CRT:PVM-4300
KX-45ED1
KX-45ED1T
| Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sony | |
| Type | Professional High-End Consumer |
|
| Tube Series | Trinitron | |
| Size | 45" | |
| Viewable Size | 43" | |
| TV Lines | 600-650 | |
| Dot Pitch | ? | |
| Regions | NTSC | |
| 240p/480i | Yes (converted to 480p for display) | |
| 480p | Yes | |
| 720p | No | |
| 1080i | No | |
| 1080p | No | |
| Vsync | 60Hz | |
| Widescreen | No | |
| RF | 0 | |
| Composite | 3 | |
| S-Video | 3 | |
| Component | PVM-4300: 1x RGBHV/RGBS/RGsB BNC (15kHz), 1x RGBHV/RGBS/RGsB BNC (31kHz) KX-45ED1: 1x RGBS JP21 (15kHz), 1x RGBHV/RGBS BNC (31kHz) |
|
| SDI | 0 | |
| HD-SDI | 0 | |
| HDMI | 0 | |
| Audio Input | 4x RCA, 1x audio terminal | |
| Dimensions | Width: 1050mm
Depth: 767mm Height: 925mm | |
| Weight | 440lb, 15oz | |
| Earliest Date | April 1989 | |
| Links | ||
| Chassis | SCC-D09A-A (PVM-4300) SCC-C68A-A (KX-45ED1T) |
|
| Remote | RM-778 | |
| Operation Manual | PVM-4300 Operation Manual KX-45ED1 Operating Instructions |
|
| Service Bulletins | DP92-0080 | |
| Brochure | PVM-4300 Brochure | |
The Sony PVM-4300, also known as the KX-45ED1 in Japan, is the largest known direct-view CRT display ever produced. It uses a 45" picture tube (43" visible), and weighs in at 200kg (440lb 15oz). This was a luxurious, made-to-order unit, and presumably very few were sold.
Announced in late 1988 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Trinitron, the KX-45ED1 went on sale in Japan at a retail price of ¥2,430,000 (roughly $17,500 at 1989 exchange rate). There was also a variant that included a built-in VT-X5R tuner, model KX-45ED1T, which retailed at ¥2,520,000 (roughly $18,000 USD at 1989 exchange rate). The PVM-4300 was reported to have been sold for $40,000 USD in the United States in 1990.
The PVM-4300/KX-45ED1 employs "IDTV" (Improved Definition TV) technology, which utilizes digital circuitry to deinterlace 480i NTSC video signals to 480p for display. This was intended to reduce eye-straining flicker and improve image clarity on large-size screens. In Japan, Sony called this "Digital Frame Memory TV".
Both models include two RGB inputs. The first one is for 15kHz (480i) signals. The second one is for 31kHz (480p) signals. The 31kHz RGB input bypasses the digital up-conversion circuitry entirely, which allows the monitor to display 480p signals natively and lag-free. On the PVM-4300, both RGB inputs are BNC connectors with a switch to enable Sync on Green, while on the KX-45ED1, one RGB input is a JP21 connector.
There was also a similar 29" model released in Japan, the KV-29ED1. However, this model lacks the 31kHz RGB input.
Rarity
Prior to December 2024, there were no examples of the PVM-4300 or KX-45ED1 publicly known to still exist, in the hands of private collectors or otherwise. For years, only two "real-life" photos of the monitor circulated the Internet (below). As a result, it achieved a mythical status among CRT enthusiasts.
KX-45ED1 pictured in the now-demolished soba noodle restaurant "Chikuma", Osaka, Japan
Image of unknown source
On December 22, 2024, console modder Shank Mods uploaded a YouTube video in which he revealed that he, along with a group of helpful friends and colleagues, had managed to track down the location of the KX-45ED1 seen in one of the two known real-life photos. The monitor was removed from its longtime home on the second floor of a soba noodle shop in Osaka and shipped to the United States, where it was then cleaned, repaired, and calibrated. Shank's team also acquired the original Sony service manual for the PVM-4300, as well as additional documentation.
The unit's serial number, 2000103, indicates that it was likely the 103rd unit produced. It is unknown how many others may still exist today, but the number produced was most likely extremely low as they were incredibly expensive, hand-made units.
