Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of

Television Sets
Version 3.15a
Copyright © 1994-2004
Samuel M. Goldwasser
--- All Rights Reserved ---

For contact info, please see the Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Email Links Page.

Reproduction of this document in whole or in part is permitted if both of the following

conditions are satisfied:

1. This notice is included in its entirety at the beginning.

2. There is no charge except to cover the costs of copying.

Table of Contents
 Preface
o Author and Copyright
o DISCLAIMER
 Introduction
o Television at the crossroads
o Television receiver fundamentals
o TV repair
o Repair or replace
 TV Receivers 101
o Subsystems of a television set
o Why projection TVs are not just normal TVs in big boxes
o For more information on TV technology
o On-line tech-tips databases
 CRT Basics
o Color CRTs - shadow masks and aperture grills
o Degaussing (demagnetizing) a CRT
 TV Placement And Preventive Maintenance
o General TV placement considerations
o Preventive maintenance
o Warning about using a TV as a computer or video game display
 TV Troubleshooting
 o SAFETY
o Safety guidelines
o Warning about disconnecting CRT neck board
o Troubleshooting tips
o Program to aid in diagnosing TV set problems
o Test equipment
o Incredibly Handy widgets
o Safe discharging of capacitors in TVs and video monitors
o Additional information on discharging CRTs
o Removing the CRT HV connector
o Safe troubleshooting techniques for line powered TVs
o The series light bulb trick
o Getting inside a TV
o Specific considerations before poking around inside a TV or monitor
o Dusting out the inside of a TV
o Troubleshooting a TV with the mainboard disconnected
 TV Adjustments
o User picture adjustment
o Internal adjustments
o Focus adjustment
o Adjustment of the internal SCREEN and color controls
o Optimal procedure for setting brightness/background and screen adjustments
o Color balance adjustment
o More on 'Calibrating' TV color
o Horizontal position, size, and linearity adjustment
o Vertical position, size, and linearity adjustment
o Pincushion adjustments
o Geometry adjustment
o Why is the convergence on my set bad near the edges
o CRT purity and convergence problems
o CRT purity adjustment
o CRT convergence adjustment
o Tilted picture
o B/W TV size, position, and geometry adjustments
o Low Voltage Power Supply Problems
o Low voltage power supply fundamentals
o Standby power supplies
o Typical TV power supply front end
o Totally dead set
o Intermittently dead set - bad cordset
o Power button on set is flakey
o TV blows fuse
o Fuse blows or TV blows up when sync is disrupted
o Internal fuse blew during lightning storm (or elephant hit power pole)
o Fuse replaced but TV clicks with power-on but no other action
o Power-on tick-tick-tick or click-click-click but no other action
o No picture or raster and no sound
o Reduced width picture and/or hum bars in picture and/or hum in sound
o Excessive B+ from fixed regulator like STR30123/STR30130/STR30135
 o TV power cycling on and off
o Dead TV with periodic tweet-tweet, flub-flub, or low-low voltage
o Bypassing the Startup Circuit
o Shorted Components
o Startup problems - nothing happens, click, or tick-tick-tick sound
o TV turns off after warming up
o TV doesn't power up immediately
o Old TV requires warmup period
o TV shuts down with bright picture or when brightness is turned up
o Relays in the Power Circuitry of TVs
o What is a posistor?
o Flameproof Resistors
o Width and height change with warmup
o Problems with SCR based regulators
o TV shuts down with dark picture or when changing channels
 Deflection Problems
o Deflection fundamentals
o About the vertical scan rate
o Picture squeezed in then died
o TV non-linearity
o Horizontal deflection shutting down
o TV will not sync
o Horizontal lock lost
o Insufficient width (without hum bars)
o Vertical lock lost
o Vertical squashed
o Part of picture cut off
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o Single Horizontal Line
o Keystone shaped picture
o Loss of Horizontal Sync (also applies to vertical) after Warmup
o Intermittent jumping or jittering of picture or other random behavior
o Horizontal output transistors keep blowing (or excessively hot)
o Horizontal output transistors blowing at random intervals
o Vertical foldover
o Comments on vertical problems
o Jagged or uneven vertical sweep
o Excessive width/pincushioning problems
o Deflection yoke testing
o Deflection yoke repair
o Testing of flyback (LOPT) transformers
 High Voltage Power Supply Problems
o HV power supply fundamentals
o What is a tripler?
o High voltage shutdown due to X-ray protection circuits
o Low or no high voltage
o Excessive high voltage
o Snaps, crackles, and other HV breakdown
o Arcing, sparking, or corona from CRT HV anode (red wire/suction cup)
 o Arcing from flyback or vicinity
o Dave's complete procedure for repair of an arcing flyback
o Arcing at spark gaps and gas discharge tubes on CRT neck board or elsewhere
o Arcing due to bad connections to or disconnected CRT return
o Flashovers inside the CRT
o Ozone smell and/or smoke from TV
o X-ray and other EM emission from my TV or monitor?
o Should I be worried about X-ray exposure while servicing a TV or monitor?
o More on radiation from TVs and monitors
o Flyback shot by 4 year old with water pistol
o Blooming or breathing problems
o Erratic focus or screen (G2) voltage and/or controls on flyback
o Focus/Screen divider bypass surgery
o Decaying or erratic focus or screen (G2) voltages
o Disconnecting flyback wire(s) from CRT driver board
o Focus or screen voltage drifts after warmup only when CRT is connected
 Raster, Color, and Video Problems
o No color - black and white picture
o Saturated color but almost no brightness
o Brightness control has no effect
o One color is too weak or too strong
o Psychodelic color
o No picture/dark picture/erratic picture
o TV and monitor manufacturing quality and cold solder joints
o Why can't TV manufacturers learn to solder properly?
o Intermittent or missing colors
o Some commentary on monitor and TV whacking
o Retrace lines in picture
o White/gray retrace lines
o Red, green, or blue retrace lines
o Bad CRT causing retrace lines
o Red, green, or blue full on - fog over picture
o Shorts in a CRT
o Providing isolation for a CRT H-K short
o Rescuing a shorted CRT
o Picture tube replacement
o High voltage to focus short
o Dark picture
o Brightening an old CRT
o Picture tube brightener
o More drastic measures to brighten CRT
o Left portion of screen is dark or faded
o Color balance changes across screen from left to right
o Bleeding highlights
o Trailing lines in one or more colors
o Brightness changes from left-to-right across screen
o Picture fades in and out
o Occasional brightness flashes
o Excessive brightness and/or washed out picture
 o Bad focus (fuzzy picture)
o Focus drift with warmup
o Bad focus and adjustment changes brightness
o Charlie's comments on focus problems
o Blank picture, good channel tuning and sound
o Purple blob - or worse
o Color rings - bullseye pattern
o Magnet fix for purity problems - if duct tape works, use it!
o Color TV only displays one color
o Disappearing Red (or other color)
o The wandering black blob on old Sony
o Vertical brightness or color bars
 Tuner, AGC, and Sync Problems
o No reception from antenna or cable
o Picture is overloaded, washed out, or noisy
o Jumping picture on white scenes
o Interference when using VCR RF connection
o RF Interference on TV
o Problems with ground loops and video hum bars
o Missing or noisy channel or block of channels
o Loss of Channel after Warmup
o Channel tuning drifts as set warms up
o Noise in picture and sound due to bright scene
o Internal interference - switchmode power supplies and digital circuitry
o Those darn rabbit ears
o Herringbone lines in picture
o EM or RFI hell?
 Audio Problems
o Picture fine, no audio
o Weak or distorted audio
o Buzzing TV
o Chattering yoke
o High pitched whine or squeal from TV with no other symptoms
o Reducing/eliminating yoke noise
o Whining when off?
 Miscellaneous Problems
o General erratic behavior
o Wiring transmitted interference
o Jittering or flickering due to problems with AC power
o TV blows fuses or trips breakers or worse when A/V connections are made
o My TV has the shakes
o TV displays black box with normal picture border
o Advertising overload
o Strange codes appearing on TV screen
o Releasing 'demo' mode
o TV was rained on
o TV was dropped
o Really cleaning a TV inside and out
o Setup menus will not go away or hieroglyphics on screen
 o Setup adjustments lost - TV service codes
o Service menu caution
o Strange number in upper left corner in Magnavox service mode
o TV doesn't work after being in storage
o Older TVs with multiple intermittent problems
o TV has burning smell
o Static discharge noise and picture tube quality
o Revival of dead or tired remote control units
o Problems with the IR remote receiver
o So you lost your original remote (or it fell in the toilet)
o Loudspeakers and TVs
o Should I replace all the electrolytic capacitors if I find a bad one?
o Sweet little old ladies and TVs from attic
o Phantom spot or blob on CRT after set is shut off
o Comments on bright spot at power-off
o Disposing of dead TVs (CRTs and charged HV capacitors)
o Shock and/or spark when connecting cable or other A/V components
o What is the deal with Macrovision copy protection?
o AGC and copy protection
o On-screen clock runs slow or fast
o Cold problems with cold TVs - or - an unhappy Christmas
o F-connector broken off rear of TV or VCR
 Some Model Specific Problems
o Erratic problems with older GE TVs
o Erratic problems on late model GE, RCA, or ProScan TV
o Sylvania/Magnavox/Philips - no startup
o Sony TVs/monitors and Hstat
o More on Hstat
o No video on late model Sony TVs
 Items of Interest
o Various video standards
o An informal history of X-ray protection
o What is this goop around some electrolytic capacitors and other components?
o What does the flyback (LOPT) transformer do?
o Why do flyback (LOPT) transformers fail?
o Brief comments on testing the HOT
o CRT rejuvenation
o Memory chips in TVs
o How does Picture-In-Picture (PIP) work?
o Tony's notes on setting convergence on delta gun CRTs
o Saga and general setup for large CRT TVs
o Liquid coupling fluid for projection TVs
o Origin of burn spot/line on projection set
o Blue focus different for projection sets?
o Comments on color purity, set orientation, and doming
o About instant-on TVs
o About gadgets to use house wiring as TV antenna
o Can I add an S-Video input to my TV or VCR?
 o How do I add A/V inputs or outputs to a TV which does not have them built
in?
o Can I add direct RGB inputs to a TV?
o Adding variable volume headphones to a TV
o Building a Frankenstein TV
o Turning a TV (or monitor) into an oscilloscope?
o Displaying a video signal as a picture on an oscilloscope
o Use of surge suppressors and line filters
o Comments on lightning damage
o GFCI tripping with TV, monitor, or other high tech equipment
o Multisystem TVs
o Playing NTSC videotape on a PAL TV
o Buying a TV in Europe
o Could a TV be modified for 3D (stereo) display?
o Displaying TV on a computer monitor
o Displaying computer video on a TV
o How can I couple 4 TV screens to make them act like only one?
o What is Scan Velocity Modulation?
o About Automatic Black Level Stabilization and possible problems
o What is Kell factor with respect to interlaced displays?
o Homemade V-chip (or at least viewing limiter)
o What is Aquadag?
o Combined computer monitor and TV
o Interesting TV Switch Mode Power Supply
o The horizontal output transistor substitution jig trick
o Ken's comments on (TV) SMPS repair
o IR detector circuit
o UK Satellite TV information
 International Color Television Standards
o Brief description of international color TV standards
o Some questions and answers about TV standards
o Politically Correct TV Standards
o Variations on a 'standard' - the PAL system
o What about PAL sets WITH a tint/hue control?
o TV, shortwave, power worldwide
o Color television standards worldwide
o Cable channel allocation
o Notes on cable and broadcast frequencies
o How did the (vertical) frame rate get chosen
o Why is the NTSC color subcarrier such a weird frequency?
o What is the maximal allowed deviation of the horizontal frequency?
o Informal comparison of TV standards
o PAL-plus
o More information about watching NTSC video on PAL systems
 Service Information
o Advanced TV troubleshooting
o Service manuals for really old TVs
o How to locate service info when all the little stickers have fallen off
o Techical assistance help numbers
 o Web resources
o Parts information
o Suggested references
o FCC ID Numbers of TVs
o Interchangeability of components
o Horizontal output transistor pinouts
o How do you locate the HOT
o Replacement power transistors while testing
o Testing of replacement HOTs
o Removing and replacing the deflection yoke
o Swapping of deflection yokes
o Swapping of CRTs
o Decayed glue in electronic equipment
o Repair parts sources

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Preface
Author and Copyright

Author: Samuel M. Goldwasser

For contact info, please see the Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Email Links Page.

Copyright © 1994-2004
All Rights Reserved

Reproduction of this document in whole or in part is permitted if both of the following

conditions are satisfied:

1. This notice is included in its entirety at the beginning.

2. There is no charge except to cover the costs of copying.

DISCLAIMER

Working inside a CRT-based television set, or computer or video monitor can be lethal from
line-connected and high voltage power supplies as well as CRT implosion. Read and follow
ALL of the safety guidelines found in Safety Guidelines for High Voltage and/or Line
Powered Equipment and the section: SAFETY, below. If in doubt about your abilities or
experience, leave repair and internal adjustments to a professional.

We will not be responsible for damage to equipment, your ego, county wide power outages,
spontaneously generated mini (or larger) black holes, planetary disruptions, or personal injury
or worse that may result from the use of this material.
 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Introduction
Television at the crossroads

Television in substantially its present form has been with us for nearly 50 years. It is a tribute
to the National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) that the color television standards
agreed upon in the early 1950s have performed remarkably well making quite efficient use of
valuable radio spectrum space and the psychovisual characteristics of the human eye-brain
system. However, HDTV (High Definition TV) will supplant and ultimately replace the
current standards. We will all come to expect its superior resolution, freedom from noise and
ghosting, and pure CD sound. Yet, the perceived quality of TV broadcasts and cable will
never likely be the major issue with most consumers. Content will continue to be the biggest
problem.

It is likely that in roughly 15 years, HDTV - digitally processed and transmitted as 1s and 0s -
will completely replace the current system. Acceptance in the marketplace is by no means
assured but with the merging of TV and computers - with the Internet as a driving force - it
would seem that the days of the stand-alone analog TV set are numbered.

Television receiver fundamentals

The basic color television receiver must perform the same functions today as 40 years ago.
(Since B/W is a subset of the color standard, most references in this document will be for
color except as noted). A studio video monitor includes all of the functions of a television
receiver except the tuner and IF (which rarely fail except for bad connections or perhaps
lightning strikes to the antenna or cable connection). Therefore most of the repair information
in this document is applicable to both TVs and studio monitors. Modern computer monitors
share many similarities with TVs but the multisync and high scan rate deflection circuitry and
more sophisticated power supplies complicates their servicing.

As of this writing, the majority of TVs are still based on the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) as the
display device. Tiny pocket sets, camcorder viewfinders, and the like have started using LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) panels but these are still inferior to the CRT for real time video.
There has always been talk of 'the picture on the wall' display and these are now appearing as
large screen plasma panel displys but their cost is still high compared to even projection TVs
using CRTs. The reason is simple economics - it is really hard to beat the simplicity of the
shadow mask CRT. Of course, prices will drop as the technology matures.

Projection - large screen - TVs, on the other hand, are able to take advantage of a novel
development in integrated micromachining - the Texas Instruments Inc. Digital Micromirror
Device (DMD), now called DLP for "Digital Light Processing". This is basically an
integrated circuit with a tiltable micromirror for each pixel fabricated on top of a static
memory - RAM - cell. This technology would permit nearly any size projection display to be
produced and would therefore be applicable to HDTV. Since it is a reflective device, the light
source can be as bright as needed. This technology is already appearing in commercial high
performance projectors and is competing for use in totally digital movie theaters to replace
the film projector and has begun appearing in high-end consumer projection TV sets - yet.

(From: Kurk MacKay (kurk_mackay@telus.net).)

"DMD TVs have been on the marketplace for about a year now. The DMD is more
commonly referred to as DLP (Digital Light Processing) in the marketplace. From what I've
heard Samsung has had a DLP TV on the consumer marketplace as of last year in the US and
this year here in Canada. My boss was looking at buying one so we went around to view
them. The picture quality looks to be between the LCD projection and Plasma. I believe the
current Samsung uses a color wheel but they are working on a three color independent
system.

For more info or if you want to buy one, see DLP TV Showcase."

As noted, the plasma panel flat screen display has been around for several years in high-end
TVs, typically in the 42 inch diagonal range. However, they are very expensive ($5,000 to
$15,000 as of Winter, 2003), and their life expectancy may be limited due to the gradual
degradation of the active pixel cells - which occurs faster than for a CRT. The physical
resolution is also still low enough that visible discrete pixels may be objectionable to some
viewers. However, there is little doubt that this or a similar technology will eventually replace
the direct view CRT and 3-tube projection TVs in the mid to large screen sizes in the not too
distant future.

The remainder of this document concentrates on CRT based analog TVs since these still
dominate the market and realistically, these are the only type where there is a good chance of
repair without access to specialized test equipment and parts. I wouldn't recommend any sort
of attempt at repair of flat screen TVs or monitors - no matter what the size - beyond
checking for bad connections, dead power supplies, or other obvious problems. The chance of
success is vanishingly small and it's very likely that even with great care, damage could occur
to the panels or circuitry.

TV repair

Unlike VCRs or CD players where any disasters are likely to only affect your pocketbook,
TVs can be dangerous. Read, understand, and follow the set of safety guidelines provided
later in this section whenever working on TVs, monitors, or other similar high voltage
equipment.

If you do go inside, beware: line voltage (on large caps) and high voltage (on CRT) for long
after the plug is pulled. There is the added danger of CRT implosion for carelessly dropped
tools and often sharp sheet metal shields which can injure if you should have a reflex reaction
upon touching something you should not touch. In inside of a TV or monitor is no place for
the careless or naive.

Having said that, a basic knowledge of how a TV set works and what can go wrong can be of
great value even if you do not attempt the repair yourself. It will enable you to intelligently
deal with the service technician. You will be more likely to be able to recognize if you are
being taken for a ride by a dishonest or just plain incompetent repair center. For example, a
faulty picture tube CANNOT be the cause of a color television only displaying shows in
black-and-white. The majority of consumers probably do not know even this simple fact.
Such a problem is usually due to a bad capacitor or other 10 cent part.

This document will provide you with the knowledge to deal with a large percentage of the
problems you are likely to encounter with your TVs. It will enable you to diagnose problems
and in many cases, correct them as well. With minor exceptions, specific manufacturers and
models will not be covered as there are so many variations that such a treatment would
require a huge and very detailed text. Rather, the most common problems will be addressed
and enough basic principles of operation will be provided to enable you to narrow the
problem down and likely determine a course of action for repair. In many cases, you will be
able to do what is required for a fraction of the cost that would be charged by a repair center.

Should you still not be able to find a solution, you will have learned a great deal and be able
to ask appropriate questions and supply relevant information if you decide to post to
sci.electronics.repair. It will also be easier to do further research using a repair text such as
the ones listed at the end of this document. In any case, you will have the satisfaction of
knowing you did as much as you could before taking it in for professional repair. With your
new-found knowledge, you will have the upper hand and will not easily be snowed by a
dishonest or incompetent technician.

Repair or replace

If you need to send or take the TV to a service center, the repair could easily exceed half the
cost of a new TV. Service centers may charge up to $50 or more for providing an initial
estimate of repair costs but this will usually be credited toward the total cost of the repair (of
course, they may just jack this up to compensate for their bench time).

TV prices have been dropping almost as fast as PC prices. Therefore, paying such prices for
repair just may not make sense. Except for picture tube problems, most TV faults can be
corrected without expensive parts, however. Keeping a 5 year old TV alive may be well
worthwhile as basic TV performance and important features have not changed in a long time.

If you can do the repairs yourself, the equation changes dramatically as your parts costs will
be 1/2 to 1/4 of what a professional will charge and of course your time is free. The
educational aspects may also be appealing. You will learn a lot in the process. Thus, it may
make sense to repair that old clunker for your game room or beach house. (I would suggest
the kid's room but most TV watching just rots the brain anyhow so a broken TV may be more
worthwhile educationally than one that works.)

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

TV Receivers 101
Subsystems of a television set

A TV set includes the following functional blocks:

 1. Low voltage power supply (some may also be part of (2).) Most of the lower voltages
used in the TV may be derived from the horizontal deflection circuits. Sometimes,
there is a separate switching power supply but this would be the exception.
Rectifier/filter capacitor/regulator from AC line provides the B+ to the switching
power supply or horizontal deflection system. Degauss operates off of the line
whenever power is turned on (after having been off for a few minutes) to demagnetize
the CRT.
2. Horizontal deflection. These circuits provide the waveforms needed to sweep the
electron beam in the CRT across and back some 15,734 times per second (for NTSC).
The horizontal sync pulse from the sync separator locks the horizontal deflection to
the video signal.
3. Vertical deflection. These circuits provide the waveforms needed to sweep the
electron beam in the CRT from top to bottom and back 60 times per second (for
NTSC). The vertical sync pulse from the sync separator locks the vertical deflection
to the video signal.
4. CRT high voltage (also part of (2).) A modern color CRT requires up to 30 kV for a
crisp bright picture. Rather than having a totally separate power supply, nearly every
TV on the planet derives the HV (as well as many other voltages) from the horizontal
deflection using a special transformer called a 'flyback' or 'Line OutPut Transformer
(LOPT) for those of you on the other side of the lake.
5. Tuner, IF, AGC, video and audio demodulators. Input is the antenna or cable signal
and output are baseband video and audio signals. There is usually someplace inside
the TV where line level video and audio are present but it may not be accessible from
the outside of the cabinet unless you paid for the more expensive model with the A/V
option. Very often, the tuner is a shielded metal box positioned on the bottom right (as
viewed from the front) separate from the main circuit board. Sometimes it is on the
main circuit board. The IF section may be in either place.

On older or cheap TVs with a knob tuner, this is usually mounted to the front panel by
itself. There are usually separate boxes for the VHF and UHF tuners.

6. Chroma demodulator. Input is the baseband video signal. Outputs are the individual
signals for the red, green, and blue video to the CRT.
7. Video drivers (RGB). These are almost always located on a little circuit board
plugged directly onto the neck of the CRT. They boost the output of the chroma
demodulator to the hundred volts or so needed to drive the cathodes of the CRT.
8. Sync separator. Input is baseband video. Output is horizontal and vertical sync pulses
to control the deflection circuits.
9. Audio amplifier/output. The line level audio is amplified to drive a set of speakers. If
this is a stereo TV, then these circuits must also perform the stereo demultiplexing.
10. System control. Most modern TVs actually use a microcontroller - a fixed program
microcomputer to perform all user interface and control functions from the front panel
and remote control. These are becoming increasingly sophisticated. However, they do
not fail often. Older TVs use a bunch of knobs and switches and these are prone to
wear and dirt.

Most problems occur in the horizontal deflection and power supply sections. These run at
relatively high power levels and some components run hot. The high voltage section is prone
to breakdown and arcing as a result of hairline cracks, humidity, dirt, etc.
The tuner components are usually quite reliable unless the antenna experiences a lightning
strike. However, it seems that even after 20+ years of solid state TVs, manufacturers still
cannot reliably solder the tuner connectors and shields so that bad solder connections in these
areas are common even in new sets.

Why projection TVs are not just normal TVs in big boxes

In order to achieve the necessary brightness with a large display format, three separate
monochrome CRTs are used with optics to combine the three images properly at the screen.
This creates an entire set of additional problems in design.

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

The average projection TV has about twice as many parts as its direct-view counterpart.
Some of the extra parts are essential for projection because CRT projection tubes require
dynamic convergence. The other extra parts have to do with the fact that a more expensive
TV also should have some extra features, like Dolby ProLogic sound, a satellite tuner and
such.

Generally, the electronics are based on a standard chassis that is also used for direct-view
CRT television. Even the deflection circuits require minor adaptations at most. The high-
voltage circuit is different because the EHT, focus and G2 voltages must be distributed over 3
CRTs. So this requires a special high-voltage part, which also includes an EHT capacitor and
bleeder.

There will be 3 CRT panels with video amplifiers. Because of the extremely high brightness,
projection tubes will burn the phosphor screen immediately in fault conditions so a protection
circuit is essential.

And last but certainly not least, there is the dynamic convergence panel. The heart is a
waveform generator IC, often of a Japanese brand but nowadays there's also a digital variant
by Philips. The old-fashioned way requires many many potentiometers to program the
waveforms. Then there's 5 or 6 convergence amplifiers and a corresponding extra power
supply. And usually this is where the single deflection circuits are distributed to the 3 CRTs.
At the same time the deflection currents are sensed for the protection circuits.

Designing a PTV from a DVTV requires several man-years of work. In the factory, a special
corner is devoted to the assembly. There you'll find specially educated people and the speed
of the assembly line is a lot lower than usual. It requires many more adjustments, e.g. 3
optical and 3 electrical focus adjustments and then convergence.

For more information on TV technology

The books listed in the section: Suggested references include additional information on the
theory and implementation of the technology of television standards and TV receivers.

Philips/Magnavox used to have a very nice on-line introduction to a variety of consumer

electronics technologies. Although their site has disappeared - and even people who work for
them have no clue - I have now recovered several of the articles including those on TVs,
VCRs, camcorders, satellite reception, and connections. See the Introductory Consumer
Electronics Technology Series.

Also see:

 NTSC Television Tutorials by Williamson Labs has many diagrams with a bit of text
on their site. It looks like they are really trying to sell stuff including a CDROM but
the graphics are worth checking out.

On-line tech-tips databases

A number of organizations have compiled databases covering thousands of common

problems with VCRs, TVs, computer monitors, and other electronic equipment. Most charge
for their information but a few, accessible via the Internet, are either free or have a very
minimal monthly or per-case fee. In other cases, a limited but still useful subset of the for-fee
database is freely available.

A tech-tips database is a collection of problems and solutions accumulated by the

organization providing the information or other sources based on actual repair experiences
and case histories. Since the identical failures often occur at some point in a large percentage
of a given model or product line, checking out a tech-tips database may quickly identify your
problem and solution.

In that case, you can greatly simplify your troubleshooting or at least confirm a diagnosis
before ordering parts. My only reservation with respect to tech-tips databases in general - this
has nothing to do with any one in particular - is that symptoms can sometimes be deceiving
and a solution that works in one instance may not apply to your specific problem. Therefore,
an understanding of the hows and whys of the equipment along with some good old
fashioned testing is highly desirable to minimize the risk of replacing parts that turn out not to
be bad.

The other disadvantage - at least from one point of view - is that you do not learn much by
just following a procedure developed by others. There is no explanation of how the original
diagnosis was determined or what may have caused the failure in the first place. Nor is there
likely to be any list of other components that may have been affected by overstress and may
fail in the future. Replacing Q701 and C725 may get your equipment going again but this will
not help you to repair a different model in the future.

Please see the document: On-Line Tech-Tips Databases for the most up to date compilation
of these resources for TVs, VCRs, computer monitors, and other consumer electronic
equipment.

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

CRT Basics
Note: Most of the information on TV and monitor CRT construction, operation, interference
and other problems. has been moved to the document: TV and Monitor CRT (Picture Tube)
Information. The following is just a brief introduction with instructions on degaussing.

Color CRTs - shadow masks and aperture grills

All color CRTs utilize a shadow mask or aperture grill a fraction of an inch (1/2" typical)
behind the phosphor screen to direct the electron beams for the red, green, and blue video
signals to the proper phosphor dots. Since the electron beams for the R, G, and B phosphors
originate from slightly different positions (individual electron guns for each) and thus arrive
at slightly different angles, only the proper phosphors are excited when the purity is properly
adjusted and the necessary magnetic field free region is maintained inside the CRT. Note that
purity determines that the correct video signal excites the proper color while convergence
determines the geometric alignment of the 3 colors. Both are affected by magnetic fields. Bad
purity results in mottled or incorrect colors. Bad convergence results in color fringing at
edges of characters or graphics.

The shadow mask consists of a thin steel or InVar (a ferrous alloy) with a fine array of holes -
one for each trio of phosphor dots - positioned about 1/2 inch behind the surface of the
phosphor screen. With most CRTs, the phosphors are arranged in triangular formations called
triads with each of the color dots at the apex of the triangle. With many TVs and some
monitors, they are arranged as vertical slots with the phosphors for the 3 colors next to one
another.

An aperture grille, used exclusively in Sony Trinitrons (and now their clones as well),
replaces the shadow mask with an array of finely tensioned vertical wires. Along with other
characteristics of the aperture grille approach, this permits a somewhat higher possible
brightness to be achieved and is more immune to other problems like line induced moire and
purity changes due to local heating causing distortion of the shadow mask.

However, there are some disadvantages of the aperture grille design:

 weight - a heavy support structure must be provided for the tensioned wires (like a
piano frame).
 price (proportional to weight).
 always a cylindrical screen (this may be considered an advantage depending on your
preference.
 visible stabilizing wires which may be objectionable or unacceptable for certain
applications.

Apparently, there is no known way around the need to keep the fine wires from vibrating or
changing position due to mechanical shock in high resolution tubes and thus all Trinitron
monitors require 1, 2, or 3 stabilizing wires (depending on tube size) across the screen which
can be see as very fine lines on bright images. Some people find these wires to be
objectionable and for some critical applications, they may be unacceptable (e.g., medical
diagnosis).

Degaussing (demagnetizing) a CRT

Degaussing may be required if there are color purity problems with the display. On rare
occasions, there may be geometric distortion caused by magnetic fields as well without color
problems. The CRT can get magnetized:

 if the TV or monitor is moved or even just rotated.

 if there has been a lightning strike nearby. A friend of mine had a lightning strike near
his house which produced all of the effects of the EMP from a nuclear bomb.
 If a permanent magnet was brought near the screen (e.g., kid's magnet or megawatt
stereo speakers).
 If some piece of electrical or electronic equipment with unshielded magnetic fields is
in the vicinity of the TV or monitor.

Degaussing should be the first thing attempted whenever color purity problems are detected.
As noted below, first try the internal degauss circuits of the TV or monitor by power cycling
a few times (on for a minute, off for at least 20 minutes, on for a minute, etc.) If this does not
help or does not completely cure the problem, then you can try manually degaussing.

Note: Some monitors have a degauss button, and monitors and TVs that are microprocessor
controlled may degauss automatically upon power-on (but may require pulling the plug to do
a hard reset) regardless of the amount of off time. However, repeated use of these 'features' in
rapid succession may result in overheating of the degauss coil or other components. The 20
minutes off/1 minute on precedure is guaranteed to be safe. (Some others may degauss upon
power-on as long as the previous degauss was not done within some predetermined amount
of time - they keep track with an internal timer.)

Commercial CRT Degaussers are available from parts distributors like MCM Electronics and
consist of a hundred or so turns of magnet wire in a 6-12 inch coil. They include a line cord
and momentary switch. You flip on the switch, and bring the coil to within several inches of
the screen face. Then you slowly draw the center of the coil toward one edge of the screen
and trace the perimeter of the screen face. Then return to the original position of the coil
being flat against the center of the screen. Next, slowly decrease the field to zero by backing
straight up across the room as you hold the coil. When you are farther than 5 feet away you
can release the line switch.

The key word here is ** slow **. Go too fast and you will freeze the instantaneous intensity
of the 50/60 Hz AC magnetic field variation into the ferrous components of the CRT and may
make the problem worse.

WARNING: Don't attempt to degauss inside or in the back of the set (near the CRT neck.
This can demagnetize the relatively weak purity and convergence magnets which may turn a
simple repair into a feature length extravaganza!

It looks really cool to do this while the CRT is powered. The kids will love the color effects
(but then lock your degaussing coil safely away so they don't try it on every TV and monitor
in the house!).

Bulk tape erasers, tape head degaussers, open frame transformers, and the "butt-end" of a
weller soldering gun can be used as CRT demagnetizers but it just takes a little longer. (Be
careful not to scratch the screen face with anything sharp. For the Weller, the tip needs to be
in place to get enough magnetic field.) It is imperative to have the CRT running when using
these whimpier approaches, so that you can see where there are still impurities. Never release
the power switch until you're 4 or 5 feet away from the screen or you'll have to start over.

I've never known of anything being damaged by excess manual degaussing as long as you
don't attempt to degauss *inside* or the back of the set - it is possible to demagnetize
geometry correction, purity, and static converence magnets in the process! However, I would
recommend keeping really powerful bulk tape erasers-turned-degaussers a couple of inches
from the CRT.

Another alternative which has been known to work is to place another similar size monitor
face-to-face with the suspect monitor (take care not to bump or scratch the screens!) and
activate degauss function on the working monitor. While not ideal, this may be enough to
also degauss the broken one.

If an AC degaussing coil or substitute is unavailable, I have even done degaussed with a

permanent magnet but this is not recommended since it is more likely to make the problem
worse than better. However, if the display is unusable as is, then using a small magnet can do
no harm. (Don't use a 20 pound speaker or magnetron magnet as you may rip the shadow
mask right out of the CRT - well at least distort it beyond repair. What I have in mind is
something about as powerful as a refrigerator magnet.)

Keep degaussing fields away from magnetic media. It is a good idea to avoid degaussing in a
room with floppies or back-up tapes. When removing media from a room remember to check
desk drawers and manuals for stray floppies, too.

It is unlikely that you could actually affect magnetic media but better safe than sorry. Of the
devices mentioned above, only a bulk eraser or strong permanent magnet are likely to have
any effect - and then only when at extremely close range (direct contact with media
container).

All color CRTs include a built-in degaussing coil wrapped around the perimeter of the CRT
face. These are activated each time the CRT is powered up cold by a 3 terminal thermister
device or other control circuitry. This is why it is often suggested that color purity problems
may go away "in a few days". It isn't a matter of time; it's the number of cold power ups that
causes it. It takes about 15 minutes of the power being off for each cool down cycle. These
built-in coils with thermal control are never as effective as external coils.

Note that while the monochrome CRTs used in B/W and projection TVs and mono monitors
don't have anything inside to get magnetized, the chassis or other cabinet parts of the
equipment may still need degaussing. While this isn't likely from normal use or even after
being moved or reoriented, a powerful magnet (like that from a large speaker) could leave
iron, steel, or other ferrous parts with enough residual magnetism to cause a noticeable
problem.

See the document: TV and Monitor CRT (Picture Tube) Information for some additional
discussion of degaussing tools, techniques, treatments for severe magnetization from
lightning strikes, and cautions.
 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

TV Placement And Preventive Maintenance

General TV placement considerations

Proper care of a TV does not require much. Following the recommendations below will
assure long life and minimize repairs:

 Subdued lighting is preferred for best viewing conditions but I will not attempt to tell
you how to arrange your room!
 Locate the TV away from extremes of hot and cold. Avoid damp or dusty locations if
possible. (Right you say, keep dreaming!)
 Allow adequate ventilation - TVs use more power than any of your other A/V
components. Heat buildup takes its toll on electronic components. Leave at least 3
inches on top and sides for air circulation if the entertainment center does not have a
wide open back panel. Do not pile other components like VCRs on top of the TV if
possible (seebelow).
 Do not put anything on top of the TV that might block the ventilation grill in the rear
or top of the cover. This is the major avenue for the convection needed to cool
internal components.
 If possible, locate the VCR away from the TV. Some VCRs are particularly sensitive
to interference from the TV's circuitry and while this won't usually damage anything,
it may make for less than optimal performance due to RF interference. The reverse is
sometimes true as well.

In addition, modern VCRs are NOT built like the Brooklyn Bridge! The weight of a
TV or stereo components could affect the VCR mechanically, messing up tape path
alignment or worse.

 If possible, locate your computer monitor away from the TV. Interaction of the
electromagnetic fields of the deflection systems may result in one or both displays
jiggling, wiggling, or vibrating.
 Locate loudspeakers and other sources of magnetic fields at least a couple of feet from
the TV. This will minimize the possibility of color purity or geometry problems.
 Make sure all input-output video and audio connections are tight and secure to
minimize intermittent or noisy pictures and sound. Use proper high quality cable only
long enough to make connections conveniently.
 Finally, store video cassettes well away from all electronic equipment including and
especially loudspeakers. Heat and magnetic fields will rapidly turn your priceless
video collection into so much trash. The operation of the TV depends on magnetic
fields for beam deflection. Enough said.

Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance for a TV is pretty simple - just keep the case clean and free of
obstructions. Clean the screen with a soft cloth just dampened with water and at most, mild
detergent. DO NOT use anything so wet that liquid may seep inside of the set around the
edge of the picture tube - you could end up with a very expensive repair bill when the liquid
shorts out the main circuit board lurking just below. If the set has a protective flat glass
faceplate, there is usually an easy way (on newer sets with this type of protection) of
removing it to get at the inner face of the CRT. Clean both the CRT and the protective glass
with a soft damp cloth and dry thoroughly. If you have not cleaned the screen for quite a
while, you will be amazed at the amount of black grime that collects due to the static buildup
from the high voltage CRT supply.

In really dusty situations, periodically vacuuming inside the case and the use of contact
cleaner for the controls might be a good idea but realistically, you will not do this so don't
worry about it.

Warning about using a TV as a computer or video game display

"I remember a while back (about 10 years) most home computers used to hook up to
televisions. I seem to remember them having some effect on the TV though. I think they
made the TV go blurry after a while. I was just wondering what these computers used to do to
the televisions to mess them up like that. I thought a TV signal was a TV signal."
The problem was screen burn. Since computers of that era were mostly text and video games
tended to use fixed patterns for scenery, patterns tended to be burned into the phosphor such
that they were noticeably darker and less sensitive in those areas. This was exacerbated by the
tendency to run those devices at very high brightness levels.

Modern computers and video games should not be nearly as much of a risk since the displays
are so much more varied and dynamic. Nevertheless, setting the brightness at a moderate
level would be prudent.

However, projection sets with their much higher intensity CRTs may still be susceptible to
screen burn and the manufacturer will likely NOT cover the cost of repairs. There is probably
a disclaimer to this effect in the warranty.

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

TV Troubleshooting
SAFETY

TVs and computer or video monitors are among the more dangerous of consumer electronic
equipment when it comes to servicing. (Microwave ovens are probably the most hazardous
due to high voltage at high power.)

There are two areas which have particularly nasty electrical dangers: the non-isolated line
power supply and the CRT high voltage.

Major parts of nearly all modern TVs and many computer monitors are directly connected to
the AC line - there is no power transformer to provide the essential barrier for safety and to
minimize the risk of equipment damage. In the majority of designs, the live parts of the TV or
monitor are limited to the AC input and line filter, degauss circuit, bridge rectifier and main
filter capacitor(s), low voltage (B+) regulator (if any), horizontal output transistor and
primary side of the flyback (LOPT) transformer, and parts of the startup circuit and standby
power supply. The flyback generates most of the other voltages used in the unit and provides
an isolation barrier so that the signal circuits are not line connected and safer.

Since a bridge rectifier is generally used in the power supply, both directions of the polarized
plug result in dangerous conditions and an isolation transformer really should be used - to
protect you, your test equipment, and the TV, from serious damage. Some TVs do not have
any isolation barrier whatsoever - the entire chassis is live. These are particularly nasty.

The high voltage to the CRT, while 200 times greater than the line input, is not nearly as
dangerous for several reasons. First, it is present in a very limited area of the TV or monitor -
from the output of the flyback to the CRT anode via the fat HV wire and suction cup
connector. If you don't need to remove the mainboard or replace the flyback or CRT, then
leave it alone and it should not bite. Furthermore, while the shock from the HV can be quite
painful due to the capacitance of the CRT envelope, it is not nearly as likely to be lethal since
the current available from the line connected power supply is much greater.

Safety guidelines

These guidelines are to protect you from potentially deadly electrical shock hazards as well as
the equipment from accidental damage.

Note that the danger to you is not only in your body providing a conducting path, particularly
through your heart. Any involuntary muscle contractions caused by a shock, while perhaps
harmless in themselves, may cause collateral damage - there are many sharp edges inside this
type of equipment as well as other electrically live parts you may contact accidentally.

The purpose of this set of guidelines is not to frighten you but rather to make you aware of
the appropriate precautions. Repair of TVs, monitors, microwave ovens, and other consumer
and industrial equipment can be both rewarding and economical. Just be sure that it is also
safe!

 Don't work alone - in the event of an emergency another person's presence may be
essential.
 Always keep one hand in your pocket when anywhere around a powered line-
connected or high voltage system.
 Wear rubber bottom shoes or sneakers.
 Don't wear any jewelry or other articles that could accidentally contact circuitry and
conduct current, or get caught in moving parts.
 Set up your work area away from possible grounds that you may accidentally contact.
 Know your equipment: TVs and monitors may use parts of the metal chassis as
ground return yet the chassis may be electrically live with respect to the earth ground
of the AC line. Microwave ovens use the chassis as ground return for the high
voltage. In addition, do not assume that the chassis is a suitable ground for your test
equipment!
 If circuit boards need to be removed from their mountings, put insulating material
between the boards and anything they may short to. Hold them in place with string or
electrical tape. Prop them up with insulation sticks - plastic or wood.
  If you need to probe, solder, or otherwise touch circuits with power off, discharge
(across) large power supply filter capacitors with a 2 W or greater resistor of 100 to
500 ohms/V approximate value (e.g., for a 200 V capacitor, use a 20K to 100K ohm
resistor). Monitor while discharging and verify that there is no residual charge with a
suitable voltmeter. In a TV or monitor, if you are removing the high voltage
connection to the CRT (to replace the flyback transformer for example) first discharge
the CRT contact (under the suction cup at the end of the fat HV wire). Use a 1M to
10M ohm 5 W or greater wattage (for its voltage holdoff capability, not power
dissipation) resistor on the end of an insulating stick or the probe of a high voltage
meter. Discharge to the metal frame which is connected to the outside of the CRT.
 For TVs and monitors in particular, there is the additional danger of CRT implosion -
take care not to bang the CRT envelope with your tools. An implosion will scatter
shards of glass at high velocity in every direction. There are several tons of force
attempting to crush the typical CRT. While implosion is not really likely even with
modest abuse, why take chances? However, the CRT neck is relatively thin and
fragile and breaking it would be very embarrassing and costly. Always wear eye
protection when working around the back side of a CRT.
 Connect/disconnect any test leads with the equipment unpowered and unplugged. Use
clip leads or solder temporary wires to reach cramped locations or difficult to access
locations.
 If you must probe live, put electrical tape over all but the last 1/16" of the test probes
to avoid the possibility of an accidental short which could cause damage to various
components. Clip the reference end of the meter or scope to the appropriate ground
return so that you need to only probe with one hand.
 Perform as many tests as possible with power off and the equipment unplugged. For
example, the semiconductors in the power supply section of a TV or monitor can be
tested for short circuits with an ohmmeter.
 Use an isolation transformer if there is any chance of contacting line connected
circuits. A Variac(tm) is not an isolation transformer! The use of a GFCI (Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected outlet is a good idea but will not protect you from
shock from many points in a line connected TV or monitor, or the high voltage side of
a microwave oven, for example. (Note however, that, a GFCI may nuisanse trip at
power-on or at other random times due to leakage paths (like your scope probe
ground) or the highly capacitive or inductive input characteristics of line powered
equipment.) A fuse or circuit breaker is too slow and insensitive to provide any
protection for you or in many cases, your equipment. However, these devices may
save your scope probe ground wire should you accidentally connect it to a live
chassis.
 Don't attempt repair work when you are tired. Not only will you be more careless, but
your primary diagnostic tool - deductive reasoning - will not be operating at full
capacity.
 Finally, never assume anything without checking it out for yourself! Don't take
shortcuts!

Warning about disconnecting CRT neck board

Some manufacturers warn against powering a TV or monitor CRT without the CRT neck
board connected. Apparently, without something - anything - to drain the charge resulting
from the current flow due to residual gas ions inside the CRT, the shortest path may be
through the glass neck of the tube to the yoke or from the pins outside the CRT to whatever is
nearby. There aren't many ions in a modern CRT but I suppose a few here, a few there, and
eventually they add up to enough to cause a major disaster at least on some CRTs.

This is probably not a problem on small CRTs but for large ones with high high voltages and
high deflection angles where the glass of the neck is very thin to allow for maximum
deflection sensitivity, the potential does exist for arcing through the glass to the yoke to
occur, destroying the CRT.

There is really no way to know which models will self destruct but it should be possible to
avoid such a disaster by providing a temporary return path to the DAG ground of the CRT
(NOT SIGNAL GROUND!!) via the focus or G2 pins preferably through a high value high
voltage rated resistor just in case one of these is shorted.

