Steve Schaffer
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 1999
- Messages
- 3,756
- Real Name
- Steve Schaffer
In recent weeks I've noticed what seemed to be really excessive effects from internal reflections on my Sony KP57HW-40. Black bars on 2:35 films looked grayish or took on the predominant picture color during bright scenes, and the blacks in pictures with large bright areas looked washed out, and colors seemed just a bit less vivid than they should be. Repeated sessions with AVIA had no effect.
This is my 3rd rptv, and when I first got it I was very happy about it's apparent lack of ill effects from internal reflections--black bars stayed black in bright scenes better than on the previous 2 sets, and the overall picture very closely resembled direct view as far as lack of color bleed and great blacks.
I could not account for the apparent deterioration and was thinking maybe the crts were tired and it was time to shop for a plasma or big direct view.
On a whim I overcame my reluctance to open up the set and removed the back fibreboard panel after unplugging the set. I saw a lot of dust on the crt lenses along with what looked like a few tiny insect parts (I've occasionally had bugs inside the set).
I gently cleaned the lenses with paper towels moistened slightly with Sprayway Glass Cleaner, an ammonia free cleaner in a blue and white can that works great on the screen outer surface, put the back panel back on and waited half an hour before turning on the set. I did not have the courage to try to remove the screen, so left the inside of the screen and the mirror alone.
The results were incredible--my blacks are back, the apparent internal reflection problems are virtually gone, shadow detail is back and colors are much more vivid-- the set looks better than it did when it was brand new. Apparently the dust on the crt lens surfaces was diffusing the light coming from the crts in a way that mimicked the effects of excessive internal reflections in the set.
I know this cleaning has been highly recommended here before but didn't really believe it would help that much and was very reluctant to open up the back of the set, but after doing this relatively simple procedure and getting such great results felt like I had to share my experience.
One caution, while the cleaner I used didn't harm my set's lenses I could not say for sure whether it would harm those of another make of set. The water in my area leaves streaks which is why I did not use just plain water to moisten the paper towels. I was also extremely careful not to touch any metal parts inside the set.
This is my 3rd rptv, and when I first got it I was very happy about it's apparent lack of ill effects from internal reflections--black bars stayed black in bright scenes better than on the previous 2 sets, and the overall picture very closely resembled direct view as far as lack of color bleed and great blacks.
I could not account for the apparent deterioration and was thinking maybe the crts were tired and it was time to shop for a plasma or big direct view.
On a whim I overcame my reluctance to open up the set and removed the back fibreboard panel after unplugging the set. I saw a lot of dust on the crt lenses along with what looked like a few tiny insect parts (I've occasionally had bugs inside the set).
I gently cleaned the lenses with paper towels moistened slightly with Sprayway Glass Cleaner, an ammonia free cleaner in a blue and white can that works great on the screen outer surface, put the back panel back on and waited half an hour before turning on the set. I did not have the courage to try to remove the screen, so left the inside of the screen and the mirror alone.
The results were incredible--my blacks are back, the apparent internal reflection problems are virtually gone, shadow detail is back and colors are much more vivid-- the set looks better than it did when it was brand new. Apparently the dust on the crt lens surfaces was diffusing the light coming from the crts in a way that mimicked the effects of excessive internal reflections in the set.
I know this cleaning has been highly recommended here before but didn't really believe it would help that much and was very reluctant to open up the back of the set, but after doing this relatively simple procedure and getting such great results felt like I had to share my experience.
One caution, while the cleaner I used didn't harm my set's lenses I could not say for sure whether it would harm those of another make of set. The water in my area leaves streaks which is why I did not use just plain water to moisten the paper towels. I was also extremely careful not to touch any metal parts inside the set.