Bought a used Sony monitor--now what? at DVinfo.net

Rich Rosen · August 14th, 2002, 12:06 PM

I just bought a Sony PVM-14M2U on Ebay. Maybe a mistake, but the deed is done. There's a guy in California who charges $200 + $50 shipping to "set-up" new and used monitors. He told me he adjusts things like color temperature and black level (I think) that cannot be done by a "user" such as myself. As part of his service he makes sure the decoder for s-video etc. is in spec. I might not have relayed exactly what he does, but you get the idea.

Finally, to the questions.....

1. How can I determine if the monitor "needs" a professional setup.
2. Is there a way to determine the electronic wear and tear on it when I get it?
2. Is there a setup DVD that I can buy that will get me close enough? I shoot mini-DV only.
3. Should I just spend the $250 (bringing the cost of the used PVM-14M2U to $850 and let him bring it up to spec.
4. Should I just set bars, etc. myself and forget the above?

Thanks so much...

Chris Hurd · August 14th, 2002, 12:19 PM

Where are you located, Rich? Hint: you can edit your profile to show your location, if you wish, using the "User CP" button above.

Seems to me that depending on where you are, you might be able to get this service performed locally at a lower price.

Jeff Donald · August 14th, 2002, 12:39 PM

If the guy your talking about is David Riddle Company he does outstanding work. I have used his services several times and was very pleased with his service. As to if you need that type of work done on your monitor depends on several factors. What type of work will the monitor be used for? Do you know anything of the history of the monitor? Do you know how to set up a monitor with color bars?

Jeff

Margus Kivilaan · August 15th, 2002, 02:00 AM

hi,
we have sold approx 100pcs M2 monitors over the years, usually if they have failed, they did so in first 3 months. CRTs usually last 6-7 years even if used very heavily. In usual conditions some regulating is needed only after repairment.
Even if you don't have video test generator, you can do some simple tests yourself.

Make with your NLE clip which is pure red over all the screen. Feed it to monitor and look if it is same color over the monitor screen. If there are some pinkish or lilac areas on the screen, it means that CRT has magnetic charge or (in worse case) CRT-s mask is bended. If last case, there's nothing to do.
If you want, you can repeat same test with blue and green color.

Make with NLE graphical clip with black background and some white vertical and horisontal lines over it. Feed it to monitor and look if the lines are straight (linearity) and white (don't know this term in English).
If that's OK, CRT should be basically in good shape.
Color temperature setting is in user menu and must be set accordingly to lighting on working place.

regards, Margus

August 14th, 2002, 12:06 PM	#1
Rich Rosen New Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 23	Bought a used Sony monitor--now what? I just bought a Sony PVM-14M2U on Ebay. Maybe a mistake, but the deed is done. There's a guy in California who charges $200 + $50 shipping to "set-up" new and used monitors. He told me he adjusts things like color temperature and black level (I think) that cannot be done by a "user" such as myself. As part of his service he makes sure the decoder for s-video etc. is in spec. I might not have relayed exactly what he does, but you get the idea. Finally, to the questions..... 1. How can I determine if the monitor "needs" a professional setup. 2. Is there a way to determine the electronic wear and tear on it when I get it? 2. Is there a setup DVD that I can buy that will get me close enough? I shoot mini-DV only. 3. Should I just spend the $250 (bringing the cost of the used PVM-14M2U to $850 and let him bring it up to spec. 4. Should I just set bars, etc. myself and forget the above? Thanks so much...

August 14th, 2002, 12:19 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Where are you located, Rich? Hint: you can edit your profile to show your location, if you wish, using the "User CP" button above. Seems to me that depending on where you are, you might be able to get this service performed locally at a lower price. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 14th, 2002, 12:39 PM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	If the guy your talking about is David Riddle Company he does outstanding work. I have used his services several times and was very pleased with his service. As to if you need that type of work done on your monitor depends on several factors. What type of work will the monitor be used for? Do you know anything of the history of the monitor? Do you know how to set up a monitor with color bars? Jeff

August 15th, 2002, 02:00 AM	#4
Margus Kivilaan Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 123	hi, we have sold approx 100pcs M2 monitors over the years, usually if they have failed, they did so in first 3 months. CRTs usually last 6-7 years even if used very heavily. In usual conditions some regulating is needed only after repairment. Even if you don't have video test generator, you can do some simple tests yourself. Make with your NLE clip which is pure red over all the screen. Feed it to monitor and look if it is same color over the monitor screen. If there are some pinkish or lilac areas on the screen, it means that CRT has magnetic charge or (in worse case) CRT-s mask is bended. If last case, there's nothing to do. If you want, you can repeat same test with blue and green color. Make with NLE graphical clip with black background and some white vertical and horisontal lines over it. Feed it to monitor and look if the lines are straight (linearity) and white (don't know this term in English). If that's OK, CRT should be basically in good shape. Color temperature setting is in user menu and must be set accordingly to lighting on working place. regards, Margus