The ENTIRE Sony Profeel line in one photo!
 

Here's a picture I took here tonight... EVERY ONE of the models in the Profeel series is here! KX-2501 with rare rosewood option, KX-1901, KX-1211, and the UNBELIEVABLY RARE KX-4200. The KX-402 uses the same 3.7" CRT as the KV-4000/4100. As far as I know, that one was never sold to the public. I have only ever seen this one, and only heard of one other. Also shown are both Profeel tuners; VTX-1000R & VTX-1100R. And if that isn't enough, both speaker pair options; SSX-1 & SSX-2! And the remote exclusive to the Profeel; the RM-705. Note that all of these have the ALWAYS-BUSTED-OR-MISSING control doors; NOT BUSTED! *the doors must not be installed while carrying a Profeel... That's why they're always busted or missing.

Anyhow, I wonder if all four models were ever seen in one room before......... Like anyone cares? :scratch2:

Charles

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...ofeelGroup.jpg

Hey Charles, thanks for sharing. I am impressed - first time I've ever even SEEN the other Profeel components you've got in your photo.

I'll never forget the day I came home with my KX-2501, tuner and speakers, got everything hooked up and fired her up! Even got the Sony TV cabinet for everything to rest their little tushes on. And, my control door is NOT busted. Can't say the same for my a$$ after moving that damn monitor through four moves, it weighs a ton.

My biggest gripe is the VTX-1000R tuner isn't compatible with cable these days. You can tune up to 36, right? Are there any other options besides using a VCR tuner? What was the difference between the VTX-1000R and the VTX-1100R?

The VTX-1100 has CATV up to ch 80, and as you mentioned the VTX-1000 is only to 36. Also, the 1100 has on screen channel display. Only down side to the 1100 is that it has no 0-to-9 buttons inside the door like the 1000 has. If your control door isn't busted, that means you have common sense that others don't always seem to have. The way they get busted is that when you go to lift the KX, your Right knee goes right through the door :nono: . I usually pop the door off safely.

And you're not kidding about the weight of the 2501... 126 pounds!

Charles

Thanks Charles. Looks like I have a new mission - find a 1100. I can live without the number buttons on the tuner, still have my RM-705 remote workin'!

very impressive !!

VTX-1000R questions?
 

Sony USA's web site doesn't know what this is? I just picked one up for $20. It appears to work. I don't have cable. I seem to be picking up local low wattage stations that my television never noticed. Any specs on the tuner?

thanks in advance

Oooooh, Charles ! You DOG !! Green w/envy !! Seriously, DAMN nice collection...<grin>

VTX-1000 capacitor failures
 

Anyone have the electrolytic caps in the voltage converter section go causing the audio to go bad on these things? The transistors in the can that covers these literally cook the caps causing them to fail, or cook the board or both.

I'd be curious if there was a modification to make these things tune the higher cable channels... Panasonic tv's used to have a hack that made their preset tuners tune beyond channel 36, but were "crippled" at the behest of the cable companies not to do this.

...

Yes... I have a few of the 1100s in service, and they go at least into the 100s. It wouldn't be practical to modify the 1000. There are also several newer versions of Sony component tuners which were meant to go with the PVM series monitors; made up through the late 90s at least. They have no DIN plug, but they do have the CONTROL S socket so the remote will control the KX monitors.

There was a BIG problem with failing caps in the DC-DC converter circuit in the VTX tuners. I can't remember the locations and values, but there are 5 or 6 that I usually change. Symptoms range from wiggling on-screen display to humming and patterns, and non-startup. The caps are mainly under a metal can.

Charles

Can you tell me more about this Profeel line? I have never heard of them before, probably because I am an audio guy. Thanks.

Does anyone have a picture of remote for these tuners? I've got a VTX-100EC tuner that looks similar (but not exactly the same) as the tuners in the above photo. It came with an RM-611 remote which looks like right, but will only control the TV/AV function, it won't change channels/etc.

It also came with a Sony video color corrector (XV-5000? It's not infront of me right now) which is in a similar style case, but I don't know if that is part of Profeel line.

