I think I'll buy a (plasma) HDTV soon.
I have fixed my 20-year old Panasonic several times over its lifetime (typically capacitors, etc.that I've learned about here), but will I be able to fix an HDTV?
I'm competant with scopes, DVMs, soldering and the like but if new TVs are made like the computers I work on, the repair philosophy is "replace the board" and my experience is not valuable then.
What do shops do now? Do they just replace the defective board like a computer motherboard or troubleshoot the problem to the part? Are the devices surface mounted that prohibits their replacement or can devices be easily replaced?
I typically don't take the "extended warranties" but in this case, is it worth it?
Finally, do you think I would be able to buy service info like I got for my Panasonic?
It's a different (service) world these days.
TIA Mike