This probably applies mostly to large direct-view TVs since they use high deflection angle
CRTs but it won't hurt to take appropriate precautions with video and computer monitors as
well.

Troubleshooting tips

Many problems have simple solutions. Don't immediately assume that your problem is some
combination of esoteric complex convoluted failures. For a TV, it may just be a bad
connection or blown fuse. Remember that the problems with the most catastrophic impact on
operation like a dead TV usually have the simplest solutions. The kind of problems we would
like to avoid at all costs are the ones that are intermittent or difficult to reproduce: the
occasional interference or a TV that refuses to play 'StarTrek Voyager'.

If you get stuck, sleep on it. Sometimes, just letting the problem bounce around in your head
will lead to a different more successful approach or solution. Don't work when you are really
tired - it is both dangerous (especially with respect to TVs) and mostly non-productive (or
possibly destructive).

Whenever working on precision equipment, make copious notes and diagrams. You will be
eternally grateful when the time comes to reassemble the unit. Most connectors are keyed
against incorrect insertion or interchange of cables, but not always. Apparently identical
screws may be of differing lengths or have slightly different thread types. Little parts may fit
in more than one place or orientation. Etc. Etc.

Pill bottles, film canisters, and plastic ice cube trays come in handy for sorting and storing
screws and other small parts after disassembly. This is particularly true if you have repairs on
multiple pieces of equipment under way simultaneously.

Select a work area which is wide open, well lighted, and where dropped parts can be located -
not on a deep pile shag rug. The best location will also be relatively dust free and allow you
to suspend your troubleshooting to eat or sleep or think without having to pile everything into
a cardboard box for storage.

Another consideration is ESD - Electro-Static Discharge. Some components (like ICs) in a

TV are vulnerable to ESD. There is no need to go overboard but taking reasonable
precautions such as getting into the habit of touching a **safe** ground point first.
WARNING: even with an isolation transformer, a live chassis should **not** be considered
a safe ground point. When the set is unplugged, the tuner shield or other signal ground points
should be safe and effective.

A basic set of precision hand tools will be all you need to disassemble a TV and perform
most adjustments. These do not need to be really expensive but poor quality tools are worse
than useless and can cause damage. Needed tools include a selection of Philips and straight
blade screwdrivers, socket drivers, needlenose pliers, wire cutters, tweezers, and dental picks.
For adjustments, a miniature (1/16" blade) screwdriver with a non-metallic tip is desirable
both to prevent the presence of metal from altering the electrical properties of the circuit and
to minimize the possibility of shorting something from accidental contact with the circuitry.
A set of plastic alignment tools will be useful for making adjustments to coils and RF
transformers.

A low power (e.g., 25 W) fine tip soldering iron and fine rosin core solder will be needed if
you should need to disconnect any soldered wires (on purpose or by accident) or replace
soldered components. A higher power iron or small soldering gun will be needed for dealing
with larger components.

CAUTION: You can easily turn a simple repair (e.g., bad solder connections) into an
expensive mess if you use inappropriate soldering equipment and/or lack the soldering skills
to go along with it. If in doubt, find someone else to do the soldering or at least practice,
practice, practice, soldering and desoldering on a junk circuit board first! See the document:
Troubleshooting and Repair of Consumer Electronic Equipment for additional info on
soldering and rework techniques.

For thermal or warmup problems, a can of 'cold spray' or 'circuit chiller' (they are the same)
and a heat gun or blow dryer come in handy to identify components whose characteristics
may be drifting with temperature. Using the extension tube of the spray can or making a
cardboard nozzle for the heat gun can provide very precise control of which components you
are affecting.

For info on useful chemicals, adhesives, and lubricants, see "Repair Briefs, an Introduction"
as well as other documents available at this site.

Program to aid in diagnosing TV set problems

I haven't actually tried this so no warranties. :)

(From: Joe Janecka a0010631@airmail.net).)

I cranked out a little program for diagnosing TV problems and posted it at:

 TV Diagnostics Page.

It's not the complete answer, but it can get you started.

Test equipment
Don't start with the electronic test equipment, start with some analytical thinking. Your
powers of observation (and a little experience) will make a good start. Your built in senses
and that stuff between your ears represents the most important test equipment you have.

However, some test equipment will be needed:

 Multimeter (DMM or VOM) - This is essential for checking of power supply voltages
and voltages on the pins of ICs or other components - service literature like the Sams'
Photofacts described elsewhere in this document include voltage measurements at
nearly every circuit tie point for properly functioning equipment. The multimeter will
also be used to check components like transistors, resistors, and capacitors for correct
value and for shorts or opens. You do not need a fancy instrument. A basic DMM - as
long as it is reliable - will suffice for most troubleshooting. If you want one that will
last for many years, go with a Fluke. However, even the mid range DMMs from
Radio Shack have proven to be reliable and of acceptable accuracy. For some kinds of
measurements - to deduce trends for example - an analog VOM is preferred (though
some DMMs have a bar graph scale which almost as good).
 Oscilloscope - While many problems can be dealt with using just a multimeter, a
'scope will be essential as you get more into advanced troubleshooting. Basic
requirements are: dual trace, 10-20 MHz minimum vertical bandwidth, delayed sweep
desirable but not essential. A good set of proper 10X/1X probes. Higher vertical
bandwidth is desirable but most consumer electronics work can be done with a 10
MHz scope. A storage scope or digital scope might be desirable for certain tasks but is
by no means essential for basic troubleshooting.

I would recommend a good used Tektronix (Tek) or Hewlett Packard (HP) scope over
a new scope of almost any other brand. You will usually get more scope for your
money and these things last almost forever. Until recently, my 'good' scope was the
militarized version (AN/USM-281A) of the HP180 lab scope. It has a dual channel 50
MHz vertical plugin and a delayed sweep horizontal plugin. I have seen these going
for under $300 from surplus outfits. For a little more money, you can get a Tek 465 or
465B (newer version but similar specifications) 100 Mhz scope ($200 to $600,
sometimes cheaper on eBay or elsewhere but there is more risk than buying from a
reputable dealer). I have now acquired a Tek 465B and that's what I use mostly these
days. The HP-180 is still fine but I couldn't pass up a really good deal. :) The Tek
465/B or other similar model will suffice for all but the most demanding (read: RF or
high speed digital) repairs.

 A video signal source - both RF and baseband (RCA jacks). Unless you are
troubleshooting tuner or video/audio input problems, either one will suffice. RF
sources include a pair of rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna, a cable connection, or a
VCR with a working RF modulator. This will be more convenient than an antenna
connection and will permit you to control the program material. In fact, making some
test tapes using a camcorder or video camera to record static test patterns will allow
you full control of what is being displayed and for how long.
 Color bar/dot/crosshatch signal generator. This is a useful piece of equipment if you
are doing a lot of TV or monitor repair and need to perform CRT convergence and
chroma adjustments. However, there are alternatives that are almost as good: a VHS
recording of these test patterns will work for TVs. A PC programmed to output a
suitable set of test patterns will be fine for monitors (and TVs if you can set up the
 video card to produce an NTSC/PAL signal. This can be put through a VCR to
generate the RF (Channel 3/4) input to your TV if it does not have direct video inputs
(RCA jacks).

Incredibly Handy widgets

These are the little gadgets and homemade testers that are useful for many repair situations.
Here are just a few of the most basic:

 Series light bulb for current limiting during the testing of TVs, monitors, switching
power supplies, audio power amplifiers, etc. I built a dual outlet box with the outlets
wired in series so that a lamp can be plugged into one outlet and the device under test
into the other. For added versatility, add a regular outlet and 'kill' switch using a quad
box instead. The use of a series load will prevent your expensive replacement part like
a horizontal output transistor from blowing if there is still some fault in the circuit you
have failed to locate.
 A Variac. It doesn't need to be large - a 2 A Variac mounted with a switch, outlet and
fuse will suffice for most tasks. However, a 5 amp or larger Variac is desirable. If you
will be troubleshooting 220 VAC equipment in the US, there are Variacs that will
output 0-240 VAC from a 115 VAC line (just make sure you don't forget that this can
easily fry your 115 VAC equipment.) By varying the line voltage, not only can you
bring up a newly repaired TV gradually to make sure there are no problems but you
can also evaluate behavior at low and high line voltage. This can greatly aid in
troubleshooting power supply problems. Warning: a Variac is not an isolation
transformer and does not help with respect to safety. You need an isolation
transformer as well.
 Isolation transformer. This is very important for safely working on live chassis
equipment. Since all modern TVs use a line connected power supply, it is essential.
You can build one from a pair of similar power transformers back-to-back (with their
highest rated secondaries connected together. I built mine from a couple of similar old
tube type TV power transformers mounted on a board with an outlet box including a
fuse. Their high voltage windings were connected together. The unused low voltage
windings can be put in series with the primary or output windings to adjust voltage.
Alternatively, commercial line isolation transformers suitable for TV troubleshooting
are available for less than $100 - well worth every penny.
 Variable isolation transformer. You don't need to buy a fancy combination unit. A
Variac can be followed by a normal isolation transformer. (The opposite order also
works. There may be some subtle differences in load capacity.).

CAUTION: Keep any large transformer of this type well away from your monitor or TV. The
magnetic field it produces may cause the picture to wiggle or the colors to become messed up
- and you to think there is an additional problem!

 Degaussing coil. Make or buy. The internal degaussing coil salvaged from a defunct
TV doubled over to half it original diameter to increase its strength in series with a
200 W light bulb for current limiting will work just fine. Or, buy one from a place like
MCM Electronics - about $15 for one suitable for all but the largest TVs. Also, see
the section: Degaussing (demagnetizing) a CRT.

Safe discharging of capacitors in TVs and video monitors

It is essential - for your safety and to prevent damage to the device under test as well as your
test equipment - that large or high voltage capacitors be fully discharged before
measurements are made, soldering is attempted, or the circuitry is touched in any way. Some
of the large filter capacitors commonly found in line operated equipment store a potentially
lethal charge.

This doesn't mean that every one of the 250 capacitors in your TV need to be discharged
every time you power off and want to make a measurement. However, the large main filter
capacitors and other capacitors in the power supplies should be checked and discharged if any
significant voltage is found after powering off (or before any testing - the CRT capacitance in
a TV or video monitor, for example, can retain a dangerous or at least painful charge for days
or longer!)

The technique I recommend is to use a high wattage resistor of about 5 to 50 ohms/V of the
working voltage of the capacitor. This isn't critical - a bit more or less will be fine but will
affect the time it takes to fully discharge the capacitor. The use of a current limiting resistor
will prevent the arc-welding associated with screwdriver discharge but will have a short
enough time constant so that the capacitor will drop to a low voltage in at most a few seconds
(dependent of course on the RC time constant and its original voltage).

Then check with a voltmeter to be double sure. Better yet, monitor while discharging (not
needed for the CRT - discharge is nearly instantaneous even with multi-M ohm resistor).

Obviously, make sure that you are well insulated!

 For the main capacitors in a TV or monitor power supply which might be 400 uF at
200 V, this would mean a 5K, 10W resistor. RC = 2 seconds. 5RC = 10 seconds. A
lower wattage resistor can be used since the total energy in not that great. If you want
to be more high tech, you can build the capacitor discharge circuit outlined in the
companion document: Capacitor Testing, Safe Discharging, and Other Related
Information. This provides a visible indication of remaining charge and polarity.
 For the CRT, use a several M ohm resistor good for 30 kV or more (or a string of
lower value resistors to obtain this voltage rating). A 1/4 watt job will just arc over!
Discharge to the chassis ground connected to the outside of the CRT - NOT SIGNAL
GROUND ON THE MAIN BOARD as you may damage sensitive circuitry. The time
constant is very short - a ms or so. However, repeat a few times to be sure, then use a
shorting clip as these capacitors have a way of recovering a painful charge if left
alone - there have been too many stories of painful experiences from charge
developing for whatever reasons ready to bite when the HV lead is reconnected.

Note that if you are touching the little board on the neck of the CRT, you may want to
discharge the HV even if you are not disconnecting the fat red wire - the focus and
screen (G2) voltages on that board are derived from the CRT HV.

WARNING: Most common resistors - even 5 W jobs - are rated for only a few
hundred volts and are not suitable for the 25 kV or more found in modern TVs and
monitors. Alternatives to a long string of regular resistors are a high voltage probe or
a known good focus/screen divider network. However, note that the discharge time
constant with these may be a few seconds. Also see the section: Additional
information on discharging CRTs.
 If you are not going to be removing the CRT anode connection, replacing the flyback,
or going near the components on the little board on the neck of the CRT, I would just
stay away from the fat red wire and what it is connected to including the focus and
screen wires. Repeatedly shoving a screwdriver under the anode cap risks scratching
the CRT envelope which is something you really do not want to do.

Again, always double check with a reliable voltmeter!

Reasons to use a resistor and not a screwdriver to discharge capacitors:

1. It will not destroy screwdrivers and capacitor terminals.

2. It will not damage the capacitor (due to the current pulse).
3. It will reduce your spouse's stress level in not having to hear those scary snaps and
crackles.

Additional information on discharging CRTs

You may hear that it is only safe to discharge from the Ultor to the Dag. So, what the @#$%
are they talking about? :-).

(From: Asimov (mike.ross@juxta.mnet.pubnix.ten).)

'Dag' is short for Aquadag. It is a type of paint made of a graphite pigment which is
conductive. It is painted onto the inside and outside of picture tubes to form the 2 plates of a
high voltage filter capacitor using the glass in between as dielectric. This capacitor is between
.005uF and .01uF in value. This seems like very little capacity but it can store a substantial
charge with 25,000 volts applied.

The outside "Dag" is always connected to the circuit chassis ground via a series of springs,
clips, and wires around the picture tube. The high voltage or "Ultor" terminal must be
discharged to chassis ground before working on the circuit especially with older TV's which
didn't use a voltage divider to derive the focus potential or newer TV's with a defective open
divider.

CAUTION: The Dag coating/springs/clips/etc. may not be the same as signal ground on the
mainboard. Discharging to that instead could result in all sorts of expensive blown
components. Discharging between the CRT anode cap and Dag should be low risk though it
is best to use a HV probe or properly rated high value resistor.

For more details, see the document: TV and Monitor CRT (Picture Tube) Information.

Removing the CRT HV connector

WARNING: Make sure the CRT has been discharged FIRST!

The rubber part is usually not glued down so it can be lifted rather easily. However, there
may be some silicone type grease between the rubber boot (that looks like a suction cup) and
the CRT glass to seal out dust.

A metal clip with a spring keeping it spread out attaches inside the button.
While there are a variety of types of clips actually used, pushing the connector to one side
and/or squeezing it in the appropriate direction (peel up one side of the rubber to inspect)
while gently lifting up should free it. Probably :-).

The clip (when removed) and CRT button look sort of like this:

||======= HV Cable
/\
Clip | |
(Removed) _| |_
(No DAG coating in vicinity of HV connector)
____________.- -.___________
CRT ____________|______|___________ Glass
Metal Button

Replacement is done in reverse order!

This isn't rocket science and excessive force should not be needed! :-)

Safe troubleshooting techniques for line powered TVs

TVs are particularly dangerous with respect to troubleshooting due to the fact that a
substantial portion of their circuitry - sometimes all of it - is directly line connected. Even if
your are working in a totally unrelated area like the sound circuits, awareness of the general
design and location of the line-connected circuits can prove to be a life saver.

These designs may take several forms:

Separate switchmode power supply (SMPS). In this case, only the primary side of the
power supply is line connected. The remainder of the TV is usually isolated from the
line by the high frequency transformer and feedback device (transformer or
optoisolator) of the switchmode power supply.

1. On-board SMPS - a portion of the circuitry on the mainboard is directly line-

connected. In the best case, this is restricted to the area around the power cord
connections and well marked on both top and bottom but don't count on it. Again, the
rest of the TV may be isolated but avoiding hazardous areas is more difficult
especially in cramped quarters.
2. Flyback derived power supply - a non-isolated linear (usually) power supply provides
B+ to the horizontal deflection (and startup circuit). All other system power is derived
from secondary windings on the flyback transformer. Similar comments to (2) above
apply.

(1) to (3) may be found in TVs with A/V inputs and outputs.

1. Full hot chassis - a bridge rectifier/filter capacitor/linear regulator provides some

voltages including B+. The flyback secondaries provide the remaining voltages. All
share a common return which is at the intersection of two of the diodes of the bridge
rectifier. There is no isolation.
 This type of design will usually not be found in a TV where there are external
connections (other than the RF antenna/cable connector which can be capacitively
isolated and you may actually get an AC reading or even sparks between the RF
shield and an earth ground due to this capacitance.)

WARNING: Never attempt to add A/V inputs or outputs to such a TV as the signals
and shields will be electrically live.

However, some TVs with A/V inputs/outputs actually had a live chassis and used an
isolated means of coupling the signals from/to the external jacks:

(From: Bill Coffel (bc@datamix.com).)

The late 70's and early 80's Sony CVM 1250/1750/2150 (12"/17"/21") monitors (TV)
have a HOT chassis. In fact they are kV-1201/1701/2101 TV sets in larger cabinet
With a 3 prong plug!!!! The inputs and outputs are isolated via opto couplers and
transformers on an additional circuit board (about 6" by 8" and powered by a small
transformer) the connector panel is the only part grounded via the third prong.

If someone thinks its not a live chassis they are in for quite a shock.

Always use an isolation transformer, whatever kind of design is used in the equipment you
are troubleshooting. There are very few situations in which an isolation transformer will hurt.
If you use it automatically, you will never have a chance to screw up.

Identify the appropriate ground point (return) for your multimeter or scope. These should be
marked in the Sams' Photofact or service manual. There may be several such returns such as:
non-isolated, signal, and CRT. Selecting the wrong one - even momentarily connecting to it -
can ruin your whole day.

If you are not using an isolation transformer (a no-no), connecting your scope to the wrong
ground point can result in (1) blown fuses and/or blown parts, and a very dangerous situation
and (2) readings that don't make sense generally with distorted power line frequency signals
of high amplitude.

 Use the non-isolated ground (A) (with your isolation transformer on the TV *only* for
measurements of voltage on the line-connected power supply.
 Use the signal ground (B) for all measurements of tuner, IF, video, and sound circuits.

Whenever you get a reading or waveform that is grossly wrong, confirm that you are using
the proper ground point! Note that failures of fusable resistors in the *return* of the HOT or
power supply chopper or elsewhere can also result in points that should be near ground
floating at unexpected voltage levels.

The general arrangement of components for a typical TV using a linear B+ supply with
isolated auxiliary supplies for the signal circuits is shown below including the (linear) line-
connected power supply, horizontal deflection output (drive, horizontal output transistor,
flyback), and a typical Aux power supply output.
 Line fuse Main bridge Part of flyback
_ rectifier +----------+ B+ transformer
H o--_ --+------|>|---+---| |-----------------+ Aux
1
| | | Filter, | ):: +--|>|--+--
o
| +---|>|---+ | REG, etc.| )::( _|_
115 VAC | | | | )::( ---
+--|---|<|---+ +----------+ +---+ ::( |
| | | H-drive | +-------+ B
+-> N o---------+---|<|---+---------+ transformer |/ C __|
__
| A _|_ || +----| Horizontal -_-
+-> G - Power line earth ground /// ||( |\ E Output
Signal
via building wiring ^ ||( | Transistor
ground
| || +------+ (HOT)
' A _|_
Non-isolated return --> ///
(connected points)

For this power supply, what if?:

1. You connect your scope ground clip to the non-isolated ground (A) and you are *not*
using an isolation transformer?

Answer: you blow the line fuse and/or melt your scope probe ground lead. Other parts
may be damaged as well. In effect, you have just shorted across the bottom diode of
the bridge.

2. You attempt to monitor a video signal with your scope ground connected to the non-
isolated ground (A)?

Answer: you see only a highly distorted power line waveform of roughly 100 V p-p In
effect, you are measuring across one of the diodes of the bridge rectifier, stray
capacitance, etc.

The series light bulb trick

When powering up a TV (or any other modern electronic devices with expensive power
semiconductors) that has had work done on any power circuits, it is desirable to minimize the
chance of blowing your newly installed parts should there still be a fault. There are two ways
of doing this: use of a Variac to bring up the AC line voltage gradually and the use of a series
load to limit current to power semiconductors.

Actually using a series load - a light bulb is just a readily available cheap load - is better than
a Variac (well both might be better still) since it will limit current to (hopefully) non-
destructive levels.

What you want to do is limit current to the critical parts - usually the horizontal output
transistor (HOT). Most of the time you will get away with putting it in series with the AC
line. However, sometimes, putting a light bulb directly in the B+ circuit will be needed to
provide adequate protection. In that location, it will limit the current to the HOT from the
main filter capacitors of line connected power supplies. This may also be required with some
switchmode power supplies as they can still supply bursts of full (or excessive) current even
if there is a light bulb in series with the AC line.

Actually, an actual power resistor is probably better as its resistance is constant as opposed to
a light bulb which will vary by 1:10 from cold to hot. The light bulb, however, provides a
nice visual indication of the current drawn by the circuit under test. For example:

 Full brightness: short circuit or extremely heavy load - a fault probably is still present.
 Initially bright but then settles at reduced brightness: filter capacitors charge, then
lower current to rest of circuit. This is what is expected when the equipment is
operating normally. There could still be a problem with the power circuits but it will
probably not result in an immediate catastrophic failure.
 Pulsating: power supply is trying to come up but shutting down due to overcurrent or
overvoltage condition. This could be due to a continuing fault or the light bulb may be
too small for the equipment.

Note: for a TV or monitor, it may be necessary (and desirable) to unplug the degauss coil as
this represents a heavy initial load which may prevent the unit from starting up with the light
bulb in the circuit.

The following are suggested starting wattages:

 40 W bulb for VCR or laptop computer switching power supplies.

 100 W bulb for small (i.e., B/W or 13 inch color) TVs.
 150 to 200 W bulb for large color or projection TVs.

A 50/100/150 W (or similar) 3-way bulb in an appropriate socket comes in handy for this but
mark the switch so that you know which setting is which!

Depending on the power rating of the equipment, these wattages may need to be increased.
However, start low. If the bulb lights at full brightness, you know there is still a major fault.
If it flickers or the TV (or other device) does not quite come fully up, then it should be safe to
go to a larger bulb. Resist the temptation to immediately remove the series light bulb totally
from the circuit at this point - I have been screwed by doing this. Try a larger one first. The
behavior should improve. If it does not, there is still a fault present.

Note that some TVs and monitors simply will not power up at all with any kind of series load
- at least not with one small enough (in terms of wattage) to provide any real protection. The
microcontroller apparently senses the drop in voltage and shuts the unit down or continuously
cycles power. Fortunately, these seem to be the exceptions.

Getting inside a TV

You will void the warranty - at least in principle. There are usually no warranty seals on a TV
so unless you cause visible damage or mangle the screws, it is unlikely that this would be
detected. You need to decide. A TV still under warranty should probably be returned for
warranty service for any covered problems except those with the most obvious and easy
solutions. Another advantage of using warranty service is that should your problem actually
be covered by a design change, this will be performed free of charge. And, you cannot
generally fix a problem which is due to poor design!

Getting into a TV is usually quite simple requiring the removal of anywhere from 4 to 16
Philips or 1/4" hex head screws - most around the rear edge of the cabinet or underneath, a
couple perhaps in the middle. Disconnect the antenna and/or antenna or cable wiring first as it
may stay with catch on the rear cover you are detaching. Reconnect whatever is needed for
testing after the cover is removed.

As you pull the cover straight back (usually) and off, make sure that no other wires are still
attached. Often, the main circuit board rests on the bottom of the cover in some slots. Go
slow as this circuit board may try to come along with the back. Once the back is off, you may
need to prop the circuit board up with a block of wood to prevent stress damage and contact
with the work surface.

Most TVs can still be positioned stably on any of three sides (left, right, bottom) even without
the rear cover. However, some require the cover for mechanical strength or to not easily fall
over. Be careful- larger TVs, in particular, are quite heavy and bulky. Get someone to help
and take precautions if yours is one of the unstable variety. If need be, the set can usually
safely be positioned on the CRT face if it is supported by foam or a folded blanket.

Reassemble in reverse order. Getting the circuit board to slide smoothly into its slots may
take a couple of attempts but otherwise there should be no surprises.

Specific considerations before poking around inside a TV or monitor

Both electrical and mechanical dangers lurk:

 Main filter capacitor(s). This is the most dangerous (not the HV as you would expect).
Fortunately, these capacitors will normally discharge in a few minutes or less
especially if the unit is basically working as the load will normally discharge the
capacitors nearly fully as power is turned off. With TVs, the main filter capacitor is
nearly always on the mainboard. Monitors are more likely to have a separate power
supply module.

However, you should check across this capacitor - usually only one and by far the
largest in the set - with a voltmeter and discharge as suggested in the section: Safe
discharging of capacitors in TVs and video monitors if it holds more than a few volts
(or wait longer) before touching anything.

Some of these are as large as 1,000 uF charged to 160 V - about 13 w-s or a similar
amount of energy as that stored in an electronic flash. This is enough to be potentially
lethal under the wrong circumstances.

 High Voltage capacitor formed by the envelope of the CRT. It is connected to the
flyback transformer by the fat (usually red) wire at the suction cup (well, it looks like
one anyhow) attached to the CRT. This capacitor can hold a charge for quite a while -
weeks in the case of an old tube type TV!
 If you want to be doubly sure, discharge this also. However, unless you are going to
be removing the HV connector/flyback, it should not bother you.

The energy stored is about 1 w-s but if you touch it or come near to an exposed
terminal, due to the high voltage, you will likely be handed *all* the energy and you
*will* feel it. The danger is probably more in the collateral damage when you jump
ripping flesh and smashing your head against the ceiling.

Some people calibrate their jump based on voltage - about 1 inch/V. :-).

There will be some HV on the back of the circuit board on the neck of the CRT but
although you might receive a tingle but accidentally touching the focus or screen (G2)
pins, it is not likely to be dangerous.

 CRT implosion risk. Don't hammer on it. However, it is more likely that you will
break the neck off the tube since the neck is relatively weak. This will ruin your
whole day and the TV or monitor but will likely not result in flying glass everywhere.
Just, don't go out of your way to find out.
 Sharp sheet metal and so forth. This is not in itself dangerous but a reflex reaction can
send your flesh into it with nasty consequences.

Dusting out the inside of a TV

The first thing you will notice when you remove the cover is how super dusty everything is.
Complements to the maid. You never dreamed there was that much dust, dirt, and grime, in
the entire house!

Use a soft brush (like a new paintbrush) and a vacuum cleaner to carefully remove the built
up dust. Blowing off the dust will likely not hurt the TV unless it gets redeposited inside
various controls or switches but will be bad for your lungs - and will spread it all over the
room. Don't turn anything - many critical adjustments masquerade as screws that just beg to
be tightened. Resist the impulse for being neat and tidy until you know exactly what you are
doing. Be especially careful around the components on the neck of the CRT - picture tube - as
some of these are easily shifted in position and control the most dreaded of adjustments - for
color purity and convergence. In particular, there will be a series of adjustable ring magnets.
It is a good idea to mark their position in any case with some white paint, 'white out', or a
Magic Marker so that if they do get moved - or you move them deliberately, you will know
where you started.

Troubleshooting a TV with the mainboard disconnected

There are times when it is desirable to remove the chassis or mainboard and work on it in a
convenient location without having to worry about the equipment which will simulate the
critical functions but this is rarely an option for the doit-yourselfer.

My approach is usually to do as much work as possible without removing the main board and
not attempt to power it up when disconnected since there are too many unknowns.
Professionals will plug the chassis into a piece of equipment which will simulate the critical
functions.
Note that if you have a failure of the power supply - blown fuse, startup, etc., then it should
be fine to disconnect the CRT since these problems are usually totally unrelated. Tests should
be valid.

However, if you really want to do live testing with the main board removed, here are some
considerations. There are usually several connections to the CRT and cabinet:

 Deflection yoke - since the horizontal coils are part of the horizontal flyback circuit,
there could be problems running without a yoke. This could be anything from it
appearing totally dead to an overheating or blown horizontal output transistor. There
may be no problems. Vertical and any convergence coils may or may not be problems
as well.
 CRT video Driver board - pulling this should not usually affect anything except
possibly video output and bias voltages.
 CRT 2nd anode - without the CRT, there will be no capacitor to filter the high voltage
and you would certaily want to insulate the HV connector **real** well. I do not
know whether there are cases where damage to flyback could result from running in
thie manner, however.
 Front panel controls - disconnecting these may result in inability to even turn the set
on, erratic operation, and other unexpected behavior.
 Degauss - you just won't have this function when disconnected. But who cares - you
are not going to be looking at the screen anyhow.
 Remote sensor - no remote control but I doubt that the floating signals will cause
problems.
 Speakers - there will be no audio but this should not cause damage.

If you do disconnect everything, make sure to label any connectors whose location or
orientation may be ambiguous. Most of the time, these will only fit one way but not always.

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

TV Adjustments
These include both controls accessible to the user (and often not understood) as well as
internal adjustments that may need to be touched up due to the aging of components or
following a repair.

User picture adjustment

For general viewing, subdued lighting but not total darkness is probably best. However, for
most dramatic impact, a darkened environment may be preferred. Make the following
adjustments under the expected viewing conditions.

Tune to a strong channel or play a good quality tape.

Turn the brightness, contrast, and color controls all the way down. Center the tint control
(NTSC, may not be present on PAL sets).
Increase the brightness until a raster is just visible in the darkest (shadow) areas of the picture
and then back off until it **just** disappears.

Increase the contrast until the desired intensity of highlights is obtained.

Since brightness and contrast are not always independent, go back and forth until you get the
best picture.

Initially adjust the color control for pastel shades rather than highly saturated color. Set the
tint control for best flesh tones. Then, increase the color control to obtain the desired degree
of color saturation.

Internal adjustments

All of the service adjustments are accomplished either using controls inside the set (though
some may be accessible by holes in the rear of the cabinet). These are usually pots on the
mainboard and CRT neck boards, or in newer TVs, mostly via a service menu accessed from
the remote or by using a manufacturer specific computer interface.

A Web site with some information on the general objectives of video and color setup
procedures for both direct view and projection TVs is Tru-line Video Technologies.

 Where actual pots are present, they may be labeled on the circuit boards or identified
by a sticker on the TV's cover. Otherwise, the service manual or Sams' for the set will
be required unless their function of the relevant pot is obvious.
 For service menus accessed via the remote control, service information is almost a
necessity since adjustment procedures vary widely and it is all too easy to totally mess
things up - even to the point of inflicting serious and expensive damage to the set.

For information on accessing the service menus if used on your model, see the
section: Setup adjustments lost - TV service codes. However, even if the access
procedure is known, get the service manual or Sams'!

 If a computer interface is required, you can most probably forget about attempting to
adjust anything unless you find a friendly shop to provide the adapter and walk you
through the procedure. Why would they want to do this? Because they know you
there is a good chance that you will have to pay them to unscramble the mess you
created!

Focus adjustment

On a decent TV, you should be able to make out the individual scanning lines. If they are
fuzzy, especially in bright areas, then focus may need to be adjusted.

The focus pot is usually located on the flyback transformer or on an auxiliary panel nearby.
Where there are two adjustment knobs on the flyback transformer, the top one is generally for
focus and the bottom one is for G2.
The focus wire usually comes from the flyback or the general area or from a terminal on a
voltage the multiplier module (if used). It is usually a wire by itself going to the little board
on the neck of the CRT.

Let the set warm up for at least half an hour. Display a good quality signal. Turn the user
color control all the way down and the brightness and contrast controls all the way up. This
will be the worst case. Adjust the focus control for best overall sharpness - you may not be
able to get it perfect everywhere - center as well as corners. If best focus is at one end of the
focus pot's range and still not good enough, there may be a problem in the focus divider,
focus pot, or some related component.

Adjustment of the internal SCREEN and color controls

The screen should be adjusted with a white pattern (snow from the tuner should do or turn the
user COLOR control all the way down to get a black and white picture). Put the set in Service
mode (horizontal line) if it has such a switch in the back or inside. If not, just use the raster in
a darkened room. Adjust screen for a dim white line (raster). If the line is not white at its
dimmest point, you will need to adjust the drive and cutoff controls for R, G, & B.

Alternatively, you can use the following procedure:

Turn R, G, and B screen (or background) controls down. Now turn color control fully
counterclockwise -- off. Now turn up red screen until the screen just shows a red hue. Now
turn red gun down until red tint just goes away. Now do the same with the green and blue
screen controls. Now adjust the two DRIVE controls for the best black and white picture.
That`s all there is to it. I don`t like to work with just a thin "SETUP" line. Cartoons seem to
be the best thing to have on while doing the above procedure. You can also use just plain
snow (no program) if you prefer. If you can obtain a good b@w pic. when you`re done, the
tube is good and the set if most likely functioning properly. Be patient and go slow while
watching the large mirror that you are using during this procedure. (LEE)

Optimal procedure for setting brightness/background and screen adjustments

For slight tweaks, the following is not necessary. However, if someone turned all the internal
controls or if you are making significant changes that affect G2 (screen), then following the
procedure below is desirable to achieve best performance and maximize life of the CRT.

The typical user controls - brightness and contrast can, of course, be set arbitrarily, depending
on video content and ambient lighting conditions.

Set the user brightness and contrast controls in the middle for the following adjustments and
let the set warm up for 20 minutes or so.

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

Now the screen control, that's another matter. It sets the voltage on the second grid of the
electron guns, typically between +500 and +1000 V. You will want to use a well-isolated
screwdriver for that if it is a naked potentiometer. In the old days there used to be 3 separate
potentiometers for 3 G2s, now there is generally only one.
Its purpose is to set the cutoff voltage for the guns, i.e. the voltage between K and G1 at
which the beam is just off. The higher you set the VG2, the higher VK - VG1 must be to cut
off the beam.

If you set VG2 too low then your picture will be dark. You can compensate for that with the
brightness control, which in effect will lower the VKs. A disadvantage is that you will not get
optimum sharpness and peak brightness from your picture tube.

If you set VG2 too high then your picture will be bright. You can compensate for that with
the brightness control, which in effect will raise the VKs. You might even get retrace lines
which can usually not be made to disappear with the brightness control. Another
disadvantage is that you will not get optimum LIFETIME from your picture tube. With a too
high cutoff voltage the cathode (electron emitting surface) will wear out too soon.

You will need to see the picture tube specifications (or possibly the Sams' Photofact or
service manual for the set --- sam) in order to find the correct setting for the cutoff voltage.
This is measured as VK - VG1 (for each channel RGB) and is typically 130-160 V max.
There will be spread between the 3 channels, typically the highest of the 3 measured values
will be set against the upper limit.

The usual adjustment procedure is as follows:

 Use any low-level adjustments to set a black picture with all 3 cathode voltages at the
specified level (e.g. 130 V) above the VG1 voltage (may be 0 V or 12 V or 20 V ?).
(These are typically called RGB brightness, bias, or background level and are often on
the little board on the neck of the CRT but not always --- sam).
 Adjust VG2 (screen) until one colour just starts too light up, turn it back down until
the screen is just black again. (Occasionally, there are two G2 controls - one on the
flyback and another on the CRT neck board or elsewhere. If so, they control are
basically in series - leave the one on the flyback alone if the other one has enough
range.)
 Now adjust 2 of the 3 low-level black controls until the other 2 colours just light up,
and then back to black again.
 Select a white picture and use 2 low-level white (RGB drive or gain, also generally on
the neck board --- sam) controls to set the proper colour temperature for white to your
own taste.
 Check your black calibration again, may have to iterate a bit.

Color balance adjustment

Color balance needs adjustment if the highlights and/or shadows of a black and white picture
(turn the color control all the way down) are not a perfectly neutral gray.

Note: Some TV designs (Zenith uses this in a few models) automatically balance CRT
cathode drive by sensing emission from the red, green, and blue guns using a gray scale
reference pulse outside the viewable picture. If this is the case with your set, there may be no
user OR service adjustments :-(. A color balance problem in this case means either a failure
of this circuitry or a CRT where the emission from the 3 cathodes is so unbalanced (usually
due to one being much much weaker than the others) that compensation is not possible.
To adjust the color balance: Turn the color control all the way down so that you get what
should be a B/W picture. Set the user brightness and contrast controls about mid-range. The
tint control should not matter (if it does at this point, you have other chroma problems or an
'autocolor' switch is on limiting the range of some controls).

Adjust the sub-brightness controls (may be called color screen, background, or the like) so
that the dark areas of the picture are just visible and neutral gray. Then, adjust the color gain
controls until the brightest areas are neutral white but not so bright that there is 'color
bleeding' in the highlights.

This should get you close. If something is still shifting after warmup and get some cold-spray
or even a little blower and try to locate the component that is drifting. Most likely a transistor
or capacitor.

More on 'Calibrating' TV color

If you don't know how to access the color and tint controls on your TV and are happy with
green flesh tones and cartoon colors, you can skip this section. Most people can adjust their
color and tint controls resulting in a reasonable hue and saturation. However, here are some
ways of getting closer to perfection.

(From: Chris Johnson (wjohnson@palmnet.net).)

If you have access to a DVD player, get the 'Video Essentials' DVD and follow the
directions.

If you have access to a LaserDisc player, get 'A Video Standard' and follow the directions.

But, here are a few quick pointers:

Back off the color control all the way on a program. Set the color balance for a true grey
appearance without any bias toward red, green, or blue. (Or any other color.)

Max brightness should not be high enough that vertical lines (like the needle pulse on the test
LD or DVD) don't bend.

On the test pattern with the multicolored bars, the large bars should have the following
colors: white (actually grey, but fairly light), yellow, cyan, green, purple, red, blue.

The purpose of the narrow bars just below the large bars is to match up the tint balance. You
do this with a blue filter, or killing the R and G guns. The narrow bars will be exactly the
same intensity as the large bars above them, if the color and tint balance is correct.

Here's a quick trick if you're lucky enough to have a set with separate gun killer switches for
R, G, and B guns: When properly set, the narrow bars will be the same intensity as the large
bars above them, if you only turn one gun on at a time. First do red, then green, then blue. Go
through the process once and you'll never forget what it looks like.

Last point: The pluge bar (in the lower right section of the color bar screen) should NOT be
visible, being ten percent below black level. If you can see it, back off the brightness.
Remember:

 Brightness sets black level, it should ideally be as black as the screen itself, no more,
no less.
 Contrast sets white level. Too bright and vertical lines start to bend.

Using just these concepts, you can get REAL close to a proper alignment.

Most people set the color too high. News programs should NOT be as colorful as the movie
'Jingle All The Way'. (Which, by the way, is a real test of your TV's abilities.) Most people's
faces should not be red.

You know you have it all set right when black clothing on people on TV has texture and
depth to it, and also when purple and blue are two distinct colors. Some TV sets don't do that
very well as shipped.

Horizontal position, size, and linearity adjustment

Horizontal position may be set via a switch or jumper, a pot, or (mostly in B/W TVs) a set of
rings on the CRT neck.

Horizontal size should be set so that there is about 10-15 percent overscan left and right. This
will allow ample margin for power line voltage fluctuations, component aging, and the
reduction in raster size that may occur with some VCR special effects (fast play) modes.

Many sets no longer have any horizontal size adjustments and depend on accurate regulation
of the voltage to the horizontal output stage to control horizontal size. There may be a B+
adjustment to perform first.

On those that do, the adjustment may either be done by setting the B+ voltage, by a pot, or a
width coil in series with the horizontal deflection coils.

Modern sets do not generally have any linearity control but you may find this on older
models. You will need to go back and forth between size and linearity as these adjustments
are usually not independent.

Some of the newest sets control all these parameters via settings in non-volatile memory and
use service menus accessed via the remote control for nearly all setup adjustments.

Vertical position, size, and linearity adjustment

Vertical position may be set via a switch or jumper, a pot, or (mostly in B/W TVs) a set of
rings on the CRT neck.

Vertical size should be set so that there is about 10-15 percent overscan top and bottom. This
will allow ample margin for power line voltage fluctuations, component aging, and the
reduction in raster size that may occur with some VCR special effects (fast play) modes.

Some sets no longer have any vertical size adjustments and depend on the accurate regulation
of the voltage to the vertical output stage to control vertical size.
On those that do, the adjustment is usually a pot in the vertical output circuitry. If your set has
a linearity control, you will need to adjust this in conjunction with the size control as these
are usually not independent.

Some of the newest sets control all these parameters via settings in non-volatile memory and
use service menus accessed via the remote control for nearly all setup.

Pincushion adjustments

There may be two controls - amplitude and phase. Pincushion amplitude as its name implies,
controls the size of the correction. Pincushion phase affects where on the sides it is applied.
Don't expect perfection.

If the controls have no effect, there is probably a fault in the pincushion correction circuitry.

It is best to make these adjustments with a crosshatch or dot test pattern

Geometry adjustment

This refers to imperfections in the shape of the picture not handled by the pincushion and size
adjustments. These types of defects include trapezoidal or keystone shaped raster and jogs or
wiggles around the periphery of the raster. Unfortunately, one way these are handled at the
factory is to glue little magnets to strategic locations on the CRT and/or rotate little magnets
mounted on the yoke frame. Unless you really cannot live with the way it is (assuming there
isn't something actually broken), leave these alone! You can end up with worse problems. In
any case, carefully mark the position AND orientation of every magnet so that if this
happens, you can get back to where you started. If the magnets are on little swivels, some
experimenting with them one at a time may result in some improvement. Of course, it is best
to obtain a service manual and follow its instructions.

Why is the convergence on my set bad near the edges

Very simple - nothing is quite perfect. Perfect convergence is not even necessarily possible in
theory with the set of adjustments available on a typical TV. It is all a matter of compromises.
Consider what you are trying to do: get three electron beams which originate from different
electron guns to meet at a single point within a fraction of a mm everywhere on the screen.
This while the beams are scanning at an effective writing rate of 20,000 mph across the face
of a 27" CRT in a variable magnetic environment manufactured at a price you can afford
without a second mortgage!

CRT purity and convergence problems

Purity assures that each of the beams for the 3 primary colors - red, green, and blue - strikes
only the proper phosphor dots for that color. A totally red scene will appear pure red and so
forth. Symptoms of poor purity are blotches of discoloration on the screen. Objects will
change shades of color when the move from one part of the screen to another.

Convergence refers to the control of the instantaneous positions of the red, green, and blue
spots as they scan across the face of the CRT so that they are as nearly coincident as possible.
Symptoms of poor convergence are colored borders on solid objects or visible separate R, G,
and B images of fine lines or images,

Note: It is probably best to face the set East-West (front-to-back) when performing any purity
and convergence adjustments. Since you probably do not know what orientation will
eventually be used, this is the best compromise as the earth's magnetic field will be aligned
mostly across the CRT. This will minimize the possible rotation of the picture when the unit
is moved to its final position but there may be a position shift. Neither of these is that
significant so it probably doesn't really matter that much unless you are super fussy. Of
course, if you know the final orientation of the TV in your entertainment center - and you
don't expect to be redecorating, use that instead. Or, plan to do the final tilt and position
adjustments after the set is in position - but this will probably require access to the inside!

First, make sure no sources of strong magnetic fields are in the vicinity of the TV -
loudspeakers, refrigerator magnets, MRI scanners, etc. A nearby lightning strike or EMP
from a nuclear explosion can also affect purity.

Cycle power a couple of times to degauss the CRT (1 minute on, 20 minutes off) - see the
section: Degaussing (demagnetizing) a CRT. If the built in degaussing circuits have no effect,
use an external manual degaussing coil.

Assuming this doesn't help, you will need to set the internal purity and/or convergence
adjustments on the CRT. Modern CRTs usually use a combination of a series of magnetized
moveable rings on the neck, and yoke position and orientation to set purity and convergence.

First, mark the positions of all adjustments - use white paint, 'White out', or a Magic Marker
on the ring magnets on the neck of the CRT, the position and tilt of the deflection yoke, and
any other controls that you may touch deliberately or by accident.

However, if your set is still of the type with a drawer or panel of knobs for these adjustments,
don't even think about doing anything without a service manual and follow it to the letter
unless the functions of all the knobs is clearly marked (some manufacturers actually do a
pretty good job of this).

