEWING FILTERS
15 - THE COLOR OF BLACK: OTHER POSSIBLE COLOR ADJUSTMENTS
The set Color to Min controversy & setting grayscale & offsets begins here
Color balance vs color push
Judging color tints & pitfalls
Forum Pages 11-20 #301-600
White screen and color blobs
White clipping or brightness limiting as it applies to these TVs
The industry standards diatribe
More on intensity vs the CRTs capabilities
Dynamic Picture, Gamma, and the non-Pro modes
- - The Excel Spreadsheet, ADR version
Reference to online copy of 34XBR2 service manual
- - The geometry pages from the above manual (PDF file)
Intro to internal test patterns and also here
Wrong method for adjusting overscan! See this caution .
Setting black level for different inputs again (long)
Geometry-adjustment & magnets, real-world experience
Bad advice again on height & width adjustments in MID processor (DSperber) . See this caution .
Forum Pages 21-30, #601-900
DSperber again on geometry
KenTech: Refining the image; eliminating ringing & edge enhancement
- - The referenced chart, latest version (IPChart06Tall.pdf)
Comments on focusing the tube
The service-codes charts, again
- - 34XBR910 Service Menu vADR.zip
- - XS955:XBR960 Service Data.pdf
Warning about warmup changes
Discussion of MTRX (SD vs HD color matrices)
Nitewatchman starts his

Nitewatchman on MS color and MTRX unpredictability
KenTech on MTRX & service-data charts
Coring and Limiting in the image processing discussed here and here
Using the QM test patterns for color calibration
Argument for DIY adjustment
Centering the raster and the video frame
Warning for fast-fingers on remote while in service mode
HELPFUL NEW CHARTS
- - GS&ColorCharts04.pdf
Forum Pages 31-40, #901-1200
Using a DVD frame for show-and-tell
- - Sample frame from Monsters, Inc.
Cautions on color correction in CXA2171 processor
A suggestion on using the Picture Modes for experimentation
Observation on the characteristics of the SYSM settings in 2170P-3
Observation on the configuring of VM
More image-processing parameters discussed (ADU)
here (ADU) and also More on image-processing as a frequency-response matter (several messages)
More on sharpness and how SM-settings affect it (Napoleon D)
The HDPT (high-def pass-thru) parameter Is it dangerous?
Recommendations for small Warm and Cool color offsets and here
Article: The Neglected CXA-2103 Image Filters and Their Significant Effects on Image Quality and this revision note
New experiments with the 2103-1 parameters, SSMD and PPHA
New Image-Processing Codes Chart: IPChart06tall.pdf
ADU: More on image-detail parameters
A method of setting LANDING parameters
Definitive Statement Regarding Phosphor "Lag" (Persistence)
Article: Tuning the 2103 Processor for the Cleanest, Sharpest Picture
Article: A New Approach to SYSM=3 Image Processing
More on what MIDE is all about
Minor Changes to SYSM=3 Recommendations and "Tuning" the 2103 Chip
Some clarification about VM (scan-velocity modulation)
SERVICE-MODE DOCUMENTS & CHARTS REPOST
- - XS955|XBR960 conv_geom_p1-6.pdf
- - XS955|XBR960 conv_geom_p7-10.pdf
- - XS955|XBR960 Service Data.pdf
Forum Pages 41-50, #1201-1500
More on color and its decoding matrix
BY REQUEST, A FEW CURRENT SETTINGS (KenTech)
A summary of the internal test patterns
A source of convergence-correction magnets? (DSperber)
Service-mode AUDIO settings (and see subsequent posts) and also here
- - Also see conflicting data tables here
Forum Pages 51-60, #1501-1800
Is the high voltage going to kill you?
Green or pink blobs that come and go
HDTV bit depth & standards (Nitewatchman)
Discussion of how Sony TVs scale the various video inputs (different forum)
Discussion of what the MID1-MID3 groups do
RWetmores discovery about setting RDRV~BCUT very high & discussion
Yet another discussion of white balance and the need for 6500K
Restatement of Sonys official centering-adjustment method and here
KenTechs firm position on the 6500K controversy
- - Useful test pattern for photographing grayscale on-screen: Pluge + ExtremeGray.pdf
Comment on eyeballing grayscale adjustment and associated rationales
Test pattern: TRIED-AND-TRUE SELF-REFERENCING GRAYSCALE CALIBRATION
- - GSLinearityTest2.zip
Nitewatchman: Long commentary on his grayscale experiments
Article: MEASURING SCREEN BRIGHTNESS WITH A PHOTO LIGHT METER
- - Referenced graph for above article in ZIP and PDF formats
Discussion of whether the _CUT settings really affect black level begins
(OT) KenTech rant about the (measured) low screen brightness in theaters
Article: EQUIVALENCE OF VARIOUS BLACK-LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS, OFFSETS, AND COLOR CUTOFFS
Caution about adjusting height in the MID1-3 groups
Color-cutoff discussion, a question and its resolution
KenTechs experiments with RWetmores high _CUT settings and here
RWetmores satisfaction with his grayscale settings
Using RGBS for isolating the red, green, and blue CRT guns
The difference between the _DRV and _CUT settings and RYR~GYB
Forum Pages 61-70, #1801-2100
An input-calibration method (Nitewatchman)
A question: What does 2170P-1/DCOL do (dynamic color)? and a proposed answer .
Discussion of sidebar size, blanking, overscan
Different experiences with color calibration, especially non-DVD
A problem with vertical linearity and SD vs HD
More on dangerous service-mode button combinations
DVI, HDMI, black level, and bit depth
Definitions of horizontal and vertical color convergence
Using a Memory Stick for test patterns
Success with color-decoder adjustment (bast525)
What is VON and AKBO? They shut down my TV! and a good comment from another forum here )
hs420 service data chart.pdf 141.68359375k . file
XS955:XBR960 Service Data.pdf 405.4189453125k . file
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