Sony (BA-4D) KV-27V42

# Sony (BA-4D) KV-27V42 CRT RGB mod

The Sony KV-27V42 is a highly regarded 27" curved CRT television originally released in the late 1990s. Featuring a premium Trinitron tube, built-in stereo speakers, and an S-Video input.

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

This mod by Kaz Packman gives a different perspective on how you can mod your CRT for RGB.

Instructions below should also apply to these models:

• KV-27S42
• KV-27V42
• KV-27S46
• KV-27S66
• KV-35S36

# Table of Contents

# Contributors

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this guide:

• Tube Gamingopen in new window — showcase author
• Matt Rossopen in new window — contributor, CRT specs from CRT Database.
• Kaz Packmanopen in new window — contributor, RGB mod and pictures

# CRT safety

READ THIS BEFORE CONTINUING

# Plan of attack

READ THIS TO PREPARE

# Manuals and Datasheets

• Sony KV-27V42 Service Manual — Available for Pro Users only. See CRT detailsopen in new window for access.

# Specs

• Year: 1999, 2000
• Format: NTSC
• Chassis: BA-4D
• Tube: Sony Trinitron A68LML50X
• Jungle Chip: Sony CXA2133AS
• OSD Chip: Mitsubishi M37273MF-255SP
• Screen Size: 27"
• Weight: 93.5 lbs
• Inputs: Composite, S-Video, RF

# Schematics

# Calculating the RGB external resistor value

Formula from our theory page!

Calcualted 910Ω for 0.7Vp-p. With didoe inline for RGB, you have to use 1kΩ

# RGB mux diagram

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

# Performing the mod

Now that you roughly know what needs to be done, prepare for the mod. Place the board on a comfortable place. Make sure you are not putting pressure on the flyback or other components. Taking out the chassis is fairly straight forward on this CRT. There are few wires that needs to be disconnected.

1. Degauss wire
2. Power wire
3. Ground wire attached to the neck board
4. Yoke deflection coil wire
5. Anode wire (this is the one with the rubber cap)
6. Left and right audio wires

Please remember that wires 1-5 are critical for the CRT to function and should not be omitted. Having any of these wires disconnected while powering up can damage the board and can have adverse effects.

Sometimes it can be overwhelming to see a large chassis. But, we are primarily going to focus on two areas.

• Area 1: This is where we are going to remove resistors and attach the R, G, B and blanking wires
• Area 2: This is where we are going to connect composite, audio L, R and ground wires

# STEP 1: Remove the following components

Zooming in on Area 1.

Remove the following components. RGB resistors to the ground. Please always measure and mark them, so that you know you are removing the correct partrs.

• R086 (680Ω) Red ground resistor
• R087 (680Ω) Green ground resistor
• R088 (680Ω) Blue ground resistor

# STEP 2: Add RGB inline diodes (optional, but recommended)

To reduce interference, it is recommended to add these inline diodes. You will be lifting one side of the R025, R026, R027 and add diodes.

KV-27V40 - Heat shrink was used in the middle one to avoid shorts.

KV-27V42 - Heat shrink was used in the middle one to avoid shorts.

KV-27S42 - Below picture shows before adding the diodes.

KV-27S42 - After adding diodes inline

Pay attention to the diode direction and how it was installed. This is extremely important. Otherwise, OSD will not work.

Also, adding didoes means you will need to use 1KΩ resistors on the RGB mux board.

# STEP 3: Connect RGBs, Blanking

Then attach the R, G, B and blanking wires to the respective legs of the diodes. Wires should be attached to the side closer to the jungle chip.

• R, G, B wires are red, green and blue respectively
• Brown wire here is used for blanking

There are couple of possible approaches to wiring the blanking signal. If you are utilizing external blanking, please follow the instructions provided for the KV-27S42. However, if you prefer internal blanking, you will need to draw the 5V power from the chassis and route it through a switch.

KV-27S42 RGB/Blanking wiring (uses external blanking)

# STEP 4: Connect Sync and Audio

If you are using the ribbon cable shipped with the mux board kit, use the below method.

KV-27S42 - Sync, Audio and Ground S-Video detect was permanently grounded to enable sync through luma. See the orange wire that goes from S-Video detect to ground.

• Purple and black wires are for ground
• Grey wire is for right audio
• White wire is for left audio
• Orange wire is ground, but you can clip it off
• Yellow wire is for sync

# STEP 5: Build your mux board

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 1.4Bopen in new window

Buy your RGB mux board kit

# STEP 6: (Optional) YPbPr mod

To proceed, please refer to the instructions for either BA-4 or BA-4D. These steps are also applicable to the KV-27V42 YPbPr modification.

A close look at the RCA jacks

Green panel mount jacks were difficult to source, so I had to improvise. Painted the white jack green with a marker.

Blanking and Sync 3P3T slide switch

Switch location inside

Switch on the outside

# STEP 7: Attach the female SCART connector to TV

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?

Depending on your CRT, you might need to find a good place to mount the SCART port.

Sony KV-27V42

# Reducing interference

Sometimes you might notice micro interference in the video signals. This is expected. To reduce it, try the following.

• Use diodes in-line for RGB signal
• Make sure your blanking wire is connected after the diode that feeds into the chroma chip (see diagram)
• Try routing most of the cabling below the PCB
• Keep the ribbon cable short
• I really didn't find any difference in interference in using shielded vs non-shileded cables. Therefore, this is optional.

# Getting into the service menu

• Turn the set on and then put into standby
• Press the Display, 5, VOL + buttons in sequence
• Turn on the CRT and you should be in service mode
• Use buttons "1" and "4" on the remote control to navigate the service menu
• Use buttons "3" and "6" to adjust the selected data

# Pictures of the mod

# Games

# Set

Back label

# Pictures

# Photos by Tube Gamingopen in new window

# Reference Photos

See more photos and contributions →open in new window