Help with Sony KD-XBR970

[jaymzbo]

I did not find any relevant threads using search fx so here goes:

Specifically, I bought this 1080i CRT last April and am noticing a clear Horizontal line that is pretty visible on light to white backgrounds. My research has not been too fruitful other than one owner's report of the same problem and he said that it is inherent to Sony Trinitron tvs, that Sony uses an aperture mask instead of a shadowmask (I had to write that down as I have no idea what it means).

Any thoughts? Am I now stuck as tv was bought more than 7 months ago from Best Buy?

Thanks in advance....James

[xtop]

i have the 960. theres 2 of those lines right? theres nothing you can do about it. i've had this for about 2 years now so i forget what those lines do, but sit further away?

[bkbluray]

I haven't heard about that problem specifically, but if you bought the TV less than a year ago, it should still be under warranty. They would be obligated to fix it if it was. I would try calling Sony.

[cawgijoe]

Originally Posted by jaymzbo

I did not find any relevant threads using search fx so here goes:

Specifically, I bought this 1080i CRT last April and am noticing a clear Horizontal line that is pretty visible on light to white backgrounds. My research has not been too fruitful other than one owner's report of the same problem and he said that it is inherent to Sony Trinitron tvs, that Sony uses an aperture mask instead of a shadowmask (I had to write that down as I have no idea what it means).

Any thoughts? Am I now stuck as tv was bought more than 7 months ago from Best Buy?

Thanks in advance....James

Has nothing to do with the aperture grill or shadowmask.

If the TV was bought brand new is has a manufaturer's warranty that I believe is good for a year. Call Sony and have them send out a tech.

I have the Sony KV-34XBR800 which I've had going on six years now and it's been great.

[gvortex7]

It's called aperture grille (not aperture mask) and the horizontal line across the screen is a normal behavior for the screen to exhibit. Read the quote below:

Depending on the size of the display, one or two horizontal stabilizing wires are also used, and may be visible as fine lines across the face of the screen, providing the easiest way to distinguish aperture grille and shadow mask displays at a glance. Additionally, aperture grille displays tend to be vertically flat and are often horizontally flat as well, while shadow mask displays usually have a spherical curvature.

[xtop]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

It's called aperture grille (not aperture mask) and the horizontal line across the screen is a normal behavior for the screen to exhibit. Read the quote below:

ah thank you. i knew what i was thinking, but couldn't remember exactly what it was. but like i said..sit further away

[cawgijoe]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

It's called aperture grille (not aperture mask) and the horizontal line across the screen is a normal behavior for the screen to exhibit. Read the quote below:

If that is the case.....why does my Sony not have these visible lines?

[xtop]

Originally Posted by cawgijoe

If that is the case.....why does my Sony not have these visible lines?

get a white picture on screen..get real close and take a look. its there

[Deciazulado]

Trinitron type CRTs have a cable holding the apreture grille in place, 1 if it's a small screen, 2 if it's big. What you see is its electronic "shadow". It's been yearsthis has been this way. The aperture grille then has the advantage of being in only one direction (vertical has infinite"" dot pitch tat way) and the scanning gun can write any vertical resolution number w/o loss or interference from a dot matrix type of grille that would limit the vertical resolution as a function of the vertical dot pitch.

[cawgijoe]

Originally Posted by xtop

get a white picture on screen..get real close and take a look. its there

I'll give it a shot, but I've never noticed anything like this before......anyone have a screenshot of what it's suppossed to look like and where on screen?

[gvortex7]

Here is further proof of this line not being a defect:

One drawback to the use of aperture grille monitors is the faint lines that appear at one third and two thirds of the screens' height (often at just one location—usually 2/3rds from top—on smaller displays like the Sony FD Trinitron WEGA KV-21FS140, of 21 inches). These lines are caused by two thin wires that run perpendicular to the grille which are used to maintain equal spacing between the vertical wires of the grille. Additionally, the tension required to keep the wires taut requires a heavy frame, making aperture-grille based CRTs noticeably heavier than their shadow-mask based analogue.

[gvortex7]

So apparently, the smaller the screen size the easier it is to see this line across the screen.

[cawgijoe]

I'm heading down to the TV right now.....be back in a bit.....

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by cawgijoe

I'll give it a shot, but I've never noticed anything like this before......anyone have a screenshot of what it's suppossed to look like and where on screen?

I don't have this particular TV in my house only a different kind of Sony tube TV, but I have seen this numerous times at the service center where I work.

[jaymzbo]

thanks for all of the quick reponses all. I was more concerned that the tv itself might be on the verge of breaking down or something, so knowing otherwise is a relief.

I use this tv as a bedroom set and really don't have option to sit much further back than I am. This does not seem to be a huge problem as long it does not mean the tv is defective.

I really like this tv as it has been great for gaming and does good job with deep blacks.

One more question then: Would I be correct in assuming that playing with the settings would have absolutely no effect on this at all?

[xtop]

Originally Posted by jaymzbo

thanks for all of the quick reponses all. I was more concerned that the tv itself might be on the verge of breaking down or something, so knowing otherwise is a relief.

I use this tv as a bedroom set and really don't have option to sit much further back than I am. This does not seem to be a huge problem as long it does not mean the tv is defective.

I really like this tv as it has been great for gaming and does good job with deep blacks.

One more question then: Would I be correct in assuming that playing with the settings would have absolutely no effect on this at all?

maybe turning the brightness down a bit? but for the most part, no. check out the avs forums tho for some nice calibration threads

[cawgijoe]

I'm back.....put a light blue to white static screensaver on from my PS3....I looked very closely....a couple inches away all around the screen.....nada....not a thing......all I see is black verticle lines that are very close together that of course dissapear when you move back a foot of two.

Either I don't know what I'm looking for, or it's not there.

My set is calibrated using the Digital Video Essentials disc and set to "Movie" mode if that makes any difference.

[cawgijoe]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

I don't have this particular TV in my house only a different kind of Sony tube TV, but I have seen this numerous times at the service center where I work.

I have four Sony Trinitron tubes in the house including a 27" XBR, 20" and 13" Trinitrons........none of them display these horizontal lines.

I'm only using the 27" for the kids to play games and the other two are "retired" as I bought a Vizio 32" LCD for the bedroom.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by cawgijoe

I have four Sony Trinitron tubes in the house including a 27" XBR, 20" and 13" Trinitrons........none of them display these horizontal lines.

I'm only using the 27" for the kids to play games and the other two are "retired" as I bought a Vizio 32" LCD for the bedroom.

Great, then you should be happy. My Sony TV doesn't show any lines either, but then again it doesn't have an aperture grille either. Remember, only specific models come with aperture grilles.

[cawgijoe]

To the OP......if this bothers you, please call Sony and ask them to come check it out. Under warranty it will not cost a thing. Don't tell them that you heard that this may be a common Sony issue.....let them tell you.

Thats what I would do.