Sony LCD 32" RGB Centering for a supergun/PCB

[ExMosquito]

Hi, I have a problem. I have recently acquired a Jamma PCB (TGM2+) that is slightly off alignment to the left which is cutting off a quarter of the screen. I have tried adjusting the "RGB centering" option and maxed it out to +5 to the right, but it needs about another +5 to get the full image. Does anyone have a solution to this? I've heard about going into the service menu but I have no idea what to change.

Please Help!, Mark.

[Lyris]

You're out of luck I'm afraid - the service menus on these displays don't feature any picture geometry adjustments. This was deemed only necessary on CRT displays for technicians to correct drifts over time. On LCDs, the values are hard-coded into the video display chip.

[ExMosquito]

Ah damn, thanks for letting me know. It's not TOO bad I guess http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mark9/Tap_PCB.jpg

Thanks for your help. Mark

[paulus]

You can get quality a 4:3 CRT on ebay for around 99 pence if you collect?

[Lyris]

That looks like a real pain in the ass. An off-board video processor would probably let you correct it, but that's pretty pricey.

[fallenangle]

Is it really correct that you can't adjust even the centring of the image on a LCD? I find that really strange.

I have a similar problem on my Sony 100Hz WS CRT. It actually has a RGB horizontal re-sizing and +/- 10 re-centring options but I've found on some games that just isn't enough too.

What I'm asking is why don't they allow us users more control over such elements with all TVs? Keep the dangerous TV killing stuff for the service menu but why not, at least, give the user control over geometry, positioning, sizing, video preset values etc?

All you'd need is a simple Default/Reset button to get you out of trouble if you mess things up, so I just don't understand why they insist in making all these useful adjustment options so inaccessable.

[SharkSkin-Man]

Don't XRGB's allow you to shift the image left/right/up/down?

[Lyris]

Is it really correct that you can't adjust even the centring of the image on a LCD? I find that really strange.

The Sonys actually do have this option, you can shift left and right. But it looks like there's something non-standard about this video signal which makes it uncorrectable.

What I'm asking is why don't they allow us users more control over such elements with all TVs? Keep the dangerous TV killing stuff for the service menu but why not, at least, give the user control over geometry, positioning, sizing, video preset values etc? All you'd need is a simple Default/Reset button to get you out of trouble if you mess things up, so I just don't understand why they insist in making all these useful adjustment options so inaccessable?

Good question. I was helping out giving a presentation at a big CE company a few weeks ago about giving users advanced calibration controls, and they are absolutely terrified of confusing users. The idea seems to be to give them minimal control so they don't get confused.

[fallenangle]

They're desperate for TV controls not to be confusing - lol.

I really don't see that as being a problem as regards my suggestion. You'd just have such additional options as geometry and position controls etc hived away in a separate Advanced Adjustments sub-menu. The normal user wouldn't need to go near them and even if they did the Default/ Reset button I suggested would act as a safety net.

All those functions are already there, at least for CRTs, but hidden in the service menu. Make the operation user friendly, explaining on screen what each adjustment does and I really can't see why your average user would get any more confused than they do already.

With remotes featuring up to 75 dual or triple purpose buttons I really find it funny they think some additional options would add significantly to the confusion.

[Lyris]

Yeah, and their badly written/translated Engrish manuals don't help either.
The best example is the menu text in last year's Pioneer Kuro TVs, there's an option that claims to "Make the brightness of the picture somewhat more" (or words to that effect). It actually controls the brightness of the status LED on the front bezel.