Sony Monitors (late series)

Monitors Covered

The monitors in this series are generally new and multisync. They are rebadged and sold as DEC, Sun and HP. They may be identified by a button on the rear connector under a plastic cap labelled SERVICE above a mini-DIN connector.

Sony Numbering

Sony numbers invariably begin GDM. The previous series of fixed frequency monitors, with digital control include GDM1962 (19 inch) and GDM1692 (16 inch). These were made in numerous versions, the above sun versions having 13W3 connectors fitted as standard. Version also exist with BNC with sync on green/ BNC separate sync.

Sun Numbering Scheme

The first number represents the screen diagonal and the second number the model, so for example 17E01 is a 17 inch diagonal monitor of 1994 vintage. Equivalent to sony GDM17SE1.

HP Numbers

Using the SERVICE button

The following information was passed to me unattributed; I reproduce it in case it is of use to anyone else.
  1. Press and hold the SERVICE button on the backof the monitor until the "Power Save" LED lights (turns green).
  2. Press and hold CTRL &s; SELECT until THE "POWER SAVE LED" turns Orange. 
      CTEMP   CONV   GEOM   SIZE   CENT  = FUNCTION
    X                            X   = RED DRIVE
    X                    X           = GREEN DRIVE
    X             X                  = BLUE DRIVE

    Use SELECT to change position &s; CONTRAST + / - to adjust function.
  3. Press and hold CTRL &s; SELECT again, "POWER SAVE LED" should still be Orange &s; 4 function LEDS should now be on. 
      CTEMP   CONV   GEOM   SIZE  CENT   = FUNCTION
    X       X      X     X           = RED BIAS
    X       X      X           X     = GREEN BIAS
    X       X            X     X     = BLUE BIAS
    X              X     X     X     = COLOR TEMPERATURE

    Use SELECT to change position &s; CONTRAST + / - to adjust function.

    NOTE #1: When in the "COLOR TEMP" position use "SELECT" to change between the different COLOR TEMPS & then go thru the "BIAS" Adjustments for each "COLOR TEMP". Under COLOR TEMP you shold get 3 Brightness levels:
    1. Bright normal gray scale.
    2. B. Medium bright Redish gray scale.
    3. C. Dark picture.

    NOTE #2: When in the "COLOR TEMP" position the "BRIGHTNESS + / -" ADJUST the "G2"!!!!! When adjusting the "G2" turn the "G2" down so the picture looks a little DARK, if you don't do this when you EXIT the SERVICE MODE the brightest "COLOR TEMP" setting will be too bright &s; if you turn the USER BRIGHTNESS down &s; then back up the picture will "BLOOM"!!!
  4. Press and hold CTRL &s; SELECT again until the "POWER SAVE LED" turns GREEN. 
      CTEMP   CONV   GEOM   SIZE   CENT    BRIGHT + / -    CONTRAST + / -
ADJUSTS COLOR TEMP MODE
                         X               BRIGHT         CONTRAST        MODE
1
                   X                     BRIGHT         CONTRAST        MODE
2
            X                            BRIGHT         CONTRAST        MODE
3
                                 X       BRIGHT         CONTRAST        MODE
4
    MODE 1 has NORMAL Brightness / Contrast, MODE 4 has a DARK picture, the others are in between.
  5. Press and hold CTRL &s; SELECT again until you get 4 LEDS ON with a "GREEN POWER SAVE LED".
    6.   CTEMP   CONV   GEOM   SIZE   CENT   BRIGHT + / -                CONTRAST +
/ -
   X       X      X      X            PIN - COARSE ADJ            PIN - FINE
ADJ
   X       X      X             X     TRAPAZOID - COARSE ADJ
     TRAPAZOID - FINE ADJ
   X       X             X      X     VERTICAL LINEARITY          VERTICAL
LINEARITY
   X              X      X      X     TOP HORIZ CONVERGENCE       BOTTOM
HORIZ CONVERGENCE
           X      X      X      X     TOP & BOTTOM FOCUS          SIDE &
CORNER FOCUS
  6. Press and hold the SERVICE BUTTON until the POWER SAVE LED goes out to EXIT the SERVICE MODE.

The service DIN

The function of this is uncertain. Rumour has it that it was used with Sun Digital Alignment Software (DAS) which cost a fortune and which nobody seems to have seen.