Brightness and contrast maxed on Mitsubishi rear projection...

LeeH · 10-24-2008, 08:49 PM

We've had a 42" Mitsubishi rear projection for quite a few years. To get the picture bright enough, I have to max out the contrast and the brightness. If I do that, darker movies (Star Wars, Transformers, etc.) look okay. But the picture may look washed out on a very bright scene.

Is this thing on its way out? And please don't tell me what a great deal all the flat screens are unless you're prepared to send me one (and I'll be happy to PM my address should that be the case

).

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

I don't know rear projections, but I know of the DLP's the bulb had a limited lifespan. Does a rear projection use the same? I'd find an "A/V" forum and start asking the tech geeks...

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

If this is something that slowly got worse then chances are the CRT's are coated with dust/dirt/grime. You could spend a few hundred and get an local repair shop to clean them and the mirror, or call an ISF pro out to clean and calibrate for twice that or buy a new set. A smaller rear projection set like yours isn't worth probably what it would cost to repair. But you aren't selling, just viewing, so it's a judgement call on what to invest.

If this problem suddenly popped up, then it could end up being something entirely different and more expensive. Good luck.

http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/learnabout/generaltips/screenoptics/cleaningtheoptics.html

Steve Viegas · 10-25-2008, 07:46 AM

Go to http://www.hometheaterspot.com

They have a huge Mitsu following. There you will find threads on how to clean the tv yourself (about 15 minutes of work) or any other repair you may need (the cleaning will help).

LeeH · 10-25-2008, 04:03 PM

Wow! What a great lead. After our house flooded due to a plumbing problem we had a lot of construction going on, including a new tile floor. Everything in this house was covered in a thick layer of tile dust. Definitely worth considering.

LeeH · 10-26-2008, 07:23 AM

I've looked and looked and haven't been able to track down the instructions. If anyone knows a specific source, I'd appreciate the help. The model number is WT-42311 . I can usually find anything on the web, but this is eluding me.

Ronbo · 10-26-2008, 07:43 AM

Long ago (over 10 years) we had a 50" Hitachi projection TV that started doing exactly the same thing, and I compensated by increasing brightness and contrast until I hit the maximum settings. The picture slowly kept getting darker until it became unwatchable and I just replaced the set. It wasn't dirt on the projection lenses as I kept them clean. In short, it's dying and the fix is probably more costly than the set is worth.

Steve Viegas · 10-26-2008, 08:23 AM

It appears as though you need to subscribe to get to the tweaks section. My subscription has run out so I no longer have access. If you have a Mitsu set, it is the Pelican of Home Theater. Great guys, very helpful and loaded with information.

Anyway, the front screen of your tv should come off fairly easily. If you take that off, take a look at the inside of the tv. I believe the 'mirror' is mylar, probably not something you want to touch, but the lenses and the screen can probably be cleaned with lense cleaner and the right soft cloth (not a paper towel). Probably the same set-up you would use to clean a camera lense.

austin552 · austin552's Garage

There is an A/V HT setup DVD (Blue Ray?) for adjustments also. Not saying that will fix your problem but it will make most tvs picture look better.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=603378

This isn't exactly your set, but might be similar for removing front screen. Do not try to remove the back as the mirror will crash. Any servicing must be done through the front. You can also leave the protective screen off unless you need it as shown in the above thread. The url in my previous response will help with info on how to clean.

If you plan on keeping the set for a few years, an ISF calibration will make the set look better than new. It's a larger investment, but focus, overscan, greyscale, and dozens of other adjustments are made to produce a much better picture than what comes out of the box when new. These big old CRT boxes produce a great picture when set up correctly.

Joeaksa · 10-26-2008, 04:00 PM

Also, anyone with a Mitsubishi rear projection set may experience the "blinking green light" where the set someday refuses to turn on and the green light on the front just blinks a you.

They had some sets (millions that is) that had defective capacitors installed in the DM board. Four of them in fact. Takes about an hour to do it all if you are handy with a soldering iron.

The Mitsu tech's take a month and around $1000 to do this repair. Your choice but they are a very good set and worth saving. I have a 55" and 73" and the picture quality is very good.

