Sony G70 CRT Projector
My Sony VPH-G70 CRT projector is the crown jewel of my home theater. In my opinion, a big screen really makes it feel like you are watching a movie and not just watching TV and is an essential part of any home theater. Before I got my projector I was just going to get myself a rear projection TV; but one day going through the classifieds, I saw an ad for a CRT projector and the price astonished me. This led me to research them some more and it was at that time that I discovered the AVS forum. If you have any interest in learning about projectors, especially CRT projectors, AVS is the place to go. I found out that with the rise of small and cheap digital projectors that CRT projectors could be had for pennies on the dollar because lots of corporate boardrooms and government facilities were unloading them. So I read up on them some more, watched the classified ads and eBay, and checked out the trusted sellers that hang out on AVS and finally picked one up from Hammerhead Tech.
The G70 is actually the second CRT projector I have had in my home theater. My first CRT projector was a Sony VPH-1272Q which is an electrostatic focus, air coupled, 7″ CRT projector. The G70 on the other hand is an 8″, electromagnetic focus, liquid coupled projector. The reasons for the upgrade were: with 8″ CRTs I get more brightness and can run at a higher resolution; with liquid coupling I get better black levels and tighter focus, and electromagnetic focus allows me even better focus and a smaller beam spot size. While I really liked my 1272 I came across the G70 in the local classifieds at a price that was hard to pass up. I have been very happy with the G70 and I don’t think I will ever replace it unless I either hit the lotto or find a ridiculously good deal on a 9″ machine like a Sony G90 or an Electrohome 9500LC.
Due to room constraints I have my G70 mounted on the floor under a DIY coffee table. My table, as you can see, isn’t much to look at but it gets the job done. I am projecting an 87″ wide by 49″ tall image; this translates to a 100″ diagonal 16:9 screen. I have a separate page for my screen but in case you are wondering I am using a DaLite High Power Screen. I run the projector at 1280X720 resolution via my HTPC for DVD and standard definition sources. I run it at 1080i for HDTV sources. I have done all the setup and installation on my projector by myself or with the help of some non-techie friends and family to use as an extra set of eyes. While I think I have done a very good job, I would like to get a pro in at some point to adjust my gray scale, and maybe, when I buy a house of my own, I will get a pro to set up the entire thing from start to finish, as of now it is just not in the budget.
Shopping for a CRT projector? Then check out my CRT projector store!
I added two new guides regarding the G70 check them out.
Sony G70 Fan Mod
Sony G70 Tube Replacement
Sony G70 Specs
Picture tube:
8-inch (phosphor size 6-inch) high luminance, electromagnetic focus tubes
Projection lens:
Double focus, F1.1/135mm
Screen coverage:
60 to 300-inch measured diagonally, factory preset to 120-inch
Light output:
ANSI*1: 240lm (fH: 110kHz, fV: 50Hz, 6500K)
200lm (fH: 15kHz, fV: 60Hz, 6500K)
1200lm (peak white)
320lm (all white)
SIGNALS
Color system:
NTSC, PAL, SECAM, NTSC4.43, PAL-M
Resolution: 700TV lines (video)
1100TV lines (HDTV)
1700 x 1200 pixel
Scanning frequency:
Horizontal: 15 to 110kHz
Vertical: 38 to 150Hz
RGB bandwidth: 120MHz-3dB
GENERAL
Dimensions: 27 3/8 x 14 1/8 x 37 5/16 inches
Mass: Approx. 183 lb
INPUTS/OUTPUTS
Video: Composite: Loop-through BNC
Input A: BNC x 5
Analog RGB/Component:
HDTV*2 (Y/PB/PR):
Input B:
Supplied with an IFB-40: 14-pin multi connector (input: male, output: female)
Sony G70 Downloads
If you find these manuals useful please consider donating to my site, these eat up a ton of bandwidth every month. Thank you.
Operating Instructions (2MB)
Installation Manual (6MB)
Brochure (1MB)
Service Manual (117MB)
PJ Calc (2MB)
Phillips Test Pattern Generator (3MB)
Nokia Test Pattern Generator (300KB)
Filed Under Retired Equipment | 24 Questions/Comments |
Comments & Questions
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October 10, 2009 4:28 pm
Section 1 is missing in the Sony G70 service manual. Do you have it? Thanks
October 10, 2009 6:00 pm
Section 1 is just a condensed version of the installation manual. I have the full installation manual above.
