Akai PTH5498 Red color looks like a bad bow-tie (concentrated towards the middle of the screen.

This is a common problem. Its called a convergence failure.

Problem #1) Convergence

Symptoms:

• Screen Looks 3D
• Colors wont align
• Video may look distorted

You can see some examples and find a fix here...

http://www.fixya.com/support/r2861467-solution_video_looking_whiteish_dull

Projection sets have two very common problems.

The first common problem is convergence

These sets need to have all three colors - RED - BLUE - GREEN - lined up correctly on the screen in order for the picture to look normal. This is called convergence.

When its out of alignment the video will look 3-D, wavy, distorted, etc. Most of the time you just need to adjust your convergence in the menu. If you cannot adjust it in the menu - then your convergence is broken and needs to be repaired. Convergence problems are very common on all Projection TV sets including Sony, Samsung,JVC,Philip Magnavox,Panasonic,Akai,Pioneer, Hitachi,Mitsubishi,Zenith and others.
You can get more information and a DIY convergenece repair kit with instructions from the link below.

Here are some of the most common problems with these sets...

*Screen Looks 3-D
*Colors wont align
*Screen may look distorted or warped or bowed
*No Audio/Video - TV Shuts down - May also make a constant chirping sound

Problem #2 - Another common problem is dull or washed out video.

Your set may have one or more of the following symptoms....

*Dull looking picture
*White looking picture
*Halos around objects
*Red/Orange looking picture

You can see some more examples and find a fix using this link on Fixya http://www.fixya.com/support/r2861467-solution_video_looking_whiteish_dull

Hello:

Yes is is your convergence IC's. One has gone bad, but consider replacing both of them because if one has gone bad then the other is not far behind. They are located on the middle board of your set. They are mounted on a large heatsink, the part # should be STK-392-040. Replace these and your set will work fine again.

Projection sets have two very common problems outlined below.

The first common problem is convergence

These sets need to have all three colors - RED - BLUE - GREEN - lined up correctly on the screen in order for the picture to look normal. This is called convergence.

When its out of alignment the video will look 3-D, wavy, distorted, etc. The TV can also shut down when the convergence starts to fail.

Most of the time you just need to adjust your convergence in the menu. If you cannot adjust it in the menu - then your convergence is broken and needs to be repaired.

Convergence problems are very common on all Projection TV sets including Sony, Samsung,JVC,Philip Magnavox,Panasonic,Akai,Pioneer, Hitachi,Mitsubishi,Zenith, RCA and others.

You can get more information and a DIY convergenece repair kit with instructions from TV Repair Kits using the link at the end of this article.

Here are some of the most common problems with these sets...

*Screen Looks 3-D
*Colors wont align
*Screen may look distorted or warped or bowed
*No Audio/Video - TV Shuts down - May also make a constant chirping sound

Problem #2 - Another common problem is dull or washed out video.

Your set may have one or more of the following symptoms....

*Dull looking picture
*White looking picture
*Halos around objects
*Red/Orange looking picture

SOLUTION

You can see some more examples and find a fix using this link on Fixya

http://www.fixya.com/support/r2861467-solution_video_looking_whiteish_dull

Sounds like a convergence problem. This means 2 Chips need to be replaced by a qualified tech.

N Sabre

Try replacing the flyback transformer

Replace both STKS ICs Ck low ohm resistors 2.7ohms most of the time there will be 2 of them bad.

YOU HAVE A ALIGNMENT PROBLEM, ON YOUR BOW OR PINCUSION, OR A BAD RESISTOR, THE COLORS NOT LINING UP COULD BE A CONVERGENCE PROBLEM. I ADVISE YOU TO LET A EXPERT TO THIS DUE TO THE HIGH VOLATE ON THE CRT(PICTURE TUBE)

Projection TV sets need to have all three colors - RED - BLUE - GREEN - lined up correctly on the screen in order for the video to look normal. When its out of alignment the video will look 3D, wavy, distorted, etc. Most of the time you just need to adjust your convergence in the TV menu. If you cannot adjust it in the menu - then your convergence is broken and needs to be repaired.

This is a very common failure on these projection sets and a fairly simple DIY fix. All projeciton sets including Samsung, RCA, Sony, Philip Magnavox, Panasonic, Pioneer, Akai, GE, JVC, Toshiba, and others at some point will have the same problem.

Common Symptoms include....

• Screen looks 3D
• Colors don't line up
• One or more colors can't be adjusted when using the convergence menu.
• Screen is bowed or warped.
• TV shuts off after powering on. Power light will blink. TV may also make a chirping noise.

Here are some photos of convergence problems.






Here is a quick test....

Using your original remote go-to the settings menu then goto the convergence section.

Try to adjust the red and then the blue convergence.

You should be able to move RED and BLUE in all directions - up, down, left, and right. And you should be able to get the grid straight.

If you can't move them in all directions or cant move them far enough your convergence chips are bad and should be replaced. This is a common problem.

Note: If you TV has as flash focus or magic focus button only try pressing the button. If it fails to fix the convergence your need to fix it. See below for a fix

CONVERGENCE SOLUTION

You will need to replace the convergence chips and possibly some convergence resistors and pico fuses.
This is a a fairly easy DIY job if you are handy and can follow directions. You can get complete repair kits from TvRepairKits.com or click here. They have put together DIY repair kits that include the OEM parts and step by step photo instructions for each repair. If you are not handy or can't follow directions we would suggest calling a shop.

Sounds like your red tube (CRT) may have a short in it. Try turning down the color controls to zero then let me know what the screen looks like.