Watch the story of Shank Mods' rescue of the KX-45ED1 below:
And a more technical breakdown and walkthrough:
Size
The PVM-4300/KX-45ED1 contains a 108cm picture tube, the largest of its kind. Due to its enormous size, Sony shipped the units in a special forklift-able "Large Color Monitor Container". They also included carrying handles which bolt onto the sides of the monitor. Sony's installation instructions state that six persons or more are required to carry the monitor.
"Large Color Monitor Container"
PVM-4300 installation instructions
While there are rumors that Matsushita (Panasonic) had also experimented with 45-inch tubes, it's likely these never went past the experimental stage, as there are no pictures of an assembled unit or reference to it ever being sold.
Picture Tube
According to the PVM-4300 service manual, the tube type number for this model is: M108KEG10X, Sony part number: 8-735-322-05.
The tube type number printed on the label inside the only known existing KX-45ED1 is: A108KEG10X. The service manual for this model is not available, so the Sony part number for this tube is currently unknown.
The only difference between these two tube type numbers is the "A" vs. "M". The numbers indicate the same tube family ("KEG") and family member ("10"). Any specific differences between the "A" version and "M" version of this tube are currently unknown.
One theory is that Sony may have engaged in product binning while manufacturing these tubes. Perhaps the best quality tubes coming off the production line were given the "M" designation and reserved for the PVM-4300, while the lesser-quality tubes were given the "A" designation and reserved for the more consumer-targeted KX-45ED1. However, this is only speculation.
A compatibility guide for CRT testers/rejuvenators lists both M108KEG10X and A108KEG10X. It also lists another type number, A108KEG00X. This is in the same "KEG" family, so it's possible that Sony made a minor revision to the tube design at some point during their development/production, with the early units getting the "00" designation, and later ones getting the "10". Again, this is only speculation.
The tube label inside the KX-45ED1
Gallery
Credit to Shank Mods for these images.
External images of the KX-45ED1:
Internal images of the KX-45ED1:
Size comparison images of the KX-45ED1:
Other images:
600TVL at 480p
650TVL at 960i
Another privately owned unit
A PVM-4300 in use at a 1992 NASA press conference. The monitor is displaying a simulated image of the Mars Observer spacecraft ahead of its launch. Source
Advertisements
French magazine "Joystick" Number 15, page 20 (April-1991)
Picture of the KX-45ED1 next to Panasonic TH-43K1DP, unknown source
Image from KX-45ED1 brochure, March 1990. Source
KX-45ED1 seen on the cover of DIGIC Vol. 6, January 1988. Source
Brochures:
Other:
Service manual cover (to be scanned)
Publications
- Chicago Tribune news article - March 6th, 1990
- Sun Sentinel news article - April 22, 1990
- Mention in European Semiconductor Application Markets Newsletter - Research Newsletter (1990)
- Mention in Broadcasting Magazine, Page 49 - June 12th, 1989
- Mention in Popular Electronics, Page 58 - February 1990
- Mention in Video Magazine, Page 74 - September 1989
- Mention in VideoReview magazine, Page 33 - August 1989
- Discussion on a forum in 2005
- PVM-4300 Dimensional Drawings
Boards
The PVM-4300 contains a total of 20 boards.
| Part number | Board |
|---|---|
| A-1135-616-А | B Board |
| A-1135-608-A | B2 Board |
| A-1330-940-A | C Board |
| A-1345-829-A | D1 Board |
| A-1345-897-A | D2 Board |
| A-1345-827-A | D3 Board |
| A-1345-828-A | D4 Board |
| 1-631-899-21 | D5 Board |
| 1-629-060-21 | F1 Board |
| 1-629-061-21 | F2 Board |
| 1-413-419-12 | G1 Board (SWITCHING REGULATOR 2D-111) |
| 1-413-420-13 | G2 Board (SWITCHING REGULATOR 2D-112) |
| 1-629-054-11 | H1 Board |
| 1-629-055-11 | H2 Board |
| 1-629-056-11 | H3 Board |
| A-1306-395-A | M Board |
| A-1195-032-A | P1 Board |
| 1-629-063-11 | P2 Board |
| A-1373-212-A | U Board |
| 1-629-049-11 | V Board |