LCD flat panel question

[MariaAZ]

I know may homesteaders don't watch TV, but I am among those that do, and I'm hoping someone on HT knows about LCD screens.

My television just developed a colorless band from top to bottom about an hour ago. There was no warning; one moment it wasn't there, and now it is. In the beginning it would have color stripes, now it's black when on a channel, grey when I change channels. I removed all the input jacks to make sure the problem was with the monitor itself, and it is indeed.

Any idea what this is, and does it mean the end for my TV?

[CGUARDSMAN]

sounds like your board is going bad. it can be replaced for about the cost of a new tv...sorry

[MariaAZ]

Originally Posted by CGUARDSMAN

it can be replaced for about the cost of a new tv...sorry

That's what I'm afraid of... the thing is three years old and just went off the extended warantee. Isn't that how it always works?! Thanks for the input though, even if it WASN'T what I wanted to hear

[MTplainsman]

Hmmm, the only thing I can think of is that your goat isn't running the treadmill generator fast enough for optimal power output. Hope this helps.

[mtman]

Originally Posted by CGUARDSMAN

sounds like your board is going bad. it can be replaced for about the cost of a new tv...sorry

thats bad news ours just did the same thing 1 week after the warrenty 1600 dollors shot in the ass

[CGUARDSMAN]

I run a security business that installs security systems, cctv/dvr systems and most every monitor we use now is LCD they are still longer lived than the Plasma screens but not as long lived as the old CRT type tvs and monitors. The ones i see that have had good life span with continuous use in our business is Vizio but i am sure there are others that do well too.

[MariaAZ]

The picture returned for awhile then started flickering out. If there is such a thing as a good time for a big-ticket electronic to go out, at least it picked just before the Christmas shopping season...

[TedH71]

I would recommend you upgrade to those new tvs that can run on the new programming that the networks are going to put on soon. Older tvs will require new machines to enable them to run on that programming. Good luck.

[MariaAZ]

CGuardsman, that's why we went with LCD; we heard it lasts longer but didn't think 3-4 years was the average life span. We have a 19" CRT TV that we'll use if necessary, but our living room (the only room in our house with a TV) is rather small and the flat panel is just so nice for not taking up much space. Still, if these darned things are going to last only a few years maybe we'll just have to rearrange the room to accomodate a bulkier, longer-lasting TV.

Ted, that's a good thought. I don't know if this one is compatible, but might as well make sure since we may be getting a new one anyway.

[Shygal]

Or a kid with a magnet can do the same thing.

Don't ask me how I know

[FeralFemale]

LCD screens have a life span of about 50,000-60,000 hours. They CLAIM that it averages out to about 18-22 years, but from what I have been hearing it is more like 3-4 years. I'm guessing that people who are going to shell out that much money for a TV either have the money to buy a new one, or they like TV a lot and watch it a lot. This isn't the TV to get if you watch a lot of TV, I don't think.

[MariaAZ]

Feralfemale; the 3-4 years seems to be our experience, but based on the 50-60K hours, running a TV 24 hours a day the screen should last at least 5 years. I'm not sure about getting another LCD screen if it's only going to last 4 years tops.

[Quint]

Expensive televisions and laptop computers are the only things I consider getting an extended warranty on. I had an expensive Panasonic die on me right after warranty expired and had to eat the loss. On the other hand I had another with an extended warranty that I renewed though the company twice adn they ended up replacing my TV when it died.

For large expensive big screens which do have issues at times they can really save your bacon. I let mine expire on my big screen and I now have a 43 inch paperweight in my living room. Not worth fixing.

While we're on the subject laptops are another where I don;t mind paying for an extended warranty. I had an IBM which got fixed after it had expired on its original warranty. I had the breakage warranty on another notebook and they took care of a shattered screen. I dropped my Sony laptop and broke the screen and it was like 8 months out of warranty. The shame of that was it had an exquisite screen on it that even to this day I've never seen equaled. Broke my heart when I found a replacement screen was nearly 1000 dollars less installation.

[MariaAZ]

We had purchased the 3 year warranty and never received an invite to extend. DH corrected me, the TV is a bit over 4 years old. I agree about laptops; I bought my folks one and got the warranty to go with it.

We've been researching front projection TVs, as our living room is configured in such a way that the projector and attachments can be placed out of the way. Then I read they need a $300-500 bulb replacement every year or so. At that rate we'd be better off buying another LCD TV.

Quint, would you mind sharing which company offered renewals on your warranty? That's the kind of company I'd like to find.

[Quint]

I know Panasonic did. Toshiba I believe did. Sony I'm almost sure did.

[mike3367]

the bands you see in the the lcd tv's that are missing is the panel quiting in that area.
4 to 5 years is the life spand of most tv's now, so i tell everyone at are tv shop to buy the extended warranty to make sure they get it covered for most them years. i hate to give wally world the business but in my town the wally world here offers a extended warranty for 58 bucks for 2 years after the original warranty runs out

[Mel-]

wow, this is making me rethink an lcd tv. I bought a new 27 in digital tv last fall when my 20 year old tv died. was wanting a bigger screen and thought I would buy an lcd but maybe now I'll just buy that 32 in crt tv at walmart for 268!. going to buy one for my parents as an xmas present. maybe I'll get one for me, too. wow. was really wanting the lcd since they weigh so much less and because of the shape. hate the black at the top and bottom of movies.

[Raptor]

Not long ago I bought a Samsung tv that looks like a flat screen but has a regular old picture tube. Slim design and takes up very little space in the room.

[Maura]

Aw, shucks! Our 12 yr old crt just died and we bought a new LCD a couple of days ago. The info we had said it should last 60,000 hours, or about 20 years for us. I don't like what I'm reading. The reviews I read said that if you buy a name brand, Samsung, Sony, Sharp,... you'll reap all of the benefits of the LCD. But, if you buy a cheap knock off, you will not be getting 60,000 hours of trouble free viewing. So, are these 2 to 4 year lifespans of tvs that are name brand or off brand?

[MariaAZ]

Maura, ours is a Hyundai. DH did a LOT of research before we bought it, and features we were concerned about received positive reviews.

We had an electrician in yesterday; we had an outlet burn out. Well, it didn't exactly burn out... more like almost caught fire! We've been living with power to only half the house from Saturday to yesterday. The electrician explained that this problem outlet could have affected all the outlets on the same circuit as far as power goes because of the way the house is wired. Although he corrected the problem on a few outlets, we will need to have all the outlets rewired in order to reduce the chances of this happening again. Anyway, the TV was on a surge protector on the same circuit but different outlet, and the protector didn't trip. I assume it's possible the TV might have been affected. We're still deciding whether or not to get a $300 CRT, another LCD or a front projection TV. The only bad thing about the CRT is the size; we'll have to completely remodel the living room in order to accomodate the thing. We only have the one TV so it's a pretty big decision for us