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About Rick Montgomery
Expertise
Most questions about 1970's-1980's audio equipment. Most 1980's -1990's VCR's and VCR combo's. Most 1980's-1990's car audio, except original equipment. I know name brand after-market such as Kenwood, Pioneer, JVC, and some Sony. I am not so good with TV's, DVD's or camcorders. I do not work on Projection TV sets at all. I also have no access to documebntation for sets outside of the United States.

Experience
Professional Electronics Technician since 1975, specializing in most audio, home, portable and car. Also all VCR's. Limited TV knowledge. No projection TV experience

Organizations
Through work, NESDA.

Publications
n/a

Education/Credentials
High School. Graduated with 2 yrs Vocational Electronics in High School.

Awards and Honors
Certificates of completion of factory training seminars for various brands

Past/Present Clients
Thousands of customers to the Service Centers I have worked for.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Appliances > TV/VCR/Stereo Troubleshooting > Sony Projection Television

TV/VCR/Stereo Troubleshooting - Sony Projection Television

Expert: Rick Montgomery - 11/1/2009

Question
I have a Sony Projection TV, that has Flash Focus and Convergence features. Unfortunately, Sunday my TV decided to give me double vision. I tried to use flash focus and the crosses were double images in white and red. I was wondering if this is worth fixing? Can you tell me what you think the problem is?

Florence

Answer
Florence,
Although as my profile reflects, I do not work on projection TV's at all, but yes, I do know what is happening bin your set.
First, let me explain how it should work. There are 3 picture tubes in the bottom of your TV, one for each of the primary colors of light, red, green and blue. Each projects it's portion of the complete color picture to a mirror on the back of the set, and from there onto the screens you watch. The convergence drive amplifier circuit is what causes all 3 images to align, or CONVERGE into the one full color image you see. The flash focus is a means through which sensors detect the position of the different color images, and adjust the convergence circuit to properly compensate for any offsets. It is not working because the convergence drive amplifier has gone defective, and needs to be repaired. The best analogy I can give you is if you have a stereo with one channel shorted out. Until that channel is repaired, it makes no difference where you set the volume, no sound will be heard. Likewise, in your TV, until the convergence circuit is repaired, it cannot properly adjust your picture.
In our service center, the average cost of repairing a convergence problem is $195 to $390 plus tax, depending of course on what parts are required to repair the set. We understand that prices are coming down on TV's, so we try to make it still worth repair. Discuss it with your local service center. Then, armed with a ballpark figure, it will be up to you to decide whether it's worth it to you or not. Consider the picture quality before it went out. Were you happy with the picture? Was it bright and clear? Were all the colors right? Just remember, you won't be getting a new set back. It will just repair the defect you have, and restore it to the quality you had prior to it's failure.
I hope this helps you.
regards,
Rick

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