Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

[el3ctroded]

So I'm about to get another plasma. But only the right side of the screen lights up. Possible problems?

My first thought is Tcon, Buffers, Panel, in that order. I'd really appreciate insite from others with more experience with Plasmas.

[Krankshaft]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

If only one side of the screen lights it's not the video driver circuitry it's either the backlights or the inverter.

[el3ctroded]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

I said plasma, not LCD. Plasma don't have backlight... Anyone else? Plain Bill? Wizard?

[PlainBill]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

I said plasma, not LCD. Plasma don't have backlight... Anyone else? Plain Bill? Wizard?

This would most likely be a problem with either the main control board, or with the X (buffers? Drivers?). Most of the service manuals I have found for plasma panels include a section on linking a dead section to a board or set of boards.

Again, this is a case of GIGO. I spent some time last night delving through the service manual for a 50" Panasonic plasma TV. Not only did they have such a diagnostic chart, they even had schematics of the boards - even of the power supply! (No I didn't get the TV. I was a little dubious about the legitimacy of the seller's claim to ownership.)

PlainBill

[el3ctroded]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

GIGO?

Wow, that sounds like a nice service manual... Mind sending me a copy?

And thanks for sharing!

[retiredcaps]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

In the IT industry, it means garbage in, garbage out. It may have different meaning in the electronics industry?

GIGO?

[Wizard]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

Probably the logic board. If this does not fix the half picture problem, the Z buffers (ones on bottom hidden by aluminum are bad and is not repairable.

Excuse me I'm bit tired.

Cheers, Wizard

[PlainBill]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

In the IT industry, it means garbage in, garbage out. It may have different meaning in the electronics industry?

No. It is also known as the 'Crystal Ball Syndrome'.

In it's most extreme form it appears as "I have this TV that isn't working. How much will it cost to fix?"

Or perhaps in the IT world you have encountered this question. "My computer isn't working right. How do I fix it?"

I usually ignore such requests. However, when asked directly my first reaction is to question the OP's ancestry, mental state, and sexual practices. In this case my good nature took over and I merely pointed out one possible cause of the problem.

The manual in question is available at elektrotanya.


PlainBill

[el3ctroded]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

LOL Ok, I get it. My question was not intended to be "How to fix the screen" but more "what are known causes for such a situation". I'm trying to acquire a few more screens to attempt to fix, but at the same time trying to avoid any where it's obviously a panel failure or something that can't be fixed.

Maybe the better question is: Aside from cracks/breaks/obvious panel damage, what are the characteristic tell-tell signs for unrepairable panels?

I know one already: Vertical bars...

[cadiman]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

Just look at old threads.
buy them cheap or free
don`t let anyone tell you it`s an easy fix
look up the model number on ebay to see if parts are out there
look up model number with online parts suppliers
vertical bars are not always bad,( depends on pdp year and brand) and I don`t pay anything for tvs with random screen issues( no pattern )(one bar or one line)get these cheap and learn on them.

I like 32"lcd and 50" plasma These are easy to sell and parts are everywhere.

Make mistakes thats how you learn
Watch us make mistakes thats how you learn
just do it without spending too much money
be safe!

Ask them for the model number and look it up before you go to see it or offer any money.


I use a power inverter and keep a cord in the truck. Most people don`t know what the tv is doing or not doing. you don`t want to find out after you get it home and then have to carry it to your curb.
Good luck
Cadiman

[el3ctroded]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

At the moment, finding panels without cracked screens is the problem. Everyone on ebay is running them up to ridiculous prices, and locally I haven't been able to find any for a few weeks.

[PlainBill]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

I was having a similar problem, then summer hit (110°F + temperatures). In one 24 hour period I looked at 3 'plasma' 'easy fixes'. One was an LCD with a suspicious pattern on the panel. One the actual owner was unavailable. The third was an 'easy fix' - her son had dropped it while moving it.

I don't have any personal experience with this, I'm not that interested in increasing the amount of work I do. Suggestions I have heard include contacting places like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, electronics recyclers, etc., and advertising on Craigslist and any free newspapers in your area.

When someone gets optomistic about the value of their 42" plasma TV ("I paid $1500 for it two years ago!"), I point out that a local merchant is selling new 50" LG plasma tvs with 1080P display for $800. A 4 year old 42" 720P plasma is worth $100 tops - and then only if it is in pristine condition and they have the remote.

PlainBill

[cadiman]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

The tvs on ebay are mostly to buy the boards out of them. I purchased 12 tvs for 100 bucks with cracked panels 10 min. from where I live. The person who had them all shipped to their house paid alot for shipping. 80 pound tv ups? thats just crazy! Get all your tvs local and grab the broken pdps for free
or very cheap and only if you think you can use the boards inside. I have repaired about 3 tvs so far with the broken pdps I have. Advertise in your local paper. Where I live we have two small city papers. Don`t just look for broken tvs advertise for them.
Be careful what you wish for. I always get about 3 calls a week I offer in the add up to 100 dollars if I can use the tv for parts but mostly pay around 30 to 60 dollars for them ( the cord and remote are always missing)
I have always been able to sell used tvs for half of what the new ones go for I have my pioneer 50" on the wall it`s worth about 400 bucks since i can buy a new one for about 800.00. In 2003 it sold for around 8000.00
Cadiman

[PlainBill]

Re: Plasma: Only half a screen lights up. What likely wrong?

One thing that popped up today. One local appliance / TV retailer allows his employees to take home the dead stuff they take in trade. The logic of allowing 'Joe' to take things home was otherwise they would have to pay a recycler to take it.This is a strictly local chain, but it would be worth while asking the small chains and even the big box stores what they do with them.

PlainBill