Roll Call for the 510 Series SONY

[Blaster]

well after a lot of reading in this forum (and elsewhere) I see plenty of
people have purchased the crt-rptv KP WS 510 series Sonys (46",51",57",65")

after the well known and documented troubles with the " 500 " series ,
I was hoping by a show of hands, who has these 510 models & then in turn if any
tricks ,troubles or issues that they might have had with them... :cool:

-repairs or returns
-had ISF calibrations
-typical settings
-DVI use
-Service Menu Tweaks
-Service Manual Disc's
-etc.

I believe the 520 series is so close in build that it could be included also...

[Blaster]

well I ordered a service manual for my WS510 from 'servicemanuals.net'
it got here today , a CD-ROM. I slipped it in my CD drive--and nothing. :nono2:

I went in and opened it manually and it shows NO DATA ON DISC. :headscrat
hmmmmm , thats interesting. So I call Service Manual .net and told the
girl that answered the phone "my disc doesn't work" she sez: "OK,we'll send
another one out to ya"-- anything else I can help ya with?? ahh,eeer I guess not
does this happen often ? She sez , oh probably when they burned it something happened

It shows up in mail box in a 9x6 manilla envelope , disc inside one of those
:hah33: cheap white sleeves (w/cellophane window) Hell , I get AOL disc's in nicer
holders...

just have to wait and see how it turns out

[57U]

Got another computer you can try it in? At work?

[Splicer]

But did it work???

[RCori]

I've had mine close to a year. Overall, I'm happy. HD picture is good---it's a great basement TV--doesn't rival the 34XBR960 or the new LCDs, of course, but it's cheaper!

[Blaster]

Nope I didn't think of that 57U (being I have a pretty new desktop computer)
so I went and got my LapTop back from daughter and tried it.
Sure-as-shootin , it worked.
16.1 mb 167 pages pdf --a lot of reading...

So now when I get time I will look thru it and see if I can educate myself

thanx again 57 like I always say You Da Man :cheers:

[Digital Doug]

i have had my 510 for 3 months and haven't had any problems <knocking wood>.

As far as settings....i use the movie setting mostly. I used the THX Optimizer on my Indiana Jones discs to tweak the picture. Even got the blue glasses from THX to do it.

[Blaster]

RCori,
do you use DVI cable? have you ever used a calibration disc?

D Doug,
are you using DVI cable ? I have my settings tweaked enuff that I use all 4 for
different inputs.(dark-light-rich-dull)

seems I find my set on 'wide zoom' most of the time (unless HD input,of course)

wonder if either of you have crossed the 'dark-side' and tweaked the Service Menu any...?

I just received a "Service Manual" on cd-rom in the mail.
as soon as I get the opportunity I will read it and hope to find some tricks...

:rockon:

[brector]

I've had mine now for maybe 3 months. I've loved it so far. I disabled all the auto corrections stuff (i.e. SVM, etc). Used Avia for calibration.

I have read and experienced (with my STB) a "dark" image with the DVI connection. This worried me. But - when I got my Denon 1910 dvd player sunday and hooked it up with the DVI - all is well. No "dark" picture. I am a super happy camper.

I just bought a house and will be moving in soon. Once I have some cash set aside I am going to have an ISF tech calibrate a component input and the DVI input. I'm sure I'll post about it.

[Blaster]

so you like the 1910 ? I have that bookmarked too (pondering)

also got my eye on :
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-qMhjJ7YN5Lp/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=54500&I=113DV6050

I was wondering how Faroudja's DCDi compares to Upscalers(DVI 1080)...

see what I am after is (well,a do it all for cheap :whistle: ) great pic,multi-disc and advanced Audio...

then this one (single):
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-qMhjJ7YN5Lp/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=54400&I=305DVDH841

but reviews make me wonder about quality issues... :nono2:

so lets see- Faroudja DCDi/upscaler DVI/multi disc/SACD/DVD-A , all for 250.00 or less...

boy , am I a dreamer :sleeping:

so you switched stb back to Y,Pb,Pr-then used DVI for DVD player
just what I am thinking of doing (also same deal with 'dark issue')

: )

[brector]

so you like the 1910 ? I have that bookmarked too (pondering)

so you switched stb back to Y,Pb,Pr-then used DVI for DVD player
just what I am thinking of doing (also same deal with 'dark issue')

: )

Yes - so far I love it. Look in the DVD section here - I did a mini review. And yes - I kept my STB on component. The Faroudja blows away my tv's progressive scan (which I would hope it would :) ). Plus the 1080i upconversion is great. My local tweeters had it for 10% off. I wasn't going to get it that day when I went in - but after playing with it and finding out about the 10% off - I jumped on it.

[FHSPSU67]

and couldn't be happier.

