Sony (BA-1) KV-13TR28

# Sony KV-13TR28 CRT RGB mod

Below mod was performed on KV-13TR28 by Kaz Packman.

This is a classic 13" Sony Trinitron consumer television housed in a delightfully compact and charming plastic cabinet. Built around Sony’s BA-1 chassis, it represents an important early design in the Trinitron lineup and is widely regarded as the first Trinitron of this size that can be cleanly RGB-modded using the direct injection method.

The BA-1 chassis is notably robust and thoughtfully laid out, making it easier to service and modify compared to many later Sony designs. Combined with the Hi-Black Trinitron tube, the set delivers excellent picture quality for its class, with strong geometry and vibrant color reproduction.

View full CRT details and more mod examples →open in new window

This tutorial should also cover the RGB mod for the below models with the BA-1 chassis. However, there might be slight differences.

13" models

• KV-13TR28 (black casing)
• KV-13TR29 (white casing)
• KV-13V50

# Contributors

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this guide:

• Michael Lopezopen in new window — showcase author
• Suntharopen in new window — showcase author
• Andy Kingopen in new window — contributor, CRT specs from CRT Database.
• Patrick Buschur — contributor, Pictures
• stabarzopen in new window — contributor, RGB mod tutorial on Reddit

# CRT safety

READ THIS BEFORE CONTINUING

# Plan of attack

READ THIS TO PREPARE

# Manuals and Datasheets

• Sony KV-13TR28 Service Manualopen in new window
• Sony CXA1465AS Datasheet (Jungle)open in new window

# Specs

• Manufactured: Mexico (1993, 1994)
• Format: NTSC
• Chassis: BA-1
• Tube: Sony Trinitron A34JBU70X
• Jungle Chip: Sony CXA1465AS
• Screen Size: 13"
• Weight: 24 lbs
• Inputs: Composite, RF

# RGB mux diagram

Prepare the mux diagram. If you are building your own circuit, this diagram should help.

Red is shown for reference. Blanking (Ys), Red, Green, Blue lines are exposed on 5, 6, 7, 8 of the CN101 connector.

# Performing the mod

You can't ask for a more straightforward RGB mod.

Fortunately this chassis doesn't require any muxing. You can pass R, G, B through a 0.1uF, 75ohm terminated wire directly to the CN101 header. Blanking (Ys) can be fed through a 1kΩ + 0.7V didoe to pin 5 of the CN101 header.

# STEP 1: Remove Closed Captioning Decorder board

The Closed Captioning Decoder board (the "S" board) has to be removed prior to the modification on the United States version of this set (and other Sony BA-1 chassis sets).

In the service menu, the ID-2 setting was changed from "64" to "0" to disable Closed Captioning after performing the mod.

# STEP 2: Connect RGB, Blanking and Ground

See picture to see where blanking, R, G, B should be connected. Blanking (Ys), Red, Green, Blue lines are exposed on 5, 6, 7, 8 of the CN101 connector.

# STEP 3: Connect Audio and Sync

Since this set only supports mono audio, the Audio Left (white) and Right wires (grey) were twisted together and soldered onto the "V1 L-IN" pad on the mainboard.

• V1 V-IN for SYNC
• V1 L-IN for Left and Right Audio
• E for GROUND

Below photo taken from Sony KV-13TR29, shows a JST connector placed on the appropriate spot for a header on the chassis.

# STEP 4: Build your mux board (optional)

This mod uses the RGB mux board. This is optional, but will make your mod easier and stable. You can also create the circuit presented in the schematics above without the board. Please also checkout the mux calculatoropen in new window to play with your own values.

Compatible mux boards:

• RGB MUX BOARD KIT 1.4Copen in new window

Buy your RGB mux board kit

What's shown in the below picture is the 1.3C mux board kit. You can use either 1.3C or 1.4C mux board kit for this mod.

# STEP 5: Attach the female SCART connector to TV

There is a sticker at the back that made it very difficult to cut the SCART port. Cutting this port is probably most complex part of this mod.

Creating a SCART cutout and mounting it is an art. I have a dedicated section for it.

How to create and mount a SCART female plug?

# Pictures

# Photos by Michael Lopezopen in new window

Sony KV-13TR28 is a basic 13" CRT. It is a perfect candidate for RGB modding given that it only has composite and RF inputs.

# Mod Photos

# Photos by Suntharopen in new window

Used the latest 1.5C board to modify this set. Worked amazingly well. Tested with 3V blanking input from MisterPi and the set was able to switch.

# Reference Photos

See more photos and contributions →open in new window