Note: some CRTs do not have any adjustable rings for purity (and static convergence). Either
an internal structure in the neck of the CRT or an external 'permalloy' sleeve is permanently
magnetized at the factory and there is not way of tweaking it in the field. However, it may be
possible to use a normal set of magnet rings in addition to or in place of it to correct for purity
or convergence problems due to loss of magnetism due to age or someone waving a 10 pound
magnet near the CRT neck!

CRT purity adjustment

Purity on modern CRTs is usually set by a combination of a set of ring magnets just behind
the deflection yoke on the neck of the CRT and the position of the yoke fore-aft. As always,
mark the starting position of all the rings and make sure you are adjusting the correct set if
rings!

Use the following purity adjustment procedure as a general guide only. Depending on the
particular model TV, the following purity adjustment procedure may substitute green for red
depending on the arrangement of the guns in the CRT. This description is based on the Sams'
Photofact for the RCA CTC111C chassis which uses a slot-mask CRT. The procedures for
dot-mask and Trinitron (aperture grille) CRTs will vary slightly. See you service manual!

Obtain a white raster (sometimes there is a test point that can be grounded to force this).
Then, turn down the bias controls for blue and green so that you have a pure red raster. Let
the set warm up for a minimum of 15 minutes.

Loosen the deflection yoke clamp and move the yoke as far back as it will go,

Adjust the purity magnets to center the red vertical raster on the screen.

Move the yoke forward until you have the best overall red purity.

Now, move the yoke forward until you have the best overall red purity. Tighten the clamp
securely and reinstall the rubber wedges (if you set has these) to stabilize the yoke position.
Reset the video adjustments you touched to get a red raster.

CRT convergence adjustment

In the good old days when TVs were TVs (and not just a picture tube with a little circuit
board attached) there were literally drawers full of knobs for setting convergence. One could
spend hours and still end up with a less than satisfactory picture. As the technology
progressed, the number of electronic adjustments went down drastically so that today there
are very few if any.

Unless you want a lot of frustration, I would recommend not messing with convergence. You
could end up a lot worse. I have no idea what is used for convergence on your set but
convergence adjustments are never quite independent of one another. You could find an
adjustment that fixes the problem you think you have only to discover some other area of the
screen is totally screwed. In addition, there are adjustments for geometry and purity and
maybe others that you may accidentally move without even knowing it until you have
buttoned up the set.

Warning: Accurately mark the original positions - sometimes you will change something that
will not have an obvious effect but will be noticeable later on. So it is extremely important to
be able to get back to where you started. If only red/green vertical lines are offset, then it is
likely that only a single ring needs to be moved - and by just a hair. But, you may
accidentally move something else!

If you really cannot live with it, make sure you mark everything very carefully so you can get
back to your current state. A service manual is essential!

Convergence is set using a white crosshatch or dot test pattern. If you do not have a test
pattern generator, any static scene (from a camcorder or previously recorded tape, for
example) with a lot of fine detail will suffice. Turn the color control all the way down so you
have a B/W picture.

Static convergence sets the beams to be coincident in the exact center of the screen. This is
done using a set of ring magnets behind the purity magnets on the CRT neck.
From the Sams' for the RCA CTC111C: "adjust the center set of magnets to converge blue to
green at the center of the screen. Adjust the rear set of magnets to converge red to green at the
center of the screen." Your set may have a slightly different procedure.

Dynamic convergence adjusts for coincidence at the edges and corners.

On old tube, hybrid, and early solid state TVs, dynamic convergence was accomplished with
electronic adjustments of which there may have been a dozen or more that were not
independent. With modern sets, all convergence is done with magnet rings on the neck of the
CRT, magnets glued to the CRT, and by tilting the deflection yoke. The clamp in conjunction
with rubber wedges or set screws assures that the yoke remains in position.

From the Sams' for the RCA CTC111C: "Loosen the screws at the 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock
positions to permit the yoke to be tilted vertically. Rock yoke up and down to converge the
right and left sides of the screen. Tighten screw at 6 o'clock and loosen screw at 3 o'clock to
permit the yoke to be tilted horizontally. Rock yoke from side to side to converge the top and
bottom of the screen. Tighten screws at 3 o'clock and 10 o'clock."

Many sets simply use the main clamp which locks the yoke to the neck of the CRT in
conjunction with rubber wedges between the yoke and the funnel of the CRT to stabilize the
yoke position position.

Refer to your service manual. (Is this beginning to sound repetitious?)

For additional comments on convergence adjustments, see the sections: "Tony's notes on
setting convergence on delta gun CRTs" and "Saga and General setup for large CRT TVs".

Tilted picture

You have just noticed that the picture on your fancy (or cheap) TV is not quite horizontal -
not aligned with the front bezel. Note that often there is some keystoning as well where the
top and bottom or left and right edges of the picture are not quite parallel - which you may
never have noticed until now. Since this may not be correctable, adjusting tilt may represent a
compromise at best between top/bottom or left/right alignment of the picture edges. You may
never sleep again knowing that your TV picture is not perfect! BTW, I can sympathize with
your unhappiness. Nothing is more annoying than a just noticeable imperfection such as this.
However, since TVs always overscan, the only time you will really notice a minor tilt without
going out of your way to look for it is if there is text or graphics near the edge of the screen.

There are several possible causes for a tilted picture:

1. Set orientation. The horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field affects this
slgithly. Therefore, if you rotate the TV you may be able to correct the tilt. Of course,
it will probably want to face the wall!

Other external magnetic fields can sometimes cause a rotation without any other
obvious effects - have you changed the TV's location? Did an MRI scanner move in
next door?
 2. Need for degaussing. Most of the time, magnetization of the CRT will result in color
problems which will be far more obvious than a slight rotation. However, internal or
external shields or other metal parts in the set could become magnetized resulting a
tilt. More extensive treatment than provided by the built-in degaussing coil may be
needed. Even, the normal manual degaussing procedure may not be enough to get
close enough to all the affected parts.
3. You just became aware of it but nothing has changed. Don't dismiss this offhand. It is
amazing how much we ignore unless it is brought to our attention. Are you a
perfectionist?
4. There is an external tilt control which may be misadjusted. Newer Sony monitors
have this (don't know about TVs) - a most wonderful addition. Too bad about the
stabilizing wires on Trinitron CRTs. A digital control may have lost its memory
accidentally. The circuitry could have a problem.
5. There is an internal tilt control that is misadjusted or not functioning. The existance of
such a control is becoming more common.
6. The deflection yoke on the CRT has gotten rotated or was not oriented correctly at the
time of the set's manufacture. Sometimes, the entire yoke is glued in place in addition
to being clamped adding another complication.

If the TV was recently bumped or handled roughly, the yoke may have been knocked
out of position. But in most cases, the amount of abuse required to do this with the
yoke firmly clamped and/or glued would have totally destroyed the set in the process.

There is a risk (in addition to the risk of frying yourself on the various voltages
present inside an operating TV) of messing up the convergence or purity when
fiddling with the yoke or anything around it since the yoke position on the neck of the
tube and its tilt may affect purity and convergence. Tape any rubber wedges under the
yoke securely in place as these will maintain the proper position and tilt of the yoke
while you are messing with it. (Don't assume the existing tape will hold - the adhesive
is probably dry and brittle).

7. The CRT may have rotated slightly with respect to the front bezel. Irrespective of the
cause of the tilt, sometimes it is possible to loosen the 4 (typical) CRT mounting
screws and correct the tilt by slightly rotating the CRT. This may be easier than
rotating the yoke. Just make sure to take proper safety precautions when reaching
inside!

B/W TV size, position, and geometry adjustments

These tend to be a lot simpler and less critical than for color monitors or TV sets.

On a B/W TV you will probably see some of the following adjustments:

1. Position - a pair of rings with tabs on the neck of the CRT. There may be electronic
position adjustements as well though this is not that common on small TVs.
2. Width and height (possibly linearity as well) controls. There may be some interaction
between size and linearity - a crosshatch test pattern is best for this. Vertical
adjustments are almost always pots while horizontal (if they exist) may be pots and/or
coils. Size will normally be set for 5-10% overscan to account for line voltage
 fluctuations and component drift. Confirm aspect ratio with test pattern which
includes square boxes.
3. Geometry - some little magnets either on swivels around the yoke or glued to the
CRT. If these shifted, the the edges may have gotten messed up - wiggles, dips,
concave or convex shapes. There may be a doxen or more each mostly affecting a
region around the edge of the raster. However, they will not be totally independent.

Check at extremes of brightness/contrast as there may be some slight changes in size and
position due to imperfect HV regulation.

There may be others as well but without a service manual, there is no way of knowing for
sure. Sams' often has folders for B/W TVs.

Just mark everything carefully before changing - then you will be able to get back where you
started.

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Low Voltage Power Supply Problems

Low voltage power supply fundamentals

TVs require a variety of voltages (at various power levels) to function. The function of the
low voltage power supply is to take the AC line input of either 115 VAC 60 Hz (220 VAC 50
Hz or other AC power in Europe and elsewhere) and produce some of these DC voltages. In
all cases, the power to the horizontal output transistor of the horizontal deflection system is
obtained directly from the low voltage power supply. In some cases, a variety of other DC
voltages are derived directly from the AC line by rectification, filtering, and regulation. In
other designs, however, most of the low voltages are derived from secondary windings on the
flyback (LOPT) transformer of the horizontal deflection system. In still other designs, there is
a separate switchmode power supply that provides some or all of these voltages. There are
also various (and sometimes convoluted) combinations of any or all of the above.

There will always be:

1. A power switch, relay, or triac to enable main power.

2. A set of rectifiers - usually in a bridge configuration - to turn the AC into DC. Small
ceramic capacitors are normally placed across the diodes to reduce RF interference.
3. One or more large filter capacitors to smooth the unregulated DC. In the U.S., this is
most often a voltage around 150-160 V DC. In countries with 220 VAC power, it will
typically be around 300-320 V DC.
4. A discrete, hybrid, or IC regulator to provide stable DC to the horizontal deflection
system. Sometimes feedback from a secondary output of the flyback or even the high
voltage is used. This regulator may be either a linear or switching type. In some cases,
there is no regulator.
 5. Zero or more voltage dividers and/or regulators to produce additional voltages
directly from the line power. This relatively rare except for startup circuits. These
voltages will not be isolated from the line.
6. A degauss control circuit usually including a thermistor or Posistor (a combination of
a heater disk and Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistor in a single
package). When power is turned on, a relatively high AC current is applied to the
degauss coil wrapped around the periphery of the CRT. The PTC thermister heats up,
increases in resistance, and smoothly decreases the current to nearly zero over a
couple of seconds.
7. A startup circuit for booting the horizontal deflection if various voltages to run the TV
are derived from the flyback. This may be an IC or discrete multivibrator or
something else running off a non-isolated voltage or the standby power supply.
8. A standby power supply for the microcontroller and remote sensor. Usually, this is a
separate low voltage power supply using a small power transformer for line isolation.
However, some sets use other (probably cheaper) approaches. See below.

Always use an isolation transformer when working on a TV but this is especially important -
for your safety - when dealing with the non-isolated line operated power supply. Read and
follow the information in the section: Safety guidelines.

Standby power supplies

Where the TV has a remote control (which most do nowadays), there needs to be some
source of voltage(s) for the remote receiver, microcontroller, and other circuitry that watch
for the 'power on' commend. These sets are never totally off.

The standby supply may consist of:

 A low voltage power transformer feeding one or more sets of rectifiers, filter
capacitors, and possibly regulators.

A power surge could cause the primary of the transformer to open up. There may also
be a thermal fuse under the outer layers of insulation which blew either due to
overheating or a power surge. However, if the primary is open, it is best to replace the
transformer rather than attempting repair it.

 One or more voltage dividers connected directly to the AC line feeding rectifiers,
filter capacitors, and possibly regulators.

Open resistors and dried up capacitors are common failures since the resistors are
often not rated adequately and run hot, in close proximity to the capacitors.

 A portion of the main (switchmode) power supply that runs all the time.

Failures could be almost anything that would affect normal operation of the power
supply as well as problems with the control circuitry.

Typical TV power supply front end

The partial schematic below is similar to those found in the majority of TVs sold in countries
with 110 to 120 VAC power. Many parts are not shown including the power switch or relay,
RFI bypass capacitors across the rectifier diodes, and RFI line filter.
Bypass resistor
Line fuse Main bridge Fusable +----/\/\-----+
_ rectifier resistor | +-----+ |
H o--_ --+------|>|---+---/\/\--+---+---| REG |---+---+---o B+
| | | +-----+ |
| +---|>|---+ C1 _|_ Main | _|_ Regulator
115 VAC | | 400 uF --- filter | --- output
+--|---|<|---+ 200 V | cap | | capacitor
| | | | |
+-> N o---------+---|<|---+---------+----------+----------+---o Non-
isolated
| return
+-> G - Power line earth ground via building wiring

 The line fuse is typically 2 to 4 A, usually a normal fast blow type. Even so, it may not
blow as a result of faults down the line - the fusable resistor or regulator may fail first.
 The main bridge rectifier is often composed of 4 discrete diodes (similar to 1N400Xs) but
may also be a single unit. Failures - usually shorted diodes - are common.
 The main filter capacitor can range in size from 200 to 800 uF or more at 200 to 250 V.
THIS CAN BE LETHAL! A typical TV may continue to work at normal line voltage without
any noticeable degradation in performance (hum bars, hum in sound, or shutdown) even if
this capacitor is reduced in value by 75%. Its uF value is therefore not critical.
 The regulator is often an IC or hybrid module. Failures resulting in no or reduced output,
or no regulation are common.
 The regulator output capacitor is needed for the B+ regulator to function properly. If this
capacitor is reduced in value or develops a high ESR, regulation may fail resulting in
instability, oscillation, or excessive B+ and shutdown.
 The regulator bypass resistor reduces the amount of current control needed of the
regulator. Caution: even if the regulator has been pulled, the B+ line will have substantial
voltage as a result of this resistor.

Totally dead set

This can be as simple as a bad outlet (including blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker due to
some other fault), switched outlet and the switch is off, or bad cordset.

 Plug a lamp into the outlet to make sure it is live. If the lamp works, then the problem
is the TV. It not, the outlet is defective or the fuse is blown or the circuit breaker is
tripped. There is another very simple explanation that is sometimes overlooked: This
is a switched outlet. You always wondered what that wall switch was for that didn't
seem to do anything and you flipped randomly. :-) Well, now you know!
 Try wiggling the TV's cord both at the outlet (also push the wire toward the plug) and
TV (also push the cord toward the TV) with the set on and/or while pressing the
power-on button. If you can get a response, even momentarily, the cord likely has
broken wires internally.

Beyond these basic causes, troubleshooting will be needed inside the set to determine what is
defective. Also see the section: Intermittently dead set - bad cordset.
Intermittently dead set - bad cordset

There are two problems which are common with the line cord on appliances. Don't overlook
these really simple things when troubleshooting your vacuum cleaner - or fancy electronic
equipment! If wiggling the cord has an effect, then the following are likely causes:

 Repeated flexing results in the internal conductors breaking either at the plug or
appliance end. If flexing the cord/squeezing/pulling results in the device going on and
off, it is bad. If the problem is at the plug end, cut off the old plug a couple of inches
beyond the problem area and replace just he plug. If the problem is at the appliance
end, an entire new cordset is best though you can probably cut out the bad section and
solder what remains directly to the mainboard.

In either case, observe the polarity of the cord wires - they will be marked in some
way with a ridge or stripe. It is important that the new plug be of the same type
(polarized usually) and that the cord is wired the same way.

 The prongs do not fit snugly into older worn outlets. This can usually be remedied by
using a pointed tool like an awl or utility knife to spread apart the pair of leaves often
used to form each prong of the plug. If the prongs are made of solid metal, it may be
possible to spread them apart - widen the space between them. Alternatively, get a 3
to 2 prong adapter just to use as an intermediate connector. Spread the leaves of its
prongs. However, a new outlet is best.
 Bad connections on the mainboard. As you flex the cord, it is also stressing the
attachment to the mainboard and affecting some marginal solder joints.

It is important to deal with these symptoms as soon as possible as erratic power cycling can
lead to much more serious and expensive problems down the road.

Power button on set is flakey

If the on/off (or other button) on the set itself behaves erratically but the remote control works
fine, then it could be a dirty button or cable or other connections to the switch PCB,
particularly if the buttons on the set itself are rarely used. There could possibly be a bad
pullup resistor or something of that sort - but is it worth the effort to locate?

Why not just continue to use the remote? There is no reason to suspect that it will develop
similar symptoms. However, there is some risk that if the button is dirty, you may find the
TV coming on at random times in the middle of the night (of course!).

I think I have an older Sylvania that does that sort of thing - don't really know as I never use
the power button on the set!

If power is controlled by a hard switch - a pull or click knob, or mechanical push-push switch
and this has become erratic due to worn contacts, replacements are available but often only
directly from the original manufacturer to physically fit and (where applicable) have the
volume or other controls built in. As an alternative, consider mounting a small toggle switch
on the side of the cabinet to substitute for the broken switch. This will almost certainly be
easier and cheaper - and quite possibly, more reliable.
TV blows fuse

A blown fuse is a very common type of fault due to poor design very often triggered by
power surges due to outages or lightning storms. However, the most likely parts to short are
easily tested, usually in-circuit, with an ohmmeter and then easily removed to confirm.

Note that it *may be* useful to replace a fuse the *first* time it blows (though it would be
better to do some basic checks for shorted components first as there is a small chance that
having a fuse blow the second time could result in additional damage which would further
complicate the troubleshooting process). However, if the new one blows, there is a real
problem and the only use in feeding the TV fuses will be to keep the fuse manufacturer in
business!

Sometimes, a fuse will just die of old age or be zapped by a power surge that caused no
damage to the rest of the TV. However, it must be an EXACT replacement (including slo-
blow if that is what was there originally). Else, there could be safety issues (e.g., fire hazard
or equipment damage from too large a current rating) or you could be chasing a non-existent
problem (e.g., if the new fuse is not slo-blow and is blown by the degauss circuit inrush
current but nothing is actually wrong).

If the fuse really blows absolutely instantly with no indication that the circuits are functioning
(no high pitched horizontal deflection whine (if your dog hides under the couch whenever the
TV is turned on, deflection is probably working).) then this points to a short somewhere quite
near the AC power input. The most common places would be:

 Degauss Posistor - very likely.

 Horizontal output transistor.
 Power supply regulator if there is one.
 Power supply chopper (switchmode) transistor if there is one.
 Diode(s) in main bridge
 Main filter capacitor(s).

You should be able to eliminate these one by one.

Unplug the degauss coil as this will show up as a low resistance.

First, measure across the input to the main power rectifiers - it should not be that low. A
reading of only a few ohms may mean a shorted rectifier or two or a shorted Posistor.

 Test the rectifiers individually or remove and retest the resistance.

 Some sets use a Posistor for degauss control. This is a little cubical (about 1/2" x 3/4" x
1") component with 3 legs. It includes a line operated heater disk (which often shorts out) and
a PTC thermister to control current to the degauss coil. Remove the posistor and try power. If
the monitor now works, obtain a replacement but in the meantime you just won't have the
automatic degauss.

If these test good, use an ohmmeter with the set unplugged to measure the horizontal output
transistor. Even better to remove it and measure it.

 C-E should be high in at least one direction.

  B-E may be high or around 50 ohms but should not be near 0.

If any readings are under 5 ohms, the transistor is bad. The parts sources listed at the end of
this document will have suitable replacements.

If the HOT tests bad, try powering the set first with your light bulb and if it just flashes once
when the capacitor is charging, then put a fuse in and try it. The fuse should not blow with
the transistor removed.

Of course, not much else will work either.

If it tests good, power the set without the transistor and see what happens. If the fuse does not
blow, then with the good transistor (assuming it is not failing under load), it would mean that
there is some problem with the driving circuits possibly or with the feedback from the
voltages derived from the horizontal not regulating properly.

Look inside the TV and see if you can locate any other large power transistors in metal (TO3)
cans or plastic (TOP3) cases. There may be a separate transistor that does the low voltage
regulation or a separate regulator IC. Some TVs have a switchmode power supply that runs
off a different transistor than the HOT. There is a chance that one of these may be bad. If it is
a simple transistor, the same ohmmeter check should be performed.

If none of this proves fruitful, it may be time to try to locate a schematic.

A blown fuse is a very common type of fault due to poor design very often triggered by
power surges due to outages or lightning storms. However, the most likely parts to short are
easily tested, usually in-circuit, with an ohmmeter and then easily removed to confirm.

If you find the problem and repair it yourself, the cost is likely to be under $25.

Fuse blows or TV blows up when sync is disrupted

This is a problem which is not going to be easy to identify. One possibility is a drive problem.
The messed up sync resulting from swtiching channels, or changing input connections might
be resulting in an excessively long scan time for just one scan line. However, this may be
enough to cause a current spike in the horizontal output circuit or an excessive voltage spike
on the collector of the horizontal output transistor. Normally, the HOT current ramps up
during scan. During flyback, the current is turned off. This current is normally limited and the
voltage spike on the collector of the HOT is also limited by the snubber capacitors to a safe
value. If scan time is too long, current continues to increase. At some point, the flyback core
saturates and current goes way up. In addition, the voltage spike will be much higher -
perhaps destructively so.

Troubleshooting these sorts of problems is going to be tough. However, a likely area to

investigate would be:

 Drive circuitry for the HOT including the coupling components.

 The chip that generates takes the sync input and generates the horizontal drive signal.
 A bad low voltage regulator might permit the B+ to rise to excessive levels during black
scenes (i.e., video mute during channel changing).
Internal fuse blew during lightning storm (or elephant hit power pole)

Power surges or nearby lightning strikes can destroy electronic equipment. However, most of
the time, damage is minimal or at least easily repaired. With a direct hit, you may not
recognize what is left of it!

Ideally, electronic equipment should be unplugged (both AC line and phone line!) during
electrical storms if possible. Modern TVs, VCRs, microwave ovens, and even stereo
equipment is particularly susceptible to lightning and surge damage because some parts of the
circuitry are always alive and therefore have a connection to the AC line. Telephones,
modems, and faxes are directly connected to the phone lines. Better designs include filtering
and surge suppression components built in. With a near-miss, the only thing that may happen
is for the internal fuse to blow or for the microcontroller to go bonkers and just require power
cycling. There is no possible protection against a direct strike. However, devices with power
switches that totally break the line connection are more robust since it takes much more
voltage to jump the gap in the switch than to fry electronic parts. Monitors and TVs may also
have their CRTs magnetized due to the electromagnetic fields associated with a lightning
strike - similar but on a smaller scale to the EMP of a nuclear detonation.

Was the TV operating or on standby at the time? If it was switched off using an actual power
switch (not a logic pushbutton or the remote control), then either a component in front of the
switch has blown, the surge was enough to jump the gap between the switch contacts, or it
was just a coincidence (yeh, right).

If the TV was operating or on standby or has no actual power switch, then a number of parts
could be fried.

TVs usually have their own internal surge protection devices like MOVs (Metal Oxide
Varistors) after the fuse. So it is possible that all that is wrong is that the line fuse has blown.
Remove the cover (unplug it first!) and start at the line cord. If you find a blown fuse, remove
it and measure across the in-board side of fuse holder and the other (should be the neutral)
side of the line. The ohmmeter reading should be fairly high - well certainly not less than 100
ohms - in at least one direction. You may need to unplug the degaussing coil to get a
reasonable reading as its resistance may be 25 or 30 ohms. If the reading is really low, there
are other problems. If the resistance checks out, replace the fuse and try powering the TV.
There will be 3 possibilities:

1. It will work fine, problem solved.

2. It will immediately blow the fuse. This means there is at least one component shorted
- possibilities include an MOV, line rectifiers, main filter cap, regulator transistor,
horizontal output transistor, etc. You will need to check with your ohmmeter for
shorted semiconductors. Remove any that are suspect and see of the fuse now
survives (use the series light bulb to cut your losses - see the section: The series light
bulb trick.
3. It will not work properly or appear dead. This could mean there are open fusable
resistors other defective parts in the power supply or elsewhere. In this case further
testing will be required and at some point you may need the schematic.

If the reading is very low or the fuse blows again, see the section: TV blows fuse.
Fuse replaced but TV clicks with power-on but no other action

The click probably means that the power relay is working, though there could be bad
contacts.

Since the fuse doesn't blow now (you did replace it with one of the same ratings, right?), you
need to check for:

 Other blown fuses - occasionally there are more than one in a TV.

Replace with one of exactly the same ratings.

 Open fusable resistors. These sometimes blow at the same time or in place of the
fuses. They are usually low values like 2 ohms and are in big rectangular ceramic
power resistor cases or smaller blue or gray colored cylindrical power resistors. They
are supposed to protect expensive parts like the HOT but often blow at the same time.

If any of these are bad, they will need to be replaced with flameproof resistors of the same
ratings (though you can substitute an ordinary resistor for testing purposes). Before applying
power, check: Rectifier diodes, horizontal output transistor, regulator pass or chopper
transistor (if present), and main filter capacitor for shorts.

An initial test with an ohmmeter can be done while in-circuit. The resistance across each
diode and the collector to emitter of the transistors should be relatively high - a few hundred
ohms at lest - in at least one direction (in-circuit). If there is a question, unsolder one side of
each diode and check - should be in the Megohms or higher in one direction. Removed from
the circuit, the collector-emitter resistance should be very high in one direction at least.
Depending on the type, the base-emitter resistance may be high in one direction or around 50
ohms. If any reading on a semiconductor device is under 10 ohms - then the device most
likely bad. Assuming that you do not have a schematic, you should be able to locate the
rectifiers near where the line cord is connected and trace the circuit. The transistors will be
either in a TO3 large metal can or a TOP3 plastic package - on heat sinks. The filter capacitor
should eventually measure high in one direction (it will take a while to charge from your
ohmmeter). It could still be failing at full voltage, however.

If you find one bad part, still check everything else as more than one part may fail and just
replacing one may cause it to fail again.

Assuming everything here checks out, clip a voltmeter set on its 500 V scale or higher across
the horizontal output transistor and turn the power on. Warning - never measure this point if
the horizontal deflection is operating. it is ok now since the set is dead. If the voltage here is
100-150, then there is a problem in the drive to the horizontal output circuit. If it is low or 0,
then there are still problems in the power supply or with the winding on the flyback
transformer.

Other possible problems: bad hybrid voltage regulator, bad startup circuit, bad standby power
supply (dried up filter capacitor, etc.) bad relay contacts as mentioned above. However, these
probably would not have blown the fuse in the first place so are less likely.

Power-on tick-tick-tick or click-click-click but no other action

A variety of power supply or startup problems can result in this or similar behavior.
Possibilities include:

 Lack of startup horizontal drive - see the section: Startup problems - nothing happens,
click, or tick-tick-tick sound. The main regulator is cycling on overvoltage due to lack
of load.
 Excessive load or faulty power supply cycling on its overcurrent protection circuit.
 High voltage shutdown, or some other system detecting an out of regulation
condition. However, in this case, there should be some indication that the deflection
and HV is attempting to come up - momentary whine, static on the screen, etc.
 A dried up main filter capacitor or other filter capacitor in the low voltage power
supply that is producing an out-of-regulation condition until it warms up. A bad filter
capacitor on the output of a series regulator may result in excessive voltage and
subsequent shutdown.
 A problem with the microcontroller, relay or its driver, or standby power supply.

One possible test would be to vary the line voltage and observe the set's behavior. It may
work fine at one extreme (usually low) or the other. This might give clues as to what is
wrong.

Also see the section: Dead TV with periodic tweet-tweet, flub-flub, or low-low voltage.

No picture or raster and no sound

The screen is blank with no raster at all. There are indications that the channel numbers are
changing in the display. This indicates that some of the low voltages are present but these
may be derived from the standby supply.

Assuming there is no deflection and no HV, you either have a low voltage power supply
problem, bad startup circuit, or bad horizontal output transistor (HOT) or other bad parts in
the horizontal deflection.

Check for bad fuses.

(If you have HV as indicated by static electricity on the front of the screen and you hear the
high pitched whine of the horizontal deflection when it is turned on, then the following does
not apply).

1. Use an ohmmeter to test the HOT for shorts. If it is bad, look for open fusable
resistors or other fuses you did not catch.
2. Assuming it is good, measure the voltage on the collector-emitter of the HOT (this is
safe if there is no deflection). You should see the B+ - probably between 100 and 150
V.
3. If there is no voltage, you have a low voltage power supply problem and/or you have
not found all the bad/open parts.
4. If there is voltage and no deflection (no high pitched whine and no HV), you probably
have a startup problem - all TVs need some kind of circuit to kick start the horizontal
deflection until the auxiliary power outputs of the flyback are available. Some Zeniths
use a simple multivibrator for this - a couple of transistors. Others power the
horizontal osc. IC from a special line-derived voltage. The multivibrator type are
 sometimes designed to fail if someone keeps turning the set on and off (like kids
playing) since the power rating is inadequate.

Test the transistors if it is that type with an ohmmeter. If one is shorted, you have a
problem. The usual way a TV service person would test for startup problems is to
inject a signal to the base of the HOT of about 15.75 kHz. If the TV then starts and
runs once this signal is removed, the diagnosis is confirmed. This is risky - you can
blow things up if not careful (including yourself). See the section: Bypassing the
Startup Circuit for details.

If you hear the high pitched whine of the deflection and/or feel some static on the scree,
confirm that the horizontal deflection and high voltage are working by adjusting the
SCREEN control (probably on the flyback). If you can get a raster then your problem is
probably in the video or chroma circuits, not the deflection or high voltage.

Reduced width picture and/or hum bars in picture and/or hum in sound

The most likely cause is a dried up main filter capacitor. Once the effective capacitance drops
low enough, 120 Hz (or 100 Hz in countries with 50 Hz power) ripple will make its way into
the regulated DC supply (assuming full wave rectification).

Another likely cause of similar symptoms is a defective low voltage regulator allowing
excessive ripple. The regulator IC could be bad or filter capacitor following the IC could be
dried up.

Either of these faults may cause:

1. A pair of wiggles and/or hum bars in the picture which will float up the screen. For
NTSC where the power line is 60 Hz but the frame rate is 59.94 Hz, it will take about
8 seconds for each bar to pass a given point on the screen. (On some sets, a half wave
recitifier is used resulting in a single wiggle or hum bar).
2. Hum in the sound. This may or may not be noticeable with the volume turned down.
3. Possible regulation problems resulting in HV or total shutdown or power cycling on
and off.

The best approach to testing the capacitors is to clip a good capacitor of approximately the
same uF rating and at least the same voltage rating across the suspect capacitor (with the
power off). A capacitor meter can also be used but the capacitor may need to be removed
from the circuit.

Once the capacitors have been confirmed to be good, voltage measurements on the regulator
should be able to narrow down the problem to a bad IC or other component.

Excessive B+ from fixed regulator like STR30123/STR30130/STR30135

These are fixed regulators that do fail but the problem may be elsewhere.

If the B+ goes to high, the X-ray protection circuitry may kick in and shut down the
horizontal deflection.
If there is little or no load (horizontal deflection not running at all), all bets are off as well -
the resistor that is likely across input-output will dominate and boost the voltage above the
proper output for the regulator chip. Use a Variac to bring up the voltage to the TV. If the
deflection does not start up at any voltage even with the B+ ramping up past its normal value,
the problem is probably in the horizontal deflection/startup circuitry, not the regulator.

Some of these may go out of regulation if the output electrolytics are dried up. There might a
a 10 uF 200 V or so electrolytic across the output to ground. Test it or substitute a known
good one of about the same uF rating and at least equal voltage rating. If you can get the TV
to work at reduced voltage using a Variac (but possibly with hum bars in the picture and hum
in the audio), check the output capacitor.

Otherwise, it could be the regulator or one of its biasing components (sets current to B input -
the voltage at this input should be close to the output voltage value). Also check to be sure
the input voltage is solid - main filter capacitor is not dried up.

TV power cycling on and off

The power light may be flashing or if you are runing with a series light bulb it may be cycling
on and off continuously. There may be a chirping or clicking sound from inside the set.
(Note: using too small a series light bulb load during testing for the size of the TV may also
result in this condition.)

If there is a low voltage regulator or separate switching supply, it could be cycling on and off
if the horizontal output, flyback, or one of its secondary loads were defective.

Does this TV have a separate low voltage regulator and/or switching power supply or is it all
part of the flyback circuit? For the following, I assume it is all in one (most common).

Some simple things to try first:

Verify that the main filter capacitor is doing its job. Excessive ripple on the rectified line
voltage bus can cause various forms of shutdown behavior. An easy test is to jumper across
the capacitor with one of at least equal voltage rating and similar capacitance (make
connections with power off!).

Use a Variac, if possible, to bring up the input voltage slowly and see if the TV works at any
point without shutting down. If it does, this could be an indication of X-ray protection circuit
kicking in, though this will usually latch and keep the set shut off if excessive HV were
detected.

Dead TV with periodic tweet-tweet, flub-flub, or low-low voltage

A TV which appears to be dead except for a once a second or so tweet or flub usually
indicates an overload fault in the power supply or a short in one of its load circuits. In some
cases, the low voltage (including B+) will just be reduced to a fraction of their normal value
as a result of an overload on one of the outputs - usually the main B+.

This may be caused by a shorted rectifier in the power supply, flyback, or even the yoke, but
check the the loads first. Wait a few minutes for the filter caps to discharge (but stay away
from the CRT HV connector as it may retain a dangerous and painful charge for a long time),
use an ohmmeter across the various diodes in the power supply. Using an ohmmeter on the
rectifier diodes, the resistance in at least one direction should be greater than 100 ohms. If it
is much less (like 0 or 5 ohms), then the diode is probably bad. Unsolder and check again - it
should test infinite (greater than 1M ohms) in one direction.

Summary of possible causes:

 Bad solder connections.

 Other shorted components like capacitors.
 Other problems in the power supply or its controller.
 Bad flyback.
 Short or excessive load on secondary supplies fed from flyback.
 Short in horizontal yoke windings.
 Problem with startup drive (cycling on overvoltage).

Bypassing the Startup Circuit

Where the TV is dead and a startup problem is suspected, a TV service person would test for
startup problems by injecting a signal into the base of the HOT of about 15.75 kHz. If the TV
then starts and runs once this signal is removed, the diagnosis is confirmed. This is risky -
you can blow things up if not careful (including yourself). A 555 timer based circuit will
work fine as a signal source for this.

WARNING: be careful if you do this. The HOT circuit may be line-connected and it is
possible to destroy the HOT and related components if this is not done properly. I once
managed to kill not only the HOT but the chopper transistor as well while working in this
area. An expensive lesson.

You can reduce the risk somewhat (to the TV at least) by using a series light bulb load and/or
running on reduced line voltage. The most important thing to avoid is putting in an
excessively long drive pulse which will result in the flyback transformer saturating, huge
amounts of current, and likely a dead HOT and possibly other parts if there is nothing to limit
the current. For NTSC/PAL, it is fairly safe to assume that a 50 percent duty cycle 15 to 16
kHz drive signal will not result in fireworks as long as there aren't other problems (like a
shorted flyback/LOPT).

If after a second or so, the TV fires up (not literally!) and stays happy until it is turned off, a
startup problem is almost certain. It could be the standby supply (if used) or a dedicated
startup circuit that has failed.

But, don't push your luck - if the TV starts after a second or so of your drive signal but
doesn't continue to run when it is removed, don't be tempted to leave your circuit connected -
it could still be stressing other parts. Find out why the normal horizontal drive is not being
generated - possibly a power supply or horizontal oscillator problem.

If nothing happens, either startup is not the problem or there are other components that have
failed preventing the HOT drive signal from having any effect.

Shorted Components
A failure of the horizontal output transistor or power supply switchmode transistor will blow
a fuse or fusable resistor.

Look for blown fuses and test for open fusable resistors in the power circuits. If you find one,
then test the HOT and/or switchmode transistor for shorts.

Other possibilities: rectifier diodes or main filter capacitor.

While you are at it, check for bad connections - prod the circuit board with an insulated stick
when the problem reoccurs - as these can cause parts to fail.

Startup problems - nothing happens, click, or tick-tick-tick sound

TVs and monitors usually incorporate some kind of startup circuit to provide drive to the
horizontal output transistor (HOT) until the flyback power supply is running. Yes, TVs and
monitors boot just like computers.

There are two typical kinds of symptoms: power on click but nothing else happens or a tick-
tick-tick sound indicating cycling of the low voltage (line regulator) but lack of startup
horizontal drive.

Check the voltage on the horizontal output transistor (HOT). If no voltage is present, there
may be a blown fuse or open fusable resistor - and probably a shorted HOT.

However, if the voltage is normal (or high) - usually 100-150 V, then there is likely a
problem with the startup circuit not providing initial base drive to the HOT.

The startup circuits may take several forms:

1. Discrete multivibrator or other simple transistor circuit to provide base drive to the
HOT.
2. IC which is part of deflection chain powered off of a voltage divider or transformer.
3. Other type of circuit which operates off of the line which provides some kind of drive
to the HOT.

The startup circuit may operate off of the standby power supply or voltage derived from non-
isolated input. Be careful - of course, use an isolation transformer whenever working on TVs
and especially for power supply problems.

Note that one common way of verifying that this is a startup problem is to inject a 15 kHz
signal directly into the HOT base or driver circuit (just for a second or two). If the TV then
starts up and continues to run, you know that it is a startup problem. However, this is a risky
procedure for both you and the TV. See the section: Bypassing the Startup Circuit.

I have also seen startup circuits that were designed to fail. Turning the TV on and off multiple
times would exceed the power ratings of the components in the startup circuit. Some Zenith
models have this 'feature'.
When this situation exists, it could be that the circuit is not providing the proper drive or that
due to some other circuit condition, the drive is not always sufficient to get the secondary
supplies going to the point that the normal circuits take over.

I would still check for bad connections - prod the circuit board with an insulated stick when
the problem reoccurs.

TV turns off after warming up

If you can turn it back on with the s momentary key or power button:

When it shuts off, do you need to push the power button once or twice to get it back on?
Also, does anything else about the picture or sound change as it warms up?

1. If once, then the controller is shutting the TV down either as a result of a (thermally
induced) fault in the controller or it sensing some other problem. Monitoring the
voltage on the relay coil (assuming these is one) could help determine what is
happening. The controller thinks it is in charge.
2. If twice, then the power supply is shutting down as the controller still thinks it is on
and you are resetting it. A couple of possibilities here would be low voltage or high
voltage regulation error (excessive high voltage is sensed and causes shutdown to
prevent dangerous X-ray emission). A partially dried up main filter capacitor could
also cause a shutdown but there might be other symptoms like hum bars in the picture
just before this happened. Clipping a good capacitor across the suspect (with power
off!) would confirm or eliminate this possibility.

If it uses a pull-knob (or other hard on/off switch), then this may be like pulling the plug and
would reset any abnormal condition.

TV doesn't power up immediately

The TV may do nothing, cycle on and off for a while, power up and then shutdown in an
endless cycle - or at least for a while. Then it comes on and operates normally until it is
turned off.

A couple of possibilities:

1. The main filter capacitor or other filter capacitors in the low voltage power supply is
dried up and this can cause all kinds of regulation problems.
2. The power supply regulator is defective (or marginal) allowing excessive voltage on
its output and then the X-ray protection circuitry shuts you down.

If you can get access to a Variac, it would be worth bringing up the input voltage slowly and
seeing if there is some point at which it would stay on.

If there is, then if the picture has serious hum bars in it the main filter cap could be bad. If
more or less a decent picture with minor hum bars then it could be the regulator.

Old TV requires warmup period

So, what else is new? In the old days, a TV was expected to take a few minutes (at least) to
warm up. We are all spoiled today. Of course, you usually maintained a full time technician
or engineer to fiddle with the convergence adjustments!

A TV (from around 1983) needs at least 5 min. to warm up (lighting up the screen and
making sound if I give it a cold start. Once warmed up, you can it off and on again from the
front panel and it will work immediately. Another thing this TV has a sub-power switch in
the rear.

1983 sounds a bit late, but sets in the late '70 during the transition from tubes to all solid state
chassis often had the 'sub-power' switch providing some power to the filaments of the CRT
and other tubes - usually in the deflection and high voltage circuits since these would take a
while to heat up and stabilize. The idea was to leave this switch on all the time (except when
going on vacation - it was sometimes labeled 'vacation') so that you would have nearly instant
warm up. Supposedly, this led to an increased risk of fire as well (see the section: About
instant-on TVs).

If it is a totally solid state chassis, then there is some component - probably a capacitor in the
power supply since it affects both picture and sound - that is drifting with temperature and
needs to be located with cold spray or a heat gun.

TV shuts down with bright picture or when brightness is turned up

This is probably a protection circuit kicking in especially if turning power off or pulling the
plug is required to restore operation.

The detection circuit could be in the power supply or horizontal deflection output circuit. It
may be defective or the current may be too high for some other reason. A couple of tests can
be performed to confirm that it is due to beam current:

 Determine if behavior is similar when adjusting the user brightness control and the
screen (G2) pot (on the flyback) or master brightness control. If the TV quits at about
the same brightness level, overcurrent protection is likely.
 Disconnect the filaments to the CRT (unsolder a pin on the CRT socket) and see if it
still shuts down under the same conditions. If it is overcurrent protection, shut down
should now *not* take place since there is no beam current.

Relays in the Power Circuitry of TVs

Where power on or power off is erratic or only seems to work part way (e.g., the picture goes
off but not the sound), it may just be a sticking or dirty relay. Of course, general on/off
problems could also be relay related but could also be a lot of other things.

For erratic on/off problems, gently tapping on the relay when the problem occurs will
confirm that the relay is at fault - if the set then switches on or off properly, it's almost
certainly the relay and replacing it will fix the problem. But double check its solder
connections to make sure it isn't a simple bad connection to the relay or in its vicinity.

So what exactly is the purpose of such a power relay in a TV set? Why doesn't the power
switch on the TV just apply power directly instead of through a relay?
The usual reason for a relay instead of a knob switch is to permit a remote control to turn
power on and off. If your TV does not have a remote, then it is simply the same chassis
minus 24 cents worth of circuitry to do the remote function. Isn't marketing wonderful?

The only unknown is the coil voltage. It is probably somewhere in the 6 to 12 volt range. You
should be able to measure this on the coil terminals in operation. It will be a DC coil.

However, the relay controls the 125 VAC (or 220 VAC) which you should treat with respect
- it is a lot more dangerous than the 25kV+ on the CRT!

Almost certainly, the relay will have 4 connections - 2 for power and 2 for the coil. If it is not
marked then, it should be pretty easy to locate the power connection. One end will go to stuff
near the AC line and the other end will go to the rectifier or maybe a fusable resistor or
something like that. These will likely be beefier than the coil connections which will go
between a transistor and GND or some low voltage, or maybe directly into a big
microcontroller chip.

However, a few sets use a latching relay - separate coils (sharing a common connection) to
'set' and 'reset' the relay - like a flip flop. In such a case, the controller knows which state the
TV is in (on or off) and sens the appropriate pulse to the relay to change state. And, there will
be NO voltage on the coils of a latching relay except when turning the set on or off.

Of course, the best thing would be to get the schematic. Some big public libraries carry the
Sams' photofact series for TVs and VCRs. If not, take 10 minutes and trace it. You should be
able to get far enough to determine the relay connections.

Once you are sure of the AC connections - measure across them while it is off and also while
it is on. While off, you should get 110 to 125 VAC. While on and working - 0. While on and
not working either 110 to 125 VAC if the relay is not pulling in or 0 if it is and the problem is
elsewhere. We can deal with the latter case if needed later on. Note the even if the relay
contacts are not working, the problem could still be in the control circuitry not providing the
correct coil voltage/current, though not likely.

It may be expensive and/or difficult to obtain an exact replacement, but these are pretty
vanilla flavored as relays go. Any good electronics distributor should be able to supply a
suitable electrical replacement though you may need to be creative in mounting it.

What is a posistor?

A posistor is a combination of a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) resistor and another

resistor-element to heat it up and keep it hot. Sometimes, these will go by the name posister
or thermistor. The heater is a disk shaped resistor across the power line and the themister is a
disk shaped device in series with the degauss coil. They are in clamped together to be in close
contact thermally. You can pry off the lid and see for yourself.

The most common failure mode is for the part to short across the line.

Its function is to control degauss, so the only thing you lose when you remove one of these is
the degauss function on power-on. When you turn the TV or monitor on, the PTC resistor is
cold and low resistance. When heated, it becomes very high resistance and turns off the
degauss coil but gradually - the current ramps down to zero rather than being abruptly cut
off..

