Build an Ultra-Reliable TV!

[michael dranfield]

Re: Build an Ultra-Reliable TV!

Come on, You Must remember Thorn Syclops, as from what you've said in past, I reckon you are similar age to me.....

--Bloody horrible things though, but SMPS was based round line o/p stage....

I am assuming Alastair that you were no big fan of thorn sets ?
and for everyone else take a look at these if you want to see a real TV, also take a good look at the date on the service manual, the last photo shows the parts I had to replace to get the set into full working order ,I had all these in stock brand new !
The photos dont do the set justice though as I only have a cheap camera.

[ZnsaneRyder]

Re: Build an Ultra-Reliable TV!

CRT computer monitors don't have the 60hz problem, I always run 85HZ, but I use good late model flat-CRT I rescued. 1280x1024 85hz.

Why didn't they make TV like that?

I WISH they would have just made Hi-Res CRT TV (like a computer monitor) common BEFORE making LCD mainstream for TV.

But as far as TV, are we stuck with that fact that CRT is the only good ones, and the LCD is all junk? I JUST CAN'T ACCEPT that, even if the marketing-brainwashed masses except that fact that all new TV are "just throw away".

I sometimes get (computer) customers come into the shop (full of TVs and computers by the way) and tell me that "ain't the flatscreens all just throw away" and I have to say NO, that is how I make my living, and not everyone can afford to just throw away a $500 TV, when repairing it is sometimes less than $100-$200. Next time someone says that, I'll just smile and say "where did you hear that from?"

I know LCD panels themselves are fragile, but it's mostly the electronics that fail. And we KNOW that that LCD are DESIGNED to fail, usually caused by intentionally hot running semiconductors/chips or hot cheap caps, or the NEW craze, overdriving LED backlights that barely last past the warranty.

What about building a good LCD that has known flaws, but nothing else, put a plexiglass protector in front of the LCD, and upgrade all the transistors, diodes and capacitors, and LED bulbs, put a larger heatsink on the mainboard chip, and add a small fan, I bet I can increase the life of an LCD 3X and never have the screen get cracked.

[Alastair E]

Re: Build an Ultra-Reliable TV!

Some Thorn sets were truly excellent. The 2000 was the first set in the world to be fully solid-state, and was excellent. I wasnt so keen on the 3000 or 3500--they were very Hot running beasts as I recall!

The 1400 I did a lot of learning on,--During my trainee days The chief engineer would bung faults on one--Which I then had to find. It was the exact same model as you have pictured, but not as good condition, I remember there was a chunk of plastic missing outta the top of the cabinet !

Got a soft spot for that chassis and the hybrid 1500--haven't seen one for years though.

I do have a Bush TV62 (running at 625 lines and has HDMI socket, --fun to watch 40's and 50's films from DVD on!) and a TV125 dual-std. as well as a ITT CVC2 hand-wired chassis, both are standard/not modified like the TV62, and working well--Nice old sets...

[michael dranfield]

Re: Build an Ultra-Reliable TV!

The 1500 was my favourite set I grew up repairing these I still have a couple one a 24 inch with matching stand . 3500 was dreadfully UN reliable due to the low voltage high current approach the HT rail was only 60 volts. I to have a couple of older sets including a floor standing home made set,not by me ,but I don't have a standards converter so not much point getting them going at the moment as I can't display them .

[RCA2000]

Re: Build an Ultra-Reliable TV!

CRT computer monitors don't have the 60hz problem, I always run 85HZ, but I use good late model flat-CRT I rescued. 1280x1024 85hz.

Why didn't they make TV like that?

I WISH they would have just made Hi-Res CRT TV (like a computer monitor) common BEFORE making LCD mainstream for TV.

But as far as TV, are we stuck with that fact that CRT is the only good ones, and the LCD is all junk? I JUST CAN'T ACCEPT that, even if the marketing-brainwashed masses except that fact that all new TV are "just throw away".

I sometimes get (computer) customers come into the shop (full of TVs and computers by the way) and tell me that "ain't the flatscreens all just throw away" and I have to say NO, that is how I make my living, and not everyone can afford to just throw away a $500 TV, when repairing it is sometimes less than $100-$200. Next time someone says that, I'll just smile and say "where did you hear that from?"

I know LCD panels themselves are fragile, but it's mostly the electronics that fail. And we KNOW that that LCD are DESIGNED to fail, usually caused by intentionally hot running semiconductors/chips or hot cheap caps, or the NEW craze, overdriving LED backlights that barely last past the warranty.

What about building a good LCD that has known flaws, but nothing else, put a plexiglass protector in front of the LCD, and upgrade all the transistors, diodes and capacitors, and LED bulbs, put a larger heatsink on the mainboard chip, and add a small fan, I bet I can increase the life of an LCD 3X and never have the screen get cracked.

EXCEPT...for ONE thing. That damn "ROHS" solder !! it is causing REAL problems...with "whiskers" often "growing"..on connections to the front of the PANEL. if not for THAT sort of thing...maybe one COULD build a long-life LCD panel..

[michael dranfield]

Re: Build an Ultra-Reliable TV!

The tin whisker syndrome is what caused all the tuner IC s in pace sky digiboxes to prematurely fail but just heating the chip to over 200 degrees for a minute or so burns the off internal whisker formation and provided a temporary cure to the problem ..