can anyone confirm if my CRT is dying?

[jaymzbo]

I have a Sony 34XBR970 in my bedroom bought in 4/07. Unfortunately, after I re-arranged my HT and room, I neglected to plug the tv into my APC H15 power conditioner and had it and my xbox plugged into the wall outlet.

A couple of weeks ago I was playing GTA: San Andreas on the xbox and a storm came and I know for a fact that we received a power spike. Not only did the APC lights go on to warn of a surge, the display on the tv got brighter and the purple and green colors were somehow bloomed for lack of a better word.

Now, occasionally on the left and right borders of the screen, there are transparent hues of green on the left side and purple on the right. If someone on tv walks to the right side of the screen they will be covered in a purple hue. I'm not sure if I am explaining this properly but hopefully you get the idea. Very, very distracting and seems to be replicated on all source inputs. Screen seems to be darker too and I have since chosen to use one of the tv's custom settings (standard) until I figure what to do. I was never any good at calibrating and used others' settings.

For a second I thought it had to do with the particualr xbox game I was playing as it involves a map of a city that has green, purple, yellow to signify gang territories and maybe I had played it way too long. But it had to have been the power surge, right?

The strange thing to me is that it does not do this all the time, and sometimes it is not as bad and then sometimes it is entirely unacceptable.

Before I go and look for a new tv as that warranty is up, do you think it is indeed dying? or worth repairing?

Most of all, I would love to understand what is going on and why I am seeing green and purple on the borders after a power surge.

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. This CRT is the last high def tube that I know of and did not see where else to ask. Also, I am not the most technically minded person here and if I did not explain the situation properly I will be happy to try to do so.

Thanks so much....James

[LordoftheRings]

Hi James,

Yes, that power surge most likely fried a transistor chip or two, or a resistor inside your TV, and affecting its color decoder.
Try to find a place where they do free estimate, you'll see from there; but I'm sure they'll charge you a bundle if you ever decide to go ahead with the repairs. At worst you'll know.

* It could be tough to found that place where they do free estimate. But perhaps a $25 minimum charge would do it; just call around your area.

** And the reason you are seeing that, is like I said above, some parts that are related to the color decoder have been affected.

*** Time for a high res display I guess. God had spoken to you in his mysterious way.

[neos_peace]

another thing you could try is the degaus feature. Computer monitors hve it and i htink TV have it too. I noticed that thing happen when I had an CRT TV as well. only it happen to me when I got something that had an electro magnetic field around it. Just some input that may or may not help.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by neos_peace

another thing you could try is the degaus feature. Computer monitors hve it and i htink TV have it too. I noticed that thing happen when I had an CRT TV as well. only it happen to me when I got something that had an electro magnetic field around it. Just some input that may or may not help.

Yes you are correct, CRT TV sets have this too; and it helps sometimes to use a degausser (or demagnetizer) specially made with a smooth pass or two in front of the screen.
You can perhaps borrow one from your TV repair store; takes only two seconds. Ask the tech guy how to do it properly, very easy.
...Worth the try, you never know.

[friggenhugeorc]

The Sony TV auto Degauses every time you turn it on. Do you have any Magnetic Items near the TV?

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by friggenhugeorc

The Sony TV auto Degauses every time you turn it on. Do you have any Magnetic Items near the TV?

Yeah, magnets from speaker's drivers being too close to his TV set perhaps; good possibility too.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by jaymzbo

I have a Sony 34XBR970 in my bedroom bought in 4/07. Unfortunately, after I re-arranged my HT and room, I neglected to plug the tv into my APC H15 power conditioner and had it and my xbox plugged into the wall outlet.

A couple of weeks ago I was playing GTA: San Andreas on the xbox and a storm came and I know for a fact that we received a power spike. Not only did the APC lights go on to warn of a surge, the display on the tv got brighter and the purple and green colors were somehow bloomed for lack of a better word.

Now, occasionally on the left and right borders of the screen, there are transparent hues of green on the left side and purple on the right. If someone on tv walks to the right side of the screen they will be covered in a purple hue. I'm not sure if I am explaining this properly but hopefully you get the idea. Very, very distracting and seems to be replicated on all source inputs. Screen seems to be darker too and I have since chosen to use one of the tv's custom settings (standard) until I figure what to do. I was never any good at calibrating and used others' settings.

For a second I thought it had to do with the particualr xbox game I was playing as it involves a map of a city that has green, purple, yellow to signify gang territories and maybe I had played it way too long. But it had to have been the power surge, right?

The strange thing to me is that it does not do this all the time, and sometimes it is not as bad and then sometimes it is entirely unacceptable.

Before I go and look for a new tv as that warranty is up, do you think it is indeed dying? or worth repairing?

