Looking for advice - just bought an RPTV, should I go for the extended warranty? (1 Viewer)

[sean_pecor]

There are some service menu changes you might like to make now. I'll post some notes here, but you'll want to grab the service manual. For a $4.95 paypal payment you can download the 20 megabyte kp46wt500 manual from:

http://hdtv-pro.com/servicem/mlist.html

You'll need that to understand what the notes below mean.

Disable Scan Velocity Modulation

This is the edge enhancement feature that can give a picture more "punch", but mostly what it does is render the picture quite inaccurately (lots of severe right angles in shadows etc). To turn it off:

Category 2150P-3:
Set UVML to 0

Minimize Red Push

This was enabled by default on my 46" Sony. Even after calibrating the color using the Avia DVD, reds were too hot. This fixed the problem:

Category 2150P-4:
Set AXIS value to 1

Softness Tweaks

As the Avia DVD states, and as counter-intuititve as it sounds, a correctly softened image will have less distortion. I implemented these softness tweaks, and have enjoyed the results:

Category 2150P-3:
Set SHF0 to 1
Set SHOF to 0
Set F1LV to 0
Set CDSP to 0
Set LTLV to 0
Set CTLV to 0

Category 2150P-4:
Set UDCL to 0
Set UBLK to 0
Set DCTR to 1
Set DPIC to 0

Notes on Above Tweaks

I derived the above tweaks from the WS500 Tweaks word document, that should eventually be back online at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sony_hdtv/

Converging your TV

The 20 megabyte PDF document service manual mentioned above does provide extremely good service menu convergence instructions. Many people recommend a professional calibration after a "break-in" period, and I see 100 hours used often. With that said, you can of course converge and tweak your own TV immediately. There is no harm in it, and you will enjoy a better picture while your TV is breaking in

Hope this helps,

Sean.

 

[Kimo Bonnelycke]

Pat

If you purchased the TV with a credit card, it may have an extended warranty already. I just go my Panny 53", and put it on my MasterCard. My MasterCard automatically doubles (up to 1 year) the manuf. warranty. I did get the extended warranty, only because the price was right (100 bucks for extended 3 years)....

Have fun with the TV...

Kimo B.

 

[Jack Briggs]

Pat: Don't go diving into the service menu just now. Save that for a pro. Meanwhile, yes, use a calibration disc (AVIA, Video Essentials). Even before the disc arrives, reduce the contrast to or below fifty percent. If the unit has an "auto-convergence" mode, use that for now. And good luck with that set; it's a good 'un. JB