Pincushioning when using component cables

[PatrickfromAtlanta]

Hello to All,
This is my first post so please excuse any forum faux pas!
My equipment: an HD projection TV- Pioneer Elite PRO- 510HD 3-4 yr.s old.
hooking up to HD using Comcast/ Motorola digital cablebox.
Here's my problem:
Using component cables from cablebox to TV, my picture pincushions, bowing in on both ends of the screen, like an hour glass. Other than that, the picture
is coming through okay. When I disconnect the component, and use a s-video cable, the picture looks fine, no pincushioning, but I'm not sure that I'm receiving a true HD signal. The Comcast installer was lost. I brought in an authorized Pioneer repair man, and he was lost as well. He called me back, after conferencing with his superior, and said that it required a 2 day adjustment that would run me $800, barring no additional parts were needed.
I do have a DB15(?) connector on the TV, but no corresponding connection
on the cable box. If anyone can help me with this, I sure would appreciate it!
P.S. This pincushioning only happens on the HD channels. Thanks!

[Hippie]

. When I disconnect the component, and use a s-video cable, the picture looks fine, no pincushioning, but I'm not sure that I'm receiving a true HD signal. !

Can't really help w/ the pin cushion question, but I can tell you that you are not getting HD through an S-Video cable..

[Ratman]

Generally... each input on a TV has independant adjustments.(that's why S-vid input is fine, compenent is bad) It appears that you need nothing more than a minor geometry adjustment. This is done via a 'service menu' in the TV and takes approx. 2 minutes (if that) to fix!

Your TV "techs" are handing you a line of MAJOR Bull!

[PatrickfromAtlanta]

Thanks to the replies so far!
The salesmen over at HIFI Buys/ Tweeter seem to know more than the
"authorized" Pioneer Techs. I've exhausted myself searching through the menus to find a zone where I could make any geometric adjustment.
I can only get to the grid pattern to adjust convergence, but of the 3
overlapping patterns, I only have access to 2 of them, blue & red, which
I'm forced to line up to the concave greenish pattern.
New question:
When my cable switched to a digital service, they ran new cable + any
connectors which can handle the digital (wider range?) signal in my house.
I just noticed that the service line that runs from the street to my house,
has the same old line that has always been there.
Ratman, you may have answered this question with your comment on the
s-video being fine, but could this, possibly inferior, cable have an affect on
not giving the component leads the source that they need to do the job?
I've got 2 component inputs, both pincushion HD channels. My third input
only has an RGB input through a (computer like) DB-15 connector. I haven't
tried this connector since I have nothing that I know of to connect it to.
Thanks again for any input. If I can fix this myself, I'll be in HD heaven.
If I need a tech to come by, I at least don't want to get ripped off.

[Ratman]

The salesmen over at HIFI Buys/ Tweeter seem to know more than the "authorized" Pioneer Techs. I've exhausted myself searching through the menus to find a zone where I could make any geometric adjustment.
I can only get to the grid pattern to adjust convergence, but of the 3
overlapping patterns, I only have access to 2 of them, blue & red, which
I'm forced to line up to the concave greenish pattern.
Convergence will not resolve a pincushioning problem. Geometry cannot be adjusted via "User Menus", you need to gain access to the "Service Menus". Look for a parameter called "parabola" or "pincushion".

When my cable switched to a digital service, they ran new cable + any
connectors which can handle the digital (wider range?) signal in my house.They probably just ran new coax and installed new connectors as preventive maintenance.

I just noticed that the service line that runs from the street to my house,
has the same old line that has always been there.
Should not be an issue. If all of your cables channels have a good picture sound quality and no dropouts, static, ghosting... you're okay.

Ratman, you may have answered this question with your comment on the
s-video being fine, but could this, possibly inferior, cable have an affect on
not giving the component leads the source that they need to do the job?
No!

I've got 2 component inputs, both pincushion HD channels.
They both may need adjustment. I'd also suggest that you describe your dissatisfaction with the HD picture quality and ask your cable provide to replace your cable box. Who knows?

My third input only has an RGB input through a (computer like) DB-15 connector. I haven't tried this connector since I have nothing that I know of to connect it to.
That's an RGBhV (VGA) connector. If you don't have a RGB output device, forget about it.

If I need a tech to come by, I at least don't want to get ripped off.
IMO... it's either a faulty cable box or as I said earlier, you just need a simple geometry tweak.

Interesting.... I just found this tidbit:
http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/brandspecific/pioneer/pincushioning.html

Here's the service manual:
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~snyderje/610serv_man.PDF

[Hippie]

Interesting.... I just found this tidbit:
http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/brandspecific/pioneer/pincushioning.html


Hmm..
Detective Ratman might have solved the case right here with this keohi link.
Good job..... :cheers:

[PatrickfromAtlanta]

Ratman,
Thanks a bunch for the info w/ the links!
I downloaded the service manual, so it's time to do my homework.
I'll let you know how this turns out.
Best Regards,
PFA

[PatrickfromAtlanta]

Thank you Ratman, for the valueable links from Pioneer!!
My final post on this issue, but if it helps anyone, then it's worth it.
A non-authorized Pioneer Tech came over and replaced the
suggested resistors, per instructions given by Pioneer.
It worked! I've got HD TV now for the first time!!
My total cost for this repair was $111.50.
Much easier than the $800 fix recommended by my local Pioneer
authorized repair shop. This shop was a bad apple in the bunch,
but I must state that Pioneer was Very helpful, as was this website!!
Thank you again to all experts donating advice on this great website!
I don't frequent this site, so if you have any questions, e-mail me.
Best Regards,
Patrick

[greenwoods]

I need to know if anybody can help me out with a problem that i am having. I am trying to find service info on the "pioneer elite pro-510hd" tv and found ratmans link to the service manual but i cannot find the schematic manual. And I do not feel like spending $50 on one. If anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it.