....

Correct. It's an RM-705 if I recall.

There were a few other accessories for the KX Profeel series:

2 or 3 versions of matching stands

3 versions of speaker pairs

a stereo decoder box that matched the VTX tuner

and most Sony audio equipment of 1981-83 matched the VTX and had CONTROL L and CONTROL S jacks to be interactive.

The color corrector and SB-V5W swith box were also matching accessories.

Charles

It was a high-end line, designed to be an equal quality setup to what the studios were using for their monitors. They started the whole "monitor-style" TV fad of the 80s, which continued up to recently. Just about everybody copied the Profeel. I have no idea where Sony came up with that name either. But nor can I figure where Sony coughed up the names "VAIO, CLIE, WEGA, 'CORDER."

Charles

A little more about the remotes: The VTX-1000R came with the cool remote you saw in the picture in Charles's first post. The VTX-1100R had a totally different remote control, the RM-723 Remote Commander, but the controls were pretty much the same as the RM-705. The 723 does have an Enter key though. The RM-723 has the more typical shape for a remote, although it's a little skinnier than most. It's about 1 3/4" by 6 3/4" and has an all plastic case.

I'm an original owner of a KX-2501 monitor and VTX-1000R and my RM-705 is in good shape. I bought the VTX-1100R recently and the RM-723 that came with it is pretty worn on the case, so it's not a great example but here you go.

And may I add I just made my 100th post! :banana:

Okay... My RM-611 remote looks nothing like either of these remotes. I may have the wrong remote after all. I do have a several Sony TV remotes that look similar to the RM-723 so I'll try those.

The VTX-100EC is stereo. It has a built in A2 stereo decoder. I suspect it's a German model and it is marked Zweiton on the front panel. We used the same system in Australia, but I've never heard of it refered to a Zweiton until I looked it up.

I'll take some pics as soon as I get a chance.

Kx-20ps1
 

mirror from France:
I have a VTX-100F which looks almost like the "EC" mentioned by dr.ido (click one of the pop ups at the bottom of this page to see it: http://www.thevintageknob.org/VIDEO/...1/KX20PS1.html) but with some buttons missing behind the flap (the back is identical, though) - anybody knows how many versions were made ?

More important:
All my sources are Y/C but I managed to dig a serious Y/C to RGB converter - but how does one use the RGB input at the back of the KX-20PS1 (or any of the other... versions) ? Is that strange plug the only way to get RGB into these monitors? :confused:

The KX-20PS1 (at least all the ones that I have seen here in Australia, the French model may be different) has a 34 pin "multi" connector and a SCART connector. I think there is an RGB input on the "multi" connector, but I don't have the pinout. There is an RGB input on the SCART connector, but the pinout differs from the SCART "standard". From memory, the KX-20PS1 expects sync on pin 16, but most SCART TVs and cables have sync on pin 20. I haven't seen one of these monitors in ages so I could have it wrong.

Thanks dr.ido - I'll try to have my tech mod the scart plug of my converter.

It seemed silly indeed to have RGB only on the proprietary plug (although I have seen much sillier from Sony ;-)

My first post here on AK...

It is interesting to see the Profeel equipment as "collectors' items". I owned the KX-1901, KX-2501, VTX-1000, VTX-1100, and the stereo adapter (MLV-1100) at various times in the 80's and early 90's. In addition to the color processor, Sony also made an analog satellite-TV receiver that looked like the VTX-1000/1100.

At their time, those displays and tuners were the best on the consumer market.

The satellite receiver was the FSR-2000. There was one on Ebay recently; it does not match the Profeel tuners as much as I thought it did.