Computer Component Source stocks a wide variety, I believe but it may be cheaper to go
direct to the manufacturer if they will sell you one.

Flameproof Resistors

Flameproof Resistor or Fusable Resistor are often designated by the symbol 'FR'. They are
basically the same. The designation "Flameproof" means that if they fail due to excessive
current, there will be no chance of, well, them going up in flames. :) They will also have a
power rating and thus can act as a protective device, though a specific circuit may not depend
on a precise fuse rating, rather that the resistor will open with massively excessive current.

You may see these in the switchmode power supplies used in TVs and monitors. They will
look like power resistors but will be colored blue or gray, or may be rectangular ceramic
blocks. They should only be replaced with flameproof resistors with identical ratings. They
serve a very important safety function.

These usually serve as fuses in addition to any other fuses that may be present (and in
addition to their function as a resistor, though this isn't always needed). Since your FR has
blown, you probably have shorted semiconductors that will need to be replaced as well. I
would check all the transistors and diodes in the power supply with an ohmmeter. You may
find that the main switch mode transistor has decided to turn into a blob of solder - dead
short. Check everything out even if you find one bad part - many components can fail or
cause other components to fail if you don't locate them all. Check resistors as well, even if
they look ok.

Since they function as fuses, flameproof resistors should not be replaced with higher wattage
types unless specifically allowed by the manufacturer. These would not blow at the same
level of overload possibly resulting in damage to other parts of the circuitry and increasing
the risk of fire.

Then, with a load on the output of the power supply use a Variac to bring up the voltage
slowly and observe what happens. At 50 VAC or less, the switcher should kick in and
produce some output though correct regulation may not occur until 80 VAC or more. The
outputs voltages may even be greater than spec'd with a small load before regulation is
correct.

Width and height change with warmup

Since both width and height are affected, this points to something common like the low
voltage power supply. If there are any indications of hum bars, first check the main filter
capacitor(s) or substitute a known good one. There might even be other symptoms like faint
retrace lines on at least part of the screen.

Start by monitoring the B+ to the flyback (feeding the HOT) to see if this drifts at all. If it
does, then there is probably a low voltage regulator problem - bad capacitor, resistor, or chip.
Use freeze spray to narrow it down. If this is solid, then there could be a high voltage drift but
this would be somewhat unusual without other symptoms (like arcing) since the HV is nearly
always tracks the low voltage supply.

Problems with SCR based regulators

Here are typical symptoms:

"Sharp TV has a short blast of high voltage and sound then shuts down. All components in
regulator area test good. I have two of these sets." Is there a good sharp tech out there thats
seen this problem?"

(From: Mr. Caldwell (jcaldwel@iquest.net).)

There is a bulletin from Sharp on troubleshooting *any* SCR regulated TV, this can easily be
adapted to RCA, GE, Emerson and Panasonic sets that have similar circuits given a little
thought but the technician.

You are going to need to figure part of this out as I no longer have the schematics available.
All this will do is allow you to rule out either the regulator or the horizontal section.

Don't plug this in until you've read the whole list.

Figure out how to bypass the turn on circuit from the microprocessor (unless it's a manual
one). This is usually just jumpering the relay but sometimes Sharp puts a horizontal Vcc turn
on transistor that also must be jumpered.

Next jumper across the SCR anode to cathode.

Now using an *variable isolation transformer* turn the voltage on it down and plug the set in.
Bring the voltage up slowly, if you can bring the AC up so that the DC on the jumper across
the SCR is within the regulated voltage you should have a picture and this rules out the
horizontal section as the culprit.

If the set shuts down prior to getting the DC up enough then you've got problems in the
horizontal section. Either you have something wrong with the high voltage transformer or the
tuning caps or there is a problem with the x-ray protect pick off voltage to the deflection IC.

If it's the horizontal section you can set the AC at approx. 25v and look at the waveforms in
the horizontal output section for defects like ringing.

I've never gotten a good troubleshooting technique down for the regulator since it's an active
circuit the waveforms and voltages are not stable when it's failed. A good diode, transistor
and capacitor checker will help.

It would help to get the service manual for that set, the training manual for that chassis and
the bulletin dealing with troubleshooting SCR regulators.

Also the training manual should have a good explanation of how this regulator works. In a
nutshell the regulator is a switched mode circuit that uses a winding from the high voltage
transformer to turn off the SCR. The regulator is always turned off at the same time by a
pulse from the high voltage transformer. Regulation is achieved by controlling when the SCR
is allowed to turn on.

TV shuts down with dark picture or when changing channels

This may happen at any time or possibly after being on for awhile in which something heats
up and drifts out of spec.

The low voltage regulator may be letting the voltage rise excessively. Then, a dark picture or
video muting during a channel change triggers the X-ray or power supply overvoltage
protection.

Monitor the output of the low voltage power supply B+ to see if it is stable as the
brightness/scene changes.

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Deflection Problems
Deflection fundamentals

Note: the following is just a brief introduction. For more detailed deflection system theory of
operation and sample circuits, see the document: TV and Monitor Deflection Systems.

The electron beams in the CRT need to be scanned horizontally and vertically in a very
precise manner to produce a raster - and a picture.

For NTSC and PAL, the horizontal scan rates are 15,734 and 15,625 Hz respectively.

For NTSC and PAL, the vertical scan rates are 60 and 50 Hz (approximately) respectively.

The deflection yoke includes sets of coils for horizontal and vertical scanning oriented at 90
degrees with respect to each other. Additional coils are needed to correct for pincushion and
other geometric defects.

The deflection circuits must be synchronized and phase locked to the incoming video signal.

Therefore, we have the following functions:

1. Sync separator to obtain horizontal and vertical synchronization pulses.

2. Horizontal oscillator which locks to horizontal sync pulses.
3. Horizontal drive followed by horizontal output which feeds deflection yoke (and
flyback for HV and other voltages), Yoke requires a sawtooth current waveform for
linear horizontal deflection. Horizontal output in all but the smaller TVs is a large
discrete power transistor, most often an NPN bipolar type.
4. Vertical oscillator which locks to vertical sync pulses. Yoke requires sawtooth
waveform for linear vertical deflection.
 5. Vertical drive/output which feeds vertical deflection yoke. Newer TVs use ICs for
vertical drive and output.
6. Various additional deflection signals to correct for the imperfections in the geometry
of large angle deflection CRTs. These may be fed into the normal deflection coils
and/or there may be separate coils mounted on the neck of the CRT.

About the vertical scan rate

Some people believe that the TV scan rate is locked to the local power line. TVs never ever
used the line frequency for vertical rate. The vertical rate is not even equal to line frequency,
actually 59.94 Hz (NTSC). It was set originally to 60 Hz to minimize the visibility of
interference between the deflection and power transformer. When NTSC added color, it
changed to 59.94 Hz for highly technical reasons. And, TVs no longer have power
transformers.

See Symptoms of Some Common Deflection Problems when referring to the specific
descriptions below.

Picture squeezed in then died

You were watching 'Knight Rider' reruns and all of a sudden, the picture "squeezed in"
slowly from the right hand side. It "squeezed in" about 2 inches or so when the entire picture
went dead - has remained like this since. Sound is fine, but no activity at all from the tube.
Has it died? How much time, effort, and expense to fix?

No, it's not dead, at least it certainly is not the picture tube.

Your set probably didn't like Knight Rider - at least that episode!

Seriously, how old is the set? Is it a totally solid state chassis or are there tubes in the
deflection circuits?

Is there any indication of light on the screen? Any indication of the 15735 Hz horizontal
running at all? (You would normally hear the high pitch sound).

Newer TVs almost always derive voltages for the sound circuits from the horizontal
deflection but older hybrids may run the sound off of its own power.

In any case, there is a problem in the horizontal deflection and you probably have no high
voltage as well assuming no light on the screen.

The fact that it squeezed in first indicates that a partial short or other fault may have
developed in the horizontal deflection circuits - possibly the deflection yoke or flyback
transformer. It could also have been a bad connection letting loose. Once it failed completely,
the horizontal output transistor may have bought the farm or blown a fuse.

TV non-linearity
Most modern TVs are nearly perfect with respect to linearity. There are never any user
adjustments and there may not even be any internal adjustments. See the sections: Horizontal
position, size, and linearity adjustment and/or Vertical position, size, and linearity
adjustment.

A sudden change in linearity or a TV that requires a warmup period before linearity becomes
acceptable may have a bad component - probably a capacitor in the horizontal deflection
circuits. For the latter, try some cold spray or a heatgun to see if you can locate the bad part.

Horizontal deflection shutting down

Confirm that the horizontal deflection is shutting down (along with the high voltage since it is
derived from horizontal deflection: listen for the high pitched deflection whine, test for static
on the screen, see if the CRT filaments are lit, turn up the brightness and/or screen control to
see if you can get a raster) and then why:

1. Power is failing to the horizontal output transistor - this could be due to a low voltage
power supply problem, bad connection, etc.
2. Base drive to the horizontal output transistor is failing - could be a fault in the
horizontal oscillator or bad connection.
3. Problem with the flyback transformer or its secondary loads (flyback may provide
other power voltages).
4. X-ray protection is activating - either due to excess HV or due to a fault in the X-ray
protection circuitry.

If the problem comes and goes erratically it sounds like a bad connection, especially if
whacking has an effect. If it comes and goes periodically, then a component could be heating
up and failing, then cooling, etc.

TV will not sync

There are a wide variety of causes for a TV that will not display a stable or properly
configured picture. Among the symptoms are:

 Lack of sync horizontal - drifts smoothly horizontally. Depending on the difference

between the video horizontal rate and the free-run frequency of the horizontal
oscillator, the picture may be torn left or right (as shown in Symptoms of Some
Common Deflection Problems or have multiple images superimposed horizontally.
The situation where the picture is neatly split horizontally (which is what you might
expect) is a special case where the frequencies are virtually the same. The key
symptom common to all these is that there IS vertical lock (no blanking bar visible)
AND there is no evidence that the deflection is even attempting to lock horizontally.

This may mean that the horizontal sync signal is missing due to a sync separator
problem or that there is some other fault in the sync processing circuitry.

 Incorrect lock horizontal - a more-or-less stable torn picture. This means that the sync
signal is reaching the deflection system but that it is having problem locking to it. The
horizontal oscillator free-run frequency may be too far from what it is supposed to be
(15,734 or 15,625 for NTSC and PAL, respectively).
  Lack of sync vertical - rolls smoothly vertically. This may mean that the vertical sync
signal is missing or the deflection system is ignoring it.
 Lock not stable vertical - jumps or vibrates vertically. This may be a fault in the
vertical sync circuitry.
 Multiple or repeated images horizontally or vertically. Problems in sync processing
circuitry.

Additional comments on some of these problems follow in the next few sections.

Horizontal lock lost

A TV which loses horizontal lock when changing channels, momentarily losing the signal, or
switching inputs may have a horizontal oscillator that is way out of adjustment or has drifted
in frequency due to aging components.

Note that the characteristics of this are distinctly different than for total loss of sync. In the
latter case, the picture will drift sideways and/or up and down while with an off frequency
oscillator, the torn up picture will try at least to remain stationary.

This could be a capacitor or other similar part. Or, the oscillator frequency may just need to
be tweaked (particularly with older sets). There may be an internal horizontal frequency
adjustment - either a pot or a coil - which may need a slight tweak. If a coil, use a plastic
alignment tool, not metal to avoid cracking the fragile core.

A schematic will be useful to locate the adjustment if any or to identify possible defective
parts. Try a large public library for the Sams' Photofact for this set.

Insufficient width (without hum bars)

If there are hum bars or wiggles in the picture and/or hum in the sound, see the section:
Reduced width picture and/or hum bars in picture and/or hum in sound.

If both width and height are affected, the cause is likely something common: low, low
voltage power supply voltages or excessive high voltage (resulting in a 'stiffer' beam).

(From: Jerry G. (jerryg@total.net).)

Lack of width is usually caused by defective power supply, low horizontal drive to the yoke
and flyback, defective circuits in the pincushioning amplifier section, excessive high-voltage
caused by defective voltage regulation, and or excessive loading on the secondary side of the
flyback.

Vertical lock lost

This indicates a picture that is correct but rolling vertically.

If the picture is rolling down the screen the frequency of the vertical oscillator is incorrect -
too high - and this may be the problem. Generally, the free run frequency of the vertical
oscillator should be a little below the video rate (of around 50 or 60 Hz depending on where
you live).

If it is rolling continuously without jumping, then there is a loss of sync from the sync
separator or faulty components in the vertical oscillator causing it to totally ignore the sync
pulses.

If it is rolling up rapidly and not quite able to remain locked, the free run frequency may be
too low or there could be a fault in the sync circuits resulting in an inadequate vertical pull-in
range.

On older sets, there was actually a vertical hold (and possibly even a separate vertical
frequency) control. On anything made in the last decade, this is unlikely. There may be
Vertical Frequency and Vertical Pull-in Range adjustments (and others) accessible via the
service menu. However, if any of these ever change, it indicates a possible problem with the
EEPROM losing its memory as component drift is unlikely.

As with everything else, bad connections are possible as well. You will need a schematic and
possibly setup info to go beyond this.

Vertical squashed

This is a vertical deflection problem - possibly a bad capacitor, bad connection,

flyback/pumpup diode, or other component. None of these should be very expensive (in a
relative sort of way).

If the symptoms change - particularly if they become less severe - as the set warms up, a
dried up electrolytic capacitor is most likely. If they get worse, it could be a bad
semiconductor. Freeze spray or a heat gun may be useful in identifying the defective
component.

It is often easiest to substitute a good capacitor for each electrolytic in the vertical output
circuit. Look for bad connections (particularly to the deflection yoke), then consider replacing
the vertical output IC or transistor(s).

A defective deflection yoke is also possible or in rare cases, a bad yoke damping resistor
(e.g., 500 ohms, may be mounted on the yoke assembly itself).

Where the entire top half or botton half of the picture is squashed into into the center (i.g.,
only half the picture shows), a missing power supply voltage, defective vertical output IC, or
a component associated with it is likely bad. A bad connection or blown fusable resistor may
be the cause of a missing power supply voltage.

The following are NOT possible: CRT, flyback (except possibly where it's the source for a
missing voltage but this is more likely just a bad solder connection at a flyback pin), tuner
(except for the famous RCA/GE/Proscan or Sony models where the controller is at fault - see
the sections on these specific brands). I am just trying to think of really expensive parts that
cannot possibly be at fault :-).
Note that some movies or laser karaoke discs are recorded in 'letterbox' format which at first
glance looks like a squashed vertical problem. However, the picture aspect ratio will be
correct and turning up the brightness will reveal a perfectly normal raster above and below
the picture.

Part of picture cut off

The following applies if the part of the picture is missing but not otherwise squashed or
distorted. For example, 85% is missing but the portion still visible is normal size.

Wow! That's an interesting one, more so than the typical run-of-the-mill "my TV just up and
died on me". Or, "my pet orangutan just put a hole in the CRT, what should I do"?

Since the size of the picture fragment is correct but 85% is missing, my first thought would
be to check waveforms going into the vertical output stage. The supply voltage is probably
correct since that often determines the size. It almost sounds like the waveform rather than
being mostly on (active video) and off for the short blanking period is somehow only on
during the last part of the active video thus giving you just the bottom of the picture. If there
is a vertical output IC, it may be defective or the blanking input to it may be corrupted. The
problem may be as far back as the sync separator. Then again who knows, maybe wait for the
schematics.

<="" a="">

CAUTION: To prevent damage to the CRT phosphors, immediately turn down the brightness
so the line is just barely visible. If the user controls do not have enough range, you will have
to locate and adjust the master brightness or screen/G2 pots.

Since you have high voltage, the horizontal deflection circuits are almost certainly working
(unless there is a separate high voltage power supply - almost unheard of in modern TVs and
very uncommon in all but the most expensive monitors).

Check for bad solder connections between the main board and the deflection yoke. Could
also be a bad horizontal coil in the yoke, linearity coil, etc. There is not that much to go bad
based on these symptoms assuming the high voltage and the horizontal deflection use the
same flyback. It is almost certainly not an IC or transistor that is bad.

Single Horizontal Line

CAUTION: To prevent damage to the CRT phosphors, immediately turn down the brightness
so the line is just barely visible. If the user controls do not have enough range, you will have
to locate and adjust the master brightness or screen/G2 pots.

A single horizontal line means that you have lost vertical deflection. High voltage is most
likely fine since there is something on the screen.

This could be due to:

1. Dirty service switch contacts. There is often a small switch located inside on the main
board or perhaps accessible from the back. This is used during setup to set the color
 background levels. (On some sets, this is located on the CRT neck board and may be a
jumper plug or other means of selecting service mode - not an actual switch.)

When moved to the 'service' position, it kills vertical deflection and video to the CRT.
If the switch somehow changed position or got dirty or corroded contacts, you will
have this symptom. Flip the switch back and forth a couple of times. If there is some
change, then replace, clean, resolder, or even bypass it as appropriate.

2. Bad connection to deflection yoke or other parts in vertical output circuit. Bad
connections are common in TVs and monitors. Check around the pins of large
components like transformers, power transistors and resistors, or connectors for
hairline cracks in the solder. Reseat internal connectors. Check particularly around the
connector to the deflection yoke on the CRT.
3. Bad vertical deflection IC or transistor. You will probably need the service manual for
this and the following. However, if the vertical deflection is done with an IC, the ECG
Semiconductor Master Substitution guide may have its pinout which may be enough
to test it with a scope.
4. Other bad parts in vertical deflection circuit though there are not that many parts that
would kill the deflection entirely.
5. Loss of power to vertical deflection circuits. Check for blown fusable resistors/fuses
and bad connections.
6. Loss of vertical oscillator or vertical drive signals.

The most likely possibilities are in the deflection output stage or bad connections to the yoke.

Keystone shaped picture

This means that the size of the picture is not constant from top to bottom (width changes) or
left to right (height changes). Note that some slight amount of keystoning is probably just
within the manufacturing tolerance of the deflection yoke and factory setup (geometry
magnet placement, if any). On a TV, this is only noticeable with scenes having straight edges
(e.g., video games) in relationship to the CRT bezel.

However, a sudden increase (and it will usually be rather substantial in a TV) may indicate a
problem with the deflection yoke.

An open or short in a winding (or any associated components mounted on the yoke assembly)
will result in the beam being deflected less strongly on the side where that winding is located.
Typical TV yokes have fewer individual windings in parallel than high scan rate monitors so
the effects of one such fault are more dramatic. See the section: Deflection yoke testing.

If the set has been dropped off a 20 story building, the yoke may have shifted its position on
the neck, of the CRT resulting in all sorts of geometry and convergence problems (at the very
least).

Loss of Horizontal Sync (also applies to vertical) after Warmup

The problem lies either in the horizontal oscillator or in the sync system. If it really is a
problem with sync pulses not reaching the oscillator, the picture will move around
horizontally and can be brought to hold momentarily with the hold control. If the picture
breaks up into strips, there is a problem in the horizontal oscillator. Rotate the hold control: if
the frequency is too far off, the picture will not settle into place at any adjustment of the hold
control. Look around the horizontal oscillator circuit: all of the oscillator parts will be right
there, or check on the horizontal oscillator module. Another horizontal problem can occur if
the set is an RCA made from around 1972-1980: these sets are designed to slip very far off
sync if the high voltage is too high, to protect against radiation. Turning up the brightness
will decrease the number of bars if this system is in question, as the high voltage is
decreasing. In this case, check around the high-voltage regulation system on the deflection
systems board. I've had 2 1970's RCA's with this problem.

Intermittent jumping or jittering of picture or other random behavior

This has all the classic symptoms of a loose connection internal to the TV or monitor -
probably where the deflection yoke plugs into the main PCB or at the base of the flyback
transformer. TVs and monitors are notorious for both poor quality soldering and bad
connections near high wattage components which just develop over time from temperature
cycling. The problem may happen any time or more when cold or hot.

The following is not very scientific, but it works: Have you tried whacking the TV when this
happened and did it have any effect? If yes, this would be further confirmation of loose
connections.

What you need to do is examine the solder connections on the PCBs in the monitor,
particularly in the area of the deflection circuits and power supply. Look for hairline cracks
between the solder and the component pins - mostly the fat pins of transformers, connectors,
and high wattage resistors. Any that are found will need to be reflowed with a medium
wattage (like 40W) or temperature controlled soldering iron.

It could also be a component momentarily breaking down in the power supply or deflection
circuits.

One other possibility is that there is arcing or corona as a result of humid weather. This could
trigger the power supply to shut down perhaps with a squeak, but there would probably be
additional symptoms including possibly partial loss of brightness or focus before it shut
down. You may also hear a sizzling sound accompanied by noise or snow in the picture,
static in the sounds, and/or a smell of ozone.

Horizontal output transistors keep blowing (or excessively hot)

Unfortunately, these sorts of problems are often difficult to definitively diagnose and repair
and will often involve expensive component swapping.

You have just replaced an obviously blown (shorted) horizontal output transistor (HOT) and
an hour (or a minute) later the same symptoms appear. Or, you notice that the new HOT is
hotter than expected:

Would the next logical step be a new flyback (LOPT)? Not necessarily.
If the set performed normally until it died, there are other possible causes. However, it could
be the flyback failing under load or when it warms up. I would expect some warning though -
like the picture shrinks for a few seconds before the poof.

Other possible causes:

1. Improper drive to horizontal output transistor (HOT). A weak drive might cause the
HOT to turn on or (more likely) shut off too slowly (greatly increasing heat
dissipation. Check driver and HOT base circuit components. Dried up capacitors,
open resistors or chokes, bad connections, or a driver transformer with shorted
windings or broken or loose core can all affect drive waveforms.
2. Excessive voltage on HOT collector - check LV regulator (and line voltage if this is a
field repair), if any.
3. Defective safety capacitors or damper diode around HOT. (Though this usually results
in instant destruction with little heating).
4. New transistor not mounted properly to heat sink - probably needs mica washer and
heat sink compound.
5. Replacement transistor not correct or inferior cross reference. Sometimes, the
horizontal deflection is designed based on the quirks of a particular transistor.
Substitutes may not work reliably.
6. CRT shorting internally. If this happens only once in two weeks, it may be diffuclt to
track down :-(.

The HOT should not run hot if properly mounted to the heat sink (using heatsink compound).
It should not be too hot to touch (CAREFUL - don't touch with power on - it is at over a
hundred volts with nasty multihundred volt spikes and line connected - discharge power
supply filter caps first after unplugging). If it is scorching hot after a few minutes, then you
need to check the other possibilities.

It is also possible that a defective flyback - perhaps one shorted turn - would not cause an
immediate failure and only affect the picture slightly. This would be unusual, however. See
the section: Testing of flyback (LOPT) transformers.

Note that running the set with a series light bulb may allow the HOT to survive long enough
for you to gather some of the information needed to identify the bad component.

Horizontal output transistors blowing at random intervals

The HOT may last a few months or years but then blow again.

These are among the hardest problems to locate. It could even be some peculiar combination
of user cockpit error - customer abuse - that you will never identify. Yes, this should not
happen with a properly designed TV though newer horizontal processor chips are quite smart
about preventing HOT killing signals from reaching the horizontal driver.

However, a combination of channel changing, loss of sync when switching video sources,
and frequent power cycles, could test the TV in ways never dreamed of by the designers. It
may take only one scan line that is too long to blow the HOT.
On the other hand, the cause may be along the lines of those listed in the section: Horizontal
output transistors keep blowing (or excessively hot) and just not as obvious - blowing in a
few days or weeks instead of a few seconds but in this case, the HOT will likely be running
very hot even after only a few minutes.

Another possible cause for random failures of the HOT are bad solder connections in the
vicinity of the flyback and HOT (very common due to the large hot high power components)
as well as the horizontal driver and even possibly the sync and horizontal oscillator circuits,
power supply, or elsewhere.

Vertical foldover

The picture is squashed vertically and a part of it may be flipped over and distorted.

This usually indicates a fault in the vertical output circuit. If it uses an IC for this, then the
chip could be bad. It could also be a bad capacitor or other component in this circuit. It is
probably caused by a fault in the flyback portion of the vertical deflection circuit - a charge
pump that generates a high voltage spike to return the beam to the top of the screen.

Test components in the vertical output stage or substitute for good ones.

Comments on vertical problems

(From: Bert Christensen (bert.christensen@rose.com).)

As a general rule, vertical faults can be divided into two types: ones that cause geometric
distortion (a circle will not be round) and those that simply black out a portion of the screen.
The former are faults in the vertical oscillator, drive, or output stages. The latter are blanking
faults. Blanking faults are almost always caused by electrolytic capacitors changing value and
thereby changing the timing of the pulses which blank the screen during vertical retrace. In
other words, the pulses are turning off the video signals at the wrong time.

The most common true vertical fault is geometric distortion and a foldover of white lines at
the top of the screen. This is almost always caused by the electrolytic capacitor on or near the
collector of the vertical output transistor or part of the IC which has the supply voltage (B+)
on it. In the old tube days, the general rule was that bottom distortion was in the cathode of
the output tube and distortion at the top was caused by a fault in the drive circuit.

Jagged or uneven vertical sweep

(From: Matthias Meerwein (Matthias.Meerwein@rt.bosch.de).)

I recently fixed two CRT display devices that both developed a very similar problem: The
vertical deflection was severely "jagged" with uneven line spacing and partial vertical
foldover. One patient was a nameless el-cheapo 28-inch TV (1988 made), the other one a 14
inch ADI SVGA monitor (1991 vintage).

My first suspicions were bad contacts on the PCB or yoke connectors or isolation /
connectivity problems inside the yoke. However, as the picture didn't change with warmup or
tapping, those causes could be ruled out. Examining the vertical deflection waveform with
the scope showed the problem being a parasitic high frequency oscillation around the vertical
output IC. On the TV, the oscillation extended over the entire scan period, while the monitor
exhibited the problem only near the vertical current zero cross.

In both cases I found the capacitor of the RC damping network on the amp output to be at
fault. Replacing it fixed the problem in both sets. This is not the well-known dried-up-
electrolytic problem described in the FAQ. The culprits were mylar caps (.1 and .47 uF)
looking completely unsuspicious. They were probably a bit underrated voltage-wise (40
volts) so I replaced them with 100 volts rated ones. The 2.2 ohms resistor in series with the
cap was fine in both cases.

Excessive width/pincushioning problems

This would mean that the left and right sides of the picture are 'bowed' and the screen looks
something like the diagram below (or the opposite - barrel distortion).

However, the obvious symptoms may just be excess width as the curved sides may be cut off
by the CRT bezel.

============================================
\ /
\ /
\ /
\ /
\ /
\ /
| |
| |
| |
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
==============================================

In particular, this sounds like a pincushion problem - to correct for pincushion, a signal from
the vertical deflection that looks something like a rectified sinewave is used to modify width
based on vertical position. There is usually a control to adjust the magnitude of this signal
and also often, its phase. It would seem that this circuit has ceased to function.

If you have the schematics, check them for 'pincushion' adjustments and check signals and
voltages. If not, try to find the 'pincushion' magnitude and phase adjustments and look for bad
parts or bad connections in in the general area. Even if there are no adjustment pots, there
may still be pincushion correction circuitry.

If the internal controls have absolutely no effect, then the circuit is faulty. With modern
digital setup adjustments, then it is even tougher to diagnose since these control a D/A
somewhere linked via a microprocessor.

Pincushion adjustment adds a signal to the horizontal deflection to compensate for the
geometry of the CRT/deflection yoke. If you have knobs, then tracing the circuitry may be
possible. With luck, you have a bad part that can be identified with an ohmmeter - shorted or
open. For example, if the pincushion correction driver transistor is shorted, it will have no
effect and the picture will be too wide and distorted as shown above.

However, without a schematic even this will be difficult. If the adjustments are digital this is
especially difficult to diagnose since you don't even have any idea of where the circuitry
would be located.

Faulty capacitors in the horizontal deflection power supplies often cause a similar set of
symptoms.

Deflection yoke testing

A faulty deflection yoke can affect the geometry (size and shape) of the raster, result in
insufficient high voltage and/or other auxiliary power problems, and blow various
components in the low voltage power supply or elsewhere.

 A simple test to determine if the yoke is at fault for a major geometry problem (e.g., a
keystone shaped picture) is to interchange the connections to the yoke for the axis that
is not affected (i.e., the vertical coils if the width is varying from top to bottom). If the
raster/picture flips (indicating that you swapped the proper connections) but the shape
of the raster remains the same - the geometry is unchanged, the problem is almost
certainly in the deflection yoke.
 Where high voltage (and other flyback derived voltages) are reduced and other
problems have been ruled out, unplugging the deflection yoke (assuming no interlock)
may reveal whether it is likely at fault. If this results in high voltage and a relatively
clean deflection waveform or returns the power supply or deflection chip load to
something reasonable, a defective yoke is quite possible.

CAUTION: powering a TV or monitor with a disconnected yoke must be done with

care for several reasons:

o The CRT electron beam(s) will not be deflected. If it turns out that the yoke is
the problem, this may result in a very bright spot in the center of the screen
(which will turn into a very dark permanent spot quite quickly) :-(.
Disconnecting only the winding that is suspect is better. Then, the other
direction will still scan resulting in a very bright line instead of a super bright
spot. In any case, make sure the brightness is turned all the way down (using
the screen/G2 control on the flyback if necessary). Keep an eye on the front of
the screen ready to kill power at the first sign of a spot or line. Disconnecting
the CRT heater as an added precaution would be even better unless you need
to determine if there is a beam.
o Removing the yoke (which is effectively in parallel with the flyback) increases
the inductance and the peak flyback voltage on the HOT. In the extreme, this
may blow the HOT if run at full line voltage/normal B+. It is better to perform
these tests using a Variac at reduced line voltage if possible.
o The deflection system will be detuned since the yoke inductance plays a very
significant role in setting the resonance point in most designs. Don't expect to
see totally normal behavior with respect to high voltage. However, it should be
much better than with the faulty yoke.
  If possible, compare all measurements with a known good identical deflection yoke.
Of course, if you have one, swapping is the fastest surest test of all! In many cases,
even a not quite identical yoke will be close enough to provide useful information for
testing. However, it must be from a similar piece of equipment with similar
specifications - size and scan range. Don't expect a color TV yoke to work in a high
performance SVGA monitor!

Note: the substitute yoke doesn't have to be mounted on the CRT which would disturb
purity and convergence adjustments but see the caution above about drilling holes in
the CRT face plate!

The deflection yoke consists of the horizontal coils and vertical coils (wound on a ferrite
core), and mounting structure. Little magnets or rubber/ferrite strips may be glued in strategic
locations. DO NOT disturb them! In rare instances, there may be additional coils or other
components mounted on the same assembly. The following deals only with the actual
deflection coils themselves - the other components (if any) can be tested in a similar manner.

Where the test procedure below requires removal of the yoke, see the section: Removing and
replacing the deflection yoke first.

 Horizontal - the horizontal section consists of an even number of windings hooked up

in parallel/interleaved with half of the windings on each of the two ferrite core pieces.

The horizontal windings will be oriented with the coil's axis vertical and mounted on
the inside of the yoke (against the CRT neck/funnel). It may be wound with thicker
wire than that used for the vertical windings.

o Resistance check - This may be possible without removing the yoke from the
CRT if the terminal block is accessible. Disconnect the individual windings
from each other and determine if the resistances are nearly equal. Check for
shorts between windings and between the horizontal and vertical windings as
well.

Typical resistance of the intact windings (at the yoke connector assuming no
other components): TV or NTSC/PAL monitor - a few ohms (3 ohms typical),
SVGA monitor - less than an ohm (.5 ohms typical).

o Inspection - Look for charring or other evidence of insulation breakdown due

to arcing or overheating. For the horizontal windings, this will require
removing the yoke from the CRT since little if any of the windings are visible
from the outside. However, even then, most of the windings are hidden under
layers of wire or behind the ferrite core.
o Ring test. See the document "Testing of Flyback (LOPT) Transformers". This
deals with flyback transformers but the principles are the same. Disconnecting
the windings may help isolate the location of a fault. However, for windings
wound on the same core, the inductive coupling will result in a short anywhere
on that core reducing the Q.
 Vertical - The vertical section is usually manufactured as a pair of windings wired in
parallel (or maybe in series) though for high vertical scan rate monitors, multiple
parallel/interleaved windings are also possible.
 The vertical windings will be oriented with the coil's axis horizontal and wound on
the outside of the yoke. The wire used for the vertical winding may be thinner than
that used for the horizontal windings.

o Resistance check - This may be possible without removing the yoke from the
CRT if the terminal block is accessible. Disconnect the individual windings
from each other and determine if the resistances are nearly equal. Check for
shorts between windings and between the horizontal and vertical windings as
well.

Typical resistance of the intact windings (at the yoke connector assuming no
other components): TV or NTSC/PAL monitor - more than 10 ohms (15 ohms
typical), SVGA monitor - at least a few ohms (5 ohms typical).

o Inspection - Look for charring or other evidence of insulation breakdown due

to arcing or overheating. The accessible portions of the vertical windings are
mostly visible without removing the yoke from the CRT. However, most of
the windings are hidden under layers of wire or behind the ferrite core.
o Ring test - Since the vertical windings have significant resistance and very low
Q, a ring test may be of limited value.

Deflection yoke repair

So you found a big black charred area in/on one of the yoke windings. What can be done? Is
it possible to repair it? What about using it for testing to confirm that there are no other
problems before ordering a new yoke?

If the damage is minor - only a few wires are involved, it may be possible to separate them
from each other and the rest of the winding, thoroughly clean the area, and then insulate the
wires with high temperature varnish. Then, check the resistances of each of the
parallel/interleaved windings to make sure that you caught all the damage.

Simple plastic electrical tape can probably be used for as insulation for testing purposes - it
has worked for me - but would not likely survive very long as a permanent repair due to the
possible high temperatures involved. A new yoke will almost certainly be needed.

Testing of flyback (LOPT) transformers

How and why do flyback transformers fail?

Flybacks fail in several ways:

1. Overheating leading to cracks in the plastic and external arcing. These can often be
fixed by cleaning and coating with multiple layers of high voltage sealer, corona
dope, or even plastic electrical tape (as a temporary repair in a pinch).
2. Cracked or otherwise damaged core will effect the flyback characteristics to the point
where it may not work correctly or even blow the horizontal output transistor.
3. Internal shorts in the FOCUS/SCREEN divider network, if present. One sign of this
may be arcover of the FOCUS or SCREEN sparkgaps on the PCB on the neck of the
CRT.
 4. Internal short circuits in the windings.
5. Open windings.

More than one of these may apply in any given case.

First, perform a careful visual inspection with power off. Look for cracks, bulging or melted
plastic, and discoloration, Look for bad solder connections at the pins of the flyback as well.
If the TV or monitor can be powered safely, check for arcing or corona around the flyback
and in its vicinity,

Next, perform ohmmeter tests for obvious short circuits between windings, much reduced
winding resistances, and open windings.

For the low voltage windings, service manuals may provide the expected DC resistance
(Sams' PhotoFact, for example). Sometimes, this will change enough to be detected - if you
have an ohmmeter with a low enough scale. These are usually a fraction of an ohm. It is
difficult or impossible to measure the DC resistance of the HV winding since the rectifiers
are usually built in. The value is not published either.

Caution: make sure you have the TV or monitor unplugged and confirm that the main filter
capacitor is discharged before touching anything! If you are going to remove or touch the
CRT HV, focus, or screen wires, discharge the HV first using a well insulated high value
resistor (e.g., several M ohms, 5 W) to the CRT ground strap (NOT signal ground. See the
section: Safe discharging of capacitors in TVs and video monitors.

Partially short circuited windings (perhaps, just a couple of turns) and sometimes shorts in the
focus/screen divider will drastically lower the Q and increase the load the flyback puts on its
driving source with no outputs connected. Commercial flyback testers measure the Q by
monitoring the decay time of a resonant circuit formed by a capacitor and a winding on the
flyback under test after it is excited by a pulse waveform. It is possible to easily construct
testers that perform a well. See the companion document Testing of Flyback (LOPT)
Transformers for further information.

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

High Voltage Power Supply Problems

HV power supply fundamentals

Most, if not all, TVs derive the high voltage for the CRT second anode, focus, and
(sometimes) screen (G2) from the horizontal deflection system. This technique was
developed quite early in the history of commercial TV and has stuck for a very simple reason
- it is very cost effective. A side effect is that if the horizontal deflection fails and threatens to
burn a (vertical) line into the CRT phosphors, the high voltage dies as well.

Most TV high voltage supplies operate as follows:

 1. Horizontal output transistor (HOT) turns on during scan. Current increases linearly in
primary of flyback transformer since it appears as an inductor. Magnetic field also
increases linearly. Note: flyback is constructed with air gap in core. This makes it
behave more like an inductor as far as the primary drive is concerned.
2. HOT shuts off at end of scan. Current decreases rapidly. Magnetic field collapses
inductively coupling to secondary and generates HV pulse. Inductance and
capacitance of flyback, snubber capacitors, and parasitic capacitance of circuitry and
yoke form a resonant circuit. Ideally, voltage waveform across HOT during flyback
(retrace) period will be a single half cycle and is clamped by damper diode across
HOT to prevent undershoot.
3. Secondary of flyback is either a single large HV winding with HV rectifiers built in
(most often) or an intermediate voltage winding and a voltage multiplier built in or a
separate unit (see the section: What is a tripler?. The output will be DC HV pulses.
4. The capacitance of the CRT envelope provides the needed filtering to adequately
smooth the HV pulses into a DC voltage.
5. A high resistance voltage divider provides the several kV focus voltage and
sometimes the several hundred volt screen (G2) voltage as well. Often, the
adjustments for these voltages are built into the flyback. Sometimes they are mounted
separately. The focus and screen are generally the top and bottom knobs, respectively.

What is a tripler?

In some TVs, the flyback transformer only generates about 6-10 kV AC which is then
boosted by a diode-capacitor ladder to the 18-30 kV needed for modern color CRTs. The unit
that does this is commonly called a tripler since it multiplies the flyback output by about 3
times. Some TVs use a quadrupler instead. However, many TVs generate the required HV
directly with a winding with the required number of turns inside the flyback transformer.

Triplers use a diode-capacitor ladder to multiply the 6-10 kV AC to 18-30 kV DC. Many
triplers are separate units, roughly cubical, and are not repairable. Some triplers are built in to
the flyback - it is probably cheaper to manufacture the HV diodes and capacitors than to wind
a direct high voltage secondary on the flyback core. In either case, failure requires
replacement of the entire unit.

For external multipliers, the terminals are typically marked:

 IN - from flyback (6-10 kV AC).

 OUT - HV to CRT (20-30 kV DC).
 F - focus to CRT (2-8 kV).
 CTL - focus pot (many megohm to ground).
 G, GND, or COM - ground.

Symptoms of tripler failure are: lack of high voltage or insufficient high voltage, arcing at
focus protection spark gap, incorrect focus voltage, other arcing, overload of HOT and/or
flyback, or focus adjustment affecting brightness (screen) setting or vice-versa. Where there
is overloading, if you disconnect the tripler and everything else comes back to life (obviously,
there will be no HV or picture), then it is very likely bad.

High voltage shutdown due to X-ray protection circuits

A TV that runs for a while or starts to come on but then shuts down may have a problem with
the X-ray protection circuitry correctly or incorrectly determining that the high voltage (HV)
is too great (risking excessive X-ray emission) and shutting everything down.

A side effect of activation of this circuitry is that resetting may require pulling the plug or
turning off the real (hard) power switch.

Was there anything else unusual about the picture lately that would indicate an actual
problem with the HV? If this is the case, then there may be some problem with the HV
regulation. If not, the shutdown circuit may be overly sensitive or one of its components may
be defective - a bad connection of leaky cap (or zener).

If the horizontal frequency is not correct (probably low) due to a faulty horizontal oscillator
or sync circuit or bad horizontal hold control (should one exist!), HV may increase and
trigger shutdown. Of course, the picture won't be worth much either!

One symptom of excessive HV (but not required) is an overly bright picture of reduced size.

The HV shutdown circuit usually monitors a winding off of the flyback for voltage exceeding
some reference and then sets a flip flop shutting the horizontal drive off.

On some Sony models, a HV resistive divider performs this function and these do fail - quite
often. The big red Hstat block is a common cause of immediate or delayed shutdown on
certain Sony monitors and TVs. See the section: Sony TVs/monitors and Hstat.

Low or no high voltage

Most of these problems are due to faults in the horizontal deflection system - shorted HOT,
shorted windings or HV rectifiers in the flyback, defective tripler, or other bad parts on the
primary side of the flyback.

However, if you discover an inch layer of filth inside the TV, the HV could simply be
shorting out - clean it first.

In most cases, these sorts of faults will put an excessive load on the horizontal output circuits
so there may be excessive heating of the HOT or other components. You may hear an audible
arcing or sizzling sound from internal shorts in the flyback or tripler. Either of these may bet
hot, crack, bulge, or exhibit visible damage if left on with the fault present.

Most modern TVs do not regulate HV directly but rather set it via control of the low voltage
power supply to the HOT (B+), by snubber capacitors across the HOT, and the turns ratio of
the flyback. The HV is directly related to the B+ so if this is low, the HV will be low as well.
Faulty snubber capacitors will generally do the opposite - increase the HV and the X-ray
protection circuits may kick in. However, low HV is also a possibility. The only way the
turns ratio of the flyback can change is from a short which will manifest its presence in other
ways as well - excessive heating and load on the horizontal output circuits.

While a shorted second anode connection to the CRT is theoretically possible, this is quite
unlikely (except, as noted, due to dirt).
Excessive high voltage

Any significant increase in HV should cause the X-ray protection circuits to kick in and
either shut down the set or modify the deflection in such a way as to render it harmless.

Symptoms include arcing/sparking of HV, smaller than normal picture, and under certain
scenarios, possible excessive brightness.

Causes of the HV being too high are:

1. Excess B+ voltage to the HOT. The likely cause is to a low voltage regulator failure.
2. Open snubber capacitors across the HOT. These are under a lot of stress and are
located near hot components so failure is possible.
3. Incorrect excessively long scan drive to HOT caused by failure of horizontal
oscillator/sync circuits. However, other things like the HOT will probably blow up
first. The picture will definitely be messed up.
4. Failure of HV regulator (tube sets and a few solid state sets - actual HV regulators are
relatively uncommon today.) This may result in an underscanned (smaller than
normal) picture.

Snaps, crackles, and other HV breakdown

Various problems can result in occasional or sustained sparking or arcing sounds from inside
the monitor. Note that a static electricity buildup is common on the front of the screen. It is
harmless and there iss nothing you can do about it anyhow.

The following may result in occasional or sustained sounds not commonly associated with a
properly working TV or monitor. There may or may not be flashes or blanking of the screen
at the same time as the audible noise. See the same-named sections that follow for details.

 Arcing, sparking, or corona from CRT HV anode (red wire/suction cup).

 Arcing at CRT sparkgaps.
 Arcing from flyback or vicinity.
 Arcing due to bad connections to or disconnected CRT return.
 Flashovers inside the CRT.

Arcing, sparking, or corona from CRT HV anode (red wire/suction cup)

Symptoms could include a sizzling corona or more likely, an occasional or rapid series of
sharp snaps - possibly quite loud and quite visible - from the anode connection (at the suction
cup) on the CRT to the grounded coating on the outside of the CRT or a chassis ground point
(or any other conductor nearby). Corona is a high resistance leakage through the air without
total breakdown. The snapping is caused by the sudden and nearly complete discharge of the
CRT anode capacitance through a low resistance ionized path similar to lightning.

There are two likely causes:

1. Dirt, dust, grime, around and under the suction cup on the CRT are providing a
discharge path. This may be more severe in humid weather. Safely discharge the HV
and then remove and thoroughly clean the HV suction cup and the area under it and
 on the CRT for several inches around the HV connection. Make sure there are no
loose wires or other possible places for the HV to discharge to in the vicinity.
2. The high voltage has gone through the roof. Usually, the X-ray protection circuitry
should kick in but it can fail. If cleaning does not help, this is a likely possibility. See
the sections: "High voltage shutdown due to X-ray protection circuits" and "Excessive
high voltage".