Most of all, I would love to understand what is going on and why I am seeing green and purple on the borders after a power surge.

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. This CRT is the last high def tube that I know of and did not see where else to ask. Also, I am not the most technically minded person here and if I did not explain the situation properly I will be happy to try to do so.


Thanks so much....James

Honestly(if you can afford it), you should go out and buy a LCD or plasma. You can get a solid one (good name brand) for well under a thousand. Not trying to crap on your thread.

[jaymzbo]

thanks for the replies, all. You have given me a lot to think about. I was under the impression that my Def Tech Studio monitor 450s were magentically shielded to prevent that type of interference (is that the right word?); they are approxiamately 12" away from the tv with the Def Tech clr2 center on the shelf below (about 3" below); I should add that the center used to be on top of the CRT with no issues. I will experiment with moving the fronts further away although I do not have much more room and doing so will put them right next to the wall (bedroom set up with tv stand in corner)

And of course none of this happened before the fateful surge.

And yes, I am looking at LCDs and plasmas ATM (trying to stay <1500). I chose the CRT because back in late 06, early 07...they seemed to be rated good for no motion blur, good response time as I am a gamer, GREAT black levels as I love my movies viewed in the dark and yes price. For less than $600, it was a great way to get me in the HD arena and get more out of my PS3. So plz do not think you are threadcrapping because of that suggestion. I welcome and value all constructive opinons.

I'll try moving the speakers tonight and see about calling some folks later in the week. In the meantime, I am studying up again on plasma vs LCD which I see from this forum has changed a lot over the last couple of years

Thanks again...James

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by jaymzbo

thanks for the replies, all. You have given me a lot to think about. I was under the impression that my Def Tech Studio monitor 450s were magentically shielded to prevent that type of interference (is that the right word?); they are approxiamately 12" away from the tv with the Def Tech clr2 center on the shelf below (about 3" below); I should add that the center used to be on top of the CRT with no issues. I will experiment with moving the fronts further away although I do not have much more room and doing so will put them right next to the wall (bedroom set up with tv stand in corner)

And of course none of this happened before the fateful surge.

And yes, I am looking at LCDs and plasmas ATM (trying to stay <1500). I chose the CRT because back in late 06, early 07...they seemed to be rated good for no motion blur, good response time as I am a gamer, GREAT black levels as I love my movies viewed in the dark and yes price. For less than $600, it was a great way to get me in the HD arena and get more out of my PS3. So plz do not think you are threadcrapping because of that suggestion. I welcome and value all constructive opinons.

I'll try moving the speakers tonight and see about calling some folks later in the week. In the meantime, I am studying up again on plasma vs LCD which I see from this forum has changed a lot over the last couple of years

Thanks again...James

Well James, you just found the cause of your issue. ...And that power surge you have before just made things worst in the electrons and all that jazz, which got too excited and magnetized your tube in that crazy manner.
-> Move those speakers away, you'll see right away.

* But still do your research about an HD high res display.
I recommend Panasonic plasma sets.

[jaymzbo]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

Well James, you just found the cause of your issue. ...And that power surge you have before just made things worst in the electrons and all that jazz, which got too excited and magnetized your tube in that crazy manner.
-> Move those speakers away, you'll see right away.

* But still do your research about an HD high res display.
I recommend Panasonic plasma sets.

Well, I am gonna opt to side with cautious optimism, but yes for the moment, it seems ok?? Now like I said in my 1st post, there have been days where it did not seem to be a problem and then days when it was unacceptable to view.

All that from moving my speakers? Surely it could not be that easy? Still it is encouraging and I'll continue to monitor it over the next few days.

And yes, when I was looking at plasmas, I was drawn to the Panny Vierra line. We'll see...

thanks again to all as I would not have ever thought of moving the speakers and hopefully this might be resolved regardless if I decide to upgrade or not...

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by jaymzbo

thanks for the replies, all. You have given me a lot to think about. I was under the impression that my Def Tech Studio monitor 450s were magentically shielded to prevent that type of interference (is that the right word?); they are approxiamately 12" away from the tv with the Def Tech clr2 center on the shelf below (about 3" below); I should add that the center used to be on top of the CRT with no issues. I will experiment with moving the fronts further away although I do not have much more room and doing so will put them right next to the wall (bedroom set up with tv stand in corner)

And of course none of this happened before the fateful surge.

And yes, I am looking at LCDs and plasmas ATM (trying to stay <1500). I chose the CRT because back in late 06, early 07...they seemed to be rated good for no motion blur, good response time as I am a gamer, GREAT black levels as I love my movies viewed in the dark and yes price. For less than $600, it was a great way to get me in the HD arena and get more out of my PS3. So plz do not think you are threadcrapping because of that suggestion. I welcome and value all constructive opinons.

