Problem with a Sony Multiscan E500

Is this one of the monitors where you cannot darken the picture enough? If so, you might have the infamous Sony G2 problem that requires a modification so that it is reduced. You do not want to mess with the "Rail" that you describe. Write back with the answer to if you can reduce the contrast and brightness to a dark level, and I might be able to help you.

Hi Ken,

Sorry, I'm italian and I have some difficulties to explain correctly the problem (..of course, not because "I'm Italian"...but because I don't speak english very well..! :-) ) First of all, if you want, you can download the service manual (PDF) from this site:

Now I try to describe the problem. I gave this monitor for free, from a friend, that don' t use it because it had some problems. The monitor was very "out of convergence", and I solved the problem only moving the fold poles on the tube, and finally using the regulation of the OSD. But the principal problem, now, is another: the monitor appear too bright. If I put the brightness at the lower valour, and the contrast at the higher one, the monitor is too bright. The red appear nearly orange, the black appear too bright...like a black t-shirt that you have washed many and many times (sorry for the stupid example). This is the problem. Moreover, at this time, I don't have an oscilloscope (sigh!) to check signal form...

..uhm...I think that you are speaking about this:

Probably this is the problem...you gave me a good way to search in Google, speaking me about "Sony G2 problem"!

First off your English is fine. You might use different descriptive words than I would use, but I think I understand what your problem is. The monitor you have is NOT the same one I have. Mine is a 19" Dell Trinitron made by Sony and the problem sure sounds the same. Below are a few links that might not be exactly about your monitor, but you should get the idea of what the problem is if your monitor is of the same type.

The monitor has a port that can be used to adjust the G2 voltage, but it requires software and an adapter be made. The details on how to do this are probably mentioned in the links below. The only problem is it is a lot of work for only one monitor. If you had many, it might be the way to go.

There is however a modification that can be made to bring the monitor into a usable setting. On my 19" monitor my notes say to replace R459 (10Meg) with a 4.6-6.8Meg one. (If the present value of that resistor is not accurate, disregard the value and resistor number I suggested.) There then is another (different) resistor that you must modify rather than the one I suggested. The links I suggested might give you the correct one? The resistor is of course in the rear of the monitor on a vertical mounted PWB above the flyback area. It is not on the main horizontal PWB that the flyback transformer is mounted.

The key is you are modifying the bias for the transistor controlling the G2 voltage to the CRT. Once you find the current resistor, jumper in some different values until you get the correct brightness. Do this check with your brightness and contrast at the midrange setting.

If you write back I will try to answer any questions you might have or suggest where you might find more answers. A search on Google for "G2 too high, Sony, Dell, Trinitron, etc." might also be productive.

I have an E530.

Do you have the on screen menu ? Go to the COLOR menu - below the color temperature setting select *IMAGE RESTORATION* and select it !

It worked for me. Better now than it was when delivered in fact.

Graham

Thank you Ken! Moreover...your monitor (Sony/Dell 19") is the SAME monitor (I think..mine is Sony multiscan E400) that i'm using now. And I have also a question for this screen: i had some problem with the convergence... Also in your monitor is "quite impossible" to obtain a correct convergence in all parts of the screen? Using, of course, all the "fold poles" on the tube and the regluations on the "Menu' ".. I don' t obtain a perfect convergence...

uhmm.. I think that I try this way, if I found the cable, or if I can make it with a few money.

Perfect, I think that you gave me the solution. First of all, I search a way to made the cable and use the software to correct the problem. But, if I find it too expensive, or too long (I think, too long!), I try the solutions of the resistors, buying some resistors and finding the correct value for the better image.

Thank you a lot, Ken, you are very kind. Now I search, with the help of "Saint Google", all the info for using the digital alignment software (moreover, in ofe of the link, there is a great guide). Thank you, thank you, thank you! :-)

Yes, Dell used a Sony chassis AIUI.

I found myself in the same position as you about a year ago and actually bought another (second-hand) 21" Sony as a possible replacement on ebay. I was talking to the seller about picking it up and he gave me the tip about color restoration. It works a treat ! As a result I still haven't yet used that monitor but I just got a PCI video card for a second display and soon I'll have

Graham

Uhmm...in My E500 there isn't the "IMAGE RESTORATION" selection, under the menu.. I had seen ALL the sub-menu....

I am not sure exactly where you are at with your problem right now, as there have been additional posts regarding it. But I would like to suggest you clear up the G2 problem before you adjust other items like convergence. At least that is what I would do before attempting them. If you mess with convergence and it is not needed, you could make a bigger headache for yourself. Just my two cents.

Just a moment: i have TWO monitors. The 21" one, that is "overbright", and the 19" that is out of convergence. The E50, 21", now is open and I'm not using it (I have orded the cable to use WINDAS Sony recalibration software), instead I'm using the 19" (that had perfet colours and correct G2 value, and is only is out of convergence). In this last one, 19", probably I can solve the problem with the same program. I had read that there is also a sub menu that can correct defect of gometry,etc...

OK, I misunderstood. I thought you had a monitor that exhibited both problems. From what I read you can perform just about everything with the software and cable, so you are probably correct in expecting the convergence problem to be corrected as well. Should you get a cable and try the software, post a new message in the news group telling us how it worked. I would be interested in your results. Good luck.

Perfect, Ken. I have buyed the cable/adaptator and d/loaded the program. I think that the cable need about 10 days to arrive ( sigh..), but BE SURE that I post a new message with the results, in the 21" and also in the 19" one. You have traced me the correct way to find the problem: thank you a lot!

It has an icon that's totally meaningless. Do look again. It's under the COLOR menu. There are only 2 options - set color temperature and color restoration on my E530. It works a treat too.

Graham

Wait. I push the button. I go to the right and I enter into the "color " menu. Now I have three possiblitites: "Easy", "Expert" and "SRGB". In none of these there is a icon or a "color restoration" possibilities...

Maybe it's not on that model then.

Have you got a service manual btw ? I found one here...

I don't know how you link and open tar files though.

Graham

winzip or izarc(

Thanks for posting that. It will be very useful. I built a cable several years ago for the DOS version, but it was almost impossible to use without the special test generators and color meter.

Is there a way to add older models to the database? It's the older ones like the GDM-W900 and even GDM-20SE1 that could use the most adjustment these days. Most are so far off that I don't even bother with them any more. Andy Cuffe

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com

I think it's in the option menu on some monitors. If it's too old it won't have it though. They added this feature around 2001, but it doesn't work on the 21" monitors from that year. They go through the motions, but I've never seen a 21" from 2001 where it made much difference to the picture. It works like magic on the 19" from 2001 and the later 21" ones. Andy Cuffe

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com

My E500 was manufactured on December 2000.It was dismissed about in 2004 for this problem (overbright) , and the old owner gave me it. So I have picked up it about two months ago. In the menu there isn' t this option, I'm sure. Probably, Sony introduced this feature for further model to solve this problem...that is very common, I see...