This information relates only to the first-generation BRAVIA V-Series models that were released in Europe. The model number to look for is KDL-V__A12U or KLV-V__A10E - where __ is the size number. The service menus are different for the later versions and most of this article will not apply to later or foreign models.
Intro
Sony's new BRAVIA line of LCD TVs have, in my opinion, become the best LCDs around. Although it comes at a cost, the V-Series BRAVIA sets have some of the best image quality available in the LCD world. A "Power Saving" setting lets the backlight be adjusted to a low level, minimising the "LCD mist" that you'll probably have noticed if you've ever tried to watch a dark movie in a dark room. The fact that the TVs look nice doesn't hurt, either. In fact, the company hopes that BRAVIA will do the same for their performance in the LCD market that Trinitron did for its picture tube sales.
I wrote this page to share some little known tips about the Sony LCDs that'll hopefully let BRAVIA owners get the very most out of their display.
Please note that this article is written with the European V-SERIES BRAVIA models in mind. Some, or even all of the information contained here, may not apply to the North American market, and the Service Menu is noticeably different on the S-SERIES models. You may find some of the info contained useful however.
Service Mode: how to get in
To take advantage of some of these tips, you'll need to go into the Service Mode of the TV. Don't be overwhelmed by this idea. You probably have images in your mind of service menus from the CRT days, with undecipherable four-letter options in green text plastered all over the screen. No need to worry - the service menus on the BRAVIA TVs are as easy to use as the regular menus.
While you're in Service Mode, resist the temptation to touch anything that I don't mention in here. You can mess up the lovely image quality of your TV by accidentally changing the white balance and such in the service menu. Everyone seems to change the "A/D Converter" settings - I have no idea why - just don't! I did it once and luckily managed to translate part of an Italian service manual to fix my own mess! So, you have been warned. The parts I tell you to change in this guide will not make any drastic changes to the TV.
To temporarily add the hidden Service Mode option to the menus, start by turning the TV off. With your remote, press the following buttons, one after the other, in this order. (If some of the buttons look a tiny bit different to the picture here, don't worry - I used an older Sony LCD for this picture):
( I+, 5, Vol +, Power )
Your TV will now power on exactly as it normally would. You might notice that when you change aspect ratio or inputs, the picture takes a half-second or so to adjust itself. There's nothing wrong with your TV - it's just that normally, the TV blanks out the display while this is going on, so you don't normally notice.
Now when you press Menu, you'll see that you now have a new option at the bottom labelled "Service". Yup - that's what that blank gap is for! That's it - you're now in the Service Menu. You might want to refer back to these instructions for the tips on the following pages.
Next: one input, many sources >>
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