Arcing from flyback or vicinity

Arcing may be visible or audible and result in readily detectable levels of ozone. Note that
very slight traces of ozone may not indicate anything significant but if the TV smells like an
office copier, there is probably some discharge taking place.

WARNING: It is possible for arcing to develop as a result of excessive high voltage.

Symptoms might be a smaller than normal excessively bright picture but this may not be able
to be confirmed until the flyback is repaired or replaced. See the section: Excessive high
voltage.

 On the HV output, it will probably be a loud snapping sound (due to the capacitance
of the CRT) with associated blue/white sparks up to an inch or more in length. If the
arc length is short enough, this may turn into a nearly continuous sizzling sound with
yellow/orange arc and melting/burning plastic.
 Prior to the HV rectifier, it will likely be a continuous sizzle with orange/yellow/white
arc and melting/burning plastic or circuit board material.
 Internal arcing in the flyback may be audible and eventually result in a bulging and/or
cracked case (if some other component doesn't fail first as this would take some time
to develop).
 A corona discharge without actual sparks or a visible well defined arc is also possible.
This may be visible in a totally dark room, possibly more likely when the humidity is
high. A thorough cleaning to remove all dust and grime may be all that is needed in
this case.
 If the arc is coming from a specific point on the flyback - a crack or pinhole - this may
be patched well enough to confirm that the rest of the TV is operational and a new
flyback is worth the money. Otherwise, there is no way of knowing if the arcing may
have damaged other circuitry until a replacement flyback - possibly money wasted -
arrives.

To attempt a repair, scrape off any dirt or carbon that is present along the path of the
arcing and its vicinity. Then, clean the area thoroughly with alcohol and dry
completely. Otherwise, the dirt and carbon will just act as a good conductor and the
arcing will continue under your repair! Several layers of plastic electrical tape may be
adequate for testing. Multiple coats of high voltage sealer or non-corroding RTV
silicone (if it smells like vinegar - acetic acid - as it cures, this may get in and affect
the windings) would be better if the objective is an actual repair. A thick layer of
Epoxy may be even better and affected less by possible HV corona. Either of these
may prove to be a permanent fix although starting the search for a source for a new
flyback would not hurt just in case. The arc most likely did damage the insulation
internally which may or may not be a problem in the future.

Also see the section: Dave's complete procedure for repair of an arcing flyback.
  In some cases, the pinhole or crack is an indication of a more serious problem -
overheating due to shorted windings in the flyback or excessive secondary load.
 If the arc is from one of the sparkgaps around the CRT, the CRT socket, or the plastic
'alignment base' on the CRT itself, this could also be a flyback problem indicating
internal shorts in the focus/screen network.
 If the arcing is inside the CRT, this could indicate a bad CRT or a problem with the
flyback focus/screen network and no or inadequate sparkgap protection.

Where repair seems possible, first, clean the areas around the arc thoroughly and then try
several layers of plastic electrical tape. If the TV works normally for say, an hour, then there
is probably nothing else wrong and you can try for a proper sealing job or hope that tape
holds out (put a few more layers on - each is good for about 8-10 kV theoretically).

However, replacement of the flyback really is the best alternative to minimize risk of future
problems. This is the only option where there could be a potential issue of liability should
subsequent failure result in a fire.

Once I had a TV where the main problem was a cracked flyback arcing but this took out one
of the fusable resistors for the power supply to the *vertical* output so the symptoms
included a single horizontal line. Don't ask me to explain - replacing that resistor and the
flyback (the flyback tested good, but this was for someone else) fixed the TV.

In another case, a pinhole developed in the flyback casing probably due to poor plastic
molding at the time of manufacture. This resulted in a most spectacular case of sparking to a
nearby bracket. A few layers of electrical tape was all that was needed to affect a permanent
repair.

Dave's complete procedure for repair of an arcing flyback

(From: Dave Moore (penguin@datastar.net).

First I clean the afflicted area with Electromotive spray from Autozone. It's for cleaning
alternators. On Z-line I remove the focus control and wash with the alternator cleaner and a
tooth brush until all dirt and carbon deposits are removed. Then I take an xacto knife and
carve out the carbonized hole where the arcing broke through. Then take your soldering iron
and close the hole by melting adjacent plastic into it. (clean any solder off your iron with
solder-wick first). Then cut some plastic off of some other part off the flyback where it wont
be needed and use this to plastic weld (with your iron) a hump of a patch into and over the arc
hole. Smooth and seal with iron. Next apply as thick a layer of silicone rubber as you can and
let dry overnight.

Arcing at spark gaps and gas discharge tubes on CRT neck board or
elsewhere

These are protective devices intended to breakdown and divert excessive voltage away from
the CRT (usually).

This is rarely due to a defective sparkgap or gas discharge tube but rather is a safety
mechanism like a fuse designed to protect the internal electrodes of the CRT if the focus or
screen voltage should become excessive. The sparkgap breaks down first and prevents
internal arcing in the CRT. These sparkgaps may be built into the CRT socket as well.

Arcing at a sparkgap or a glowing or flashing discharge tube may be accompanied by total

loss of picture or bad focus, brightness or focus fluctuations, or any of a number of similar
symptoms. A common cause is a breakdown inside the focus divider (usually part of the
flyback or tripler) but could also be due to excessive uncontrolled high voltage due to a
failure of the B+ regulator or HOT snubber capacitor, or (ironically) even a short inside the
CRT.

 Spark gaps may be actual two or three pin devices with seemingly no insides, part of
the CRT socket, or printed on the circuit board itself.
 Gas discharge tubes look like small neon lamps (e.g., NE2) but could be filled with
some other gas mixture to provide a controlled higher breakdown voltage.

Therefore, like a fuse, don't just replace or disable these devices, locate and correct
underlying problem. The CRT makes an expensive fuse!

Arcing due to bad connections to or disconnected CRT return

The Aquadag coating on the outside of the CRT is the negative plate of the HV filter
capacitor. If this is not solidly connected to the HV return, you will have your 25 kV+ trying
to go where it should not be. There should be a wire solidly attached to the CRT neck board
or chassis. Without this, voltage will build up until it is able to take some other path -
possibly resulting in damage to sensitive solid state components in the process. Therefore, is
is important to rectify the situation.

Warning: If you find this disconnected, don't just attach it anywhere. You may instantly kill
ICs or other solid state components. It must be connected to the proper return point on the
CRT neck board or chassis.

Flashovers inside the CRT

Due to sharp edges on the electron gun electrodes, impurities, and other manufacturing
defects, there can be occasional arcing internal to the CRT. Properly designed HV, deflection,
and power supply circuits can deal with these without failing but not all monitors are
designed well.

There is nothing you can do about flashovers assuming your HV is not excessive (see the
section: Excessive high voltage. If these persist and/or become more frequent, a new CRT or
new TV will be needed.

Ozone smell and/or smoke from TV

Smoking is just as bad for TVs as for people and usually more quickly terminal.

White acrid smoke may indicate a failed electrolytic capacitor in the power supply probably
in conjunction with a shorted rectifier. Needless to say, pull the plug at once.
A visual inspection should be able to easily confirm the bad capacitor as it will probably be
bulging and have condensed residue nearby. Check the rectifier diodes or bridge rectifier with
an ohmmeter. Resistance across any pair of leads should be more than a few ohms in at least
one direction. Remove from the circuit to confirm. Both the faulty diode(s) and capacitor
should be replaced (though the capacitor may work well enough to test with new diode(s).

If a visual inspection fails to identify the smoking part, you can probably plug the set in for a
few seconds until the source of the smoke is obvious but be prepared to pull the plug in a real
hurry.

If the smell/smoke is coming from the flyback, then it has probably gone belly up. You may
be able to see a crack or bulge in the case. While the flyback will definitely need to be
replaced, it is likely that nothing else is wrong. However, it might be prudent to use a Variac
when performing initial testing with the replacement just in case there is a secondary short
circuit or excess HV problem.

X-ray and other EM emission from my TV or monitor?

X-ray radiation is produced when a high velocity electron beam strikes a target containing
heavy metals. In a modern TVs and monitors, this can only take place at the shadow
mask/aperture grille and phosphor screen of the CRT.

For X-rays, the amount of radiation (if any) will be proportional to brightness. The energy
(determined by the CRT high voltage, called kVP in the medical imaging field) is not
affected. This is one reason many monitors and TVs are designed with brightness limiting
circuits.

In any case, there will be virtually no X-ray emissions from the front of the CRT as the glass
is greater than an inch thick and probably contains some lead for added shielding. Also see
the section: Should I be worried about X-ray exposure while servicing a TV or monitor?.

Electromagnetic radiation (EM) is produced mostly from the deflection yoke and to a lesser
extent from some of the other magnetic components like transformers and inductors.
Depending on monitor design (some are specifically designed to reduce this), EM emissions
can vary quite a bit. Frequencies range from the 50/60 Hz of the power line or vertical scan
rate to several hundred kHz in the AM broadcast band. The intensity and spectral distribution
will vary depending on horizontal and vertical scan rate.

A totally black screen will reduce X-ray emission to zero. It will not affect EM emissions
significantly as most of this comes from the magnetic parts, particularly the deflection yoke.

There is no measurable microwave, IR, or UV radiation.

I refuse to get into the discussion of what, if any, health problems result from low level EM
emissions. There is simply not enough data.

Should I be worried about X-ray exposure while servicing a TV or monitor?

The only source of X-rays in a modern TV or monitor is from the CRT. X-rays are generated
when a high velocity electron beam strikes a heavy metal target. For anything you are likely
to encounter, this can only happen in a vacuum - thus inside the CRT. The higher the voltage,
the greater the velocity and potential danger. Really old TVs (prior to around 1975) may still
have HV rectifier and regulator tubes - other sources of X-rays. However, modern TVs and
monitors implement these functions with solid state components.

The thick front CRT faceplate protects users adequately but there may be some emission
from the thinner sides. At 25-30 kV (quite low as X-ray energies go) X-rays will be stopped
by almost any metal so what you have to worry about is where there are no shields.

Other than lowering the brightness (or high voltage!), there isn't anything you can do to
reduce X-ray emission from the front of the monitor. Any sort of add-on screen (grounded or
otherwise) unless it is made of thick leaded glass, will have no significant effect on X-rays. If
you are still concerned, sit farther away.

However, realistically, there is very little danger. I would not worry about exposure unless
you plan to be sitting for hours on the sides, behind, or under the TV or monitor - with a
picture (there will be none if the screen is black).

It is interesting that even those 1.5" Watchman and .5" camcorder viewfinder CRTs have X-
ray warning labels even though the high voltage used with these isn't anywhere near high
enough to be of any concern!

More on radiation from TVs and monitors

(From: Jerry Greenberg (jerryg50@hotmail.com).)

Your standard TV set or monitor should not exceed about 0.2 mR/Hr of radiation from a
distance of 5 cm from any part of the cabinet. Most TV monitor equipment is less than half of
this amount.

The CRT has a coating on the inner wall of its glass envelope, and also there is a metal
shadow mask or aperture grill in the front. There is also a metal shroud around its parameter.

The type of emission from the CRT is known as soft X-Ray emission. This is because it is
low power, and is in the lower X-Ray region.

The X-Ray emission is strongest at the rear of the TV set because there is some opened area
where the electron gun is located. But, this is very weak as well. The radiation from a TV or
monitor is not being focused to one point, and is also below the threshold level of being
dangerous.

The long term effect of the total radiation from normal operating TV equipment is not fully
known. However, the effect of X-Ray radiation is accumulative over time if there are no
breaks in between the exposures. As for standard focused X-Rays like the ones used in a
medical or security facility, these and most of their effects are well known.

As for normal working TV equipment, when used normally, the total radiation is less that
what you would get when walking on the street. There are many satellites beaming down
signals, radio and TV broadcast stations, communications systems, and then cell phones.
The X-Ray radiation in a TV set is emitted from the effect of the High Voltage drive
generating the electron beam. If the High Voltage exceeds the designed safety limit for the
CRT, then there is concern that the X-Ray radiation may have some effect on anyone that is
in close proximity to the CRT. The amount of by which the high voltage exceeds the design
specfifications will determine the total X-Ray emission. Since this emission is not focused
into a fine area, its immediate danger is also greatly reduced.

All TV sets by law must have in their design some type of protection to shut the TV down if
there is excessive High Voltage, excessive High Voltage current drive, and a number of other
safety criterias.

There is also the concern about electromagnetic radiation. In fact all radio frequencies are
based on electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

There was a great concern about the low frequency EMR. This would come from the power
supply, deflection amplifier stages, and then from the deflection yoke and flyback
transformer. There different types of EMR from TV sets.

Concerning TV's and monitors, this radiation worry comes up from time to time. If a woman
is pregnant it would be wiser for her to not expose the unborn baby by working close to a
terminal or monitor. This nonexposure is a good policy to make sure that everyone is safe
rather than suffer any type of damage or health risks.

As for a safety concern for a mother to be, or a small baby, they can be in front of a TV set
but at least 5 to 7 feet away. From this distance there should not be any danger at all.

The above is from my personal observations and is very general. I have also read various
publications over the years that pertain to this subject.

I have a personal concern about the radiation from TV sets and monitors because I do an
extensive amount of service on these. I am also doing a lot of picture tube changes in monitor
equipment. I am then exposed for a few hours because I must do the purity and convergence
setups of these sets. I have some days where I work 10 to 12 hours doing TV and monitor
service work.

If you want a TV monitor that will put out near zero X-Ray radiation, and very low
electromagnetic radiation, then go for one of the new LCD flatscreen monitors.

Flyback shot by 4 year old with water pistol

Your 4 year old son shot the Sony in the flyback transformer. Smoke and sparks everywhere.
Great aim!

Who says these FAQs cannot be funny?

Needless to say, unplug the set immediately. Inspect around the target area for obviously
blown or damaged components. Test fuses and fusable resistors. Repair burnt solder
connections and circuit board traces. Once the set is entirely dried out, power it up -
preferably through a series light bulb and/or Variac until you are sure nothing else will let
loose. Look, listen, and smell for any unusual behavior. If it now works, then consider
yourself lucky. If not, there may be damage to transistors, ICs, or other components.

(From: Richard Symonds (edison@nelson.planet.org.nz).)

We're seeing another 'hazard' these days, people cleaning their television screens with
window cleaner - no problem in the days of separate chassis but with the entire circuit board
jammed under the tube on most TVs these days just a few drips and its all over. Some have
just corroded the switch banks (had one recently just got into the A/V switch - when you
walked around the room the set changed to A/V and back by itself!) but a few have got
around the microprocessors and surface mount components and resulted in complete write-
offs. I suppose the damage is the opposite of electroplating as the microprocessors have
constant voltage to them. Never mind, they'll be a good source of parts for future use.

Blooming or breathing problems

There are several symptoms that are basically similar:

 Blooming is defined as an expansion of the raster or horizontal sections of the raster

with bright material. For example, switching between dark and light picture causes the
size of the picture to expand by 10%. A slight change in size is unavoidable but if it is
greater than 1 or 2 percent from a totally black image to a full white one, this is either
an indication of a defective TV or one that is badly designed. The cause is poor low or
high voltage regulation.

Check the B+ to the horizontal deflection. This is usually well regulated. If it is

varying in sympathy to the size changes, trace back to determine why the low voltage
regulator is not doing its job. The reason for the size change is that the high voltage is
dropping and reducing the stiffness of the electron beam.

 Expansion of the raster width in areas of bright imagery is an indication of short term
regulation problems. The video drive may be interacting with the other power
supplies. Check for ripple - this would be at the vertical scan rate - in the various
regulated power supplies. The cause may be a dried up electrolytic capacitor - once
you locate the offending voltage, test or substitute capacitors in that supply.

In both these cases, if this just started after some work was done to the TV, the brightness
limiter and/or video drive may simply be set so high that the TV cannot supply enough
current to the high voltage. If the brightness is acceptable with these turned down slightly and
still have acceptable brightness, then there may be nothing wrong.

 Breathing is defined as a periodic change in the size of the raster which may be
independent of what is displayed or its severity or frequency may be related to the
brightness or darkness of the image. This is another type of regulation problem and
may be caused by bad electrolytic capacitors or other components in the low voltage
power supplies.

If the TV uses a switchmode power supply or low voltage regulator separate from the
horizontal deflection, first check its output(s) for a variation in voltage at the
 breathing rate. Test with a light bulb or resistor load to confirm that the problem is
here and not the deflection or other subsystem of the TV.

 A condition with somewhat similar symptoms is bad focus - fuzzy picture - but only
with bright (high beam current) scenes. This could be just a matter of adjusting the
focus control but may also indicate sub-optimal filament voltage due to bad
connections or components in the filament circuit, or a tired worn CRT. You won't get
high beam current without some serious spot blooming (a fat beam because too much
cathode area is used) and you will get cathode 'poisoning' after prolonged use.

Visually inspect the neck of the CRT for the normal orange glow of the filaments and
check for bad connections and bad parts.

Erratic focus or screen (G2) voltage and/or controls on flyback

Symptoms may include fluctuating focus or brightness. In extreme cases, the result may be a
too bright or dark picture or other behavior caused by breakdown in the Focus/Screen(G2)
divider network.

Usually, this will require flyback replacement to repair reliably. Sometimes, the section with
the controls can be snapped apart and cleaned but this is not common.

First, just try rotating the screen (G2) control back and forth a few times. This may clean up
the contacts and eliminate the erratic behavior. Possibly, positioning it a bit to one side of the
original location will help. Then, use the individual or other master background/bias
adjustments to compensate for the improper brightness.

If pressing in on the erratic control helps to stabilize the setting, you might try adjusting it to
the optimal position and then put a dab of hot-melt glue (or Superglue if you can manage not
to stick your fingers together) on the shaft to hold it with a little more contact force.

If none of this helps, here is a 'well it's going in the dumpster anyhow' procedure to try:

After discharging the CRT (so you don't get zapped) drill a tiny hole in the plastic cover near
the bad control. Be careful you don't damage anything inside - you just want access to the
contacts of the controls. Use a hand drill with, say, a 1/16" bit. Don't drill more than about
1/8" deep which should enter the airspace. Then spray some contact cleaner through the hole
and work the controls. Wait sufficient time (say, 24 hours) for everything to dry
COMPLETELY and see if behavior changes (or it works at all).

This is a 'you have got to be kidding' type of repair so no guarantees :-).

If by some miracle it does work, fill the hole with a drop of RTV or just put a couple of layers
of electrical tape over it.

Focus/Screen divider bypass surgery

This is kludge number 41256 but may be the difference between a bit more life and the
dumpster.
If the previous extreme measures don't help, then it may be possible to simply substitute a
good divider network externally.

Note that if there is evidence of internal breakdown in the divider of the original flyback
(hissing, cracks, overheating, bulging case, etc.), this will not work unless you can disconnect
it from its HV connection.

There are two issues:

1. Is this a stable situation? Even if you provide an external substitute, the parts inside
the flyback may continue to deteriorate eventually resulting in other more total failure
of the flyback or worse.
2. If you provide an external focus/screen divider, it must be done is such a manner
(including proper mounting and super insulation) such that it cannot be called into
question should there be a fire where the monitor is even the slightest bit suspect.

Various size external focus/screen divider networks can be purchased but whether this is truly
a cost effective solution is not obvious.

(From: Larry Sabo (sabo@storm.ca).)

I just ordered a 'bleeder resistor' from Data Display Ltd (Canadian sub of CCS) to use as a
cure for flybacks with flaky focus/screen pots. It contains focus and screen pots, and costs
Cdn$ 16.99, which is a lot less than a complete flyback, that's for sure. I expect it will be
compatible with quite a wide range of flybacks.

I have used bleeder resistor assemblies from duff flybacks a couple of times with good
success. You connect the HV lead into the HV cap of the original flyback, ground all pins of
the sub flyback, and use the focus and screen leads from the sub bleeder assembly in place of
the originals.

Looks like hell but works fine. Mounting (and securing) the substitute is a challenge given
the limited space available. I only use this approach on what would otherwise be
uneconomical to repair, and always advise the owner or customer of the cobbling job. It also
enables you to verify whether it is the flyback that needs replacement, versus the CRT.

Decaying or erratic focus or screen (G2) voltages

The following applies to both CRT focus voltage (which should be a few kV) and screen or
G2 voltage (which should be several hundred V).
"The screen voltage will come up to normal after sitting over night, 400 V or so. After
approximately 5 minutes or slightly longer, I hear a slight arcing. From that point on, the
screen voltage will wander anywhere from 75 V up to maybe 150 V. Adjustment of the
screen control on the flyback has only a small effect and is not permanent. Removing the
CRT pcb results in the screen voltage returning to normal."

This is very likely a short between electrodes inside the CRT unless there is something on the
neck board that is breaking down as a result of some connection to the CRT. The flyback
should largely not know the difference with the socket plugged into the CRT. However, on
rare occasions, there is contamination within the 'plastic alignment base' on the end of the
CRT neck. (It is possible to *carefully* remove the plastic piece and clean the CRT
glass/pins. Reinstall the plastic piece if it is still intact or leave it off - just take care in
replacing the CRT neck board.)

One possibility is that glue used to hold components down on some circuit boards has
deteriorated and turned conductive. Check for tan to brown stuff shorting traces on the CRT
neck board. If this is present on the focus or screen traces or wires, it may just be your
problem. Scrape off all of the old glue and then clean thoroughly. Repair any damaged traces.

What happens to the HV? A HV breakdown possibly inside the CRT would result in all the
voltages being dragged down.

What happens to the picture?

If you connect a charged HV capacitor (guessing a couple hundred volts, a couple

microfarads) between G2 and G1 or focus, you **will** know if tapping the neck results in a
momentary short! I cannot predict whether this will be a temporary cure or permanent killer.
See the section: Rescuing a shorted CRT.

Here is another thing to try: put a 100 M ohm or so resistor between SCREEN and the CRT
socket. This should not affect the behavior much until the failure occurs. Then, check the
voltage on both sides with a high impedance voltmeter (1000 M). If the CRT is arcing, it will
be much lower on the CRT side and will probably fluctuate. You can play similar games with
focus voltage.

Disconnecting flyback wire(s) from CRT driver board

In some cases, there may be one or more separate wires running to directly to the CRT
socket. These are typically for focus which has a relatively high voltage so better insulation is
needed but there may be no obvious means of removal should flyback replacement be
needed.

One alternative is simply to cut the wire(s) in a location that is well away from any place to
short out, solder, and then do a most excellent job of insulating the splice. If there is more
than one wire, make sure to label them first if they aren't color coded.

However, you may find that the cap on the CRT socket snaps off using a thin knife blade or
screwdriver. The wire may be soldered or just pressed in place in such a way that pulling it
out is difficult or impossible without removing the cover. If there is more than one wire, label
them before removal unless the locations are clearly marked. Sometimes the color is stamped
on the plastic but there may just be a designation like "A" and "B".

(From: Raymond Carlsen (rrcc@u.washington.edu).)

The last one I worked on puzzled me for a few moments. See if you can see a space between
the little cup (where the wire enters the socket) and the socket itself. Pry up on the cap with a
knife and it should pop right off. The wire is soldered to a pin under it. Don't apply heat for
very long... you may melt the socket.

Focus or screen voltage drifts after warmup only when CRT is connected
"I have a 3-5 yr old TV that loses screen voltage. I believe that the problem is specific to the
CRT or the flyback, either one is a guess I'd rather be sure of prior to ordering a part.

The screen voltage will come up to normal after sitting over night, 400 V or so. After
approximately 5 minutes or slightly longer, I hear a slight arcing. From that point on, the
screen voltage will wander anywhere from 75 V up to maybe 150 V. Adjustment of the
screen control on the flyback has only a small effect and is not permanent. Removing the
CRT pcb results in the screen voltage returning to normal.

I cannot find the source of the arcing, as it happens quickly and I have always been on the
other side of the set when it happens. I have replaced the CRT socket, thinking the spark gap
was arcing. I have checked the CRT for G1 and HK shorts on a sencore CRT checker, it
checks good, but I am aware that since it is an intermittent problem, that the checker probably
will not catch it."

This is very likely a short between electrodes inside the CRT unless there is something on the
neck board that is breaking down as a result of some connection to the CRT. The flyback
should largely not know the difference with the socket plugged into the CRT. However, on
rare occasions, there is contamination within the 'plastic alignment base' on the end of the
CRT neck. (It is possible to *carefully* remove the plastic piece and clean the CRT
glass/pins. Resinstall the plastic piece if it is still intact or leave it off - just take care in
replacing the CRT neck board.)

One possibility is that glue used to hold components down on some circuit boards has
deteriorated and turned conductive. Check for tan to brown stuff shorting traces on the CRT
neck board. If this is present on the focus or screen traces or wires, it may just be your
problem. Scrape off all of the old glue and then clean thoroughly. Repair any damaged traces.

What happens to the HV? A HV breakdown possibly inside the CRT would result in all the
voltages being dragged down.

What happens to the picture?

If you connect a charged HV capacitor (guessing a couple hundred volts, a couple

microfarads) between G2 and G1 or focus, you **will** know if tapping the neck results in a
momentary short! I cannot predict whether this will be a temporary cure or permanent killer.

Here is another thing to try: put a 100 M ohm or so resistor between SCREEN (or FOCUS)
and the CRT socket. This should not affect the behavior much until the failure occurs. Then,
check the voltage on both sides with a high impedance voltmeter (>1000 M). If the CRT is
arcing, it will be much lower on the CRT side.

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Raster, Color, and Video Problems

No color - black and white picture
This means absolutely no color - equivalent to a black and white picture. Not even a hint of
color.

First, confirm that the source is actually in color - try another channel or input device.

Next, check the settings of the color control - it may have accidentally been turned down. If
your TV has some kind of automatic picture mode, try turning if off and adjusting the color
control. Try adjusting fine tuning if you have such a control and the problem is with a
broadcast or cable transmission.

At this point with a confirmed color signal source, there is a problem with the chroma
circuitry.

Note that to the average person, the obvious question becomes: is my color picture tube bad?
The answer is a definitive NO. It is virtually impossible for a defective CRT to cause a total
loss of color. A defective CRT can cause a lack of a primary color - R, G, or, B or a short
between two colors which will mess up the color but is not likely to result in a black and
white picture.

Some possibilities in no particular order:

1. Weak signal or defect in tuner/IF causing loss of signal strength.

2. Coler killer set too high (internal control) if it has one.
3. Defective part around the chroma chip/circuit. Faulty color oscillator.
4. Bad connections in area of chroma chip/circuit.
5. Defective chroma chip (don't suspect this first just because it is probably very
expensive).

A service manual or Sams', DMM, and scope will help greatly in attempting to troubleshoot
this unless it is an obvious bad connection. Try prodding the main board around the chroma
chip with an insulated tool to see if you can make the color come and go.

I had one set where a $.02 resistor decided to open up causing just this problem - perfect BW
picture, no color. Another had a coil with a broken wire.

Saturated color but almost no brightness

This means you have lost the luminance input to the chroma decoder or final video chip. A
failure of the brightness limiter may result in similar symptoms.

A few common causes are:

 Check the service switch (if any). Its contacts may be dirty and moving it back and
forth a few times or using contact cleaner may be all that is needed.
 Check for open high value resistors around the chroma decoder IC.
 Check for open high value resistors in the brightness limiter circuit.

With a scope and schematic (or even just a pinout for the chip), you should be able to trace
the luminance signal to see where it is getting lost.
This is also *not* a picture tube problem. :-)

(From: John Mehrtens (sarge@drag-net.com).)

I have had several TVs and monitors where the delay line in the luminance circuitry has
failed. Usually it's made out of glass, and inherently is fragile. Sometimes whacking the
monitor would make it come back, leading to the thought of connectoritis or a cold solder
joint -- where in fact it was the delay line (long rectangular unit with two to four leads).
Replacing the delay line was the solution, but to check it first it'd be a good idea to look for
'in' and 'out' on the line and short the pins. The picture may be shifted, colours may not line
up, but it'll tell you that it's the delay line if the picture comes back at all. It's better than
looking at a saturated picture with no luminance! :)

Brightness control has no effect

The following assumes that the picture is fine but the brightness is fixed - probably at too
high a level. However, there could be several interrelated problems if a common supply
voltage were missing, for example.

If it is a knob, then it should be varying the control grid (G1) voltages relative to the cathodes
(K) of the CRT. This is not likely to be a very complex circuit. If you do not have a
schematic, I would start by tracing from the control, check continuity and solder connections.
Check the control itself for proper operation with an ohmmeter. A power supply going to one
side of the control (negative probably) may be missing. Tbe control grid voltage will end up
on the little board on the neck of the CRT - check there as well for bad solder connections or
open resistors.

If brightness is a digital control, then you will need a schematic unless there is an obvious bad
connection.

One color is too weak or too strong

If the problem is slight and/or has gradually gotten worse, this may just require an adjustment
of the color brightness/background/bias and/or color gain/drive controls inside the TV. See
the section: Color balance adjustment.

Note that if it is possible to obtain a good black and white picture with the user color control
set to its minimum, then this is not likely a problem with one of the primary color channels
(red, green, or blue) but with the chroma decoding circuitry. Or, perhaps, you are just
watching MTV!

Even if it appears as though there is an excess, this may actually be a reduction in one of the
primary colors. For example, a magenta tinge is represents a reduction in the strength of the
green signal.

 Too high an intensity for one of the color channels will result in a tint of one of the
primaries: red, green or blue.
 Too low an intensity for one of the color channels will result in a tint of the
complement of one of the primaries: yellow, cyan, or magenta.
  Problems mainly in the shadows or dark areas of the picture usually represent a fault
with brightness/bias/background.
 Problems mainly in the highlights or bright areas of the picture usually represent a
fault with the gain/drive.

A color that that is now suddenly brighter or darker than normal resulting in incorrect color
balance or a tint in the background could be due to a number of causes:

 Bad connections or bad component in video amplifier or on CRT neck board for that
color.
 Fault in chroma decoder.
 Weak gun in CRT (reduced color).

Psychodelic color

The means colors that are not normal and that adjustment of the user controls is not able to
correct it so that all colors of the picture are properly displayed at the same time. For
example, you are unable to get any yellows or blues in scenes that should have these colors..

Make sure the user color and tint controls have not been accidentally turned while cleaning or
purposedly misadjusted by small (or large) kids.

Perform the user setup described in the section: User picture adjustment.

Confirm that the source is not a weird color video - try another channel or a tape.

Verify that this is not a missing color problem - one of the primary R, G, or B, has
disappeared. If so, refer to the section: Intermittent or missing colors.

Once these have been eliminated, you are left with the following possibilities:

1. Defective part around the chroma chip/circuit. Misadjusted color oscillator.

2. Bad connections or short circuit in area of chroma chip/circuit.
3. Defective chroma chip (don't suspect this first just because it is probably very
expensive).
4. Bad degauss circuit resulting in lack of degauss or abrupt termination of degauss
current rather than smooth tail off. The CRT is not being properly demagnetized and
color purity is totally messed up.
5. Bad CRT - the shadow mask has been damaged and it is impossible to properly adjust
purity across the screen.

A service manual or Sams', DMM, and scope will help greatly in attempting to troubleshoot
this unless it is an obvious bad connection. For (1)-(3), try prodding the main board around
the chroma chip with an insulated tool to see if you can restore normal color. For (4) try
manually degaussing (see the section: Degaussing (demagnetizing) a CRT. If this clears up
the colors until at least when it is power cycled, then a degauss problem is likely.

Something as simple as a bad resistor or inductor can be the cause - don't immediately
suspect the most expensive and difficult to replace part.
No picture/dark picture/erratic picture

With power off, remove the picture tube socket (carefully!) and clean the pins with fine
sandpaper and use contact cleaner on the socket. This source of bad connections can result in
a variety of erratic symptoms.

TV and monitor manufacturing quality and cold solder joints

Any intermittent problems with monitors that cause random sudden changes in the picture
brightness, color, size, or position are often a result of bad connections. Strategically placed
bad connections can also cause parts to blow. For example, a bad connection to the SCR
anode in a phase controlled power supply can result in all the current passing through the
startup resistor, blowing it as well as other components. I had a TV like this - the real
problem was a bad solder joint at a pin on the flyback. Thus, erratic problems, especially
where they are power or deflection related, should not be ignored!

Bad solder joints are very common in TVs and monitors due both to poor quality
manufacturing as well as to deterioration of the solder bond after numerous thermal cycles
and components running at high temperature. Without knowing anything about the circuitry,
it is usually possible to cure these problems by locating all bad solder connections and
cleaning and reseating internal connectors. The term 'cold solder joint' strictly refers to a
solder connection that was either not heated enough during manufacturing, was cooled too
quickly, or where part pins were moved before the solder had a chance to solidify. A similar
situation can develop over time with thermal cycling where parts are not properly fastened
and are essentially being held in by the solder alone. Both situations are most common with
the pins of large components like transformers, power transistors and power resistors, and
large connectors. The pins of the components have a large thermal mass and may not get hot
enough during manufacturing. Also, they are relatively massive and may flex the connection
due to vibration or thermal expansion and contraction.

To locate cold solder joints, use a strong light and magnifier and examine the pins of large
components for hairline cracks in the solder around the pin. Gently wiggle the component if
possible (with the power off). Any detectable movement at the joint indicates a problem.
With the power on, gently prod the circuit board and suspect components with an insulated
tool to see if the problem can be effected.

When in doubt, resolder any suspicious connections. Some monitors may use double sided
circuit boards which do not have plated through holes. In these cases, solder both top and
bottom to be sure that the connections are solid. Use a large enough soldering iron to assure
that your solder connection is solid. Put a bit of new solder with flux on every connection you
touch up even if there was plenty of solder there before.

Why can't TV manufacturers learn to solder properly?

I can think of several potential reasons - all solvable but at higher manufacturing cost.

1. Mass of large component leads (like shields) does not get adequately heated during
manufacture leading to latent cold solder joints. While they may look ok, the solder
never actually 'wetted' the heavy pins and therefore did not form a good mechanical or
electrical bond.
 2. Thermal cycles and differential thermal coefficients of circuit boards, traces, and
solder. While it is not easy to do anything about the material properties, using plated
through-holes or a similar mechanical via would greatly increase the surface area of
the joint and prevent the formation of cracks.
3. Vibration. This is also directly related to the single sided circuit boards without plated
through-holes to strengthen the joints.
4. Lack of adquate mechanical support (single sided circuit boards without plated
through-holes (vias).

I believe that the single most significantimprovement would come about by using plated
trhough-holes but this would add to the cost and apparently the consumer is not willing to pay
more for better quality and reliability! Some designs have used rivlets - mechanical vias
instead of plated ones. While this is good in principle, the execution has often been flawed
where cold solder joints resulted between the rivlets and the circuit board traces due to lack of
adequate process control.

The Sony and RCA/GE tuner shield problem is interesting because this could have been
solved years ago at essentially no additional cost as other manufacturers - and their own
repair procedures - have proven.

Intermittent or missing colors

This is a catch-all for some of the most common TV and monitor problems.

Note that due to the additive color scheme used in all emissive color displays like CRT or flat
panel TV sets and video monitors, a single missing primary color (red, green, or blue) will
result in the following appearance (for a white screen):

Missing Color Appearance

------------------------------------------------
Red Cyan (blue-green)
Green Magenta (reddish-purple)
Blue Yellow

Which color is affected may be even more obvious if the set has a color on-screen display for
which you recall the proper colors.

 If gently whacking the set can make the color(s) come and go suddenly, then bad
connections are probable. The most likely place for these are solder pads on the little
circuit board on the neck of the CRT or even dirty CRT socket pins that are not
making solid contact. Try prodding the CRT neck board with an insulated stick to see
if you can affect the colors.

Although not impossible, this is not likely to be a CRT problem.

 If the color fades in and out with a delay of about 10-15 seconds, it is probably
intermittent power to the CRT filament for that color and probably means a bad CRT
since the three filaments are wired in parallel inside the CRT. One of the internal
connections has come loose.
 Look in the neck of the CRT to make sure all three filaments are glowing orange. If
one is out or goes on and off, toss the set. Replacing the CRT is probably not worth it.
However, if they all go on and off together (all colors would be fading in and out
though perhaps not quite in unison), then bad connections for the CRT filaments on
the CRT neck board are indicated.

To narrow down the problem:

 Locate the output for the bad color on the video driver board on the neck of the CRT.
This will probably read a significantly higher voltage than the corresponding pins for
the good colors. A circuit problem is likely - probably on this board.
 Test components on this board for the good and bad color channels. A shorted
transistor or open resistor can kill one channel. Swap parts between good and bad
colors to confirm.
 Gently pull the CRT neck board off of the CRT and replace it. This will tend to clean
the contacts.
 Connect an output of the video/chroma circuit/chip that is working (i.e., a color that
appears on the screen) to *all* three color drivers on the CRT neck board.
o If you now get a more-or-less black and white picture (there may be a
moderate color tint as the relative intensities of R,G,B may not be balanced),
the problem is likely with the chroma decoder or its support circuitry.

Note: the picture will be the intensity of only one color channel so it will not
be quite *normal* in any case.

o If you still have missing or messed up colors, the problem is on the CRT neck
board or with the CRT.

Most of the causes of intermittent colors boil down to bad connections of one form or
another. For totally dead colors - not intermittent - bad components are also a possibility.

 Printed circuit board on the CRT neck. This is a common location for cold solder
joints. Check with a bright light and magnifying glass for hairline cracks around the
pins of larger parts. Prod and tap with an insulated tool to see if the problem is
effected. Resolder if necessary.
 Cold solder joints elsewhere in TV or monitor usually around the pins of large parts
such as transformers, power transistors and resistors, and internal connectors.
 Internal connectors (including CRT socket) that need to be cleaned and reseated.
Remove, clean with contact cleaner, burnish, and replace.

Some commentary on monitor and TV whacking

Anytime that intermittent symptoms are experienced, I recommend gently whacking the
patient to determine if mechanical shock or vibration affects the behavior. Here are a couple
of responses to this suggestion.

(The following is from Marc Gelfond (71363.1700@CompuServe.COM).)

I just love the bit about "whacking it". It brings to mind an episode from the old Andy
Griffith show, where a new fangled piece of electronics gear, was broght into Emmets repair
shop. After many long hours of fruitless troubleshooting, out of frustration Emmet gave the
thing a whack, and sure enough it fixed the problem.

As we say in the Telephony business, it "CCWT" or Came Clear While Testing. Another
saying is that it "CCBFM" Came Clear By F------ Magic!!

(To which Gavin Adams (gaa@hopi.com) comments):

In the video industry we had a saying concerning malfunctioning gear:

"If it's broke, hit it with a hammer"

"If that doesn't fix it, paint it and sell it"

My DEC 16" monitor is case in point. Evey once in a while it would lose sync, and smacking
it would bring it back (sometimes a few smacks). Recently it gave up the ghost completely,
and after the local DEC office gave me a quote of $900 to fix it (Bermuda), I ordered a new
Viewsonic 17" for the same price.

I ripped the guts out of the DEC beast, painted it with a marble finish, put plants in it, and
sold it! :>

Retrace lines in picture

During the time the electron beam is returning from right to left at the end of a line and
bottom to top (over the course of multiple lines), it is supposed to be result in no visible light
on the screen. However, a number of faults can result in visible retrace lines.

The appearance will likely be a general reduction in contrast from the visible horizontal
retrace on every scan line and two dozen or so diagonal lines lines (lower left to upper right)
resulting from the vertical retrace.

The retrace lines may be either white or gray (possibly with a slight color tint due to unequal
settings of the color adjustments) or a primary color - red, green, or blue. Anything in
between is also possible but less likely.

White/gray retrace lines

Where all colors are involved - the lines are essentially white or gray (or with a slight tint due
to slight unequal settings of the color adjustments), look for something common like an
incorrectly adjusted screen (G2) or master brightness/background/bias control or a problem in
one of these circuits, a defective power supply or a problem in the blanking circuitry:

 Screen (G2) or master brightness/background/bias control - mark setting and then see
if a slight adjustment removes the retrace lines. See the chapter: "TV Adjustments".
Of course, if this happened suddenly, the problem is not due to a misadjusted control
though a dirty pot is possible - turn it back and forth - this might clean it and restore
normal operation.
 Power supply or connection to CRT neck board - insufficient voltage will result in the
CRT never totally blanking. Check (usually scan derived) power supply components
(from flyback).
  General power supply - check B+ for correct value and ripple. A main power supply
fault might result in these symptoms (and usually many others).
 Blanking circuit - this may be a part of the video/chroma chip or separate. Check
waveforms to determine if the blanking pulses are making it to the video output.

Red, green, or blue retrace lines

Where only one color is showing, suspect an incorrectly adjusted individual background/bias
control or bad part on the CRT neck board for that color.

 Individual brightness/background/bias control(s) - mark setting of pot for the problem

color and then see if a slight adjustment removes the retrace lines. See the chapter:
"TV Adjustments". Of course, if this happened suddenly, the problem is not due to a
misadjusted control though a dirty pot is possible - turn it back and forth - this might
clean it and restore normal operation.
 Component or connection on CRT neck board - insufficient voltage to or incorrect
biasing of the video driver for this color can result in the CRT never totally blanking.
Compare voltages and signals, and swap components between good and bad channels
to confirm.
 Blanking circuit - this may be a part of the video/chroma chip or separate. Check and
compare waveforms of good and bad colors to determine if the blanking pulses are
making it to the video output.

There is a slight possibility that a bad CRT may result in visible retrace lines. To eliminate
this possibility:

 Disconnect the filament - all evidence of a picture, raster, and retrace lines should
disappear once the filaments/cathodes have cooled (15 seconds or so. If there are still
visible retrace lines, the CRT is suffering from cold or field emission from someplace
(may not even be the cathode).
 Turn down the screen (G2) control on the flyback (usually). If one color remains no
matter how you set the control, again there is some kind of weird emission from the
CRT. However, if white/gray retrace lines remain, the problem may be in the screen
supply.

See the section: Bad CRT causing retrace lines.

Bad CRT causing retrace lines

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

The TV which I bought last started developing retrace lines after a month or so of use. I took
it back to the lab for warranty (special deal) and had it examined by the real experts. They
found that even with the filament supply disconnected and VG2 at 0V the screen would still
light up. They could even see that the electrons weren't even coming from the cathode. That
was with only the picture tube in a test rig. So in this case the obvious conclusion had to be
that the tube was bad, and it was replaced (32" 16:9 SF, very $$). It had something to do with
processing problems during manufacturing of the electron guns.
So even if this was a rare case, it *can* happen that retrace lines are due to a bad picture tube.
It's more usual to suspect the VG2 (screen voltage) or a defect somewhere in the RGB video
path.

Red, green, or blue full on - fog over picture

This could be a heater-cathode (H-K) short in the CRT, a failure of a component in the
chroma circuits or video output (driver board), or bad connections there or elsewhere.

Don't panic - heater-cathode shorts in CRTs can often be worked around.

Note: before proceeding, it is a good idea to make sure that the screen is degaussed - else you
could be attempting to track down problems with the wrong color!

Some simple tests can confirm or rule out other possibilities.

 Compare the voltages for the video drive signals to the CRT on the little board on the
neck of the CRT with the CRT both connected and unplugged. A schematic will help
greatly in locating these signals.
o If there is a significant difference especially on the bad color, then the CRT is
a likely candidate. Try tapping the neck of the CRT GENTLY (with it plugged
in and while viewing a picture) to see if it is an intermittent problem.
o If there is no significant difference, you may have a bad driver or a problem in
the chroma circuits.
 Look for bad connection/cold solder joints, probably on the little board on the neck of
the CRT. Use an insulated stick to gently prod the board and its components in an
effort to induce/cure the problem. Look carefully for hairline cracks around the
component leads.
 You can swap components between two colors and/or test with an ohmmeter on that
driver board to determine what is bad. The nice thing about color monitors and TVs is
that there three copies of each of these components. Swapping and/or comparisons
between these is an excellent diagnostic technique.
 Another simple test: Disconnect the cathode for the full-on color from its drive. If it is
still full-on, there is probably an H-K short in the CRT since the only way to get each
color on the screen is via the cathode connection to the CRT neck board. If it is
removed and there is still that color, the current must be taking another path inside the
CRT.
 Alternatively, interchange the outputs of the bad color with a good one by jumpering
on the video driver board (on the CRT neck). If the bad color changes, then the
problem is in the circuitry and not the CRT.