October 11, 2009 12:39 pm
Are you sure it doesn’t have info pertaining to the error codes and trouble shooting? The install manual has a short list of codes and I believe there are more codes then listed there. There should also be a trouble shooting section but was nowhere to be found in the service manual here. Thanks Ron (service tech).
October 11, 2009 12:49 pm
I just checked the D50 manual and that has the same limited info and in section 1 of that manual, I see what you mean. If you wouldn’t mind just double checking to see if it has a trouble shooting section, I would appreciate it. Thanks
October 11, 2009 3:26 pm
Sorry, I don’t even have section one of the Service manual so I can’t check it. Sorry.
January 31, 2010 6:05 pm
does anyone know what parts refer to the green tube on the DC boards
I had this fault about a year back and got a replacement on Ebay , now its gone again
regards bob
May 1, 2010 2:08 pm
Was wondering if you have any knowledge about sony 900 projector
Thanks
May 1, 2010 4:24 pm
Sorry Mary, I am not familiar with that projector.
October 7, 2010 5:19 am
My Sony GL 70 is projecting squiggly green wavy lines on the screen. I live in St. Louis Mo. Do you know of a repair facility nearby. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
October 7, 2010 11:00 am
Sorry, I have no idea on a repair shop in your area. I would ask the folks over at the AVS forums for help http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ Good luck, I hope it’s an easy fix.
November 2, 2010 8:56 am
I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SONY VPH-G70. AT THIS TIME I AM HAVING 2 PROBLEMS. 1 IT PROJECTS UPSIDE DOWN AND 2. THE CENTERING IS SO FAR OFF THAT I CANT GET IT TO ALIGN WITH JUST THE CONTROL PANEL. CAN YOU HELP ME
November 2, 2010 10:33 am
First off, don’t type in all caps, it’s rude.
The instruction manual for the projector can be downloaded from my site. You can find the download links on this page. Once you read the instructions you should be able to get your problems sorted out.
November 2, 2010 11:01 am
You sent me an e mail authored by “Rod” all in caps. I did not post that e mail. I am not Rod. All I did was to inform you that I have a Sony VPH G 70 and if I need repair in the nature of something I could not handle–would travel to St. Louis, Mo for the repair and terms?? Eventually I am certain I will need new tubes. That is what I am thinking of. If you ever travel to St. Louis, I would like a convergence or whatever it is called. It’s been years. I last posted to your site: Posted by: Alan Steinberg
October 7, 2010 5:19 am
alanjesq
November 2, 2010 12:40 pm
Alan, you received that email because when you initially posted on my site you must have clicked “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail”. So whenever a comment is posted you’d be notified.
November 17, 2010 11:08 am
I just picked up a G70 and for the life of me can’t figure out how to see how many hours are on this. Can you help at all. Thanks!
November 17, 2010 11:19 am
Jason, did you download the manuals up above? The answer should be there. I’d tell you how to do it if I remembered, but it’s been awhile since I had my G70 running.
November 19, 2010 5:03 am
i got one and thats is best, earlier i had been using sanyo, but sony is great with the resolution.
September 24, 2019 11:58 am
I know there hasn’t been a post on here in a while.
BUT, I just picked up a G70 that’s moderately used. Downloaded the manuals and have been reading through the. (Thank you for that!)
Any chance that you know how to make the projector process RGBs in 15KHz? The input A panel starts at 32KHz and goes up and won’t properly sync my signal.
Thanks for the help.
September 24, 2019 12:04 pm
I’m sorry, but I don’t really have any idea. I’d ask over at Curt Palme’s forum http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/
February 6, 2020 9:21 am
I am in the UK and I have a G70 to sell, what do you think is the best way to do I .
Thanks
Ray.
April 7, 2020 12:51 pm
Any chance you have a convergence board or tubes you want to sell for the G70?
November 10, 2020 8:00 am
Hey Moe,
Love your website.
I am currently trouble shooting my G70. Most of my convergence controls do not work even after replace the D and DC boards. Any experience with this problem? I’ve tested continuity and everything is connected. I’m just trying to figure out what could be causing my issue and maybe a resource that could help me figure it out.
Thanks, DD
January 13, 2022 4:11 am
Hi
I have a Sony G70 CRT progector that is fully working. It is ceiling mounted in my garage. It has done 6623 hours and has no burn marks on the tubes, The garage is going and so is the projector, So if anyone out there wants to pick it up and take it away it could be saved from the skip.
July 5, 2022 9:53 pm
Long shot. I have a G70, ceiling mount, manual, HD card NIB, two remotes. Looking for a good home. If you know anyone who wants parts or would like to buy back up remote etc etc etc.. let me know.