Summary

Professional-grade 20" multisync monitor from Sony. This model requires a BKM 10R or 11R controller to operate (see below for more info). It includes one RGB/Component input, plus four card slots for additional video options. Displaying Composite or S-Video content requires one of several input cards (listed in the sales brochure) or an external NTSC to RGB decoder.

Literature

• Brochure
• Owner's Manual
• Service Manual

Notes

Multiformat Capability

This monitor is capable of displaying both Standard Definition (SD 240p/480i) and High Definition (HD 480p, 720p, 1080i) signals. This means you can connect HD source devices (for example component consoles like the Gamecube @ 480p, Xbox 360 @ 720p/1080i and PS3 @ 720p/1080i).

BKM Controllers

Sony's BVMs with the E1, F1, G1, or H1 designation, including the BVM-20F1U and BVM-D20F1U, require a separate control unit to operate, without which you can't do anything except turn the monitor on.

For the BVM-D series and earlier, you need the BKM-10R or 11R (or the open-source '10Rternative' project). The 10R is a rack-width controller that can sit on top of the monitor or off to the side (or in a rack mount). If you want to place the controller under the monitor, you need the optional BKM-32H controller attachment kit. The 11R is a smaller handheld controller that can plug into the front of the monitor to make quick adjustments but is not intended for permanent installation. To control the BVM, you must link the 10R and the BVM together using a male to male RS-232 serial cable.

Front Bezels for 16:9 and 4:3 viewing

Sony BVMs can only be configured for one aspect ratio at a time. With the 20" models, this is done via removable masks that are attached to the front bezel with plastic clips. To change between 16:9 and 4:3, the mask can be removed by pulling gently on the top corners.

You must own both the 16:9 and 4:3 masks in order to do this, otherwise you are stuck with whatever came on the monitor. If your monitor looks "bare" on the front then its possible the mask was lost or broken before the monitor came into your possession (see pic 3) - in this case the monitor is permanently 4:3 unless you can source a donor mask from someone. The same design was used with the BVM-20F1U, D20F1U, and A20F1U series, so they are all interchangeable.

You can watch 16:9 content without the 16:9 bezel, but you will see some distracting overscan content on the top of the raster, and you will see the letterbox black area on top and bottom of the content, similarly to how it used to be when you'd rent widescreen VHS/DVDs to watch at home on a square TV.