Here is the procedure in more detail (example for red full on):

(From: J. K. Emerine (jkemerine@aol.com).)

To identify if the fault is in the CRT or a control problem try this (WITH SET OFF):

On the CRT board, lift the output end of the green cathode final resistor. Do the same with
the offending red cathode's resistor. Use short insulated jumpers to 'swap' drive signals - drive
the red cathode with the green drive and the green cathode with red drive. (Note that if this
problem only occurs after a warmup period, color at turn on will be - well - wierd, but it is
just a test.)

 If the symptom returns = 'goes red' the CRT is shorting. (See the section: Providing
isolation for a CRT H-K short. --- sam)
 If instead the symptom becomes 'goes green' then the red drive leg has the fault and
the CRT is probably good. (In this case, there may be bad connections or a bad
component on the CRT drive board or further back in the chroma circuitry. --- sam)

Shorts in a CRT

Occasionally, small conductive flakes or whiskers present since the day of manufacture
manage to make their way into a location where they short out adjacent elements in the CRT
electron guns. Symptoms may be intermittent or only show up when the TV or monitor is
cold or warm or in-between. Some possible locations are listed below:

 Heater to cathode (H-K). The cathode for the affected gun will be pulled to the heater
(filament) bias voltage - most often 0 V (signal ground). In this case, one color will be
full on with retrace lines. Where the heater is biased at some other voltage, other
symptoms are possible like reduced brightness and/or contrast for that color. This is
probably the most common location for a short to occur.
 Cathode to control grid (K-G1). Since the G1 electrodes for all the guns are connected
together, this will affect not only the color of the guilty cathode but the others as well.
The result may be a very bright overloaded *negative* picture with little, none, or
messed up colors.
 Control grid to screen (G1-G2). Depending on circuitry can result in any degree of
washed out or dark picture.
 Screen to focus (G2-F). Screen (G2) and focus voltage will be the same and the
controls on the flyback will interact. Result will be a fuzzy white raster with retrace
lines and little or very low contrast picture. Symptoms will be similar to those of a
flyback with breakdown in the focus/screen divider network.
 Focus to high voltage (F-HV). High voltage will be pulled down - probably arcing at
the focus spark gaps/other protective devices. Line fuse and/or HOT may blow. A
high impedance short may only result in increased focus voltage but this is probably
unusual.
 Other locations between electron gun elements as feed wires.

Except for the high voltage to other places, the short may actually be located in the CRT
*socket* or even on the CRT neck board, probably in the spark gap(s) for the problem pins.
Remove the socket and test between the suspect pins on the CRT itself. If the CRT itself is
fine, the spark gaps should be inspected and cleaned/repaired and/or components replaced. At
this point, the cause may still be present - a short inside the flyback for example resulting in
excessive voltage on one or more pins.

Assuming this is not the case, replacing the CRT may be the best solution but there are a
variety of 'techniques' that can often be used to salvage a TV that would otherwise end up in
the dump since replacing a CRT is rarely cost effective:

1. Isolation - this will usually work for H-K shorts as long as only one gun is involved.
 2. Blowing out the short with a capacitor - depending on what is causing the short, this
may be successful but will require some experimentation.
3. Placing the CRT (TV or monitor) face down on a soft blanket and *gently* tapping
the neck to dislodge the contamination. Depending on the location of the short, one
side or the other might be better as well. Sometimes, this can be done in-place while
watching the picture.

A combination of (2) and (3) may be required for intermittent shorts which don't appear until
under power. See the sections below for additional details. However, for shorts involving the
focus and high voltage elements, even a sharp edge can result in arcing even if there is no
actual short. There is no remedy for these types of faults.

Providing isolation for a CRT H-K short

This procedure will substitute a winding of your own for the one that is built in to the flyback
to isolate the shorted filament from the ground or voltage reference. Note that if you have a
schematic and can determine where to disconnect the ground or voltage reference connection
to the filament winding, try this instead.

The flyback is the thing with the fat red wire coming out of it (and perhaps a couple of others
going to the CRT board or it is near this component if your set has a separate tripler) and may
have a couple of controls for focus and screen. It should have some exposed parts with a
ferrite core about 1/2-3/4" diameter.

The filament of the CRT is the internal heater for each gun - it is what glows orange when the
set is on. What has happened is that a part of the fine wire of the bad color's filament
(assuming this is indeed your problem) has shorted to the cathode - the part that actually
emits the electrons. Normally, the heater circuit is grounded or tied to a reference voltage so
when it shorts to the cathode, the cathode voltage level is pulled to ground or this reference.

You will need some well insulated wire, fairly thick (say #18-22). Find a spot on the flyback
where you can stick this around the core. Wrap two turns around the core and solder to the
CRT filament pins after cutting the connections to the original filament source (scribe the
traces on the board to break them). Make sure you do not accidentally disconnect anything
else.

This winding should cause the filaments to glow about the same brightness as before but now
isolated from ground. If they are too dim, put another turn on the flyback to boost the voltage
as this will result in low emission, blooming, and possible damage to the cathodes after
awhile. (Don't go overboard as you may blow the filament totally if you put too many turns
on the core - you then toss the TV.)

Route the wires so that there is no chance of them getting near the high voltage or any sharp
metal edges etc. Your picture quality may be a tad lower than it was before because of the
added stray capacitance of the filament wiring being attached to the the (formerly bad) video
signal, but hey, something is better than nothing.

If you are not inclined to build your own isolation transformers, kits are available.

Rescuing a shorted CRT

If the short is filament-cathode (H-K), you don't want to use the following approach since
you may blow out the filament in the process. If this is the case, you may be able to float the
filament and live with the short (see the section on: "Red, green, or blue full on - fog over
picture".

Shorts in the CRT that are between directly accessible electrodes can be dealt with in a more
direct way than for H-K shorts. At this point you have nothing to loose. A shorted CRT is not
real useful.

If the short is between two directly accessible electrodes like cathode-grid, then as a last
resort, you might try zapping it with a charged capacitor. Start with a relatively small
capacitor - say a few uF at a couple hundred volts. Check to see if the short is blown after
each zap - few may be needed. Increase the capacitance if you fell lucky but have had little
success with the small capacitor.

If the fault is intermittent, you will, of course, need to catch the CRT with the socket
disconnected and the short still present. Try some gentle tapping if necessary. If you do this
with the charged capacitor across the suspect electrode, you **will** know when the short
occurs!

Also see the section: High voltage to focus short.

Picture tube replacement

It is possible to replace the picture tube. However, this is likely to be both expensive and
possibly time consuming with respect to adjustments like purity and convergence. When
replacing:

 Discharge both the old and new tubes before you start to be sure you won't have any
unpleasant surprises.
 Take extreme care when handling - at the very least, a slip can result in a broken neck
and a bad and expensive day.

"The 25VCXP22 picture tube of my RCA Accutouch XL-100 CCU-942 TV start fading. Its
100% transistorized, everything still works perfectly after about 20 years service. But:

 Can I still buy new RCA 25VCXP22 picture tube? What is the approximate
cost?
 Any equivalent tube for direct replacement? Cost?
 If no replacement picture tube is available, what is other option?"

(From: Chris Jardine (cjardine@wctc.net).)

What you have here is genericly referred to as the 25V as opposed to the 25A picture tube.
While there are minor differences with respect to the letters after the V for the most part they
are interchangeable. When I worked my way through engineering college I worked at a TV
repair shop and my job was mostly changing picture tubes. Yeah, we did enough of them to
keep a tech busy 4 to 5 hours a day changing them and I got pretty good and could change,
color balance, convergence, etc. the tube in about 45 minutes. We for the most part used 3
major tubes, 1) 25A, 2) 25V, and 3) 21FJ (a little nostalgic for those who remember this one).
This was back when your TV would have been fairly new (1981 to 82). These are available
from many different sources - RCA, Channel Master, Wisconsin Tube, etc. The price would
vary depending on the quality of the tube. I remember that we could get a 25A for about $35
at the time due to our volume - one truck per month. The most expensive I've seen them has
been just over $200. This is quite a range and there are now many other types of tubes
including in-line, trinitron, etc.

I hope this helps and thanks for the trip down memory lane!

(From: Chris Jardine (cjardine@wctc.net).)

The important thing here is that the tube begins with 25V. If it does it should work in your
set. The only thing you have to know is whether the tube has 'ears' attached permanently. The
25V comes both with and without these mounting ears permanently attached. I know that you
can still get one of these from any of a number of suppliers. I know that Channel Master and
RCA (Thomson, whatever!) still make them available as well as any of a number of local
CRT rebuilders.

High voltage to focus short

Symptoms would be (with the unit powered and high voltage present):

 With the CRT neck board plugged into the CRT, the focus spark gap is likely arcing.
 With the socket unplugged, putting anything connected to ground (or any other
circuitry) near the focus pin would result in a juicy spark or arc. WARNING:
Removing the CRT socket and powering the set may destroy the CRT on some
models. See the section: Warning about disconnecting CRT neck board.

If the CRT is gassy or up to air, forget it - it might make a decent fish tank :-). In this case,
there would be visible arcing INSIDE the CRT probably not confined to a single location.

However, if there is just a metal whisker between the F and HV, that might be able to be
cleared by careful tapping or a charged capacitor. You may even be able to see it if you were
to remove the yoke - the gap is pretty large, about 1-2 mm - the last gap between electrodes
before the start of the internal (Dag) coating.

See the section: Rescuing a shorted CRT.

Note that other damage may have been done as

Other components including the flyback, HOT, and parts on the CRT neck board and beyond,
may have been damaged as a result of the short. Zapping the CRT may be just the beginning
of what is required to repair it all.

Dark picture

A TV or monitor with a picture that is too dark may have a fault or the CRT may just be near
the end of its useful life.

First, confirm that your video source - computer, camera, etc. - is producing a proper signal.
Is the brightness at all erratic? Does whacking the monitor have any effect? If so, then you
may have bad connections on the CRT driver card or elsewhere. If the brightness tends to
fade in and out over a 10 to 20 second period, a bad filament connection is likely. Check for
the normal orange glow of the filaments in the neck of the CRT. There should be 3 orange
glows. If they are excessively reddish, very dim, or fade in and out, you have located a
problem. See the section: Picture fades in and out.

Common causes of brightness problems:

1. Dirty CRT faceplate or safety glass. Don't laugh. It sounds obvious, but have you tried
cleaning the screen with suitable screen cleaner? It is amazing how dirty screens can
get after a few years - especially around smokers!

Wipe gently with a slightly dampened cloth - not soaking or you may end up with real
problems when the water drips down inside and hits the electronics! On TVs with a
separate protective faceplate, clean both the front and rear surfaces of this plate as
well as the CRT itself.

2. Old CRT. The brightness of the CRT deteriorates with on-time. It does not matter
much how bright your run your TV. An indication of a weak CRT would be that
turning up the SCREEN (G2) or master brightness control only results in a not terribly
bright gray raster before the retrace lines show up. There may be indications of poor
focus and silvery highlights as well. A CRT brightener may help. See the section:
Brightening an old CRT.
3. Bad component in filament circuit or bad connection reducing filament voltage. This
should be easy to check - there are only a few parts involved. If it is erratic, bad
connections are likely.
4. Brightness control faulty - bad pot, bad connections, or problem with its power
supply. Depending on specific problem, control may or may not have any effect. If
digitally adjusted, there could be a problem with the logic or control chip. If the
button or menu item has no effect at all, then a logic or control problem is likely.
5. Improperly set SCREEN (G2) voltage (usually on flyback) or faulty divider network.
See the section: Adjustment of the internal SCREEN and color controls.
6. Improperly set video bias (background) levels or fault in video drive circuitry. See the
sections starting with: "Optimal procedure for setting brightness/background and
screen adjustments".
7. Fault in video amplifiers. With all three color affected equally, this would most likely
be a power supply problem. A video amplifier problem is likely if turning up the
SCREEN (G2) or master brightenss control results in a very bright raster before the
retrace lines appear. Cheack signals out of the video/chroma(IC.
8. Fault in beam or brightness limiter. Many TVs and monitors measure the beam
current (possibly indirectly) and limit the maximum to a safe value. The purpose of
this may be to protect the CRT phosphors, and/or to assure that the power supply does
not go out of regulation, and/or to limit X-ray emission. If this circuit screws up, a
dark picture may result. Checking the signals and voltages at the CRT socket should
determine if this is the problem.
9. High voltage is low. However, this would likely result in other symptoms as well with
focus, size, and geometry.

Brightening an old CRT

If performing adjustments of the internal background and/or screen controls still results in a
dark picture even after a long warmup period, the CRT may simply be near the end of its
useful life. In the old days of TVs with short lived CRTs, the CRT brightener was a common
item (sold in every corner drugstore, it seemed!).

You can try a similar approach. Caution: this may shorten the life of the CRT - possibly quite
dramatically (like it will blow in a couple of seconds or minutes). However, if the monitor or
TV is otherwise destined for the scrap heap, it is worth a try.

The approach is simple: you are going to increase the voltage to the filaments of the electron
guns making them run hotter. Hopefully, just hotter enough to increase the brightness without
blowing them out.

Voltage for the CRT filament is usually obtained from a couple of turns on the flyback
transformer. It is usually easy to add an extra turn or two which will increase the voltage and
thus the current making the filaments run hotter. This will also shorten the CRT life - perhaps
rather drastically. However, if the TV or monitor was headed for the dumpster anyhow, you
have nothing to lose.

Picture tube brightener

(From: Kevin Carney (carneyke@mhv.net).)

Try a CRT brightener from MCM Electronics about $20. It boosts the filament voltage a volt
or two. I have used them before and they help. You can also try running a power supply on
the filament with the monitor OFF. Set the supply at the filament voltage and slowly bring
the voltage up. If the filament is 6.3 volt bring it up gradually to 10 -12 volts for about a half
hour. This will brighten it up some. Be careful because too much voltage can open the
filament !

Before doing this did you check the screen voltage setting and the RGB settings for drive and
background ?

There are also commercial CRT rejuvenators that supposedly zap the cathodes of the electron
guns. A TV repair shop may be able to provide this service, though it is, at best, a short term
fix.

More drastic measures to brighten CRT

(From: LEE (leep@mailhub.scf.lmsc.lockheed.com).)

As a start, I crank the brightness control all of the way up. I then turn the color control all of
the way up. I let the set run with a bright screen for around 15 min. This procedure cleans up
the cathode surfaces so that they can emit more electrons. Now turn the controls back to
normal and see if any improvement took place. If not, Wrap 2 or 3 turns of around 18 gauge
insulated wire around the flyback and add this extra power in series with existing filament
leads from flyback. You can experiment with the number of turns etc. to get brighter
filaments. do not run the filaments white - just a brightened yellow. This will probably turn
out to be around 8-9v in most cases. I had to do this on two different Sanyo replacement
flybacks as they had low filament voltage from the factory. (flakey replacement parts). I`ve
been running one of these Sanyos for around 4 years now with a nice bright picture (13")

Left portion of screen is dark or faded

"I've got an old TV where the left 1/3 of the screen is 'faded'. It is especially noticable when a
dark picture is showing (like a night time scene)."

This is normally caused by a bad filter capacitor on the power supply line (typically 200 V)
that feeds the RGB output transistors. It is usually a scan derived voltage off of the flyback.
Look for an electrolytic capacitor of around 4.7 to 10 uF, 160 to 250 V fed from a rectifier
diode on this supply.

Color balance changes across screen from left to right

The characteristics are that a solid white screen will tend to be blue tinted on one side and red
tinted on the other. This is usually a subtle effect and may be unavoidable with some designs.

There are several possibilities:

1. Purity - this means the beams are landing on the wrong phosphor dots. This is what
would be affected by moving from one location to another or even rotating the TV on
its base without degaussing. If the problem just appeared, degaussing may be needed.

What do you have near the TV or monitor? Loudspeakers or other devices which
generate magnetic fields can easily cause all sorts of color purity problems. Relocate
the offending device(s) or the TV or monitor and then degauss it.

See the section: Degaussing (demagnetizing) a CRT.

If the problem still persists, purity adjustment may be needed. However, this isn't
likely to have changed so look for other causes before tackling these adjustments.

2. Unequal electron gun to shadowmask/screen distance - the electron beams for the red
and blue video travel slightly different distances on the left and right sides of the
screen so their intensity (due to focus not being optimal and other factors) in each
case may differ slightly affecting color balance.
3. Doming - This would only happen in very bright areas and causes the shadow mask to
expand and distort. (Doming should not be a problem with Trinitron CRTs which use
tensioned wires in their aperture grill.) This would also not really affect left-right
color balance in particular.

I don't really know how much of a problem (2) is in practice or whether some manufacturers
compensate for it.

Bleeding highlights
On very bright areas of the picture, one or more colors may bleed to the right resulting in a
trail of those colors. The difference between this problem and the section: Trailing lines in
one or more colors is that in this case, only highlights are affected.

One cause of this is that the color gain, contrast, or intensity controls (whatever they are
called on your set) are set too high. See the section on: "Color balance adjustment". Check
the settings of any brightness limiter controls as well.

Trailing lines in one or more colors

Assuming this is not a form of ghosting resulting from poor reception conditions, then it
could be any of the following:

 Poor decoupling in the power supplies for the video drive circuits - probably on the
CRT neck board. Check for bad (low uF or high ESR) filter capacitors (electrolytic
mostly) on this board or the power supplies feeding it.
 Insufficient CRT filament voltage. This could be a result of bad connections or a bad
component in the filament power supply (probably from the flyback). Check to see if
the filaments are glowing bright orange and check the voltage if possible (though this
can be tricky since it is often fed from a winding on the flyback and is a pulse
waveform, not DC or a sinusoid. The service manual (or Sams' Photofact) will
probably have info and waveforms.
 Bad CRT (more likely if only one color is affected). A weak electron gun can result in
this behavior. Swap it with one that work properly. If the same color is still bad, that
CRT gun is weak. The CRT will need rejuvenation or need to be replaced (more
likely, the entire TV will be tossed into the dumpster).

One simple test would be to swap two of the color outputs to the CRT pins. If the behavior
moves with the swap (i.e., from red to blue), then it is likely an electronic problem. If it is still
the same colors, it is probably the CRT.

Brightness changes from left-to-right across screen

Slight variations in brightness across the face of the CRT are not unusual. In fact, if you used
a photometer to actually measure the brightness, you might be amazed at the actual variance
even with the best monitor or TV - you just don't notice it. However, a major variation -
usually a decay from left to right but could be the other way indicate a component failure. Of
course, make sure the face of the screen is clean!

 A fault in the power supplies to the video amplifier and/or video output circuits. Most
likely, an electrolytic capacitor has dried up and is not adequately filtering the power
derived from the flyback which then has ripple at the horizontal scan rate and thus
locked to the screen. The voltage decays from left-to-right between horizontal flyback
pulses.

The most likely location for these capacitors is in the vicinity of the flyback
transformer on the mainboard or on the CRT neck board. Check the capacitors with
capacitor tester or ESR meter and/or take a look at the power right at the video
amplifier and video output drivers.
  Horizontal linearity is bad - this may actually be a horizontal geometry problem and
not a brightness problem.

See if objects on left side of the screen are stretched compared to those on the right
(or vice-versa). If they are, the problem is in the horizontal deflection circuits -
possibly a bad S correction capacitor or linearity coil.

 Inoperative degauss circuit, TV moved or rotated without degaussing, or magnetic

field from some other device (like a permanent magnet) is affecting CRT - slight
amounts of magnetization may reduce brightness (by moving the beams into the black
space between phosphor dots) before affecting color purity (where the beams land on
the wrong phosphor dots).

Try deguassing manually. See the section: Degaussing (demagnetizing) a CRT.

Picture fades in and out

If the picture faded away on the order of 10-20 seconds (and if it comes back, also comes up
to full brightness in same time frame - possibly with the persuasion of some careful
whacking) AND with NO other significant changes such as size, focus, etc., then take a look
in the back of the tube for the filament to be lit - the orange glow near the CRT socket. If
there is none, then you probably have a bad solder connection on the circuit board on the
neck of the CRT. Look for fine cracks around pins on that board. Try prodding it with an
insulating stick to see if the picture comes back. Resolder if necessary. Dirty or corroded
CRT pins/socket contacts can also do this - remove, inspect, clean, and replace the neck
board. It is probably not a bad CRT as the filaments are usually wired in parallel and all
would not likely go bad at the same time.

However, if only a single color fades in and out, then a bad connection inside the CRT is a
distinct possibility - look for only one of the filament's glow to be coming and going. This is
probably not worth fixing.

If the picture faded away with other symptoms, then there is probably a fault in the video
amplifier/output one of its power supplies - still probably a loose connection if you are able to
get it back by whacking.

Occasional brightness flashes

These may last only a fraction of a scan line or much much longer.

This could mean an intermittent fault in a variety of places including the video circuitry and
SCREEN power supply:

 Brightness circuitry - SCREEN, master background or its power supply. Could be in

or around flyback or focus/screen divider. Could perhaps be in the CRT, but probably
less likely.
 Video amp before or at chroma demodulator - since after this point, you would most
likely get colored flashes since only one of the RGB signals would likely be effected.

If you get it from all sources, then tuner/IF is ruled out.

Suppose you just have no signal to a direct video input. What do you get? If you still get
flashes, it should be real easy to monitor either the video outputs or SCREEN supply (with a
HV divider on your scope) for noise. Then trace back to power or noise source.

Excessive brightness and/or washed out picture

There are a number of possibilities including incorrect screen (G2) or bias (G1) voltages, or a
problem in the video or blanking circuitry. Any of these could be the result of bad
connections as well. A short in the CRT can also result in these symptoms.

 Excessive brightness/washed out picture is often an indication of a problem with the

screen (G2) supply to the CRT. May be a bad capacitor or resistor divider often in the
flyback transformer assembly or on the board on the neck of the CRT.
 If the excessive brightness just developed over time, then a simple adjustment of the
screen or background brightness controls may keep it (and you) happy for a long time.

When good, a typical value would be in the 200 to 600 VDC at the CRT. The screen
(it may also be called master brightness, bias, or background) control should vary this
voltage. However, it may be difficult to measure as the resistors in the voltage divider
network may be quite large - hundreds of M ohms. If your unit has an external screen
control (less likely these days) and it has no effect, trace out the circuitry in the
immediate vicinity and check the resistors and potentiometer for opens, look for bad
connections, etc. If it is built into the flyback transformer and is sealed, the entire
flyback will need to be replaced unless the actual problem turns out to be a bad
connection or bad component external to the flyback.

 Where the brightness control has no effect, suspect a missing bias supply to the G1
(control grid) electrodes of the CRT. This is usually derived from the flyback with a
simple rectifier/filter capacitor power supply. Parts may have failed (though not likely
the flyback itself). Adjusting the user brightness control should vary this voltage over
a typical range of 0 to -50 V with respect to signal ground.
 It could also be a problem with biasing of the video output transistors. There may
individual controls for background brightness on the little board on the neck of the
CRT. However, we are looking for a common problem since all colors are wrong in
the same way. This is likely to be a missing voltage from a secondary supply from the
flyback.
 A short between electrodes inside the CRT can result in brightness problems. It may
be possible to check this with an ohmmeter with the power off and the CRT socket
removed. Test between G1, G2, and F where all colors are affected though a short
between F and G2 will result in the focus control changing brightness and vice-versa -
a classic symptom.

However, in some cases, it only shows up when operating and one must deduce the
presense and location of the short from its affect on voltages and bias levels.

See the section: Rescuing a shorted CRT and other related topics.

First, check for bad connections/cold solder joints by gently prodding with an insulating
stick. Check voltages and bias levels.
Bad focus (fuzzy picture)

Focus voltage on the CRT is usually in the range of 2-8 kV DC and should be controllable
over a fairly wide range by the focus pot - usually located on the flyback or a little panel in its
vicinity:

 If adjusting the pot results in a position of acceptable focus, you may be done. It is not
unusual for the focus setting to drift a over time.
 If the setting is already as good as possible but not really good enough, the CRT may
be tired. Alternatively, the filament voltage may be too low. Check for bad
connections in the filament circuit.
 If the optimal setting is out of range of the focus pot, the problem is likely leakage in
the focus divider in the flyback or one of the components on the CRT neck board.

Also see the sections: "Focus adjustment" and "Focus drifts with warmup".

The focus wire usually comes from the flyback or if the general area or from a terminal on a
voltage multiplier module in some cases. It is usually a wire by itself going to the little board
on the neck of the CRT.

If a sparkgap (a little 2 terminal device with a 1/8" gap in the middle) is arcing with power
on, then the resistive divider has shorted inside the flyback, focus board, or HV multiplier -
whatever you TV has - and the this unit will need to be replaced. Ditto if the SCREEN
control affects focus and/or vice-versa.

Using a suitable high voltage meter (range at least 10 kVDC, 1000 M ohm or greater input
impedance), you should be able to measure it connected and disconnected. The ground return
will be the outside coating of the CRT which may or may not be the same as the metal
chassis parts. If the voltage is very low (less than 2 kV) or too high and the pot has little
effect:

 When measured right off of the source disconnected from the CRT neck board, then
the problem is probably in the focus network in the flyback (or wherever it
originates). Sometimes these can be disassembled and cleaned or repaired but usually
requires replacement of the entire flyback or voltage multiplier. Note: you may need
to add a HV (10 kV) capacitor between the focus wire and DAG ground to provide
filtering so you get a DC level for your meter.
 When measured with the focus wire attached to the CRT neck board with the CRT
connected but reasonable with the CRT unplugged, there is probably a short between
the focus and another electrode inside the CRT. See the section: Rescuing a shorted
CRT.
 When measured with the focus wire attached to the CRT neck board with the CRT
unplugged, there is likely a component on the CRT neck board that is leaky or
breaking down. Also, check for decayed (tan or brown) glue which may turn leaky
with age.

Focus drift with warmup

This could be due to a problem with the focus voltage power supply, components on the CRT
neck board, or a tired worn CRT.
Focus is controlled by a voltage of 2-8 kV DC usually derived from the flyback transformer
and includes some resistors and capacitors. One of these could be changing value as it warms
up. (assuming nothing else changes significantly as the unit warms up - e.g., the brightness
does not decrease.)

Focus voltage is derived from a subset of the high voltage winding on the flyback using a
resistive voltage divider which includes the focus pot. These are extremely high value
resistors - 200 M ohm is common - and so leakage of any kind can reduce or increase the
focus voltage. All other things being ok - i.e., the picture is otherwise fine - I would suspect
this type of failure rather than the CRT.

The connection to the CRT is usually a separate wire running from the flyback or its
neighborhood to the CRT neck board. Look for components in this general area. Use cold
spray or a heat gun to isolate the one that is drifting. If you have access to a high voltage
meter, you should be able to see the voltage change as the TV or monitor warms up - and
when you cool the faulty part. If it is in the flyback, then sometimes the part with the
adjustments clips off and can be repaired or cleaned. Most often, you will need to replace the
flyback as a unit.

 If the optimal adjustment point of the focus control doesn't change that much but the
best focus is simply not as good as it should be, the CRT is probably the problem.
However, if the optimal point produces acceptable focus but it changes (and possibly
moves off of one end of the adjustment knob range) as the unit warms up, the flyback
or one of the components on the CRT neck board are likely drifting.
 If you have a high voltage meter, you can measure the focus voltage to determine if it
is being changed by the focus pot and if it is in the ball park (2-8 kV typical).
Sometimes, the part of the flyback with the focus pot can be snapped off and cleaned
or parts replaced but usually you need to replace the whole unit. There may a
capacitor or two on the PCB on the neck of the CRT that could have increased
leakage as well thus reducing the focus voltage.
 To determine if the CRT is the problem, for sharp focus after the unit has warmed up.
Power-off for an hour or so and carefully pull the CRT neck board off of the CRT.
Then, power up the unit. Let it run long enough such that there would have been a
detectable focus drift. Now, power-down, plug the CRT neck board back in, and
power-up. Watch the image as it appears on the screen:
o If the focus starts out fuzzy and sharpens up as the image appears and
gradually becomes sharper as the CRT warms up the CRT is likely tired.

The only catch here is that plugging the CRT neck board into the CRT results
in an additional load on the flyback due to the picture beam current which
heats it more as well. Thus, if the problem takes a few minutes to appear, keep
the brightness turned down except to check the appearance of the picture from
time to time.

You can set the focus control for optimum when warmed up and just turn the
TV on in well in advance of your favorite shows or add a user focus
adjustment by drilling a hole in the plastic case for an *insulated* screwdriver
or flyback focus knob extender :-). The CRT may continue to function for
quite a while so this is not impending doom.
 o If the focus is relatively stable as the image appears and increases in
brightness *and* is about as sharp as it would be with the TV warmed up, the
problem is most likely in the flyback. However, also check for bad
components or decayed (tan or brown) glue on the CRT neck board. A drifting
flyback will need to be replaced as it will probably get worse and fail
completely. Clean the surface of the circuit board and CRT socket in the
vicinity of the focus and screen terminals and traces. Contamination or just
dirt and grime can easily cause problems especially on humid days since the
resistance of these circuits is extremely high (100s of M ohms).
o If the focus is relatively stable as the image appears and increases in
brightness *and* is similar to what it would be with the monitor cold, you
have a very strange situation where some load on the high voltage power
supply, perhaps, is causing a thermal problem. This would be rare.

Bad focus and adjustment changes brightness

This is the classic symptom of a short between the focus and screen supplies - probably in
focus/screen divider which is part of the flyback or tripler. If you have a high voltage meter,
measuring the focus voltage will show that (1) it is low and (2) it is affected by the SCREEN
control Similarly, the SCREEN voltage will be affected by the FOCUS control (which is
what is changing the brightness.

There is a slight possibility that this may be in the CRT as well. Measure the FOCUS and
SCREEN voltage with a high voltage meter. If they are identical pull the plug on the CRT. If
they are now their normal values, then a shorted CRT is a distinct possibility - see the section:
Rescuing a shorted CRT.

Charlie's comments on focus problems

(From: Charles Godard (cgodard@iamerica.net).)

Most true focus problems that I have encountered (when the IHVT is ok) are related to leaks
or resistance on the focus output. The diming of the screen when the focus pot is adjusted
leads me to think in terms of a leaky socket. I'd remove the ground from the CRT socket to
the tube dag and see if it sparks. If so there may be a leak in the socket to ground. It could
also be leaking to another pin, such as the screen grid. A rhetorical question: What happens to
the screen voltage when the focus pot is adjusted?

I have seen sockets that had no arching or other telltale signs, leak through the plastic housing
to ground out the focus voltage.

Look closely at the screen. If the blurring is in the form of small circles, then you have an
open or hi-resistance focus electrode inside the tube. The circles may vary in visibility with
brightness.

If you still haven't found the problem, try to confirm that this is truly a focus problem.
Remove the CRT socket and observe the hi-voltage. If it climbs more than about 1k, say all
the way up to 25 kV, then you may have a beam current problem rather than a focus problem.
In that case re-check all CRT board voltages. WARNING: Removing the CRT socket and
powering the set may destroy the CRT on some models. See the section: Warning about
disconnecting CRT neck board.

If you have done all of the above and removing the socket makes no change in the high
voltage, then try to determine why the high voltage is low.

Watch the screen as the brightness, contrast, or screen control are adjusted. See if you can
observe any signs of blooming. When the IHVT doesn't provide enough current to satisfy the
demands of the tube for current, the the picture tends to appear to expand like a balloon. i.e.,
bloom. This can be caused by not enough drive to the IHVT. Carefully monitor the b+ to the
horizontal drive stages to see that is is stable and correct.

Blank picture, good channel tuning and sound

Since the tuner and sound are ok, horizontal deflection which usually generates power for
most of the set is also working.

Does 'blank picture' means a totally black screen with the brightness and contrast controls
having no effect whatsoever? Or, is there is no picture but there is a raster - scan lines on the
screen? The direction in which troubleshooting should proceed differ significantly depending
the answer.

Here are some questions:

1. As above, is there any light on the screen at any settings of the brightness and contrast
controls, and/or when switching channels? Can you see any raster scanning lines?
2. Can you hear the high pitched (15735 Hz) of the horizontal deflection?
3. Looking in the back of the set, can you see the glow of the CRT filament?
4. Do you get that static on the front of the tube that would indicate that there is high
voltage? Any cracking or other normal or abnormal sounds or smells?

Possible causes of no raster:

 No or low high voltage (low voltage, deflection, or high voltage power supply
failure).
 Fault with other voltages like G1 or screen (G2) to CRT.
 Filament to CRT not getting powered.
 Drive to CRT bad/shut off as a result of fault elsewhere. For example, failure of the
vertical deflection may disable HV or blank the screem to protect the CRT from burn-
in due to the very bright horizontal line that would result. With some sets, it is
possible that the X-ray protection circuitry will blank the screen without affecting
tuning or audio.

Possible causes of no video (but a good raster): Problem in video IF, video amplifiers, video
output, cutoff due to other fault.

It could be as simple as a bad connection - try gently prodding the boards with an insulated
stick while watching the screen. Check for loose connectors and reseat all internal
connectors.
Purple blob - or worse

Have you tried demagnetizing it? Try powering it off for a half hour, then on. Repeat a
couple of times. This should activate the internal degausser. See the section: Degaussing
(demagnetizing) a CRT.

Is there any chance that someone waved a magnet hear the tube? Remove it and/or move any
items like monster speakers away from the set.

Was your kid experimenting with nuclear explosives - an EMP would magnetize the CRT.
Nearby lightning strikes may have a similar effect.

If demagnetizing does not help, then it is possible that something shifted on the CRT - there
are a variety of little magnets that are stuck on at the time of manufacture to adjust purity.
There are also service adjustments but it is unlikely (though not impossible) that these would
have shifted suddenly. This may be a task for a service shop but you can try your hand at it if
you get the Sams' Photofact or service manual - don't attempt purity adjustments without one.

If the set was dropped, then the internal shadow mask of the CRT may have become distorted
or popped loose and you now have a hundred pound paper weight. See the "Sony1" and
"Sony2" photos in James Sweet's Sony/Trinitron Directory for some screen shots showing the
symptoms resulting from a monitor falling on its face. :( If the discoloration is slight, some
carefully placed 'refrigerator' magnets around the periphery of the tube might help. See the
section: Magnet fix for purity problems - if duct tape works, use it!.

It is even possible that this is a 'feature' complements of the manufacturer. If certain

components like transformers and loudspeakers are of inferior design and/or are located too
close to the CRT, they could have an effect on purity. Even if you did not notice the problem
when the set was new, it might always have been marginal and now a discoloration is visible
due to slight changes or movement of components over time.

Color rings - bullseye pattern

This probably means the degaussing circuitry is terminating suddenly instead of gradually as
it should. The most likely cause is a bad solder connection to the degauss thermistor or
posistor or something feeding it.

You can confirm this by manually degaussing the screen with the TV or monitor turned on. If
the problem disappears, the above diagnosis is probably valid. Check for bad solder
connections in the vicinity of the degauss components and AC line input.

Magnet fix for purity problems - if duct tape works, use it!

The approach below will work for slight discoloration that cannot be eliminated through
degaussing. However, following the procedures in the section: CRT purity adjustment would
be the preferred solution. On the other hand, the magnets may be quick and easy. And, where
CRT has suffered internal distortion or dislocation of the shadowmask, adjustments may not
be enough.
In any case, first, relocate those megablaster loudspeakers and that MRI scanner with the
superconducting magnets.

The addition of some moderate strength magnets carefully placed to reduce or eliminate
purity problems due to a distorted or dislocated shadowmask may be enough to make the TV
usable - if not perfect. The type of magnets you want are sold as 'refrigerator magnets' and the
like for sticking up notes on steel surfaces. These will be made of ferrite material (without
any steel) and will be disks, rectangles, flexible strips. Experiment with placement using
masking tape to hold them in place temporarily. Degauss periodically to evaluate the status of
your efforts. Then, make the 'repair' permanent using duct tape or silicone sealer or other
household adhesive.

Depending on the severity of the purity problem, you may need quite a few magnets!
However, don't get carried away and use BIG speaker or magnetron magnets - you will make
the problems worse.

Also note that unless the magnets are placed near the front of the CRT, very significant
geometric distortion of the picture will occur - which may be a cure worse than the disease.

WARNING: Don't get carried away while positioning the magnets - you will be near some
pretty nasty voltages!

(From: Mr. Caldwell (jcaldwel@iquest.net).)

I ended up with the old 'stuck on a desert island trick':

I duck taped 2 Radio Shack magnets on the case, in such a way as to pull the beam back.!!!!

A $2 solution to a $200 problem. My friend is happy as heck.

RCA sells magnets to correct corner convergence, they are shaped like chevrons and you
stick them in the 'right' spot on the rear of the CRT.

(From: Tom Sedlemyer (wesvid@gte.net).)

First set purity as best you can.

Obtain some pieces of refrigerator door magnet strips from an appliance repair shop (they
usually have some lying around).

Cut the strips into 1 inch pieces. Place a strip as on the bell of the picture tube as close to the
yoke as possible and in line with the corner that has the purity error. Rotate the magnet until
you correct the purity error and tape it in place. Multiple magnet strips can be used and you
may experiment with the size of the strips for best effect. It is very important that the strips
are positioned close to the yoke or the effect will not hold. The only drawback to this method
is some very slight distortion of the geometry of the raster, but it beats hell out of paying for a
new CRT.

Color TV only displays one color

I assume that now you have no other colors at all - no picture and no raster. Let us say it is
red - R.

It is probably not the CRT. Do you have a scope? Check for the R, G, and B video signals at
the CRT. You will probably find no signals for the defective colors.

This is almost certainly a chroma circuit problem as any failure of the CRT or a video driver
would cause it to lose a single color - the other two would be ok. Therefore, it is probably
NOT the CRT or a driver on the little board on the neck of the CRT.

Try turning up the SCREEN control to see if you can get a G and B raster just to confirm that
the CRT is ok.

Locate the video drive from the mainboard for the good and a bad color. Interchange them
and see if the problem moves. If so, then there is a video signal problem. If not, it is on the
little CRT board.

It could be a defective chroma IC or something else in the chroma decoder.

Disappearing Red (or other color)

Problem: I have been given an old colour TV. The reception is good, but very often, when the
contrast and brightness of the TV image is low (e.g. when a night scene is shown), the red
colour slowly disappears, leaving behind the green and blue image and many red lines.

The remaining red retrace are the giveaway that this is most likely not a CRT problem.

(If there were no red lines, it could be the filament for the red gun of the CRT going on and
off due to a bad connection inside the CRT - bad news.)

How is a black and white picture? (Turn down the color control).

If B/W picture is good, then the problem is somewhere back in the chroma decoder circuitry.

Check the video input to the CRT video driver board and signals on that board. If B/W
picture is also bad, then you can compare red and green signals to determine where they are
becoming different. The red lines in your description sounds like the red video output circuit
is drifting and messing up the background level, blanking, screen, or other setting. Could be a
capacitor or other component.

The wandering black blob on old Sony

"I had a Sony KV-1920 TV (very old) that suddenly started to displayed a black blob on the
screen. The blob was anywhere from 1" around to almost the size of the entire screen. It had a
sharp, not fuzzy, outline, and it would shrink in size as the TV warmed up, usually
disappearing completely in 30 minutes. It shrank in sudden jumps, not gradually. Sometimes
the blob would be stationary, other times it would tumble around rapidly all over the screen."

(From: Raymond Carlsen (rrcc@u.washington.edu).)

Measure the regulated +130 volt line... I think you'll find it has drifted upwards just enough to
trigger the "protective" blanking circuit. In those sets, if the B+ (and consequently the HV)
went up, the screen was automatically blanked so you couldn't use the set. It was before HV
shutdown. Older RCA TV sets used to throw the horizontal out of sync. The low voltage
regulator is an analog type with a pass transistor that is probably leaky, causing the high B+.
Changes in line voltage and loading (with brightness changes) cause the partially blanked
picture to change (the black blob moves around, sometimes blanking the entire screen). When
you replace the defective component, reset the 130 volts with the pot, and you're back in
business. The pot itself may have a bad spot... just move it one way or the other to get off that
spot.

Vertical brightness or color bars

These are typically more or less equally spaced possibly more evident at the left side of the
screen. They result only in brightness or color variations, not deflection speed. Diagonal lines
are straight and not squiggly.

Note that the appearance of these bars differs from those caused by ringing in the deflection
circuits where diagonal lines will show a squiggling stair-step appearance.

The most likely cause is a dried up electrolytic capacitor in the scan derived power supply for
the video or chroma circuits or video output. Check for this ripple with a scope or test/replace
any suspect capacitors.

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Tuner, AGC, and Sync Problems

No reception from antenna or cable

Make sure your source is providing a signal and that the cable connectors are good (center
pin not broken or bent). Try another TV if possible.

Make sure you source select switch or mode is set correctly. Someone may have accidentally
set it to direct video or AUX input.

Are all bands affected? If so, the tuner or IF is faulty. If there is a lot of snow, then it is
probably toward the front (circuitry wise) of the tuner. If it is just a black screen, then it could
be in the IF or video amplifier.

If only certain bands are bad - channels 2-6 for example, then certain parts of the tuner
circuitry are faulty. However, make sure the CATV mode is set correctly as this affects
reception on a band-by-band basis.

The problems may be due to bad solder connections of the tuner shields, connectors, coils,
and other components. Try prodding the tuner to see if you can make the problem come and
go or at least change.
Picture is overloaded, washed out, or noisy

This indicates an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) problem often caused by a dried up
capacitor. You will probably need a schematic to go much further. This could be a problem in
the tuner, IF, or video amplifiers.

The following assumes you are sure the signal source is strong - try a VCR or other local one
(channel 3/4, not the RCA jacks).

(From: Glenn Watkins (blueribb@mail.comcat.com).) Substitute a variable voltage source for

the tuner's AGC voltage. Most of the time the range of AGC is from 1 to 7 volts. If you can
get a decent snow free picture with an external AGC source, then the tuner is probably OK.

Jumping picture on white scenes

This could be an AGC problem if the picture appears overloaded. However, if the picture is
normal except unstable, the sync separate is the place to look:

(From: Jack Schidt (jack@wintel.net).)

White screens are a worst case video pattern for sync separators, and will cause an erratic
shift in the vertical multivibrator trigger level unless the horizontal and video information is
filtered out [integrated] prior to driving the vertical sync input of the processor IC.

This will show up with a scope as high frequency noise going into the vertical sync input.

Look for a small electrolytic [in fact, all of them], around 1-10 uF or so near the
deflection/sync processor IC. Often simply increasing the value of this cap will help.

Interference when using VCR RF connection

(Some of these comments also apply to use of LaserDisc players, satellite receivers, video
games, or other sources with RF modulator (Channel 3/4) outputs).

This may consist of patterns or lines in the picture.

If this only happens on the antenna or cable, it may be a problem with these sources or the
tuner in the VCR rather than the TV. As a test, try the connecting the TV directly to the
antenna or cable.

If it only happens on cable, there may be a (temporary) problem with cable transmission -
contact your cable company.

If it happens on playback of good quality (commercial) recordings, then it could be a

compatibility problem between the VCR and TV.

Make sure your patch cable connections are secure and that the cables are not damaged - in
particular that the center pin is intact.
Try fine tuning if your TV has this capability. If this does not help, try switching the channel
3/4 selector on the VCR to the opposite position and try that channel, sometimes one will be
better than the other particularly if one of these or an adjacent channel is active in your area.

If you have RCA baseband video inputs on your TV, try this connection to the VCR. These
should work better in any case.

Confirm that it is not actually a problem with the VCR - try another TV if possible.

If you just changed your component placement, the VCR or TV may be picking up
interference from another component. Turn off everything but the VCR and TV and see if
that identifies the culprit. Move the TV away from the VCR so see if they are interfering with
each other - the TV may be introducing interference into the VCR.

Occasionally, the particular patch cable or its length may affect reception quality - try another
one.

If none of this helps, you VCR's RF modulator may be bad or slightly weak. Alternatively,
the tuner in the TV may be faulty. If reception is generally noisy on all sources, AGC or
RF/IF alignment may need adjusting. However, not all tuners are created equal. Your TV
may simply be making the best of a marginal situation.

A light dimmer on the same circuit as the TV may result in similar symptoms. If you are
tuning up your motorcycle (or automobile) in the same room, this may be spark ignition
interference.

