SER FAQ: TVFAQ: Internal adjustments

S.E.R. FAQ

NotTaR of Television Sets : Internal adjustments
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Internal adjustments

All of the service adjustments are accomplished either using controls inside the set (though some may be accessible by holes in the rear of the cabinet). These are usually pots on the mainboard and CRT neck boards, or in newer TVs, mostly via a service menu accessed from the remote or by using a manufacturer specific computer interface.

A Web site with some information on the general objectives of video and color setup procedures for both direct view and projection TVs is Tru-line Video Technologies.

Where actual pots are present, they may be labeled on the circuit boards or identified by a sticker on the TV's cover. Otherwise, the service manual or Sams' for the set will be required unless their function of the relevant pot is obvious.
For service menus accessed via the remote control, service information is almost a necessity since adjustment procedures vary widely and it is all too easy to totally mess things up - even to the point of inflicting serious and expensive damage to the set.
For information on accessing the service menus if used on your model, see the section: Setup adjustments lost - TV service codes. However, even if the access procedure is known, get the service manual or Sams'!
If a computer interface is required, you can most probably forget about attempting to adjust anything unless you find a friendly shop to provide the adapter and walk you through the procedure. Why would they want to do this? Because they know you there is a good chance that you will have to pay them to unscramble the mess you created!