Here's the KX-20PS1 I picked up off the to be dumped pile on the weekend. My VTX-100EC tuner is on top. As usual it did not come with speakers.

http://65c02.org/images/ak/kx20ps1.jpg

It appears to be the French model. It has a auto/SECAM switch where all the others I've seen here have an auto/NTSC443 switch.

http://65c02.org/images/ak/kx20ps1ctrls.jpg

The labels on the back are in both English and French.

http://65c02.org/images/ak/kx20ps1back.jpg

Unfortunately this one is sick. I can only get a grey raster with some noise in regardless of what source is connected to the composite input. I can get a color picture when I connect an RGB source to the SCART input, but it won't lock onto horizontal or vertical sync.

dr.ido,

we have the same set ;-) mine has s/n 500250.

my tech told me some sets had RGB available only with the "multi-input" while later versions had it as well with the PERI-TV but that it is easy to rewire the latter for RGB...
composite works fine here, peritel as well (in composite) - how is the image of yours ?

I can't get an image with composite video with either the BNC input or the peritel input, just a grey raster with some noise in it.

I can get something approaching an image (well some color at least) with an RGB source connected to the peritel input, but it won't sync up. I tried swapping pin 16 and 20 on the connector, but that didn't help so I must have remembered it wrong. I may be able to get the schematic, so I'll go from there.

From what I've been able to get so far I think my CRT is a bit tired, but it should still be watchable if I can fix the composite/sync problems.

dr.ido,

do you know if there is a way to use the "multi input" plug... without the dedicated plug?

It is obviously possible to connect an RGB source to the multi input. I should be able to work something out if I can get the schematic.

There appears to be some relevant information on these monitors in the EURAS database, but without subscribing I can't tell if they have the information we need.

Another site claims to have the schematic available for download, but most of the page is not in english (polish) and they want credit card payment through a service that I have never heard of (allpay?). Without more information I just don't trust them. I have sent them an email, but so far I haven't recevied a reply.

HwB have a pinout for the Sony multi input, but it is from a different model (KV25XBR) so I don't know if it is the same. If it is the same you will need to build a sync seperator as the multi input cannot accept composite video as sync (most SCART devices use composite video as sync). Also, pin 33 on this connector is marked as RGB/NORMAL select, but it doesn't say how to select.

The RGB/normal is selected by either applying 5VDC or nothing to that pin. Another pin on the connector will supply the 5 volts. This selection would replace the front-panel selection. It was used to allow external computer equipment to remotely switch from composite video to computer-generated graphics. Another option on some of these monitors allows graphics overlaid on the video, but it only works if both signals are from the same device/computer.

...

I now have the service manual for the KX20PS1 if anyone needs it.

Bump.

Any possible way the photos could be re-posted? Or does anyone have any that they could post? I'd love to see the whole series in one shot.

Unless Charles has them still, I don't think they can be re-posted otherwise. Wow, what a vintage thread:)

Here it is.

I do still have all of them, in fact I've added a few courtesy of "free" ads on CL, and one KX-1901 NEW IN THE BOX on eBay this year! I don't have them all in one physical location, but I do still have the photo, and I have repaired the bad link in the original post :) .

Charles

My KX-2501A is NOT Working....
 

Hi all-

I am the original owner of KX-2501a Monitor with the VTX-1100 tuner. I used this set everyday until maybe 4 years ago. I had it sit for that time in a room undisturbed. I have tried to hook it back up recently and I am no longer getting any picture from the monitor. I have tried to patch-n a signal directly, composit; or via the tuner w/ multi pin cable and nothing. I just have a grey screen that will flash momentarily white when turning off power. I also can't get the monitor to change to rgb mode, (the green light doesn't change from power). when hooking up the tuner there are no numbers or data showing. Zip.. zilch.. anyone have any ideas on what might be wrong? Anything I can try? Am I screwed? Seems like such a waste of good equipment that I loved. Also cablevision here locally just went all digital with cable can I still run through tuner or must I use only on channel 3 with the cable box tuning stations now? Thanks for alll your help!!!