RF Interference on TV

"I have interference lines on my TV - they are particularly heavy on 2, not so prominent on 9
- one TV is on Radio Shack Color Supreme 100 (souped up rabbit ears), other is on a roof top
antenna, both have coax from antenna to TV. I have HAM operator two doors away. Is there
an FAQ on interference - if so where. How do I need to describe the interference pattern in
order to seek help. Thanks."

The FCC had an online interference handbook, with color photos showing how different
types of interference affect a TV's picture. This has vanished from the FCC Web site but is
now on the Kyes TV Web site:

 FCC TV Interference Handbook

Another Web page on interference which includes portions that have obviously been copied
from the FCC document is at:

 Colin's Interference Handbook

(From: Andrew Mitchell (amitchell@sympatico.ca).)

Probably the easiest solution is to visit your ham neighbor and describe your difficulty.
Amateur radio operators are licensed by federal governments (FCC) and are required as part
of their examination to demonstrate a knowledge of this type of interference. It may well be
that the ham is not the source of the problem and even if this is the case I'm sure he or she
will be of assistance.

(From: Alan N. Alan, WDBJ-TV, KM4IG (alann@intrlink.com).)

OK, as a HAM myself, I can understand this. Channel 2 is the lowest TV channel, right
above the six meter band, 50-54 Mhz. Channel 9 is well into VHF above 175 Mhz. It is
possible that your neighbor operates 6 meters.

I would talk to him. First, the chances are it is YOUR equipment, and his is legal and meets
FCC specs. But I would be willing to bet he will be very cooperative to help you solve your
interference.

The thing to do is talk to him, calmly, and tell him about your problem. Then, schedule a time
where he can transmit his gear and see if your problem exists along with his transmissions.. If
it does, you can go from there. Many ham clubs have many engineers and radio and TV
people in their memberships that will jump in and help you solve your problem. Again, he is
probably legal, and consumer equipment is not known for it's RF resistance. Consumer
manufacturers cut corners wherever they can. This includes filtering and design.

Problems with ground loops and video hum bars

"I am having a problem isolating where my ground loop problem is coming from. The
symptoms I see are Bars on my TV which scroll up the screen. The problem is these bars
come and go, and when they are present they vary in intensity. I have verified that the cable
ground is connected to the earth ground on the outside of the house, but the problem still
remains. This problem is also screwing up any attempts to do video electronics
experimentation. I am really tired of seeing these bars and any help you could give would be
appreciated."

(From: Paul Grohe (grohe@galaxy.nsc.com).)

1. Do these bars show up on other TV's connected to the same cable?

2. Is your TV connected to anything else? A/V receiver? VCR?

If so, unplug *all* the equipment and plug it in one-at-a-time until the hum appears. If
you have an AV receiver in the system, try running a jumper wire from the incoming
CATV ground at the TV to the receivers chassis ground (usually the "phono ground
screw").

If you have any devices with un-polarized plugs, unplug them and rotate them 180
degrees, and plug them back in.

3. If you connect a temporary antenna and view "off-the-air" signals, are the bars still
there?

If you still cannot eliminate the hum, try building a simple "ground isolator" out of two 75-
300 ohm baluns, as described in the link below:

 ePanorama's Groundloop Information Pages

Place it as close to the TV as possible.

(From: Charles Godard (cgodard@iamerica.net).)

This seems like a cable company problem, but you need to prove it to the cable guy before he
will start climbing pole's and changing amps and couplers looking for an intermittent amp.
(And I don't blame him.)

At the main cable line to the house and remove all couplers and put a single line from the
cable direct to the rf input on a single TV, then watch it for a few of days. If the problem re-
occurs call the cable guy and show him what you have done and explain the problem again.

Put yourself in the shoes of the cable guy. He comes into a house with VCR's and all the
gadgets we all have hooked up to our TV's with lines running all over the house, and can't get
to the back of the TV to see what's there, and he's not a TV repair guy anyway and nobody
else in the neighborhood is complaining and this problem may happen when it rains but it
may not. mmmhhh

If it does not show up on the single TV, then the problem is probably yours. Add one device
at a time until you find the trouble maker. Start with the your Cable AMPLIFIER.

(From: 4real (alan69@iname.com).)

You eliminate all of the other junk attached between your main cable input to your house and
your TV to be sure it isn't the cause.

You will definitely want to suspect a problem with the amplifier you have installed.
Especially if it is one of those cheap ones. Usually when the filter capacitor in an amplifier
goes bad it will cause the hum bars you are describing, and they can be intermittent. Another
problem may be that you have too much signal going into the amplifier. Amps are rated to
handle a certain amount of input signal (measured in db) depending on the number of
channels you wish to amplify, and the gain provided by the amp. If you try to feed an
amplifier with too much signal it will overdrive it and cause a venetian blind, or herringbone
effect. It could also be possible that the cable company is supplying a signal with reverse tilt.
That means more signal on the lower channels and less on the higher ones. The lower
channels might be the ones overdriving the amplifier. The only way to tell for sure is to
measure it with a signal level meter. (very expensive unless you happen to be in the business
and have one handy) If this is the case (too much signal going in) you probably don't need the
amplifier to feed only 2 TVs.

The last thing I can think of and the cable guy should have checked this: They use 60 VAC
on their main trunk lines to power their line amplifiers. The taps which feed the individual
houses are supposed to prevent this ac from going to the individual lines. Occasionally one of
these devices fails or a line guy forgets to pull a fuse and hence the ac gets sent to your TV. It
won't necessarily fry your TV but can cause problems. It may even damage the TV tuners
that are connected to that feed. In most cases if you touch the center conductor of the cable
and a good ground you can feel the ac. It isn't enough to hurt you but you will definitely
know it's there. To be on the safe side you should test it with a volt meter.

(From: Cliff R. (craeihl1@nycap.rr.com).)

My guess would be your cable amplifier. The fact that you see TWO bars on your screen tells
me that it's 120 Hz interference - the frequency caused by ailing full wave power supplies
used in these amps. Take the amp out of the line for a few days. If you don't have "snow" in
the picture with it out, s...can it! If you find it was bad and can't live without it, you might try
making sure all your internal cable, splitters, and connections are good quality & in good
shape. Radio Shack stuff......well, it stinks! You can purchase primo splitters & cable from
your cable company and its not that expensive. Certainly cheaper than an amp (which you
might not need if the cabling were up to snuff).

You could also cry to the cable company for more signal into your house. This may or may
not work but it's worth a shot.

I would put an amp in line only as a LAST resort. Most of the inexpensive amps sold
are......cheap. They can easily cause more trouble than they cure. If you must, go with a primo
unit from Blonder-Tongue or Jerrold.

(From: Charles Hope (charles.hope@argonet.co.uk).)

It sounds very like a problem that I had and solved.

Cause: Modern TV sets antenna connector does not have true earth on the screen but is at a
potential of half mains supply. It is possible to draw about 30 micro-amps from this.

Hum bars are induced in the amplifier because there is a small resistance in the earth path
between output and input giving about 1 volt drop of this stray mains signal. Worse when
raining because the cable ground is better then.

Solution: Either ground the antenna screen or fit a "braid breaker" in the screen.

Missing or noisy channel or block of channels

If you are unable to receive certain channels or blocks of channels, this is a tuner problem -
could be as simple as bad connections - or even simpler:.

First, check to see that the tuning mode is correct - TV, CATV, as this is the most common
cause of channels 'disappearing'.

TV channels are assigned frequencies ranging from 72 to almost 800 MHz depending on
broadcast or cable channel assignment. To tune over such a wide range requires splitting it up
into various bands even if these are not actually defined. If you have a varactor tuned set,
then you already know about the Vl, Vh, and U bands which may use separate front-end
components. Even modern quartz PLL synthesized tuners need to allocate circuitry
depending on frequency range. Therefore, if a block channels is not working, it could be due
to a failure of some component related to that frequency range. Aside from looking for bad
connections, resoldering the shields and connector pins, prodding, pressing, praying, etc. you
will need a schematic to have any chance of finding such a fault.

There is another slight possibility. Some TVs have a parental lockout capability (pre V-chip)
to prevent kids or other unauthorized access to selected channels. The channel selections may
have been accidentally altered. Check your user manual for instructions on programming this
feature. Even on models without this option, the same internal circuitry could be present but
not normally accessible. A power surge or stray cosmic ray could have put the set in a screwy
mode. Unplugging power for a minute or probably a much longer time might possibly reset
such an anomaly.

Loss of Channel after Warmup

If there is a general loss of picture and sound but there is light on the screen, then most likely
the tuner or IF stage is pooping out.

With both no sound and no picture but a raster and static, it is most likely a problem in the
tuner, power to the tuner, or its controller (if non-knob type).

If it recovers after being off for a while, then you need to try a cold spray in the
tuner/controller to identify the component that is failing. Take appropriate safety precautions
while working in there!

If it stays broken, then most likely some component in the tuner, its controller, or its power
supply as failed. There is a slight chance that it could be a bad solder connection - I have seen
these in the tuner modules of RCAs on several occasions (and many other manufacturers -
apparently not a solved manufacturing problem even after 40+ years!

Channel tuning drifts as set warms up

This may be a slight drift - like someone is messing with the fine tuning or such a substantial
change in tuning frequency that the channels go by as though you are surfing.

Possible causes depend on tuner type:

1. Quartz tuner (10 button direct access digital synthesizer) - For a slight drift, a
component is probably changing value, possibly the crystal in the reference oscillator.
For gross changes - flipping through channels - it is more likely to be a digital control
problem - the microcontroller is misdirecting the synthesizer to change frequency.
2. Varactor tuner (buttons but not direct channel access) - If only a single pushbutton
selection is the problem, the the varactor tuning diode for that button is probably
changing capacitance. If all channels in a band (Vl, Vh, U) are having a problem, it is
more likely to be a drifting D/A or faulty AFT (Automatic Fine Tuning) circuit or
power supply.
3. Turret or switch tuner (Knobs) - A component like a capacitor is changing value.

You will have to get in there with a heat gun or cold spray and track it down the old
fashioned way. At least, the problem is almost certainly localized to the tuner box (and
possibly the controller if applicable).

As noted, gradual slight changes in tuning are likely due to frequency determining
components drifting.

Uncontrolled channel surfing is probably a logic problem. For the quartz tuner, this could still
be marginal connections causing the microprocessor to misdirect the synthesizer to change
channels.
For the latter case, particularly, the cause may still be bad connections resulting in loss of
channel memory and/or erratic behavior.

Noise in picture and sound due to bright scene

When a bright scene comes, the screen flashes and there is a lot of noise in the sound. When a
dark scene comes, there is no flash or noise. Changing channel does not help. The noise
persists even when the sound is muted.

(The following is from: Lattuca@Midwest.net (Sam Lattuca))

When the video detector level is adjusted too high, you will get noise in the sound while
screen contains a lot of white information (i.e. letters) but won't when only dark scenes are
present. The video level adjust is usually a small coil normally located near the IF section.
Since your set is several years old, this wouldn't be uncommon. It can be adjusted while
watching the picture and listening to the sound.

Internal interference - switchmode power supplies and digital circuitry

(From: Mr. Caldwell (jcaldwel@iquest.net).)

On virtually all newer televisions and in particular Mitsubishi televisions there is a problem
with interference being emitted by the switched mode power supply.

The common symptom of this 'fault' is snake like dotted 'S' lines on channels 2-6. It doesn't
matter if it's cable, antenna or satellite(channel 3/4), this symptom can occur.

The common cause of this interference being allowed into the tuner is cabling. The super
cheap 'suitable for garbage tie' cable that comes with even the most expensive VCR's is the
culprit in most cases. The second is a set of rabbit ears the least common is an open or high
resistance to ground connection (usually at a connector) on the incoming cable line.

To fix this there is only one reliable solution. All cabling must be hand made RG-6 cable.
Make as follows:

1. Strip the outer sheath of the cable to expose the braid and *fold the braid* away from
the end so that it covers the unstripped outer braid.
2. Strip the inner conductor to it's proper length.
3. Install a good quality RG-6 connector *over the folded* braid.
4. Crimp with the proper RG-6 attachment to the cable crimpers, don't use a set of pliers
or other -crushing- device.

If the cable company doesn't waterproof the outside connectors, Radio Shack sells a 'sealing
tape' just for this purpose. Most cable companies use self sealing 'o-ring' connectors.

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

There is also interference from internal microprocessors and digital text generators (on-screen
display, close captioning, teletext). And with 100 Hz digital television there is a wealth of
sources ...
Using only high quality shielded cable as described above seems like really good advise,
FWIW I'd like to second that. I wish that everyone would take antenna cables as seriously as
you.

Generally, double-braided cable (using copper foil for second shield) and coaxially
constructed connectors are recommended. But I think that the hand-mountable F-type
connectors (Radio Shack) would be equally good, though less robust, if mounted properly.

As far as antennas go, a decent rooftop antenna should always be better than whatever rabbit
ear construction you might think of. In this case, distance counts too, the antenna WILL pick
up interference.

Those darn rabbit ears

So you bought a high performance TV and a set of $20.00 rabbit ears and there are lines on
channels 2 to 6. Go buy a set of rabbit ears that has *only* a coax connector on the back,
throw the cable supplied with it in the bin for 'twist ties'. Also buy an inexpensive surge
suppressor that has a cable protector, enough RG-6 cable and connectors for two cables.

 Make one cable long enough to get the antenna away from the set (12ft) and the other
to connect the antenna to the surge suppressor.
 Connect the long cable to the set and the other end to the surge suppressor.
 Find an outlet away from the set and plug the surge suppressor in (pick the most sane
order for all of this.)
 Connect the shorter cable to the surge suppressor and connect the other end to the
antenna.

You're done and if you thought carefully you would have put the antenna near your easy
chair so you can adjust the picture or put the antenna where you'll get the best reception and
prevent interference. The surge suppressor was needed to ground the other end of the coax so
as not to make the outer shield an antenna for the interference from the TV's power supply.
This method can also help allevate 'dead spots' when using rabbit ears.

Herringbone lines in picture

(From: Isaac Bergen (isaac.bergen@sympatico.ca).)

Could be interference. If the pattern slowly moves up the screen, the problem is from the 60
Hz power. A line of dots or thin lines usually means corona discharge (arcing) from a nearby
power line (especially on humid days). Could also be from a bad filter capacitor in the TV's
power supply. A "checkered" pattern could be from a digital type noise source like a
computer, etc. If you move the TV to another room and the interference changes, that's
probably it.

EM or RFI hell?

"About a mile from my home there are four TV (channels 2, 4, 9 and 14) and several
broadcast FM transmitters, all working with powers in the 100+ Kw ERP class.
Radio reception is a nightmare, mostly (I think) because of IM products in overloaded front
end stages. In most bands there are several regions at a spacing of about 100 Khz, each 30 to
40 Khz wide with a harsh buzz stronger than anything else."

(From: Don Klipstein (don@Misty.com).)

If the buzz is of a frequency like the power line frequency or a harmonic thereof, then the
nearby transmitters may not be the culprit. Instead, nearby corona on a high voltage power
line, a nearby neon sign, or a nearby light dimmer may be the offender. Although the noise
from these is usually broad-band, the noise could get concentrated into bands spaced 100 kHz
apart if something resonant around 100 kHz is involved in the noise production.

I would try temporarily turning off all fluorescent lights, neon signs, lights with dimmers, etc.
and asking your neighbors to do the same to see if any of these is the offender. I have often
found light dimmers to be major RF noise sources.

Possibly, an RF noise filter for the AC power for your receiver may help things. If you isolate
a single offending appliance, it may help to plug it into an RF noise filter. If you use any
filters with either the offending appliance or the receiver, try all combinations of plug
reversal to see what works best. Both leads of any offending appliance may not equally spew
noise, and both lines in the filter may not equally block noise. Both lines of the receiver's
power cord may not equally bring noise into the receiver, if this is the route the noise takes.

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Audio Problems
Picture fine, no audio

First check that any muting control is not activated. This might be a button on the remote or
set itself. If you have a headphone jack, it may have dirty contacts as plugging in a
headphone usually mutes the speaker.

If the set is mono or only one channel of a stereo set is out, then check for bad connections to
the loudspeaker. Test the loudspeaker by disconnecting one of the wires (with the power off!)
and measuring its resistance with an ohmmeter (it should be less than 100 ohms - probably
less than 8 ohms). Or momentarily touch a 1.5 volt battery to the speaker terminals - you
should get a click or pop from the speaker.

Next, trace back from the speaker output terminals to the circuit board and look for bad
solder connections or a loose or dirty connector.

If these tests do not reveal anything, you probably need a scope (or audio signal tracer) and
schematic. Or at least the part number off of the chip. Is the final amp a chip also or just a
transistor? Have you tested the transistor? If there is little or no buzz from the speaker, that
would indicate a problem fairly near the output. If the tuner/if were bad, I would expect some
noise/humm pickup from the low level audio stages. Get the part number off of the chip. If it
is in a socket, check the contacts for corrosion or looseness.

Weak or distorted audio

Assuming you are not attempting to play it at ear shattering levels, this may be due to an
alignment problem in the IF/audio demodulator, a bad audio IC or other circuitry, bad
connection, or a defective speaker.

If your TV has an earphone or audio line out jack, try this to see if it is clear. If so, then your
problem is in the final audio amp or speaker(s).

If only one channel of a stereo TV is affected, it is almost certainly the audio amp or speaker
for that channel. Interchange connection to the two speakers temporarily and see if the
problem moves.

If the problem is at all intermittent - try gently whacking the TV - then it is likely a bad
connection - either a cold solder joint or a dirty or tired IC socket.

The audio amplifiers in newer TVs are almost always ICs and replacements are usually
readily available. If the IC is in a socket, remove the IC, clean the pins and socket contacts
and reinstall it. Sometimes, the contacts on old socket lose their springiness and do not
provide solid connections. Such a socket will need to be replaced.

If the set uses discrete transistors, it s also possible for one of these to become noisy.

If your TV is fairly old - 10 years or so - this may be an alignment problem requiring

tweaking of a coil in the sound IF. See your service manual. It may be possible to have
similar problems with newer TVs but this is relatively rare.

There could also be bad electrolytic capacitors, probably in the power supply area. Even
though you might think this would result in hum and there is none (even when there is no
audio in the program or the sound is turned down) dried up caps can result in distorted sound
that may sound like a sort of clipping. An ESR meter is best for testing (with power off!) but
carefully jumpering known good caps across suspect ones (again with power off, then turn on
the set and check), will eventually find the bad one(s).

Buzzing TV

Do you actually mean buzz - low frequency as in 60 Hz? Or, do you really mean high pitched
whine. If the latter, see the section: High pitched whine or squeal from TV with no other
symptoms. Or, it may be a combination of both effects. Is the buzz through the speaker or
from the inside of the set?

 If it is the speaker, then it is a problem with the audio circuitry. This could be a design
issue - very common or an actual fault (if it wasn't there before). It could also be
interference caused by fluorescent lights or appliances like vacuum cleaners with
universal motors or body massagers with vibrator interrupters (which generate
sparks).
 Where the source of the problem cannot be located or eliminated, consider using a
(HiFi) VCR for the tuner with an external stereo amplifier and the disable the internal
speaker.

 There is a slight possibility that the AC power in your house has some harmonic
content - the waveform is not sinusoidal. This might be the case if you try to run on
the same circuit as an active dimmer or something else with thyristor control.
Proximity to heavy industry could also cause this.

Relocating the offending device to another branch circuit may help. You could also
try a line conditioner (not just surge suppressor) which includes filtering. Or, use a
HiFi VCR as your audio source (see above). Else, petition to have that metal foundry
move out of the neighborhood :-).

 However, a buzzing that only occurs when the picture has sharply defined text or
graphics, may be an overload problem at the source - some TVs simply handle it
better than others.

If it is a fault in the TV, an adjustment to the tuner or IF may be needed.

(From: Paul Weber (webpa@aol.com).)

Not to disparage proponents of the evil demon theory, but the phenomenon is more
commonly known as "sync buzz". It is caused by poor performance in the TV's audio
circuitry. It can usually be fixed by (1) reducing the signal strength and/or (2)
tweaking the sound IF coil. Unfortunately, some of the latest TV receivers have no
sound IF coil to adjust. If your TV has a sound IF coil, it can be done by ear, if you
don't care about sound quality. However,I'd recommend taking it so a competent shop
and describing the symptoms. Use the term "sync buzz in the audio," and they'll know
what you mean. Be advised that it can't be cured in some TVs due to poor design.

 If it is from inside the set (and not from the speaker), it is in the deflection (probably
vertical) or power supply. Either of these can vary in severity with picture content due
to the differing current requirements based on brightness. It could be a power supply
transformer, deflection yoke, or other magnetic component. Even ferrite beads have
been caught buzzing when no one was looking :-). Any of these parts could vibrate if
not anchored securely or as they loosen up with age.

Some hot-melt glue, RTV silicone, or even a strategically wedged toothpick may
help. A new part may or may not quiet it down - the replacement could be worse!

See the section: Reducing/eliminating yoke noise.

 Some TVs are simply poorly designed. You cannot infer the severity of this
annoyance from any specifications available to the consumer. It is strictly a design
(e.g. cost) issue. The size of the TV is not a strong indicator of the severity of the
problem but there will be some relationship as the power levels are higher for larger
sets. The best you can do is audition various TVs very carefully to find one that you
are satisfied with.
BTW, when I got my new super-duper RCA Colortrak in 1980, it had a similar annoying
buzz - even had a repair guy out who behaved as though this was to be expected. I did get
used to it and am not even aware of it today - and still use that set.

Additional comments:

(From: Karen (kclark9835@aol.com).)

Also for some audio buzz problems especially in the older units don't overlook the possibility
of a misaligned trap. or a touch-up of the sound discriminator may prove helpful.

(From: Alan (algba@ix.netcom.com).)

If the buzz is coming from the speaker suspect a bad saw filter in the if circuit (very
common).

If it is coming from elsewhere in the set it could be the flyback transformer, line input choke,
or most common on those sets - the deflection yoke. I have repaired many of these yoke by
using a wooden shim and some silicone rubber. In the collar of the yoke just ahead of the
lock down clamp, there are some metal strips under the plastic. These are magnet that are
used for convergence correction at the top and bottom of the picture. If you disturb them too
much it will throw off the convergence.

Chattering yoke

This is a special case of buzzing originating from the deflection yoke.

(From: John Del (ohger1@aol.com).)

I am assuming your talking about a NAP yoke made by Panasonic/Quasar also used by them
as well. The vibration comess from the metal shunt inside the yoke which is used for "self
convergence". The shunts were held by a mastic material that breaks down into a powdery
substance.

Remove the yoke from the tube and bore a small hole in the plastic on both halves (top and
bottom). These holes will be at the 12 and 6 positions, as the 3 and 9 will have windings
visible. Fill the holes with white glue and let the glue settle in, rotating the yoke as it does.
The glue will soak into the powdery material and harden it. You will have to do this several
times until the glue oozes out near the clamp. Give it a full day to dry. This is better than
paying $60 to $80 for the yoke.

High pitched whine or squeal from TV with no other symptoms

First, make sure it is not coming from the loudspeaker itself. If it is, then we are looking at an
unusual electronic interference problem rather than simply mechanical vibration.

If it is a new set and think the sounds will drive you insane, returning it for a refund or
replacement may be best alternative. However, you may get used to it in time. I don't know
about returning a set to a store that doesn't take refunds (I won't even ask about that!).
In most cases, this sound, while annoying, does not indicate an impending failure (at least not
to the set - perhaps to your mental health) or signify anything about the expected reliability of
the set though this is not always the case. Intermittent or poor connections in the deflection or
power supply subsystems can also result in similar sounds. However, it is more likely that
some part is just vibrating in response to a high frequency electric current.

There are several parts inside the TV that can potentially make this noise. These include the
horizontal flyback transformer, deflection yoke, other transformers, even ferrite beads in the
horizontal deflection circuits. In addition, transformers or chokes in the switching power
supply if this is distinct from the horizontal deflection circuitry. Or even a portion of the
sheetmetal used for shielding if in close proximity to a magnetic component.

You have several options before resorting to a 12 pound hammer:

 As much as you would like to dunk the TV in sound deadening insulation, this should
be avoided as it will interfere with with proper cooling. However, the interior of the
entertainment center cabinet can be lined with a non-flammable sound absorbing
material, perhaps acoustic ceiling tiles. Hopefully, not a lot of sound energy is coming
from the front of the set.
 Move the TV out of a corner if that is where it is located - the corner will focus sound
energy into the room.
 Anything soft like carpeting, drapes, etc. will do a good job of absorbing sound
energy in this band. Here is your justification for purchasing those antique Persian
rugs you always wanted :-).

If you are desperate and want to check the inside of the set:

 Using appropriate safety precautions, you can try prodding the various suspect parts
(flyback, deflection yoke, other transformers), even lowly ferrite beads, with an
insulated tool such as a dry wooden stick. Listen through a cardboard tube to try to
localizing the source. If the sounds changes, you know what part to go after.
 Once you have located the guilty party, some careful repositioning, a strategically
wedged wooden toothpick, or a dab of RTV silicone or hot-melt glue may keep it
quiet. Where the yoke is the guilty party, see the section: Reducing/eliminating yoke
noise.
 It is possible to coat the flyback transformer, but this is used mostly when there a
loose core or windings and you are getting not only the 15,735 Hz horizontal (NTSC)
but also various subharmonics of this. This is probably acceptable but may increase
the temperature of the flyback.
 A replacement flyback (or whatever part) may cure the problem unless it is a design
flaw or manufacturing quality problem. However, the replacement part could be
noisier. You really do not want to replace the yoke (aside from the cost) as
convergence and other service adjustments would need to be performed. Other
transformers can be replaced.

Note that the deflection frequency - just over 15 kHz for NTSC and PAL - is on the border of
audible for adults but will likely be loud to younger people possibly to the point of being
terribly annoying - or worse. If you are over 40 (men more so than women), you may not be
able to hear the fundamental at all (at least you can look forward to silence in the future!). So,
even sending the TV back for repair may be hopeless if the technician cannot hear what you
are complaining about!

BTW, if you have a really old tube type TV, the power tubes (damper and horizontal output)
can also whine but these sets are few and far between these days :-).

Reducing/eliminating yoke noise

(From: Terry DeWick (dewickt@esper.com).)

Carefully look under vertical core next to plastic liner, on top and bottom is a plate called the
astigmatism shunt, it has come loose. Work RTV, epoxy, or service cement onto it to glue it
down and noise should quit.

(From: TVman (tvman@newwave.net).)

I have fixed a total of 27 of these sets with noisy yokes by removing the yokes and using
motor armature spray sealant.

If you carefully mark the EXACT position of everything (yoke, purity magnets), and slide the
yoke off the CRT, then once the yoke has been sealed with motor armature spray sealant and
has dried thoroughly, put the yoke back EXACTLY where it was, there should be no
problems.

The only thing I have had to do was set the purity on one set, but it was off a little to begin
with.

Whining when off?

Many TVs actually run their switchmode power supplies even when off to power the standby
stuff like the remote control receiver, real time clock or timer, and channel memory.
Depending on the design of the regulator, the power supply may be running at a low chopper
frequency due to the light load. Some people, dogs, and rodents are then annoyed. It could
also be an indication of a fault like a bad capacitor or loosened transformer core if this
symptom just developed - your hearing isn't likely improving :-(.

There is so much running nowadays in 'off' electronics!

 Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Miscellaneous Problems
General erratic behavior

You press VOLUME UP and the channel changes or a setup menu appears all by itself just at
the climax of your mystery story.
Before you break out the screwdriver (or 12 pound hammer), cover up the IR remote sensor.
Some types of electronic ballasted fluorescent lights may confuse the remote control receiver.
Someone or something may be sitting on the remote hand unit or it may be defective and
continuously issuing a bad command. Or, the kids across the street may have nothing better
to do than to drive your TV (and you) nuts with their remote!

There is also a slight chance power line interference (from a light dimmer or external
sources) may result in similar symptoms. See the section: Wiring transmitted interference.

Assuming this is not the source of the problem:

Check for bad connections - see if gently whacking the TV makes any difference or triggers
the errant behavior. Bad connections in the power supply, system controller, or tuner, may
result in this sort of behavior. See the section: TV and monitor manufacturing quality and
cold solder joints. See the sections and separate documents on problems with
RCA/GE/Proscan and Sony TVs if yours is made by one of these companies.

A microcontroller or other electronic problem is also possible. If the symptoms only develop
after the set warms up, it may be heat related (though simple bad connections are more
likely). Use 'circuit chiller' or a heat gun to identify the bad part.

Wiring transmitted interference

The power that comes from the wall outlet is supposed to be a nice sinusoid at 60 Hz (in the
U.S.) and it probably is coming out of the power plant. However, equipment using electric
motors (e.g., vacuum cleaners), fluorescent lamps, lamp dimmers or motor speed controls
(shop tools), and other high power devices, may result in a variety of effects.

While TVs normally include some line filtering, the noise immunity varies. Therefore, if the
waveform is distorted enough, some effects may show up even on a high quality TV.

Symptoms will usually be one or two areas of noise moving slowly up the screen.

The source is probably local - in your house and probably on the same branch circuit - but
could also be several miles away.

 The rate will be the difference between the power line frequency (60 Hz in the U.S.)
and the scan rate (59.94 Hz for NTSC). This results in a drift of about 16 seconds for
a complete cycle (8 seconds if the inteference is at 120 Hz).
o A single bar would indicate interference at the power line frequency.
o A pair of bars would indicate interference at twice the power line frequency.

Either of these are possible.

 Try to locate the problem device by turning off all suspect equipment to see if the
problem disappears.
 The best solution is to replace or repair the offending device. In the case of a light
dimmer, for example, models are available that do a better job of suppressing
interference than the typical $3 home center special. Appliances are supposed to
include adequate noise suppression but this is not always the case.
 If the source is in the next county, this option presents some significant difficulties :-).

 Plugging the TV into another outlet may isolate it from the offending device enough
to eliminate or greatly reduce the interference.
 The use of a line filter may help. A surge suppressor is NOT a line filter.
 Similar symptoms could also be produced by a defective power supply in the TV or
other fault. The surest way of eliminating this possibility is to try the TV at another
location.

Jittering or flickering due to problems with AC power

If you have eliminated other possibilities such as electromagnetic interference from nearby
equipment or a faulty video cable or problems with the video input (e.g., cable or VCR) -
then noisy or fluctuating AC power may be a possibility. However, most modern TVs usually
have well regulated power supplies so this is less common than it used to be. Then again,
your TV may just be overly sensitive. It is also possible that some fault in its power supply
regulator has resulted in it becoming more sensitive to small power fluctuations that are
unavoidable.

One way to determine if the problem is likely to be related to AC power is to run the TV on
clean power in the same location connected to the same video input. For example, running it
on an Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS) with the line cord pulled from the wall socket
would be an excellent test. The output of the UPS's inverter should be free of any power line
noise. If the TV's image has now settled down:

1. Large appliances like air conditioners, refrigerator, or washing machines on the same
circuit might cause significant power dips and spikes as they cycle.

Plugging a table lamp into the same outlet may permit you to see any obvious
fluctuations in power. What else is on the same circuit? Depending on how your
house or apartment is wired, the same feed from the service panel may be supplying
power to widely separated areas.

2. For some unfathomable reason, your TV may just be more sensitive to something
about the power from the circuit in that room. There may be nothing actually wrong,
just different. While unlikely, a light dimmer on the same circuit could be producing
line-conducted interference.

If you have a multimeter, you could at least compare the voltages between the
location where it has problems and the one where it is happy. Perhaps, the TV is
sensitive to being on a slightly different voltage. This might only be a problem if
some circuitry in the the TV is marginal in some respect to begin with, however.

3. There could be a bad connection somewhere on the circuit. If your house has
aluminum wiring, this is a definite possibility.

Try a table lamp since its brightness should fluctuate as well. This should be checked
out by a competent electrician as it represents a real fire hazard.
An electrician may be able to pinpoint the cause but many do not have the training or
experience to deal with problems of this sort. Certainly, if you find any power line
fluctuations not accounted for by major appliances, on the same circuit this should be
checked by an electrician.

TV blows fuses or trips breakers or worse when A/V connections are made

You have sent the TV for repair and now three times, it blows something the instant anything
is connected to it in your house. Other A/V equipment operates fine.

Assuming all the other stuff is plugged into the same outlet asn is 115 VAC equipment and
that thsi happens instantly when the TV is connected:

Next time they bring it back, measure the voltage between the A/V connector shields and the
shields on your cables - I wouldn't be surprised to find some substantial fraction of 115 VAC
between them. This would mean that there is an internal short in the TV (their problem - any
competent service center will routinely check for signal-AC ground shorts) resulting in a
connection between the non-isolated AC ground and the signal ground. When you connect
your equipment, you complete a path which results in a short circuit. Depending on the
design of the TV and where the fault lies, much more than a simple fuse may be destroyed.
This is similar to connecting a scope probe ground to a live chassis TV - see the section:
Safety guidelines.

My TV has the shakes

You turn on your TV and 5-10 seconds later, the display is shaking or vibrating for a second
or so. It used to only occur when first turned on, but now, the problem occurs 3 times in 30
seconds. Of course, many variations on this general theme are possible.

Some possibilities:

1. External interference - did you change anything or move your A/V setup recently? Do
you have a computer monitor nearby?
2. Defective circuitry in TV - power supply regulation, deflection, or bad internal
connections are possible.
3. Defective video cable (unlikely) - wiggle the cables to be see if you can induce the
problem.
4. Loose trim magnets of other magnetic components on or near deflection yoke. This is
somewhat rare but if the adhesive comes apart, the magnetic fields from the deflection
current can cause the parts to vibrate which will result in a jitter or movement of the
picture. There may even be audible crackling or snapping sounds associated with this
vibration.

Note that many of the sources of electromagnetic interference that are problems with
computer monitors like transformers and power lines will not cause noticeable shaking,
wiggling, or jiggling on a TV because the power line and vertical scan are at almost exactly
the same frequency and any such movement would be very slow.

TV displays black box with normal picture border

When the set is first turned on, it works fine for about 20-30 seconds, then the picture goes
away - all but about 1 inch of picture all around the outer edge of the screen. The square ring
of picture that is left, is dim but otherwise normal.

(The following from: (jack haney) jhaney@pacifier.com))

If this is a newer set, this sounds very much like a "closed caption" box for a captioning
system not being used in your area. Newer Mitsubishis do much the same thing. If the wrong
caption type is selected inadvertantly, all you'll see is a large black box on screen taking up
about all but an inch each way.Try turning off all closed caption. The first time I saw this I
looked like a damn fool in front of a customer, took me 30 minutes to figure it out.

Advertising overload

"I noted the advertsing programs put in bright several frames of overshooting white signals in
purpose of attracting attention which I do not want also it gets on my nerves sometimes.
*flash* *flash* Ughhh! Is there a way to cutoff the "overload" or tone down that?"

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

Technically, the TV takes care of its own overload protection. Or at least it *should*, on
some TV's you will certainly observe the line transformer going into saturation for a while.
Other than that there is not much you can do, each TV should represent its input signals with
as much fidelity as possible. Change channels?

(I already suggested not watching. :-) --- Sam.)

Strange codes appearing on TV screen

"I've seen this sort of thing on a TV I bought a couple of years ago. I only see it when Proctor
& Gamble ads are on.

The newer TVs are required to have Closed Caption decoding (CCD). My TV has an OFF-
ON button for CCD. It also has a button labeled CH1-CH2. When pushed in I get the verbal
text on the screen like I should. When the button is out, I get the funny codes from Proctor &
Gamble."

(From: Tim (jollyrgr@mc.net).)

The code you are seeing is Closed Caption 2. My Zenith has CC 1, 2, 3, 4, as well as Text 1,
2, 3, and 4. I have seen CC 1 which is the normal closed captions. CC 2 is used for
commercial logging/identification. There should be a way to completely turn off the captions.
The TV, as you state, has a switch for turning off the captions and should solve your problem.

Releasing 'demo' mode

You really want to watch CNN but the TV insists on promoting itself:

 For Fisher TVs:

 (From: Alan (algba@ix.netcom.com).)

Hold down the menu key on the remote for 8 seconds to switch it out of that mode or
back in again.

 Here are several possibilities for LXI TVs:

o Press VOLUME UP and VOLUME DOWN buttons together. Set will turn off.
Then power back on normally.
o Press VOLUME UP and CHANNEL DOWN buttons together.
o Try holding the MENU button for 5 to 10 seconds. (Sanyo/Fisher sets
manufactured for Sears.)
o Try holding the SETUP button for 5 seconds.
 For Magnavox TVs:

(From: L. Tankersley (boat39@mail.idt.net).)

Try pressing both volume control buttons on the TV at the same time and releasing.
The demo mode should go off and the set turn off by itself. Turn the set back on and it
should be back to normal.

 For Sanyo TVs:

(From: Bill A. (Lucy27@ix.netcom.com).)

Try pressing the "menu" button on the unit and keep it depressed for about 15 to 20
seconds. This should release the demo mode.

TV was rained on

Was the set plugged in when the leak started? Any piece of equipment with remote power-on
capability has some portions live at all times when plugged in and so there may have been
damage due to short circuits etc. Substantial damage could be done due to short circuits.

Otherwise, you may just need to give it more time to dry out. I have had devices with
keypads getting wet that required more than a week but then were fine. There are all kinds of
places for water to be trapped and take a long time to evaporate.

If the set got wet while unplugged (in a leaky attic or wet basement), for example, or it has a
pull or click knob on/off switch, then give it time to dry out - completely. Assuming all
visible water is drained, a week represents a minimum safe time to wait. Don't rush it.

Generally, some moisture will not do any permanent damage unless the set was on in which
case you will simply have to troubleshoot it the old-fashioned way - one problem at a time.

TV was dropped

You have probably seen the TV advertisements - I don't recall what they were for - where a
late model TV is dropped out a many story window on a bunjie cord to rebound once
undamaged and without hitting a baby in a stroller but then smash to smithereens on the
sidewalk once the stroller had moved. Needless to say, this is generally not a recommended
way to treat a TV set!

However, mishaps do happen.

Assuming it survived mostly intact - the CRT didn't implode, you could still have a variety of
problems. Immediately unplug the set!

If you take it in for service, the estimate you get may make the national debt look like pocket
change in comparison. Attempting to repair anything that has been dropped is a very
uncertain challenge - and since time is money for a professional, spending an unknown
amount of time on a single repair is very risky. There is no harm is getting an estimate
(though many shops charge for just agreeing that what you are holding was once - say - a TV,
or was it a fishtank?)

This doesn't mean you should not tackle it yourself. There may be nothing wrong or very
minor problems that can easily be remedied. The following are likely possibilities:

1. Cracked circuit boards. These can be repaired since TVs usually have fairly wide
open single or two sided boards.
2. Broken circuit components. These will need to be replaced.
3. Broken solder connections particularly to large heavy components on single sided
boards. Reflow the solder. If the trace is cracked or lifted, repair as in (1).
4. Broken mounting brackets. These are usually made of cheap plastic and often don't
survive very well. Be creative. Obtaining an exact replacement is probably not worth
the trouble and expense.
5. Components knocked out of line on the CRT envelope or neck - deflection yoke,
purity magnets, convergence magnets and coils, geometry correction magnets. These
will need to be reattached and/or realigned. Some CRTs use little magnets glued to
the funnel portion of the CRT envelope. If any of these have come loose, it could be
quite a treat to figure out where they went and in what orientation.
6. Internal damage to the CRT - popped or distorted shadow mask, misaligned electron
guns. Unfortunately, you will probably have no way of identifying these since you
cannot see inside the CRT. They will not be apparent until all other faults have been
remedied and the TV set is completely realigned. At that point, extremely severe
purity or convergence problems that do not respond to the normal adjustment
procedure would be one indication of internal damage. Give the TV a nice funeral.
See the "Sony1" and "Sony2" photos in James Sweet's Sony/Trinitron Directory for
some screen shots showing the symptoms resulting from a monitor falling on its
face. :( For a large screen TV, the effects may be even more dramatic.

If you still want to tackle a restoration:

As noted, unplug the TV even if it looks fine. Until you do a thorough internal inspection,
there is no telling what may have been knocked out of whack or broken. Electrical parts may
be shorting due to a broken circuit board or one that has just popped free. Don't be tempted to
apply power even if there are no obvious signs of damage - turning it on may blow something
due to a shorting circuit board. If it is a portable, remove the batteries.
Then, inspect the exterior for cracking, chipping, or dents. In addition to identifying cosmetic
problems, this will help to locate possible areas to check for internal damage once the covers
are removed.

(At this point, most people will assume there is no interior damage and plug the set back in
and turn it on. My recommendation is to resist this temptation since as noted, this could result
in further damage making the repair more expensive if there are circuit problems. However, if
the unit was on at the time of the "incident" or you are really determined to get to the
conclusion and would just throw the thing in the trash if it doesn't work or blows up, go for it!
But, if you're the more cautious type, continue with the systematic diagnosis and repair
procedure that follows.)

Next, remove the cover. Confirm that the main filter capacitors are fully discharged before
touching anything. Check for mechanical problems like a bent or deformed brackets, cracked
plastic parts, and anything that may have shifted position or jumped from its mountings.
Inspect for loose parts or pieces of parts - save them all as some critical magnets, for
example, are just glued to the CRT and may have popped off.

Carefully straighten any bent metal parts. Replace parts that were knocked loose, glue and
possibly reinforce cracked or broken plastic. Plastics, in particular, are troublesome because
most glues - even plastic cement - do not work very well. Using a splint (medical term) or
sistering (construction term) to reinforce a broken plastic part is often a good idea. Use
multiple layers of Duco Cement or clear windshield sealer and screws (sheetmetal or machine
screws may be best depending on the thickness and type of plastic). Wood glue and Epoxy do
not work well on plastic. Some brands of superglue, PVC pipe cement, or plastic hobby
cement may work depending on the type of plastic.

Inspect for any broken electronic components - these will need to be replaced. Check for
blown fuses - the initial impact may have shorted something momentarily which then blew a
fuse.

There is always a risk that the initial impact has already fried electronic parts as a result of a
momentary short or from broken circuit traces and there will still be problems even after
repairing the visible damage and/or replacing the broken components. This is most likely if
the set was actually on but most modern TVs have some circuitry energized at all times.

Examine the circuit boards for any visible breaks or cracks. These will be especially likely at
the corners where the stress may have been greatest. If you find **any** cracks, no matter
how small in the circuit board, you will need to carefully inspect to determine if any circuit
traces run across these cracks. If they do, then there are certainly breaks in the circuitry which
will need to be repaired. Circuit boards in consumer equipment are almost never more than
two layers so repair is possible but if any substantial number of traces are broken, it will take
time and patience. Do not just run over them with solder as this will not last. Use a fine
tipped low wattage soldering iron and run #22-26 gauge insulated wires between convenient
endpoints - these don't need to be directly on either side of the break. Double check each
connection after soldering for correct wiring and that there are no shorts before proceeding to
the next.

If the circuit board is beyond hope or you do not feel you would be able to repair it in finite
time, replacements may be available but their cost is likely to be more than the equipment is
worth. Locating a junk unit of the same model to cannibalize for parts may be a more realistic
option.

Degauss the set as any impact may magnetize the CRT. Power cycling may work but a
manual degaussing is best.

Once all visible damage has been repaired and broken parts have been replaced, power it up
and see what happens. Be prepared to pull the plug if there are serious problems (billowing
smoke or fireworks would qualify).

If there are obvious problems with color, disconnect (or disable) two of the 3 primary colors
with a B/W picture (color control turned all the way down) or solid raster displayed. If the
raster is not now a pure color, you have a CRT or CRT purity adjustment problem.

Perform any purity, convergence, or other realignment as needed.

Then proceed to address any remaining problems one at a time.

Really cleaning a TV inside and out

(This was written for computer monitors but applies equally well to modern TV sets.)

(From: Dr. Ludwig Steininger (drsteininger@t-online.de).)

Often I get defective monitors, which are more than 5 years old, and have been run in offices
for 8 to 10 hours/day. So, their case and pcbs usually are very dirty and dusty.

What do I do (it's no joke!): After removing the case I carefully put them in a bath (on a
flexible layer) and let them have a intensive shower of pure cold water (for 1 to 2 minutes).
Additionally, the case is cleaned with soap or a detergent containing liquid (being careful, not
to spill to much of it onto the PCBs). After rinsing with fresh clear water, dust and other
kinds of dirt are removed and the monitors look new again. Then I allow all drops of water to
run off. This can effectively be supported by turning the monitor on another side from time to
time (duration: approximately 1 hour). Before turning on AC again, I let the wet monitor dry
in ambient air for about 2 days (in the sunshine this can be finished in 1 day only).

