I have a 30 inch Toshiba tube TV that has variable width horizontal black lines appearing at the bottom of the screen as well as the picture extending beyond the edges of the tube. I really like the TV, and am wondering if it sounds like an easy fix, or if the tube is going out... Please let me know if you think that you know what the problem is, and if it is better to fix it, or buy a new TV (this one is about 6 years old or so). Thanks in advance.
I'm not an expert on TV sets these days, but one thing that I think you can be pretty certain that those symptoms are NOT, is the tube. If the problem is one of intermittent picture geometry, you are likely looking at nothing more than a bad joint, which will need attention sooner rather than later, before it does any proper damage. I have also known problems around the EEPROM that stores geometry data, give problems like this, but either way, it's probably not a serious problem at this point.
One other thing springs to mind. Could it be that the TV is not switching correctly to the transmitted format ? There are so many now that some older TVs have trouble coping with them all. My mother has a Panasonic, and before we finally fixed her up with signals for its digital tuner, on analogue, she used to suffer just what you describe, as it tried to switch to "best fit" for the format being transmitted at the time. I guess you would know if it was this, if it does it at the start of a programme, and stays like it throughout, or switches back again at the commercials. I'm sure there are others on here who will be able to give you a more concise answer, but in the meantime, it would be handy if you could post the actual model number, to allow them to better help you with the problem.
Arfa
as Arfa says its not the tube. whether its worth fixing depends on your local economy, and I dont even know where you are.
NT
Most of the time with age, the electrolytic capacitors start failing in many of the TV models. A service tech can easily troubleshoot the set, locate the defective parts, and then replace them. You will have to be ready to pay for the cost.
Considering the low prices for TV sets these days, and that you have an older set, I would seriously consider a new model. If you really like the set, and have the money to service it and take a chance on its age, then that is your decision.
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JANA _____
Well it certainly isn't the tube. Why don't you bring it to a shop and get an estimate? If you know a few things about electronic repair you can get some tips here to work on it yourself but it sounds like you don't. The learning curve is too steep to start from scratch and jump right in with something like this.
First, it's not the tube.
Sounds like capacitors as mentioned above. This should be an easy fix as these things go.
Last I heard, 30 inch TVs weren't *that* cheap. :)
And, since when is 6 years automatically an "older set"?
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