Sony PVM 20L5 Review Part 1 - Set up & Walkthrough

This is the first set-up and look at the Sony PVM 20L5 HR Trinitron Muliformat CRT Monitor I recently acquired. This is part 1 in a continued series of PVM videos specifically about the Sony PVM 20L5. Please look for part 2 next week.

Thanks for watching Retro Tech!

#retrogaming #gamersunite #gaming #snes #supernintendo #arcade #screenshot #digitalart #scanlines #oc #tv #crt #surreal #art #artwork #games #sony #videogames #vidya #pvm #trinitron #240p #raster #konami #sega #rgb #cosplay #gamer #geekresponsibly #sonycrt

[scottmog]

I grabbed 2x 20L5s a couple months back and had them worked on. Can't wait to watch the video later tonight.

[anonony]

Thanks! I have a 14l5 and was waiting for this

[scanlinejunkie]

I sold mine for $150 in 2013 before the PVM craze because I thought I was "done" with retro gaming. Don't be me.

[KWKBOX]

This monitor is my centerpiece for all my gaming that uses component or lower. This monitor is close to perfect but I wish it had an hours tracker in the bios to see how much it has been used.

[RetroGamerBoy]

Wow I need this for my games room. It supports 1080i! That's amazing. Thank you for the video.

[nestwenty]

Thanks for the entertaining video Retro Tech. I've been running a 14L5 for a few years now and getting the 20L5 at some point. I love the easy to access menu system on these and the control buttons on the sides (not only do they look awesome glowing, they are 100% convenient in alternating functions). Looking forward to the next parts in your PVM videos!

[redhotsonic]

I've found one where someone is trying to sell it for £1, 300! So want it but I think that's a ridiculous price to pay. And he's taken the anti-glare thing off as you've suggested not to. I tried making a very generous offer but he practically said no way. I'm very happy with my current PVM-20M2MDE, I just wished it had 480p compatability lol

[Charlie-Cat.]

Sony PVM 20L5 review in multiple parts Steve? AWESOME.

I just got my breakfast to see this. Great way to start my morning right seeing your works in action bro. This is going to be fantastic 8^)

Anthony..

[diopterdoctor]

I picked up a 14L5 a few years ago and played Xbox 360 via component 16:9.... That's a pretty picture. I also used it to see the difference between GameCube and Wii component cables in 480p. The darks were much deeper with the original GCN cable.

[kennysa]

Awww man. This my holy grail. Checking Craigslist everyday

[Gael]

When Breath of the Wild first came out for the Wii U I hooked that bad boy up for some superior 720p-1080i gameplay and was blown away.

A couple years later I bought Sony's, at the time, top of the line OLED TV and tried the Switch version of Breath of the Wild on that. It was close, but nothing beats the organic smoothness and warm colors of a CRT. I was going to sell the PVM if the OLED TV proved to be better but all it did was make me want a 32 inch BVM, lol!

[AlexChipman]

My holy grail. Sadly a lot of other peoples holy grail too :(

[victorjvc.]

hello my dear RetroTech! Friend, I really wanted to ask you in favor! I am very curious to know how this mechanism of those config little buttons on the front panel that light up works. How they are? Are inside that transparent panel? Can you make a video demonstrating its disassembly? The pvm 14L5 also has the same buttons.

[johnli]

hey man, i have a japanese saturn and PVM-20L4.Can you please tell me where can buy a scart rgb cable to connect them?Thanks!!!

[ayachiakram]

Hello retro tech, i have a problem with my sony pvm 9041QM the issue it still in hv delay mode all the time a can't change it .The button is broken i would like to cut of the wire of hv delay 😢

[Charlie-Cat.]

Always a pleasure bro. I would love to see a manual version. I love to read no doubt. 8^)

Anthony..

[andyc.]

I have this 20L5 monitor that it's running NeoGeo AeS and when I turn on the system after 5 seconds it will reset and after that the monitor image is darker, any information that I could used to fix it ?
Thanks

[Charlie-Cat.]

That's for sure Steve. This series is going to be fantastic to see. I still feel that the material that you provide needs to be on DVD format or preserved as the years to come bro. It's truly solid gold content that few these days can offer to the public

Maybe even publish a Retro Tech repair manual out on Amazon or local bookstores. 8^)

Anthony..

[Manquant]

Within part two, will you be planning to share the capacitor list needed to recap? I would really like to work on my 20L5 as it's kind of displaying issues like wobbly image or random shutdown at times. Doesn't happen often but would like the unit to be functioning good as new.

It would be beneficial esp. with the M2U, and other common PVM models are well documented with hand picked list of capacitors needed for a recap. I haven't really read or seen much about the L5 series in terms of repair.

[MrAljenkoo]

Picking up a 20L4 very soon, apart from it not being able to do 480p what are other differences steve? Look forward to seeing you calibrate it and get it all to best it can be, I'm also picking up a 20f1e 😁 20L5 is next on the list then I'm done, will have to import that from the states unfortunately