Hitachi (and other TV brands) CRT-RPTV Convergence Problems

[turboDan]

Edit by 57U. Many CRT-based RPTVs have this convergence IC issue. It can come as early as 2 years. Please see the following links and this thread for symptoms, what to do, how to repair, etc. This thread is NOT specific to Hitachi - it can be used for any CRT-based RPTV.

See the following links for some "summary" information:

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpo...&postcount=179 Parts (be advised that purchasing non-OEM parts may result in you having to do the repair again soon) See comments below:

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpo...2&postcount=10 Parts comments.

http://www.tvrepairkits.com/order-now.html Repair kits.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpo...44&postcount=6 IC Photo. The board on the right is the convergence board. There are "jumpers" between the boards that simply "lift up". This photo is taken from the back of the TV. This is an Hitachi.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpo...5&postcount=97 57U's repair.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpo...&postcount=155 Sample pictures (ICs Shot)

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpo...02&postcount=5

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=26388 Another sample picture (ICs Shot)

http://home.earthlink.net/~oleg.fili...ergenceFix.htm Sample How To Fix.

http://cmpalmer.blogspot.com/2006/11...v-part-ii.html Sample How to fix 2.

http://www.urwathrtz.webs.com/ Another happy customer

If you have a CRT-based RPTV brand other than Hitachi, the fix will very likely be very similar, with only the model of the STKs and the resistors being different.

The typical cost to get this fixed by a pro is about $300. The parts are less than $100 if you want to DIY. Replacing only the ICs MAY solve the problem, however, many people have also had blown resistors requiring replacement. Also the convergence board should be checked for cracked solder. If you replace the ICs and the resistors are shot, the ICs may blow again almost immediately, meaning you may have to do the repair twice. Therefore once you have the board out, replace all the ICs and all the resistors on the IC circuit (they come in the kit).

Always replace all the ICs, whether there are two, three, or if there's only one. Also, don't continue to operate the TV once the condition arises. This can damage other components on the convergence board, necessitating more repairs.

You should likely do a manual convergence after you replace the ICs to get it looking great again.

As always, if the TV doesn't work, try a reset by unplugging the TV for a while.

If the fix doesn't work, here are some things that people have done incorrectly:

- bad solder on the board or didn't check for same
- shorted (bad) soldering during replacement of ICs or resistors
- incorrect resistors or ICs
- didn't replace resistors
- too much heat
- fuse
- wires put back incorrectly
- jumpers not put back properly
- Etc.




Original post below:

Ok, here is my question? When trying MAGIC FOCUS it initializes and goes through the red, then Green, then 1/2 way through blue and stops and I have an #4 at lower right side of screen (I assume an error code of some sort) and the blue is a shadow aprox 1" to right of the other 2 colors/image that you are watching. After doing a SEARCH on this forum I am coming up with the fact that I may need the convergence amplifier chips/I.C's. If this is the case, which it seems to be a common problem with this set, do I replace both as a set or only the I.C. for the blue as when it does get to that point during the Magic Focus, the blue shakes bad, like someone all jacked up on 15 Starbucks Coffees .If I do need to replace these I.C's the next question would be if I have the correct part # for them as a few different posts have them as STK392-110 and one post has them as STK932-110. Please help a Nubie on this, Thank you
I removed rear panel of set and found that they are STX392-110 i/c's. Will let you know how I make out when they come in. BTW, the I/C's are only $4.99 each

[insertdisk]

Where did you find these for 4.99 please - I am being quoted 35 bucks. Also could you post a pic of where these are located. I am attempting the same repair.

[turboDan]

Here is the link.I am awaiting them at this time.Ordered last weekend(1-2-05) and should have by end of week.Also,having a T.V. repair shop solder them in for me for $25.00(dont want to have 1 cold solder joint create the same problem and I am pretty good at soldering,just my eyesight is starting to be the problem).Like I posted above^^^^^^ will let you know how I make out.Oh ya,here is the link(Caution,before ordering please see post #74 in this thread http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showth...972#post128972 as you may want to seek another supplier of these I.C's
http://www.electronix.com/catalog/ad...92-110&x=8&y=6

[turboDan]

Got my STX392-110 i/c's in the mail today,WOW,that was quick.Bought 4 so that in a few years when these new ones go bad I'll have a few left
Once I have them installed,Thurs. or Fri.,I'll let you know how I made out.
BTW,I'll take a picture tonight where they are located and post so you can see where they are located.If you take the rear,lower cover off the set they will be the first thing you see in front of you on the right hand side and you can't see them too well because they have Large Heat-Sinks attached to them.

