Have you cleaned your RPTV's lenses lately?

[Oyama]

I've had my Sony KP-61HS10 for about six years now and it never seems to amaze me, when I clean the CRT lens (about once a year). Not only is the picture brighter, but also has a greater sense of depth and realism.

I would highly recommend this maintenance tip to others, who have not done so. With some basic common sense, it's fairly easy to do.

[SamS]

I have mine wiped down once a year when my local ISF guy comes to do an annual tune up. Don't forget to wipe down the mirror too! Dust collects there as well as the CRT tubes.

[Oyama]

I have mine wiped down once a year when my local ISF guy comes to do an annual tune up. Don't forget to wipe down the mirror too! Dust collects there as well as the CRT tubes.

I also carefully wipe down the mirror with a micro-fiber cloth. To be honest with you, I really don't see much accumulation of dust here.

I had my set ISF calibrated, when I first bought it and was amazed how easily he took the whole thing apart. About every six months or so, I like to do a full 81 point convergence on my set, whether it needs it or not.

[SamS]

Oyama, you might want to have your ISF guy come back out for a tune up. You'd be surprised how much the CRT values can drift over the years. The CRTs wear differently and if it's been a few years, your color temp could have drifted by 1000K degrees or more over different parts of the spectrum.

[Oyama]

I didn't realize it could drift by that much. It has been six years since my last tune-up, so it's probably a good idea to call him back out. There is only one guy out here who can do the job and he's not exactly cheap.

[kurtphyre]

I have a 51" Sony RP HDTV. How can I clean it's lenses and the mirror. Care to explain in a step-by-step method?

I was was going to restack my screens but backed out at the last second.

[Oyama]

I have a 51" Sony RP HDTV. How can I clean it's lenses and the mirror. Care to explain in a step-by-step method?

I was was going to restack my screens but backed out at the last second.

I'm off to bed now, but I'll try to post something tomorrow.

BTW, what Sony model do you have?

[kurtphyre]

My Sony is a KP-51WS510

[Oyama]

My Sony is a KP-51WS510

I would highly recommend you get a service manual for your set, if you don't have one already. You can download one from manualsparadise.com (https://www.manualsparadise.com/ShowProductsForModel.do?model=M36698595) .

Cleaning the optics on a RPTV is rather simple. Here's what I do to clean the lenses on my HS10 (Note: I avoid dismantling the CRTs to gain access to the secondary lenses, if you decide to do this make sure you know exactly what you’re doing or have a professional do it for you!).

1. Unplug the TV from the wall outlet.

2. Move the set away from the back wall, to give myself enough room to work.

3. Remove the back lower panel (about a dozen screws), to gain accesses to the CRTs.

4. I visually inspect the 3 CRTs with a compact florescent shop light. There's usually a nice coating of dust on the lens, after about a year.

5. Since lenses are usually made of plastic and can be easily damaged during cleaning from all the fine dust particles, I first blow off as much dust as I can, using a Giottos Rocket Air Blower (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Giottos-Rocket-Air-Blower-Review.aspx) (Note: If you plan on using a can of compressed air, do not shake or tilt it! This may cause liquid to come out and mar the lens.)

6. I then use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the lenses off (Note: avoid tissue paper as this may scratch the lenses). I start at the lens center and work my way outward, very gently one small section at a time. I usually roll my hand so that the soiled portion of the microfiber cloth is lifted off the lens surface, to eliminate some of the grinding the dust does to the lens. Repeat with a clean portion of the cloth (This process usually takes me about 45min to clean all 3 CRTs carefully)

6. Before closing the set back up, I visually inspect the lenses one more time with a light and use the blower to get rid of any remaining dust that may have settled once again. That’s it!

Hope this helps and just remember to take your time….

[SamS]

I didn't realize it could drift by that much. It has been six years since my last tune-up, so it's probably a good idea to call him back out. There is only one guy out here who can do the job and he's not exactly cheap.