I'll try moving the speakers tonight and see about calling some folks later in the week. In the meantime, I am studying up again on plasma vs LCD which I see from this forum has changed a lot over the last couple of years

Thanks again...James

Honestly, you should go with plasma. They have way better black levels then LCD (and I own a XBR9).

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by jaymzbo

Well, I am gonna opt to side with cautious optimism, but yes for the moment, it seems ok?? Now like I said in my 1st post, there have been days where it did not seem to be a problem and then days when it was unacceptable to view.

All that from moving my speakers? Surely it could not be that easy? Still it is encouraging and I'll continue to monitor it over the next few days.

And yes, when I was looking at plasmas, I was drawn to the Panny Vierra line. We'll see...

thanks again to all as I would not have ever thought of moving the speakers and hopefully this might be resolved regardless if I decide to upgrade or not...

I'll bet you a brand new Panny Viera plasma 60" that by moving your speakers away from your CRT Sony TV set, you won't see the problem reoccuring.
No more, ...Gone for good now.
And I know that for a fact, as I've been through this exact same scenario in the past, and with a Sony TV too!
Leave few feet (2 or even 3 to be sure) between your TV and your speakers.
If you want to position them closer, get new speakers that are magnetically shielded. And that goes for sides, bottom & top of your TV set.
[With a plasma TV set, you won't have that problem to start with.]

* I know that we won't see you in this thread anymore complaining about this issue, so have a great week, enjoy your new reborn TV, and get that Panny plasma eventually. ...Because you aren't going to get one from me as you would lose the bet if you were to take it.

Cheers,
Bob

[jaymzbo]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

* I know that we won't see you in this thread anymore complaining about this issue, so have a great week, enjoy your new reborn TV, and get that Panny plasma eventually. ...Because you aren't going to get one from me as you would lose the bet if you were to take it.

Cheers,
Bob

well I do hate to be back so soon, tonight it is as worse as I have seen it.

I dunno what to think....like I said some days it is fine and then there are some days(or nights) like tonight. My days off start WEDS and I'll have more time to make some calls as per everyone's suggestions.

I am thinking it is more than the speakers, although that may be contributing. I mean it never did that before when they were close and I do not have anymore room to move them any further apart. I re-read my speakers' specs and they all say that they are magnetically sheilded full range.

If I had to guess, I'd wager a plasma may be in my not-too-distant future. If I cannot get a fix for this, that is. Because the way it looks tonight it is just unwatchable.

If I may pose another question, Bob you had mentioned that plasmas would never have that problem in the first place. Why is that? (just curious)

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

Hi James,

Yes, that power surge most likely fried a transistor chip or two, or a resistor inside your TV, and affecting its color decoder.
Try to find a place where they do free estimate, you'll see from there; but I'm sure they'll charge you a bundle if you ever decide to go ahead with the repairs. At worst you'll know.

* It could be tough to found that place where they do free estimate. But perhaps a $25 minimum charge would do it; just call around your area.

** And the reason you are seeing that, is like I said above, some parts that are related to the color decoder have been affected.

*** Time for a high res display I guess. God had spoken to you in his mysterious way.

Originally Posted by jaymzbo

well I do hate to be back so soon, tonight it is as worse as I have seen it.

I dunno what to think....like I said some days it is fine and then there are some days(or nights) like tonight. My days off start WEDS and I'll have more time to make some calls as per everyone's suggestions.

I am thinking it is more than the speakers, although that may be contributing. I mean it never did that before when they were close and I do not have anymore room to move them any further apart. I re-read my speakers' specs and they all say that they are magnetically sheilded full range.

If I had to guess, I'd wager a plasma may be in my not-too-distant future. If I cannot get a fix for this, that is. Because the way it looks tonight it is just unwatchable.

If I may pose another question, Bob you had mentioned that plasmas would never have that problem in the first place. Why is that? (just curious)

Hi James,

Sorry to hear that man! ...I did bring back the quote from my original first post as it is very possible what I said on it. (Just above your own quote.)
Call around your area for the cheapest estimate (perhaps one store does it for free; here in Canada we do have TV repair stores that check for the problem, you only pay for the parts & repairs, also based on a free estimation). ...I know in the USA it's tougher.

* Jay, Plasma and LCD (LCOS) sets don't have a Cathode Ray Tube in them, it's a totally different technology.
So they are not prone to magnetization issues as CRT TVs are.
...But they are certainly prone to surge spikes from electric thunder storms if not properly protected, and even then there is no guaranty as mother nature can act in very unusual ways sometimes right?

Regards,
Bob