[insertdisk]

Great - I appreciate the link - That will save me a bundle. I have found them now I just would like to find out for sure if that is my poblem.

Thanks

[turboDan]

Pictures below

[turboDan]

Another Pic,link is N/G now? WTF?

[turboDan]

Well replacing the convergence amplifier I/C's did it.Picture Is great,magicfocus completes in about 2 seconds.Hope this helps for anyone who has the same problem.
2- I/C's $10.00,Solder new I/C's in $31.65 with tax included,Watching the 53" in HDTV=
Priceless.There are some things money cant buy,for everything else there is Internet Forums filled with helpful people.

[Sunfishdiver]

I have exactly the same problem (number 4 error message after Magic Focus). I am going to replace the convergent amplifier IC. I am glad we have forums like these!!!
Will let you know how it turns out....thanks for the help!

It is done! TV looks great now... Replaced both ICs and now the Magic Focus does a great job!

[garbageman]

Thank you TurboDan I had the same problem with my hdtv. Thanks for the link for the stk392-110 I installed two in less then 1/2 hour and the picture is like it was when I got the tv. thanks again the garbageman.

[pperez]

Thanks for the info guys. I ordered the parts but i have to wait since they were backordered.

I have some questions. Right now i am stuck in the crosshairs screen. Even pressing the blue button doesn't get me to original magic focus settings. Stupid me wrote to the rom. How can i get the original function of magic focus?...Will replacing the two chips correct that?

Also, when the tv is cold the pic looks ok. After it warms up, it gets all messed up. I can move the red crosshairs, but the blue doesn't move. Is this consistent with a bad chip? Before i wrote to rom, i got the 4 message like you guys. I also got some overflow message when i wrote to rom. Any ideas about that.

Thanks a million, i hope i get this fixed soon.

[turboDan]

Another problem that you want to check with the convergence board when replacing amp I/C's is to check the resistance of the resistors next to and around I/C's as I also had 2 that were very high resistance,like 3.8 meg-ohm,they were resistors rk-50 and rk-54 located on board.They should have been 1.4 ohm and 3.0 ohm,not 3.8 meg-ohm.
It sounds like you did not finish the Magic focus/DCAM function^^^^^^^^^^pperez,
that is why you are where you are.Try this link to properly set convergence/DCAM
http://homecentric.com/forums/about73.html
Hope this helps.

[pperez]

Thanks for the link Turbodan. I will work on it.

What solder should i be using for this operation? Anything else i will need?

Thanks.

[turboDan]

Originally Posted by pperez

Thanks for the link Turbodan. I will work on it.

What solder should i be using for this operation? Anything else i will need?

Thanks.

Any solder with a high Lead content,yes Lead solder.Half the problem with the "cold solder" joint issues is from the use of Silver based solder as it is illegal to use Lead based solder in manufacturing,but when repairing/replacing components it is best to use lead solder as you can obtain it no problem and works best,but manufacturing process it is not legal to use.Hope this helps.

[Ratman]

Originally Posted by pperez

What solder should i be using for this operation? .

You want use rosin core solder, NOT acid core. Do not use the 'fat' solder you find in the plumbing section of your hardware store.

http://www.radioshack.com/category.a...7%5F001&Page=1

[Ratman]

Originally Posted by turboDan

...the problem with the "cold solder" joint issues is from the use of Silver based solder as it is illegal to use Lead based solder in manufacturing,.

Illegal to use lead solder in manufacturing? I don't think so...

It is illegal (against code) to use lead solder (normally 50% lead/50% tin) on water pipes. It is now law to use 50% silver/50% tin.

In fact... tin/silver is stronger than tin/lead.

[pperez]

A million Thanks.

[pperez]

Update: I changed both amplifiers, checked the appropiate resistors and my tv is fixed. I am now able to run magic foucus automatically.

The hardest part was desoldering and taking out the old one. For some reason i had a hard time. Good thing i had desoldering tools available. How did you guys desolder and remove your amps?

Well for what they would have charged me to fix it, i was able to buy all the tools i need for future jobs. So i am so happy about that.

The internet is so great, without it i would never have figured out the problem. Thanks again. Hopefully this can help others with the same problems.

Peace

[arizona andy]

Does anyone know which chip is the horizontal convergence and which is the vertical. When I replaced my amp chips I think I botched the solder job. Now my tv won't turn on and I get a blinking red power light as well as two of the green lights in on the circuit boards are blinking. I read that this is caused by the horizontal convergance chip shorting out.

[arizona andy]

Also, when I do turn on the TV, one of them (convergence chips) gets hot after a minute and the other doesn't. Does anyone have any insight on this?