Problem With Picture on 5-Yr Old 19" Symphonic TV/VCR

[Rodney Small]

For the past few days, when I've turned this TV/VCR on, the picture
has fluttered before clearing up. For the past two days, the picture
has initially narrowed to a slit before fluttering and then clearing
up. Four questions:

1) Is the picture likely to continue to clear up for some time yet, or
will the picture fail completely any day now?

2) Is this problem worth fixing, or would I be better off buying a new
TV/VCR?

3) If the answer to 2) is yes, can a novice like me fix it, or should
I call a repairman?

4) If I can fix it, what do I need to do?

Thanks,

Rodney

 

[Sofie]

Rodney Small:
Get your television repaired right away. If you wait and nurse this
along.... it will not get better, it will not heal itself.... and if you
wait, the repair price can be much higher due to additional component
failures.
At the very least you should TAKE your television to a service shop for a
repair cost estimate so you can make an intelligent repair decision with
facts instead of internet or telephone guesses.
And no, a novice can not fix this.... take it to a service shop for a proper
and safe repair.
--
Best Regards,
Daniel Sofie
Electronics Supply & Repair
-------------------------


"Rodney Small" <rsmall@erols.com> wrote in message
news:ed3321d1.0401061809.ced13ee@posting.google.com...

For the past few days, when I've turned this TV/VCR on, the picture
has fluttered before clearing up. For the past two days, the picture
has initially narrowed to a slit before fluttering and then clearing
up. Four questions:

1) Is the picture likely to continue to clear up for some time yet, or
will the picture fail completely any day now?

2) Is this problem worth fixing, or would I be better off buying a new
TV/VCR?

3) If the answer to 2) is yes, can a novice like me fix it, or should
I call a repairman?

4) If I can fix it, what do I need to do?

Thanks,

Rodney

 

[LASERandDVDfan]

For the past few days, when I've turned this TV/VCR on, the picture
has fluttered before clearing up. For the past two days, the picture
has initially narrowed to a slit before fluttering and then clearing
up.

Sounds like cold solder joints in the vertical deflection circuit.

1) Is the picture likely to continue to clear up for some time yet, or
will the picture fail completely any day now?

The vertical deflection circuit can completely fail, possibly in a catastrophic
(I.E. VERY expensive) manner, if you continue to use your TV set with this
condition.

2) Is this problem worth fixing, or would I be better off buying a new
TV/VCR?

Maybe. It's a Symphonic, which is made by Funai. They are not known for good
quality. However, it's still worth getting it fixed as a new 19 inch combo
unit may still cost more than the repair charge (assuming it doesn't require
replacement parts). It sounds like a simple problem that may not require
replacement parts, as long as you stop using it until it gets repaired.

3) If the answer to 2) is yes, can a novice like me fix it, or should
I call a repairman?

Are you good with a soldering iron and have decent solder and desoldering
braid?

Do you know what a cold solder joint looks like and know where to look for them
simply by observing the symptom this set has?

Do you have any repair experience with TV/VCR combo units, specifically the TV
sections?

If you cannot answer yes to all of these questions, then hire the services of
an experienced professional. Shop around for the best price on repair services
and check to see if they guarantee their repairs. - Reinhart

 

[Rodney Small]

laseranddvdfan@aol.com (LASERandDVDfan) wrote in message news:<20040107002457.03823.00002738@mb-m07.aol.com>...

For the past few days, when I've turned this TV/VCR on, the picture
has fluttered before clearing up. For the past two days, the picture
has initially narrowed to a slit before fluttering and then clearing
up.

Sounds like cold solder joints in the vertical deflection circuit.

1) Is the picture likely to continue to clear up for some time yet, or
will the picture fail completely any day now?

The vertical deflection circuit can completely fail, possibly in a catastrophic
(I.E. VERY expensive) manner, if you continue to use your TV set with this
condition.

2) Is this problem worth fixing, or would I be better off buying a new
TV/VCR?

Maybe. It's a Symphonic, which is made by Funai. They are not known for good
quality. However, it's still worth getting it fixed as a new 19 inch combo
unit may still cost more than the repair charge (assuming it doesn't require
replacement parts). It sounds like a simple problem that may not require
replacement parts, as long as you stop using it until it gets repaired.

3) If the answer to 2) is yes, can a novice like me fix it, or should
I call a repairman?


Are you good with a soldering iron and have decent solder and desoldering
braid?

Do you know what a cold solder joint looks like and know where to look for them
simply by observing the symptom this set has?

Do you have any repair experience with TV/VCR combo units, specifically the TV
sections?

If you cannot answer yes to all of these questions, then hire the services of
an experienced professional. Shop around for the best price on repair services
and check to see if they guarantee their repairs. - Reinhart

Thanks to both you and Mr. Sofie for your informative comments. I'll
take the unit to a repair shop.

Rodney