If you plan on keeping your set for a few more years, I would definitely recommend a tune up. My guy even prints out "before" and "after" grayscale tracking graphs. Seems as though my red tube wears less over time, likely a result of when many sets used to 'push' red. As a result they made them a bit more high powered. Focus doesn't usually drift, but certainly grayscale and overall light output will need to be adjusted. Just think of it as an engine tune up for your sports car ;)

[Huck]

Can anyone (maybe Canadians) recommend a calibrator in the Ontario area?.I have a 53" Sony RPTV (KP53V90)'02 model that has never been tuned up. I was gonna first try and clean the lenses and the mirror and see what I get. Everything is working fine now, but I figure a cleaning is due. I would like to get it set-up properly! What is the going rate for a calibration? Thanks, Huck

[Oyama]

Can anyone (maybe Canadians) recommend a calibrator in the Ontario area?.I have a 53" Sony RPTV (KP53V90)'02 model that has never been tuned up. I was gonna first try and clean the lenses and the mirror and see what I get. Everything is working fine now, but I figure a cleaning is due. I would like to get it set-up properly! What is the going rate for a calibration? Thanks, Huck


Huck, you can find an ISF trained Dealer in your location here (http://www.imagingscience.com/isf-trained.cfm).

[kurtphyre]

Oyama thanks for the step by step guidelines. I'm going to try this this weekend. I have a few more questions.

Are the 3 CRTs the size of the screen? Also, how grimy and filthy are these things when you clean them? Could I slightly dampen a microfiber cloth to clean them, then wipe again with a dry microfiber cloth?

How big of improvement does this make? Is it easily noticable?

Also, have you ever thought about opening the TV from the front and doing some cleaning from there? I've read some instructions how to restack the screen to reduce glare.

[Oyama]

Oyama thanks for the step by step guidelines. I'm going to try this this weekend. I have a few more questions.

Are the 3 CRTs the size of the screen? Also, how grimy and filthy are these things when you clean them? Could I slightly dampen a microfiber cloth to clean them, then wipe again with a dry microfiber cloth?

How big of improvement does this make? Is it easily noticable?

Also, have you ever thought about opening the TV from the front and doing some cleaning from there? I've read some instructions how to restack the screen to reduce glare.

You're welcome...

CRTs are about the size of a beer coaster. :)

Yes, my wife and I noticed an immediate improvement when I cleaned the lenses.

The high voltage around the CRTs statically charge all the particles in the air, turning the mirrors and lenses into a powerful dust magnet. This is why it's a good idea to clean the optics at least every 12 months. Think about how much dust you would have around your place if you didn't clean for a year.

I would not recommend a wet cleaning first. Start by blowing off as much dust as possible with a camera lens dust blower, then dry wiping as I explained in my previous post. If you still think they need a further cleaning, then resort to a cleaning liquid. DO NOT use a glass cleaner containing ammonia as they can strip away a lens’s antiglare coating! You want to use something that does not dissolve the antiglare coating (perhaps some sort of camera lens cleaner?). Remember, you do not want to get liquid down into the multiple lenses inside the lens barrel. The liquid will evaporate and condensate, fogging up your internal lenses.

I have not tried a screen restack on my HS10. It sits in the basement where I have full control of the ambient light, so there's really no need for me to restack or remove the protective screen.

With a proper lens cleaning and a good service mode convergence, your set should look better than when you first bought it...

Have you by any chance calibrated your set with AVIA or Video Essentials?

[SamS]

CRTs are about the size of a beer coaster. :)



7" diameter on that set, to be exact. And I echo exactly what Oyama sez regarding cleaning. A good convergence can do wonders, too!

[Oyama]

If you plan on keeping your set for a few more years, I would definitely recommend a tune up. My guy even prints out "before" and "after" grayscale tracking graphs. Seems as though my red tube wears less over time, likely a result of when many sets used to 'push' red. As a result they made them a bit more high powered. Focus doesn't usually drift, but certainly grayscale and overall light output will need to be adjusted. Just think of it as an engine tune up for your sports car ;)

I was planning on keeping it for at least another year or two, but toying with the idea of replacing it with a Pioneer PRO-1410HD.

IIRC, your RPTV is a Pioneer Elite, correct?

[SamS]

I was planning on keeping it for at least another year or two, but toying with the idea of replacing it with a Pioneer PRO-1410HD.

IIRC, your RPTV is a Pioneer Elite, correct?

I have a 55" Mitsubishi Diamond, model WS-55908. The last model before the went to integrated HD tuners and f*&ked up everything. Even my ISF guy, Steve Martin (http://www.smartcalibration.com/) says it's one of the best TVs he's ever seen.

[Huck]

Huck, you can find an ISF trained Dealer in your location here (http://www.imagingscience.com/isf-trained.cfm).