[Blaster]

welcome to HDTVoice

glad to hear your WS510 is 'doing it' for ya ...

have you done much/any tweaking on it ?

maybe you could put your stats in signature. Are you using ota/sat/cable ? (just curious)

:cheers: to many years of trouble-free enjoyment

[Digital Doug]

Blaster,

For the first few weeks I had my HD STB going through the DVI input.....after reading varied opinions on the subject, I switched over to component. This was PRE-THX calibration......haven't had the time to compare/contrast between the two inputs after my minor tweaks.

I probably should update my sig to reflect my hardware.....in lieu, here's my setup:

Sony KP-51WS510 Telly
Sony SAT-HD300 DirecTV Receiver
RCA OTA Antenna that gets all but our WB affiliate
Sony STR-DE835 Receiver
Philips Turntable bought on the cheap from neighbor
Sony 5-Disc SACD/CD Carousel Open Item buy on the cheap
RCA HI-FI Stereo VCR!!!! (9 years old and still a champ!)
Sony Playstation 2 (Progressive Scan Model)

I want to ISF......but wanna save the money too...still paying on my TV! As far as my reasoning at the time for the switch from DVI to analog.....at the moment I think I liked the look better. Will need some time to analyze my theory, but that's where I stand.

[Blaster]

I did about the same thing. Had my stb hooked via Y,Pb,Pr for a week
until I got my DVI cable. Then noticed the darker/richer PQ and just adjusted
the set and myself to it. It's in the back of my mind to switch
Y,Pb,Pr & DVI around a few times and see what different results I can produce.

I noticed your SACD capabilty. Do you use it ? I have been toying with the
idea of upgrading. But damn , 5.1 sounding pretty good around here. New receiver
,new disc player,alot of money and work and I can't say how much better
the SQ would be...

:cheers:

[Digital Doug]

I do use it a bit. I have a small catalog of SACD's....even a few DVD-Audio discs, although I don't have a DVD-A capable player.

My SACD catalog includes-
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Beck - Sea Change
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
The Who - Tommy
The Police - Synchronicity, Live!, Zenyatta Mondata, Ghost in the Machine
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

PF, Beck, Miles, The Who, and Bowie all have 5.1 mixes. Those are great, but not really where you notice any difference in sound. Where I notice it most is in the SACD Stereo mixes.

To my ears, SACD has a warmer, fuller feel than regular CD. I have roughly 9 different copies of Dark Side of the Moon, and as far as the stereo mix goes, the SACD is neck-and-neck with the 180-gram vinyl copy I have. The Police SACD's are a good improvement over the box-set that came out in the 90's.

Of course, I have heard varying theories and opinions.....but I know I like what I hear. You also get into the question of "well, how did the mastering of the CD change from regular redbook to SA?". Regardless, the SA technology, like DVD-A, allows for a more accurate sampling of the original analog tapes.

As far as upgrading now or later, I would wait.....wait for the HD-DVD standards to get fully sorted out. Then, as prices come down, invest in an HD-DVD player that supports both SACD and DVD-A. Kill a few birds with one nice big stone!

Besides Dark Side of the Moon coming out on SACD, the only reason I got the player was the lack of a CD changer in my setup. I needed one desperately, and the SACD was an open box item at Circuit City for under $150. Figured what the heck.

[57U]

Part of the issue with recent CDs is that they are "bass and treble boosted" to make them sound good on the average J6P "stereo" which has lousy speakers.

I love listening to my early CDs (from the 80's) and my pristine vinyl collection, however, a new CD is often very "grating".

If possible, I purchase Video DVDs that contain the music I want - that way, I get the best of both worlds.

[Blaster]

yes , thats what I seem to like best and what I now buy frequently are the
Video/Music DVD's.

DDoug you pretty much answered my question (I thank you) with your apparent
knowledge and you didn't give an ASTOUNDING "yes,absolutly go for SACD/DVD-A"
style of oppinion and I appreciate that.

I have the best audio system now that I ever owned (just pieced together)
and I just keep improving it. My aim will be to focus on improving my video
more than audio till we get into HD DVD

I am curious to what would provide the better video
"Faroudja DCDi" or "1080 upscaler" (I know,get one with both)
but I've got'in used to a 5 disc carousel,and I can't find an "upscaler 1080"
and/or "Faroudja DCDi" that is a 5 disc'er

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zwI45DcGLdR/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=54600&I=113DV6050

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-sOyZbponGa2/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=54500&I=033DVM1815

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EcQpuV43fph/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=54400&I=033DVD1910

was wondering if either of you ever heard/thought of :
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005YUNY/ref=pm_dp_ln_d_3/002-7230644-0092011?v=glance&s=dvd&vi=tech-info

ps: today is release date for Page/Plant Unleaded DVD :)

:rockon:

[brector]

Don't worry about the changer. Get a DCDi. See if anyone near you carries one and take it home for a test drive. I was so worried about the darkness issue - I asked right away if I could bring it back if I didn't like it - and they said sure.