Projection Alignment Hi, My 53 inch Hitachi projection tv has been working fine, but now the projectors are out of alignment and the auto focus does not work to fix it. There is a concave or half moon curvature now, as though the entire projection was pushed inward. How can this be fixed, does this have to be manually aligned?

http://www.retrevo.com/support/Hitachi-51F510-TVs-manual/id/371ci865/t/2/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3401783/Hitachi-Service-Manual-TV-Plasma-42HDT5055-Chasis-PT3G
Above is your service manual, and above that is a user manual. This will assist you no end, this is the manual engineers use to troubleshoot and repair.

Depends on the set, but it sounds more like your projectors have come out of alignment. Hopefully this isn't washout due to a failing emitter or projector. I would let a certified TV tech check the set for alignment since rear screen sets are very dangerous. All three projectors have their own HV cap and flyback, which triples the chance that you will get zapped.

The inherent problem with rear projection TV's.

It sounds like the projectors need balanced (or a lamp is failing) and aligned. The alignment can inadvertently be changed when the TV is moved, and seldom "just happens".

Any decent TV repairman can perform the required service. I would shop locally for one.

There is a convergence output kit for this set. There are probably resistors in the convergence circuit that are starting to loose there values. If you are going to have the set worked on have them install the whole kit which includes the convergence outputs and resistors. Thanks

You need to replace the convergence chips and possibly some of the convergence resistors. You can buy the parts online from various sources or you can get a complete kit with instructions from www.TvRepairKits.com

Needs convergence amps replaced. Sometimes resistors burn and need to be replaced. This repair requires soldering/desoldering equip. and a trained eye, but usually can be done for 175.00-325.00 at a reputable service center. Good luck, Russmann.

Hi Dennis!

Your HItachi has an automatic color convergence (color beam alignment) feature called "Magic Focus" which can be accessed from the set-up menu. When selected, you will be prompted to push the front panel "Magic Focus" button... do so only one time and do not hold the button in more than three seconds to enter this mode. The process takes about 90 seconds to complete, but a second push of the button will stop the process with no change.

If the convergence is still bad after the auto-correction process, then the guns are misaligned beyond its corrective capabilities, and would require manual convergence.

A service manual detailing how to do this is available for a nominal charge at http://www.how2files.com/bykey.php/hitachi.

If you don't have one, a free download of the user's manual is available at https://merchant.satisfusion.com/sf/WarrantyCenter/registration/secure/Hitachi/Manuals/ModelNumberManualLinks.jsp?masterModelOID=SF-990486114-595&random=1213688278588.

Hope this is helpful, let us know if you have any other questions, and good luck!

Thanks!
-WildBill

The convergence circuit is having a problem. This can be either bad connections at the pins of the convergence ICs or defective ICs. These are large black ICs attached to a heat sink and should be marked STK-XXX. If you can solder, try resoldering the pins of these ICs first. If that failes to resolve the problem, replace the ICs. The should be no additional alignment necessatry once the ICs have been replaced.
Dan

the convergence IC`s and associated resistors have to be replaced, do not repeatedly push magic focus or the alignment after the parts change out will take longer which of course means higher repair bill, good luck

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=564268&postcount=220
http://cmpalmer.blogspot.com/2006/11/fixing-my-own-tv-part-ii.html