Thanks for the info! Huck

[kurtphyre]

You're welcome...

CRTs are about the size of a beer coaster. :)

Yes, my wife and I noticed an immediate improvement when I cleaned the lenses.

The high voltage around the CRTs statically charge all the particles in the air, turning the mirrors and lenses into a powerful dust magnet. This is why it's a good idea to clean the optics at least every 12 months. Think about how much dust you would have around your place if you didn't clean for a year.

I would not recommend a wet cleaning first. Start by blowing off as much dust as possible with a camera lens dust blower, then dry wiping as I explained in my previous post. If you still think they need a further cleaning, then resort to a cleaning liquid. DO NOT use a glass cleaner containing ammonia as they can strip away a lens’s antiglare coating! You want to use something that does not dissolve the antiglare coating (perhaps some sort of camera lens cleaner?). Remember, you do not want to get liquid down into the multiple lenses inside the lens barrel. The liquid will evaporate and condensate, fogging up your internal lenses.

I have not tried a screen restack on my HS10. It sits in the basement where I have full control of the ambient light, so there's really no need for me to restack or remove the protective screen.

With a proper lens cleaning and a good service mode convergence, your set should look better than when you first bought it...

Have you by any chance calibrated your set with AVIA or Video Essentials?

Do you think using a vacuum in backwards exhaust mode is okay to blow on the CRTs to initially remove the "loose" particles? So I just find the screws holding on the back of the TV, remove the bottom, and the CRTs should be in plain sight?

I do have my TV calibrated using DVE (Digital Video Essentials), although I don't understand the color tweaking part of the disc so I just manually adjust the color (currently have it on 50%). I use Sony's built-in convergence adjuster every couple of months. I have tweaked some things around in it's service menu, primarly a few tweaks that should be standard, and adjusting the horizontal/vertical sizes and positions.

[Oyama]

Do you think using a vacuum in backwards exhaust mode is okay to blow on the CRTs to initially remove the "loose" particles?

I wouldn't do this to be honest with you. The last thing you want to do is blow a bunch a dust around in the RPTV's cavity and risking getting it on the mirror or worse, the fresnel lens.

So I just find the screws holding on the back of the TV, remove the bottom, and the CRTs should be in plain sight?


Yes, the screws on fiberboard panel below the set and the CRTs should be seen in plain view.

You should see something like this

http://www.members.shaw.ca/kyokushin-karate/CRTs.jpg

I use Sony's built-in convergence adjuster every couple of months.

Actually, I've disconnected the "Flash Focus" function internally on my Sony. This was to avoid anyone accidentally pushing it and messing up all my hard work that I had done on the convergence via the Service Mode. Sony's "Flash Focus" feature only does a mediocre job aligning the CRTs (convergence). IIRC, there were only six sensors it was relying on to align. Convergence done in the Service Mode (81 points total to align) yielded much greater results.

[kurtphyre]

I have mine opened up and man, I never knew they were built like this. There is a layer of dust on the guns that I plan to clean off here shortly with a microfiber cloth.

I also need to know if I should wipe down the mirror on top of the TV? If so, will a damp, rung out, microfiber cloth work?

Also, where is the fresnel lens?

[kurtphyre]

Here's some pictures of my Sony. I still have it opened and have yet to clean anything.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/kurt_fire/electronics/IMG_1137.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/kurt_fire/electronics/IMG_1138.jpg

[filper]

Ahhh, fall cleaning for the chilly months ahead... a true labor of love.

My annual Labor Day weekend date.

[Oyama]

I have mine opened up and man, I never knew they were built like this. There is a layer of dust on the guns that I plan to clean off here shortly with a microfiber cloth.

Just remember to take your sweet time. The last thing you want to do is scratch the optical lenses.

I also need to know if I should wipe down the mirror on top of the TV? If so, will a damp, rung out, microfiber cloth work? .

Again, I would avoid the wet method first. The mirror can easily smear and it will be a real pain to clean. Shine a light on the mirror first and see how much dust is on it. Very gently, wipe the mirror down with the microfiber cloth.

*Never touch a Mylar mirror. They don't attract dust statically like glass mirrors do, therefore don't need cleaning in the same way!


Also, where is the fresnel lens?

The screen on your RPTV consists of several layers. The panel with a concentric circular panel is the Fresnel lens, which redirects the light rays to all be parallel, directly out from the screen.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes.. :)

[Oyama]

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