Zenith TV

I have a Zenith, I think it is a 27"er, that has recently lost all its green color. Any color that I know is suppose to green shows up as brownish-reds. The TV is around 3 years old. Does anyone have any ideas as to maybe a quick fix before I lug it to the repair shop?

Just as an aside, the TV was purchased at a Circuit City three years ago and given to myself as a gift. It came with a 3 year warrenty. Last Thursday a Curcit City rep, I think, called and said that our warrenty was out and wanted to know if I want to renew it. Naturally I said no thank you and that was that. Well low and behold I woke up Friday morning and POOF, no green! Sounds fishy don't it?

 

Good Afternoon, hunterfd:
Talk about planned obsolescence! Wow! When the warranty collapses, so does the television. We need to add this one to the history books.

Judging from your description, you didn't lose green. You lost blue. Yellow is the base color. Add Red and Green, you have the brownish color you describe.

I, personally, would be checking the blue driver on the set and would anticipate this is going to be an integrated circuit. There is no way to tell unless you do some one on one troubleshooting. It's not a severe failure but it will take some time in the shop.

Smokey says call around and get some estimates for a color loss (specifically blue). Is it a picture tube? I seriously doubt it. If they try to sell you a new picture tube, I would recommend that you be elusive to the idea.

I won't specify repair costs on this forum because they change from area to area. What I can do in Tennessee, they cannot do in New York. Get estimates. You know what you can afford.

Consider the age of the television set versus the repair costs. Can you replace the set for that price? Only you will have that answer. It's in your arena now.

Smokey

 

Thanks for the reply smokey. I was hoping there was going to be a quick fix, but as such the luck. I will get on the horn and see what the damage is going to be. I definately do not want to pour a bunch of money into it. Thanks for all your help.

Jason

 

Good Evening, hunterfd:
I've been off the line all day. Got hit by a sudden thunder storm and it did strange things to my computer.

Good luck in your endeavors. I am sorry that I couldn't be more positive but facts are facts. Come back and visit often and, please, tell your friends about our website.

Smokey

 

For the most part, TV's in general don't usually have problems with defective picture tubes these days, but in the case of Zenith TV's, they definately have bad picture tubes in them. Almost every Zenith that has a color problem...is directly related to the picture itself. I don't normally replace them due to the high repair cost. The repair that is normally performed on them is to remove (burn off) the impurities which develops within the gun assembly's. This usually takes care of the problem, but Zenith's don't have very good color tones anyway.

 

Good evening, lucman2:

That's bull biscuits! You sound like a disgruntled employee that got fired from Zenith.

Unless you can provide something to substantiate such a claim, please stay off our forum.

Folks, anyone can show up and make a blank statement with nothing to back it up. We call this a hoax. Some folks are inclined to believe these stories. On DoItYourself.com, we debunk these stories and give you straight information.

Smokey

 

First of all, I never worked for Zenith. I own and run my Electronics Repair Shop and I offer my suggestions from 20+ years of Electronics repair experience. I do not make so called "blank statements".
I thought this was an open forum where anyone could contribute their experiences. I've repaired many Zeniths with this same type failure.
Smokey, you seem to be a very knowledgable person and I don't mean to insult you. If you look back at other postings with color problems...you'll notice that most are related to Zenith complaints.
I thought that anyone could contribute their knowledge on the matter.
...I didn't think this was a closed forum.

[Edited by lucman2 on 07-09-01 at 01:32]

 

Good evening, lucman2:

Smokey still says "Bull Biscuits!" I've been working with Zenith products since the early 1960's and have never heard or seen anything that comes close to your accusations against the product.

At best, the only thing I have found bad with Zenith is their lack of support for their product. For performance, I find them excellent. Our only problems occur when the set fails and we need parts and schematics.

It is permissable to say that you have seen a lot of problems of this nature but not permissiable to condemn the entire product line. When you condemn the entire line, you leave our Webmaster open to suits for slander. Smokey will not tolerate this.

So, back off, tell it like it is, and leave the driving to us.

Smokey

 

I don't think Zenith had this problem in the early 60's!!!
Nor am I trying to condemn their product line or anyone else's.
I have absolutely no problems obtaining support/parts from the Zenith Distributors in my area.
.....and why would you have a problem with schematic's...you've suggested to others to use Sams Photofacts...and any good repair shop should be up to date on these schematics..right? Are you presently even working in this field?

I think forums like this are great and I use them all the time for obtaining information....
Can't we all just get along!!!