Hugh

Are you sure the monitor is staying "on"? It may be going into immediate shutdown mode due to a failing part in the high voltage circuit. Turn all the lights out in the room, and try to verify if the screen is actually staying lit gray. If not, you may need to have it worked on. If you're getting a gray screen (at least some light on it), you're probably OK as far as not needing any big repairs. 99.9999% of the problems I've seen on the Profeel sets, are power supply-related, and your power supply and high voltage are working fine from what you said. The VTX-1000 & 1100s had all kinds of weird problems, so I'd first isolate the problem to be sure it's absolutely in the monitor. The VTX can jam the controls on the monitor itself, so it needs to be disconnected for the test. Be sure the Power Lock switch is off, and that the DIN plug is not connected, and power up the monitor. You should hear the click, and the power light should be on green. Now get a signal from a DVD, cable box, or wherever you can verify it's there, and put it straight into the Video In on the monitor, and see if you get anything; even a flicker. There is a control for Video Level recessed (need a screwdriver), on that same panel where the video and DIN jacks are. Try gently turning that back & forth, and if no luck, be sure to put it back where it was, or it could cause a false problem later. Check that all the buttons in the front door feel like they're free; not stuck, and that they move as they should. If none of the above gives any clues, then you may indeed need to look into the signal proecessing circuits in the monitor. Depending where you live, I'm sure there's someone you can find through AK who can do the job. If the problem turns out to be in the VTX by chance, you can probably pick up a newer Sony tuner-control box on eBay for less than you would have to pay to repair the VTX-1100. Any Sony tuner with a CONTROL-S socket will work the functions on the KX monitor with whatever remote comes with the tuner. Or if you want, you could UPS the VTX to someone to fix, but the problem may be in a chip that is unavailable, so that's a gamble.

Charles

Charles-

Thanks for your prompt and educated reply! So here's the deal. Unfortunately it appears there is no flicker at all. No life. Again, when getting the click to go on, on the power; I do get the green light, however won't switch to the RGB mode. The yellow light does not come on either. I tried video level back and forth after spraying it with a little tuner degreaser... alas nothing. The only change I got after that was when I tried powering on and off again I started to get a small maybe 3" patch of GR and Red I believe right in the center of the set on a few attempted power ups. Also when I shut down power all the time the screen flashes momentarily white/light blue with scan lines for a split second. Once I tried the rgb button again the center colors disappeared again and the rgb switch still didn't work.

So I guess that leads me to processing circuits in the monitor. The VTX by the way, was totally out of the equation. So I live in Long Island, NY... any ideas. Also the thought of having to lug this heavy 140 lb monitor somewhere doesn't exactly thrill me!!! As I am new to this forum, I wonder how I would find someone or if you might know someone. Obviously they would need the repair manual and access to the virtually non-existent parts I would need.

Does this become the point of no return on the parts and all?

So my sage... what say you and your advice from here...

Thanks again for all your help Charles

Oh by the way, am I sure monitor is staying on? The green light stays on... but again no visible image or flickering other than that 3: in center of screen that I described , before.

Hugh

OK, the 3 dots are probably a sign that the set is going into shutdown. The power (green light) will stay on, even in shutdown mode. If you're handy with electronics, you can try a quick "cheat" test to see if it's a faulty HVR block:

The HVR block is a clear shiny plastic case with red inside; about 4" tall, which is mounted on the metal shield around the CRT, (identified by one heavy wire from the high voltage anode cap ontop of the CRT, and one heavy wire to the flyback transformer). There is a third wire from the HVR block; a very thin red wire. You can unsolder that from it's terminal on the back of the HVR block, and tape it out of the way. There is probably a glob of silicone rubber over the connection, which you can carefully pull off to expose the solder lug terminal. Now turn the set on, and see if it still is shutting down. If not, and it appears to be working, the set is sensing too much high voltage and is going into X-ray safety shutdown. Usually, between you and me and the gatepost, that's a false alarm. But for lawsuit protection, I have to say "DONT run the TV with that wire disconnected". If you want to be super-sloppy, you can snip that wire and then reconnect it without messing with the block itself.

If it's still shutting down, you need further troubleshooting.

NOTE: Although that thin red wire does unplug from the board, it has a safety interlock and the TV will not start with that plug out. Hence you have to unsolder the wire at the HVR block for the "test".

Caution for anyone not familiar with TV work: These sets store high voltage in the CRT for hours, and you can get a nasty zap while fiddling around with the HVR block.

Charles