Joe A

LeeH · 10-26-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austin552

There is an A/V HT setup DVD (Blue Ray?) for adjustments also. Not saying that will fix your problem but it will make most tvs picture look better.

I've used a THX set up disc. I followed each set up feature to the letter and the picture was way too dark when I was done.

I think this TV is probably just on its way out. Frankly I'd rather hit the power button and find it dead than have it suffer through this slow decline. It still has a pretty decent picture as long as you're not watching something very dark. Our house has a built in cubby that fits this TV perfectly. The downside is that if it does need to be replaced 42" is as large as we can go without remodeling the entire wall. Going with a flat screen will involve a stand and moving the TV back into the cubby, where the Mitsubish sits right out on the edge. I know this TV was still being sold a few years ago. I'd love to find a nearly new one just like it if the other one dies. Can't imagine it would cost much used.

Eric Coffey · 10-26-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeH

I've looked and looked and haven't been able to track down the instructions. If anyone knows a specific source, I'd appreciate the help. The model number is WT-42311 . I can usually find anything on the web, but this is eluding me.

Hey Lee,
I found a couple .pdf files for you.
(clicking the link will directly open the file, so if you want to save it, right click and "save target as"):

Link for the owners manual.

The service manual might be more useful for diagnosing problems though. Usually they are about $15, but I found a free copy on the following Satellite TV BBS:Link for the service manual. You would have to register to access the file, but well worth it to get the download IMO. Good luck!

Also, I have the HT/TV calibration DVD that Austin mentioned. If you would like to borrow it, just drop me a line.

87coupe · 87coupe's Garage

I have the same set, that's a crt based rear projection 1080i set. When tuned up and calibrated it will produce an excellent picture. It's definitely worth saving. I had a convergence IC go out on mine, when I replaced all the ICs I cleaned it up and focused it (lots of dust), then calibrated with the Avia DVD and some test patterns. Looks better than it did in the showroom when I bought it.

LeeH · 10-27-2008, 10:03 AM

I decided to start removing screws... came apart with no problems. There was actually less dust than I was hoping for, but still a fair amount. The mirror was hazy. Cleaned it all up and left off the Mitsubishi "Diamond Shield," which is basically a big piece of tinted pelxiglass. I was able to back off the controls a bit. This probably bought us a couple of more years with the TV. Thanks for all the help.

LeeH · 10-27-2008, 12:30 PM

My wife and I went to Costco this morning... just looking. I had fortotten that the opening for the TV is just a hair over 40" wide. All of the 42" plasmas and LCDs we saw measured 41-42" wide. If we ever do have to replace the Mitsubishi we are going to have a tough time finding one to fit in that hole.

gtc · gtc's Garage

A quick look on pricewatch shows that Sony makes a 40" LCD that is 39 3/8" wide. And there have to be others out there...

Eric Coffey · 10-27-2008, 02:14 PM

Here are a couple local 42" LCD/DLP rear projections that are just under 40" wide:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/ele/891268114.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/ele/867840466.html

LeeH · 10-28-2008, 07:33 AM

Thanks Eric. It's a relief to know that there are a few out there. Sad to think that width is going to be the main parameter we consider if/when we do replace the Mitsubishi.

Steve Viegas · 10-29-2008, 02:36 PM

When my wife and I got married, I had a 32" television. Like the CC commercial, she did not like it because she could see the wires behind it. We went out and bought a 46" TV. It did not fit in the cabinet. I modified the cabinet, TV fit. TV died just before March Madness. My wife said "I am not entrusting my March Madness to one of YOUR fixes." She came home with a 61" TV. Could not modify the cabinet to fit the TV, so, well, that is not true. I did modify the cabinet. I turned it into a table for the TV to set upon, not in. Wife was happy, until UCLA lost.

Finally, the thin tvs (LCDs, Plasmas) will not fit in entertainment systems like the tvs of old. The entertainment center is too thick. The tv will be at the back of the center, bad for viewing. Realize an investment in a new tv probably means a new way to place it.