This procedure has been applied for many monitors. I've never had any bad experiences (it's
very important to wait, until the pcbs are really dry!). Considering this experience, I just can't
imagine, that it might not be possible, to "save" a TV set or computer monitor, which has
been drowned or some liquid has been spilled, and AC has been plugged off ASAP (although
I've never had such a case). I think, that in such a case, it's important to have a rapid shower
in order to prevent corrosion and deposits.

By the way: I know a German company, which uses water from cleaning PCBs of computer
hardware for cleaning them after being contaminated by smoke from a fire.

So, in case of spillage, one has nothing to loose. Just try to shower your monitor or TV set!

Setup menus will not go away or hieroglyphics on screen

Both these problems could be caused by a faulty microcontroller or its associated circuitry.
However, bad connections in the vicinity of the controller logic could also be at fault.

Unless you see something obvious, you will need schematics.

Setup adjustments lost - TV service codes

Many modern TVs have RAM, somewhat like the CMOS SETUP memory in your PC, that
store all factory adjustments. When power is lost, there is power surge, lightning strike
nearby, nuclear detonation or EMP, it may have put bad information into the ram and thrown
it out of adjustment. There is a way to get into the service mode (depress and hold a secret
button down and turn set on, special combination of buttons on the remote, etc.) and then use
the remote to reinitialize and adjust the problems out.

HOWEVER, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DOING YOU COULD GIVE
YOURSELF WORSE PROBLEMS. YOU COULD EVEN BLOW VERY EXPENSIVE
PARTS WITH SOME SETS!

Try not to make any unnecessary changes and document every change you make!!! That way
you can go back if you do anything wrong (hopefully). However, some changes - even if
nothing fails - will result in an unviewable picture thus making it extremely difficult to see
what you are doing.

The Sams' Photofact manual for your set should describe this process - you may be able to
get Photofacts from a local library, or you can buy them from Radio Shack or a place like
MCM Electronics or an electronics distributor. The June, 1998, issue of "Electronic Servicing
and Technology" (ES&T) had an article on service mode if you have access to this
publication (it won't be in your public library).

Some examples follow. You would need to check the service information for your specific
model to be sure. However, trying the procedures described below probably will not hurt.
The TV will just ignore you if it doesn't like your codes! However, if you do get in, make
sure you know what you are doing or your original problem may be inconsequential
compared to your new ones!

 Ferguson/Thomson Technology T49F television (TX91 chassis and probably others

as well).

(From: Peter Radlberger (peter.radlberger@blackbox.at).)

1.Unplug SCART cable.

2.Switch to Standby, then switch mains off.
3.Hold blue button on remote, power up.
4.Repress blue button, service screen appears.
5.Select function with blue, adjust with Vol+/-, store new value with highlighted
Memo and Vol+. Restore jumps to original value, ROM are production
defaults.
6. Leave with Standby.
 Some Grundig models (e.g., ST70-710):
 (From: Ben (reverend_rogers@yahoo.com).)

Power the set with the mains switch and at the same time hold down ?I? on the
remote. This gets you into service mode. Switch the set off with the mains switch to
leave service mode.

 Some Hitachi models:

(From: Kahlid Ataya (kahlidataya@yahoo.com).)

1. Turn the TV off with the main switch.

2. Press and hold the A/V button on the front panel and turn the TV on with the
main switch.
3. Wait about 10 seconds and the TV will go on and service mode will appear on
the screen.
 Some JVC models (JA chassis):

(From: Roger Dowling (rogerd@globalnet.co.uk).)

Press the DISPLAY key (may look like a small TV screen with a cross in the bottom
right corner) and the CINEMA/GAME key of the remote control simultaneously.

(From: Andy Cuffe (baltimora@psu.edu).)

I have used this on JVCs from 1995:

1. Set the clock to 3:21 AM.

2. Start the clock as you normally would but press MUTE while "Thank you" is
flashing.
3. Press menu up or down just after MUTE.
4. Use up/down to select options and left/right to adjust. The settings are
automatically saved when you exit.

(From: P. White (pwhite4@aol.com) and David Rigolo (stormdav@ix.netcom.com).)

On the new line of JVC sets (some models include: AV-36850, AV-32850, AV-
27850, and AV-32820), hold the "Display" and "Video Status" buttons on the remote
simultaneously. The set will bring up a service menu. Good luck trying to navigate the
service menus with out a manual.

(From: Yorkie (magicfriend@ntlworld.com).)

Press the MENU and INFORMATION buttons down together and then press 1 then 2
then 3 while still holding the first 2 buttons down.

 Some Magnavox models: Enter 062596 then MENU. The channels will change but
when MENU is pressed, the TV will enter the service menu.

(From: Gscivi (gscivi@aol.com).)

 Hit MENU on the remote, while the menu is still up press the numbers 061596 or
061597. One of these will bring up the service menu. Now, your right/left arrows on
remote will switch between the numbers across the bottom of the screen, highlight the
number set right after the 'setup or service' option. The arrow up/down will change to
the next service position.

 Some Mitsubishi models: Use your remote and press MENU then 2357 use VIDEO to
select service menu and ADJUST to set values.

There is more info on Mitsubishi service modes at: Don Page's Mitsubishi Service
Mode Page.

 Some Nokia (ITT) models:

(From: Stefan Huebner (Stefan.Huebner@rookie.antar.com).)

Press mono/stereo - Channel C - Hypersonic within 1 second, The display now shows
SE. Leave the service mode with the standby button.

(From: Janus Christian Krarup (jckrarup@image.dk).)

Press: [OK],[MUTE],[TV/SAT]

 Nokia model 6363:

(From: Ian Abel G3ZHI (bert@skypilot.demon.co.uk).)

Nokia model 6363 (and probably other late model TVs) - On the remote press -/--
then menu then TV all within 1 second. When in setup mode you use channel up or
down buttons on the TV set to change to whatever you need to set up. Adjustments
are made with volume + and - buttons on the remote control. My advice is to make a
note of all the settings before making changes then you can always go back to them.

 Some Panasonic models: A very detailed document on Panasonic Service(man) mode

for some models in the GL10C family (may apply to others as well) is provided at:

o Panasonic TV Service Modes

This includes entering/saving/leaving, register contents and range, etc., and useful
links.

 Panasonic TX-W28R3 (and similar models):

(From: Arpad Kothai (arpadk@EUnet.yu).)

The remote control is used for entering and storing adjustments, with the exception of
cut-off adjustments which must always be done prior to service adjustment. Perform
adjustments in accordance with screen display. The display on the screen also
specifies the CCU variants as well as the approximate setting values. The adjustment
sequence for the service mode is indicated below.
 1. Set the Bass to maximum position, set the Treble to minimum position, press
the Reveal on the remote control and at the same time press the Volume on the
customer controls at the front of the TV, this will place the TV into the Service
mode.
2. Press the RED/GREEN buttons to step down / up through the functions.
3. Press the YELLOW/BLUE buttons to alter the function values.
4. Press the STORE button on the preset panel after each adjustment has been
made to store the required values.
5. To exit the Service Mode press the Normalization button.
 Philips 29PT8303 and other similar models:

Using the remote control, press 062596, then the MENU key.

(From RONGYOUNG@aol.com.)

The access code for my Philips/Magnavox model TP3281CI is: Key in 062596, then
press STATUS. This will get you into the setup menu. When done exit using the
MENU key back to the normal picture. (Just as you would to exit the normal menu
items). To save your changes you need to turn the TV off and then UNPLUG it for 10
or more seconds.

 Some late model Philips projection (and possibly other) sets:

(From: Keith Halonen (finearts@sonic.net).)

1. On remote, quickly enter 062596 and press MENU. SDM will appear at top
right of screen. You can enter a channel number (or select a feed with your
AV button) to restore a clear picture behind the SDM menu.
2. Go up to the set itself and simultaneously hold down BOTH front panel
volume buttons for several seconds - regular menu shows up for a second or
two, then the service menu appears.
3. CLEAR ERRORS will be selected. Press your RIGHT arrow button and all
error numbers will reset to zeroes. (The repairman did this BOTH times he
went in to adjust my Horizontal Shift - I'm not sure it is necessary but just in
case!)
4. Press DOWN arrow button to scroll down until you get to GEOMETRY, then
press RIGHT arrow button to enter that mode.
5. Press DOWN arrow button until you see HOR-SHIFT and a number. LEFT
arrow key moves the picture left (smaller number), RIGHT arrow key does
opposite.

IMPORTANT! To LOCK setting in, press MENU button to back out of GEOMETRY
mode. Then shut off TV and turn on again. Picture will be shifted.

NOTE: After making any changes as per the above procedure, the Closed Caption
feature will be activated during normal sound settings. Enter the regular MENU
mode, select FEATURES and enter CLOSED CAP to reset the CAPTION MODE to
CC MUTE.
 NOTE: Other features in GEOMETRY mode also influence the picture image. If you
intend to tinker, first make a list of all features/numbers. Don't panic if the VER-
SLOPE feature chops the screen in half when you use the L- R arrow buttons to
change the number. Just press MENU to back out and the picture will restore itself as
per the new setting. After backing out of GEOMETRY mode with MENU you can
reenter GEOMETRY mode without having to shut off the TV - just select
GEOMETRY and use the right arrow button to reenter. Backing out with MENU
merely locks in the most recent setting changes.

 Some RCA models: The codes can be found pasted to the inside of the back cover. To
get into the SETUP MENU, "Press and hold MENU, hit POWER and then VOL+.
DO NOT set H Freq too low or you will wipe the EEPROM. Bummer. For more
information, see the document: RCA/GE TV (CTC175/176/177) Solder Connection
and EEPROM Problems.

(From: David Kuhajda (dkuhajda@locl.net).)

On the newest RCA models, the Thomson Chipper Check computer interface is
required for the service mode adjustment. To get into service mode: Press and hold
MENU, tap POWER, tap VOLUME UP (on TV). Then using VOLUME UP or
VOLUME DOWN, move data to 200 and press CHANNEL UP.

 Some Samsung models:

(From: Livio Belac (lbelac@efpu.hr).)

o CHASSIS: SCT51A: PICTURE OFF (ST. BY) -> SLEEP -> P.STD ->
MUTE -> PICTURE ON (PWR ON).
o CHASSIS: SCT11A, SCT11B, SCV11A, SCV11B ST. BY -> P.STD ->
MENU -> SLEEP -> POWER ON.

Perform adjustments with VOL +/-

Select between adjustments with CH +/-

 Some Sharp models (including 19J-M100 and 20J-M100):

Press the 'vol up' and 'channel up' at the same time and then plug in the set to AC line.
Use the 'channel up/down' buttons to select the register; use the 'vol up/down' buttons
to select the values. To exit this mode, depress the 'power' button.

 Some other Sharps (e.g., model 19H-M60):

Short TP2001 and TP2002 together momentarily to get the service menu up. The
service menu shows the paramater being aligned and the value.

 Sharp 51DT-25H:

(From: Matt (matties@btinternet.com).)

 1. Power the set off.
2. Press vol- and prog+ at the same time while powering up the set. Release the
buttons after 1-2 seconds (the screen is still black at this point), otherwise the
television is switched on in normal mode.
 Sharp 59C5-03H and some others:

(From: Malcolm MacArthur (malcolmm@rustic-place.demon.co.uk).)

1. Switch on TV, get a picture up.

2. Unplug without switching to standby.
3. Volume down, channel up.
4. Plug in. The TV "boots" into service mode.

To change values:

5. Channel up/down (on set or remote): Select value to edit.

6. Volume up/down: Edit value.
7. Standby button: Store value (it took an hour to figure out the last one!)

When finished, unplug. The TV will restart in normal mode.

 Some Solar/Finlus/ITT TVs:

(From: Janus Christian Krarup (jckrarup@image.dk).)

Salora 28F8C: Within 6 seconds from a cold-boot press [pause],[stop],[play] and [fast
forward] quickly after each other. The TV will then enter the setup mode by
displaying "SA" in the LED display. The user interface for this is an absolute
nightmare. You input via the remote control (the layout is in no way intuitive!) and all
the feedback you get is via the small LED display. I started navigating the mode and
quickly figured out that [+] and [-] are used to navigate between different entities.
You always start in "SA" and can cycle through 15 different entities before you end
back in "SA". There are some basic and some very hardcore functions. (At the
moment I have managed to mess my TV up really well, with the primary colours mis-
aligned - which also seems to affect the AFC somehow.) [VolUp] and [VolDn]
adjusts the "primary property" of the entity.

SA: Horizontal adjustment, [VolUp]/[VolDn]: position A0: Vertical adjustment,

[VolUp]/[VolDn]: position Y0: Trapezoid adjustment, [VolUp]/[VolDn]: +/-

 Various Sony models: Service mode adjustments can be found at:

o Sony Service Mode

 Another Sony:

(From: Trygve Pedersen (trygve-p@netpower.no).)

To enter service mode turn off power push both + and - buttons on front of TV while
you powers up you get TT on screen, and then you enter 34 (TT34 on screen), press
the left arrow twice on remote, and you are in service mode.
 Some Sony UK models: Fast text buttons operate service mode.
 Sony KV-X2571 and similar models:

(From: Peter & Jolanda Faber (pfaber@worldonline.nl).)

Switch TV off. Press and hold two switches (center & right) under front panel. Switch
set on with main switch. Wait a few seconds. Release two switches again.

 Some Toshibas:

(From: Bill A. (Lucy27@ix.netcom.com).):

1. Press the mute button on your remote and release (put unit in mute).
2. Press and hold mute button on remote.
3. At the same time while holding mute button on remote, press the menu button
on the TV itself.

If done correctly an "s" should show up on the screen to determine that you have
successfully entered the service mode.

4. Now, I believe if you press the menu button again on the unit some
microprocessor data should be showing up on screen i.e. current micro part
number, etc.
5. Press #9 on remote to enter various modes of operation. Here is where you
really need the service manual, too much info to show here.

Once in Service mode be very careful!!!

(From: 427Cobra (quartermiler1320@yahoo.com).)

Starting from step (5), above: Press menu. You should see the service adjustment
menu. On the remote, the 3 key changes colors and the 5 key toggles between line
adjust mode and cursor move mode. The number keys 2,4,6, and 8 are used as arrow
keys (4 left, 6 right, 2 down, 8 up). When adjustment is complete press the 7 key
twice to save, then power the set off to exit service mode.

 Zenith System 3:

(From: Raymond Carlsen (rrcc@u.washington.edu) and jollyrgr@mc.net).

Hold the MENU button down for about 5 seconds... until the currently displayed
menu disappears. Then press 9 8 7 6, then ENTER. There are two menus in the
service mode. Use the MENU to toggle between them. Press SELect until the item
you want is highlighted, then the ADJ button (left or right) for the submenu or the
adjustment. Press SELect for the next item and MENU for the alternate menu. Press
ENTer to exit the service mode.

Some other Zenith TVs:

 On the TV itself, press MENU until it disappears, then ADJUST RIGHT and
CHANNEL UP at the same time.

Service menu caution

Even changing a parameter which results in the loss of the picture could require replacing the
EEPROM if you cannot get the set to come on and view the service menu to reset!

However, it may be possible to drive the HOT with an external source so you can see the
menus for setup.

CAUTION: there is some risk. Should drive the HOT with too low a frequency, it may blow
due to flyback core saturation. Use a series light bulb to minimize this possibility.

Links to TV Setup Information

(From: Sidney (sidneybek@yahoo.com).)

EEPROM service mode access sites:

(In no particular order.)

 http://members.accessus.net/~090/awh/how2adj.html#5.11
 http://members.aol.com/philstv/servicemenu.htm
 http://www.tehnicaavtv.com/tvservice.htm
 http://www.members.accessus.net/~090/awh/sonypal.html
 http://intrepid-video.com/tvtech.htm
 http://orpheuscomputing.com/technicians/Sony_service_more.html
 http://www.calanan.com/panasonic
 http://www.peakpeak.com/~pnickell/panasonic.htm
 http://cellardweller.com/tw40h80/index.html
 http://www.bus.ucf.edu/cwhite/theater/ServiceMode.htm
 http://www.alientech.net/tp61h95codes.html
 http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/brandspecific/hitachi/servicemenu.html
 http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/brandspecific/thomson/thomson_servicemenu.html
 http://home.hccnet.nl/m.majoor/tv__matchline_service_mode.htm
 http://www.repdata.de/Service%20Code/service-mode.htm
 http://www.n2hifi.com/xbr100.html
 http://www.e-repair.co.uk/story4.htm
 http://www.neato.org/~page/mitsu/service.html
 http://www.artofhacking.com/files/TVMODES.TXT
 http://qualitytuner.hypermart.net/codes.htm
 http://mapage.noos.fr/tophe/tvser.html?KeohiHDTV
 http://www.infocoal.ru/rclub/schemes/guide/chip/!eeprom-code/tv-vcr/
 http://www.televideo.al.ru/tv-video/servis.html
 http://amt.ural.ru/electronics/tv-servmenu.php3
 http://es.geocities.com/Dudaelectronica/modosdeservicios.htm
 http://www.servisystem.com.ar/tutorial/tv/micro.html
 http://www.comunidadelectronicos.com/articulos/modo-serv.htm
 http://www.comunidadelectronicos.com/articulos/desbloq.htm
  http://webs.demasiado.com/kueyar/Modos.htm
 http://paginadekueyar.iespana.es/paginadekueyar/Modos1.html
 http://perso.wanadoo.es/jeli/index1.htm
 http://www.schematicsforfree.com/video/apex_secret_menu.pdf
 http://www.schematicsforfree.com/audio/products/
Panasonic_Table_of_Error_Codes_for_Audio_Products.pdf
 http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/SonyBlink.html
 http://members.aol.com/philstv/sonyblinking.htm
 http://www.videotech.org/self.htm

EEPROM part #'s by model/chassis lookup:

 http://www.mainelectronics.com/eproms.htm
 http://www.prelcoparts.com/eepromcross.pdf
 http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/EEPROMS.pdf

Strange number in upper left corner in Magnavox service mode

"When I put my Magnavox in service mode a number comes up on the top left of the screen.
I see no description of it in the service manual. Is this an hours used timer? Is it actually in
hours?"

(From: Mister M. (mister-m@ix.netcom.com) and zapper (zap@mhv.net).)

This is actually a usege timer in hexidecimal.

(Hey, at least it is not binary. :-) --- Sam.)

TV doesn't work after being in storage

So the TV you carefully stuffed in a corner of the garages is now totally dead. You swear it
was working perfectly a year ago.

Assuming there was absolutely no action when you turned it on, this has all the classic
symptoms of a bad connection. These could be cold/cracked solder joints at large components
like transformers, power resistors, or connectors and connectors that need to be cleaned or
reseated. By 'no action' I mean not even a tweet, bleep, or crackle from anything.

To narrow it down further, if careful prodding of the circuit board(s) and various large
components with a well insulated stick does not induce the set to come on, even momentarily,
check the following:

1. Locate the horizontal output transistor. It will be in a TO3 metal (most likely on an
older set) or TOP3 plastic package on a heat sink. With the set unplugged, confirm
that there is no voltage across C to E and then measure between them with an
ohmmeter. In at least one direction it should be fairly high - 1K or more. This
confirms that the HOT is probably good.
 (There is also a slight chance that there is a low voltage regulator in addition to the
horizontal output, so don't get them confused. The horizontal output transistor will be
near the flyback transformer and yoke connector.)

2. Trace back from the HOT collector to the flyback and through the flyback to the B+
feed from the power supply. Clip a voltmeter between this point and the HOT emitter.
Make sure the leads are well insulated and can't accidentally short to anything. (This
test can be performed across C to E of the HOT but if the horizontal deflection were
to start up unexpectadly, the meter could be damaged by the high voltage pulses on
the HOT collector. But if you can't find the B+ source, it may be worth the risk.) Plug
it in and turn it on.
o If the problem is in the low voltage (line) power supply, there will be no
substantial voltage across C to E.

You should be able to trace from the power line forward to find the bad part
though a schematic will help greatly.

o If the problem is in the startup circuit or horizontal oscillator/driver, then there

will be something on the order of 100 to 160 V across C to E.

In this case, a schematic may be essential.

3. There is also a slight chance that there is a low voltage regulator in addition to the
horizontal output, so don't get them confused. The horizontal output transistor will be
near the flyback transformer and yoke connector.
4. Older TVs with multiple intermittent problems
5. If the set is say, a GE, with a manufacturing date around 1980, it is possible you have
one of those circuit boards best described as bad solder joints held together with a
little copper. In this case, prodding may get the set started. The circuit boards in these
sets were double sided using what were called 'rivlets' for vias. The rivlets were
relatively massive - literally little copper rivets - and they were not adequately heated
during assembly so there were bucketloads of cold solder joints that showed up during
middle age. I repaired one of these by literally resoldering top and bottom of every
one of the darn things with a high wattage iron.
6. TV has burning smell
7. Assuming there are no other symptoms:
8. If this appears after extended operation - an hour or more - it may just be a build up of
dust, dirt, and grime over the years. After understanding the safety info, some careful
vacuuming inside may help. Just don't be tempted to turn any screws or adjustments!
9. Dust is attracted to the high voltage section in particular - even the front faceplate of
the CRT collects a lot and should be wiped with a damp cloth from time to time.
10. If the symptoms develop quickly - in a few minutes or less, then there could still be a
dust problem - a power resistor may be heating a wad of it but other possibilities need
to be considered.
11. If not dust, then probably in the power supply but realize that TVs don't have a nice
metal case labeled 'power supply'. It is just a bunch of stuff scattered around the main
board. Without identifying the part that is heating, a diagnosis is tough especially if
the set really does work fine otherwise. However, if a series regulator were faulty and
putting out too much voltage, the set could appear to work properly but in fact have
 excessive power dissipation in certain components. If cleaning the dust does not solve
the problem, you will probably need a schematic to identify the correct voltages.
12.Static discharge noise and picture tube quality
13. "I bought a 29" TV a couple of weeks ago and I have noticed that after being
switched on for > about 15/20 minutes, whenever the picture changes from a
"light" scene to a darker scene, the set makes a crackling noise. It sounds as
though there has been a build-up of static and it is being discharged. I have
never noticed this in a TV before and I was wondering if this is normal and
acceptable behaviour for a large-screen TV?"
14. (From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)
15. It probably is normal. Whether it is acceptable is a personal matter. In some
geographic areas no countermeasures are taken at all...
16. When the scene changes from bright to dark, the beam current is reduced to
practically zero. As a result, the high voltage rises. (The high voltage supply has a
relatively high internal impedance.) The high voltage is connected to the inside layer
of the picture tube. A voltage change on the inside will also cause a voltage change on
uncovered parts of the outside, especially on the part of the picture tube that is hidden
under the deflection coils. This causes little sparks between the picture tube surface
and the inside of the deflection coils and this is accompanied by a crackling sound.
17. On the better picture tubes, a dark "anti-crackle coating" is painted on the picture tube
near the deflection coil. This is a very high impedance coating, dark black, much
darker than the usual aquadag coating over the rest of the picture tube. You should be
able to see the difference.
18. If, on the other hand, the outside of the picture tube near the deflection coil is not
coated then you have a problem. Then you will hear strong crackling also at switch-on
and switch-off. Normally you shouldn't see such a 'cheap' picture tube on the
European market...
19. The area of the picture tube around the anode connector is also not coated, for obvious
reasons. Normally that should not cause any significant sound. Same goes for the
front of the screen and neither should the anode cable crackle.
20. In a dark room you should be able to see from the tiny blue flashes where the sound
comes from. This is perhaps best observed at switch-on and switch-off (with a black
picture on the screen). Try and keep the back cover mounted !
21.Revival of dead or tired remote control units
22. There are two types of problems with hand held remote controls: they have legs of
their own and they get abused or forgotten. I cannot help you with walking remotes.
23. Where response is intermittent or the reliable operating distance is reduced, first
check the batteries and battery contacts. If some buttons are intermittent or dead, than
the most likely cause is dirty or worn contacts under the rubber buttons or on the
circuit board.
24. If there is no response to any functions by the TV or VCR, verify that any mode
switches are set correctly (on both the remote and the TV or VCR). Unplug the TV or
VCR for 30 seconds (not just power off, unplug). This sometimes resets a
microcontroller that may have been confused by a power surge. Confirm that the
remote has not accidentally been set to an incorrect mode (VCR instead of TV, for
example). If it a universal type, it may have lost its programming - reset it. Make sure
you are using the proper remote if have multiple similar models.
25. Test the remote with an IR detector. An IR detector card can be purchased for about
$6. Alternatively, build the circuit at the end of this document. If the remote is putting
out an IR signal, then the remote or the TV or VCR may have forgotten its settings or
 the problem may be in the TV or VCR and not the hand unit. The following is just a
summary - more detailed information is available in the companion document: Notes
on the Troubleshooting and Repair of Hand Held Remote Controls.
26. Problems with remote hand units:
27. All except (1) and (2) require disassembly - there may be a screw or two and then the
case will simply 'crack' in half by gently prying with a knife or screwdriver. Look for
hidden snap interlocks.

1. Dead batteries - solution obvious.

2. Corroded battery contacts, Thoroughly remove chemical deposits. Clean
contacts with pencil eraser and/or sandpaper or nailfile.
3. Broken connections often between battery contacts and circuit board, possibly
on the circuit board - resolder.
4. Bad resonator or crystal - replace, but diagnosing this without an oscilloscope
may be tough. Broken connections on resonator legs are common.
5. Dirt/spills/gunk preventing keys from operating reliably. Disassemble and
wash rubber membrane and circuit board with water and mild detergent and/or
then alcohol - dry completely.
6. Worn or corroded contact pads on circuit board. Clean and then use
conductive Epoxy or paint or metal foil to restore.
7. Worn or dirty pads on rubber keypad. Clean. If worn, use conductive paint or
metal foil to restore.
8. Cracked circuit board - can usually be repaired as these are usually single
sided with big traces. Scrape off insulating coating and jumper breaks with
fine wire and solder.
9. Bad LED. If IR tester shows no output, remove LED and power it from a 9 V
battery in series with a 500 ohm resistor. If still no output, replace with readily
available high power IR LED. Otherwise, check driver circuits.
10. Bad IC - if it is a custom chip, forget it! Failure of the IC is usually quite
unlikely.

(The following is from Duane P Mantick:)

An awful lot of IR remotes use IC's from the same or similar series. A
common series comes from NEC and is the uPD1986C which, incidentally is
called out in the NTE replacements book as an NTE1758. A lot of these chips
are cheap and not too difficult to find, and are made in easy-to-work-with 14
or 16 pin DIP packages. Unless you have no soldering or desoldering skills,
replacement isn't difficult.

28. There are a large variety of universal remotes available from $10-$100. For general
TV/VCR/cable use, the $10 variety are fine. However, the preprogrammed variety
will not provide special functions like programming of a TV or VCR. Don't even
think about going to the original manufacturer - they will charge an arm and a leg (or
more). However, places like MCM Electronics do stock a variety of original remotes -
prices range from $9 - $143 (Wow $143, for just a stupid remote! It doesn't even have
high definition sound or anything exotic). The average price is around $40.
29.Problems with the IR remote receiver
30. Although the hand unit is most likely to be the cause of any problems with the remote
control, it is also possible for the IR receive module to fail or for power to it to be
missing. Microcontroller problems as well can result in similar symptoms.
31. First confirm that the hand unit is putting out the correct code. If it is a programmable
type, try re-entering the settings for your TV. Install a set of fresh batteries. Try a
different remote if possible. Use an IR detector to verify IR emissions (see the
section: Revival of dead or tired remote control units).
32. The IR receiver is often a self contained module connected to the rest of the TV's
circuitry by 3 wires: Power (+12 V typical), Ground, and Signal Out.
33. The IR receiver module will be located directly behind the IR window. Test by
confirming that DC power is present. A schematic will tell you exactly what it should
be but figure on 6 to 12 V if you do not have one. If this is present and you have an
oscilloscope, put is on the Signal Out. You should see the demodulated data stream
corresponding to whatever key is pressed on the hand unit. It should be a logic level
signal swinging between 0 and the supply or +5 volts.
34. If there is no power, then a bad cable connection or blown fusable resistor may be the
cause. If there is correct power but no signal, a fault internal to the IR module is
likely. The internal circuitry may be a combination of special ICs and discrete
components. The Sams'' or service manual may or may not provide the details. There
may be an adjustment for the carrier frequency but don't be tempted to touch this
unless you have exhasuted other possibilities - and them mark it first!
35. If the signal is present, then there may be a problem in the microcontroller or other
logic on the mainboard. This will require a schematic to proceed further.
36.So you lost your original remote (or it fell in the toilet)
37. An exact replacement remote will be easiest to use but may do significant harm to
your bank account.
38. For example, you cannot add or remove channels from a typical Sony TV using the
common universal remotes.
39. (From: Ed Ellers (edellers@delphi.com).)
40. Universal Electronics' "One For All" remote controls can reproduce these codes, and
any others on any Sony TV (among others). Typically you'd press [MAGIC] and then
1-9-4 to add a channel or 1-9-0 to erase one; to start the auto program mode you'd
press [MAGIC] and then 1-2-4.
41.Loudspeakers and TVs
42. Loudspeakers incorporate powerful magnets - the larger the speaker, the larger the
magnet. However, anyone who goes ballistic when the mention is made of a
loudspeaker near a TV or monitor, should take their Vallium.
43. The fringe fields outside the speaker box will not be that great. They may affect the
picture perhaps to the point of requiring degauss. The normal degauss activated at
power-on will usually clear up any color purity problems (assuming the loudspeakers
have been moved away). At worst, manual degauss will be needed. The CRT will not
be damaged. The maximum field - inaccessible at the voice coil - is quite strong.
However, even for non-shielded loudspeakers, the magnetic field decays rapidly with
distance especially since the core structure is designed to concentrate as much of the
field as possible in the gap where the voice coil travels.
44. However, keeping speakers away from CRTs is a good idea.
45. Now, you really should keep your superconducting magnetic resonance imager
magnet at least in the next room.....
46.Should I replace all the electrolytic capacitors if I find a bad one?
47. When a bad capacitor is found in a TV, the question of course arises as to the
likelihood of other capacitors going bad in short order. It might be worth checking
(other) caps in the power supply or hot (temperature) areas but you could spend you
whole life replacing **all** the electrolytics in your older equipment!
48.Sweet little old ladies and TVs from attic
49. Always confirm the customer's complaints first!! Then verify that everything else
works or you will never know if your efforts have affected something unrelated.
50. (Original request from rogerj@apex.com):
51. "A sweet little old lady has duped me into repairing her old GE 13" color TV.
She wanted me fix a bad volume pot. "Oh it has such a good picture", she
says.
52. Stupidly without even turning it on, (big mistake) I begin to open the set. After
15 to 20 min. of travail, I discover that a previous "repairman" has glued the
case shut! (I wonder the sweet little old lady was in the habit of tweaking
everything inside!:) --- Sam.)
53. Now with the set open, I turn it on and this picture is LOUSY. Bad color, and
very poor convergence. But I don't know if I'm to blame for banging it around
trying to open it up. Also, no horizontal or vertical hold. (fixed that with a few
caps). This thing has probably been sitting around for a few years."
54. Well, you certainly did not kill the caps. Anything that sits for a few years - probably
in a damp unheated attic - is suspect.
55. Did you find the adjustments on the yoke assembly tight? If so, you probably did not
move anything very much either. She may remember the good picture it produced
before being stuffed away in the attic.
56. (From: Roger.)
57. "Anyway after going through all the adjustments, the convergence at the sides
is still bad and the horizontal size is a tad insufficient (and no adjustment
available)."
58. It could be that the convergence (including pincushion) circuits are still faulty - not
just misadjusted.
59. Other things that can effect horizontal size while still giving you a complete picture:

1. Voltage to horizontal output transistor low. Is there a voltage regulator in your

set? The one I have has none. I assume your line voltage is ok.
2. Increased resistance or inductance of the yoke windings. For all you know, the
yoke may have been replaced with the wrong part.
3. Yoke improperly positioned on tube neck.
4. Excessive high Voltage. This is usually not adjustable.

I bet the thing hasn't worked properly in 10 years! :)

Phantom spot or blob on CRT after set is shut off

(Portions of the following from a video engineer at Philips.)

Why is there a splotch of colored light at the center of the CRT after I kill power to
my TV? Why does this not happen if the plug is pulled instead? It seems to last for
hours (well maybe minutes at least).
A broad diffused glow (not a distinct spot in the middle of the screen) that lasts for a
few seconds to minutes is called 'afterglow' and may be considered 'normal' for your
model. The warm CRT cathodes continue to emit electrons due to the high voltage
that is still present even though the signal circuits may have ceased to operate.

For more sharply defined spots there are two phenomena:

5. Thermal emission from a cathode that has not yet cooled off (and this could
take several minutes) gives a more or less circular spot near the centre. It is
actually 3 spots from the 3 cathodes, we at Philips call them 'Christmas balls'.
6. Field emission from sharp whiskers on any electron gun part gives a much
sharper spot, sometimes with a moon-shaped halo around it. Even with the
filament off, there may be some electron emission from these sharp points on
the cold cathode(s) due to the strong high voltage (HV) electric fields in the
electron gun. I do not know how likely this is or why this is so.

The shape of the spot is an inverted image of the shape of the emitting area(s) on the
electron guns cathodes.

The visibility of both effects depends in the same way on the decay time of the high
voltage (HV/EHT) on the anode.

When turned off with the remote or front panel button, you are not actually killing AC
power but are probably switching off the deflection and signal circuits. This leaves the
HV to decay over a few minutes or longer as it is drained by the current needed to
feed the phantom spot or blob.

When you pull the plug, however, you are killing AC input and all the voltages decay
together and in particular, the video signal may be present for long enough to keep the
brightness (and beam current) up and drain the HV quickly. Whether this actually
happens depends on many factors - often not dealt with by the designers of the set.

A proper design (who knows, yours may simply have been broken from day 1 or
simply be typical of your model) would ensure that the HV is drained quickly or that
the other bias voltages on the CRT are clamped to values that would blank the CRT
once the set is off. If the problem developed suddenly, then this circuitry may have
failed. On the other hand, if it has been gradually getting more pronounced, then the
characteristics of the CRT or other circuitry may have changed with age.

In most sets it is left to chance whether the picture tube capacitance will be discharged
by beam current at switch-off. It may simply be due to the behaviour of the video
control IC when its supply voltage drops that causes the cathodes to be driven to
white and this may not be formally specified by the manufacturer of the IC. Some of
of the latest sets have an explicit circuit to discharge the EHT at shutdown.

As noted in the section: Safety guidelines, the HV charge on the CRT capacitance can
be present for a long time. A service technician should be very aware of that before
touching HV parts!
Interestingly, most sets for the Asian Pacific market have a bleeder resistor built in
that will discharge the EHT without the need for a white flash at switch-off. These
will in fact drive the beam to black at switch-off via a negative voltage to the CRT G1
electrode. The AP market is very sensitive to proper set behaviour, they don't like a
white flash.

In short, it all depends on the demands of the particular market, the chance of the
picture tube producing a spot/blob, and the mood of the designer.

So, it may not be worth doing anything to 'fix' this unless the splotch is so bright
(more so than normal video and for an extended time) that CRT phosphor damage
could result. This is usually not a problem with direct view TVs but would definitely
be a concern with high intensity projection tubes.

On the other hand, your phantom blob may provide for some interesting conversation
at your next party!

Comments on bright spot at power-off

With really old TVs, it was almost expected that when shut off, the raster would
collapse to a spot which would then gradually fade away. If severe enough, the result
after awhile would be a permanent dark spot in the center of the screen. Modern sets
usually avoid this by forcing the CRT to be blanked for a few seconds after power-off
while the high voltage decays or unblanked as the raster collapses to discharge the
high voltage quickly with a white flash. However, claiming they all do this by design
may be optimistic! :)

The following was in response to questions about a Sony TV but should apply in
general.

(From: JURB6006 (jurb6006@aol.com).)

I think in this case the filter for the supply to the final video outs has gotten to a point
where is discharges faster than the tube. Sony designs usually use fast blanking at
power down, but it can only blank while the +220 VDC line is alive. There might also
be a cap between the 220V line and the G1 biasing circuit. Also Sony's almost always
incorporate some sort of HV bleeder but if it opens up usually there is a convergence
problem. If it's not any of the above, the plot thickens. Look for a bad diode, or even
an active spot killer circuit that has failed.

You might want to look into this, as I tell customers, when it collapses to a line it is
480 times as bright, it won't look 480 times as bright because the phosphor simply
cant put out that much light. I've also made comments in here on how fast a CRT will
burn if the yoke is unplugged. It's then the original 480X multiplied by 640. If that
beam is in focus that means the "drive" to the phosphor is over 300,000 X what it
should be. Even if the spot is defocused to 100X it's normal size, that is still 3,000X
the current on that part of the screen. Even if yours doesn't burn the screen, in time
you might expect a minor purity problem in that area on a fine pitch color CRT. This
is an effect known as "doming", and it happened even on some low resolution NTSC
TVs! It usually happened more at the sides, and if it became permanent you could fix
it up if you used enough stick-on magnets, but you can't do that in the middle.

I bet the thing is a real pain to work on too, so I might consider just never shutting it
off, or a simple modification. If G1 is grounded, it is easy. One resistor, a cap and a
diode, ba-da-bing ba-da-boom. Two caps if you like to be fastidious. There are some
designs in which this will not work. It does work 99% though, if the vidouts are
driven they will discharge the +220 VDC supply, what I do is to AC couple the
supply to the G1. It can be done with three component, but there are enhancements I
recommend to protect the CRT from excessive K-G1 voltage. Don't want to cause a
short there. Five or six components will do it on almost anything.

Disposing of dead TVs (CRTs and charged HV capacitors)

I don't know what the law says, but for safety, here is my recommendation:

Treat the CRT with respect - the implosion hazard should not be minimized. A large
CRT will have over 10 tons of air pressure attempting to crush it. Wear eye protection
whenever dealing with the CRT. Handle the CRT by the front - not the neck or thin
funnel shaped envelope. Don't just toss it in the garbage - it is a significant hazard.
The vacuum can be safely released (Let out? Sucked in? What does one do with an
unwanted vacuum?) without spectacular effects by breaking the glass seal in the
center of the CRT socket (may be hidden by the indexing plastic of the socket). Cover
the entire CRT with a heavy blanket when doing this for additional protection. Once
the vacuum is gone, it is just a big glass bottle though there may be some moderately
hazardous materials in the phosphor coatings and of course, the glass and shadow
mask will have many sharp edges if it is broken.

In addition, there could be a nice surprise awaiting anyone disconnecting the high
voltage wire - that CRT capacitance can hold a charge for quite a while. Since it is
being scrapped, a screwdriver under the suction cap HV connector should suffice.

The main power supply filter caps should have discharged on their own after any
reasonable length of time (measured in terms of minutes, not days or years).

Of course around here, TVs are just tossed intact which is fortunate for scavengers
like me who would not be happy at all with pre-safed TVs!

Shock and/or spark when connecting cable or other A/V components

TVs with hot chassis - where signal ground is actually line connected and at some
intermediate (and dangerous) voltage - will have an isolation block in between the
tuner and antenna/cable connections. TVs with isolated power supplies may have
some bypass capacitors between the power supply and signal grounds (including the
A/V shields if there are A/V connectors). It is possible for a failure to result in a
serious safety hazard where the RF (antenna/cable) or A/V connectors become
electrically live.

However, a tingle or small spark might be normal. RFI bypass caps between the AC
input and shield on the connector could result in some leakage - 50 V or more might
be indicated using a high impedance multimeter. This is harmless. Reversing the plug
in the AC socket (if it is not polarized or if you are using an unpolarized extension
cord) might eliminate or greatly reduce the effect.

Nonetheless, it should be checked out. Measure the resistance between each side of
the AC plug and the RF and AV connector shields. It should be 1 M ohm or more.
Test for voltage between the cable (or other device) connector and earth ground. If
there is anything significant, test the resistance on the device between its shield and its
power plug as above - other devices may have RFI bypass caps or be defective as
well.

What is the deal with Macrovision copy protection?

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

JVC owns the patent for VHS. JVC has made a deal with Macrovision that from a
certain date in the past *no* VHS recorder licenced by JVC shall be able to record
any video signal that contains Macrovision's copy protection pulses. Any video
recorder from before that date (VHS or other) might well work OK on the altered
video signal ! The copy protection pulses upset the video-AGC and H-sync. TV's
usually don't have a video-AGC. The stabilizer box removes the extra pulses and
makes it into a normal video signal again. No VCR should ever know the difference,
so they should all record properly again.

At the same time, all TV's are required to ignore the copy protection pulses. As a TV-
designer I can tell you that this is sometimes far from trivial. Not in the least because
in the beginning we were not included in "the deal". There may be TV's around whose
brightness and/or sync will be disturbed by the Macrovision pulses. Officially, this is
the reason for existance of the stabilizer boxes: to view better, not to copy better.
Unofficially, they are sold for copying, of course.

The next step will be that digital-TV decoders will output an analog TV signal with
Macrovision copy-protection pulses so that you may watch but not record your pay-
per-view program. Same problem, same solution ...

And I thought that PAL/Secam/NTSC were *standards*, sigh ...

Whether they like it or not (and from personal experience I can tell you that we don't
like it) it is the responsibility of the TV set-maker (in your case Sony) to build a TV
that takes the Macrovision copy protection pulses without showing any side effects on
the screen. Seems like they didn't do a good job on your TV :-). But they will have to
fix this, your complaint is valid. I think in this case it may be the dealer's
responsibility too, maybe you can trade it for a different brand ? And do try it out first
...

Sadly, more complex TV's seem to suffer more than the simpler, old-fashioned,
designs. Unfortunately, Macrovision seems to be satisfied when their pulses do not
affect the majority of (mostly older) TV's. In your Sony TV, the clamping circuit
seems to be affected by some ultra-black pulses in the signal. Maybe an anti-
Macrovision decoder can help you, officially they are designed for *this* purpose.
AGC and copy protection

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

7. RF-AGC which compensates for different signal strength at the aerial, it

measures RF amplitude and is *not* sensitive to video contents because with
negative modulation the sync is the peak and is constant, this AGC will not
work on CVBS (baseband video) inputs.
8. Video-AGC which normalizes baseband signals which enter *after* the tuner-
IF. A.o. this compensates for different signal strengths when you connect two
VCRs together. It measures peak-white, so it *is* sensitive to video content
and thus to the Macrovision pulses.

And: A television does NOT have a video-AGC, unless you want to call the beam
current limiter circuits an AGC. (Exception: the Secam-L system with positive
modulation requires an RF-AGC which measures peak-white instead of peak-sync.)

The RF-AGC does not see the peak-white of the anti-copy pulses. If you connect the
VCR to the TV via the CVBS (baseband) input, then the RF-AGC is not even in the
path. Still, it may be disturbed. But the sync separator may see the extra inserted
Hsync pulses, and due to the phase disturbance the video clamping may be disturbed
too.

On-screen clock runs slow or fast

o If the TV was purchased in another country (most likely it is a "multi-system

TV), then the power line frequency may be different. There could be a switch
or menu setting for this.
o If the clock reference is power line derived, noisy power can sometimes result
in erratic timekeeping though running fast is probably more common than
running slow. This could be a result of a lamp dimmer or compact fluorescent
on the same circuit.
o If the time reference is a separate crystal, that or its circuit could be faulty.

Now think about it: Do you absolutely need the TV's clock??? After all, there are
probably a half dozen other clocks in the same room! :)

Cold problems with cold TVs - or - an unhappy Christmas

(From: Ren Tescher (ren@rap.ucar.edu).)

My Christmas repair story wasn't so happy.

I worked as TV repairman for an appliance store.

On a very cold (20 below zero Fahrenheit) evening a man bought a new 25" console
for the family.
 As we loaded it into the back of their pickup truck, we *told* them. "Do not plug this
in until it warms back up to room temperature." They nodded and said "uh-huh,
okay".

They lived about 15 minutes away.

25 minutes later we get a telephone call...

"Hey! that TV you sold us don't work!"

So we ended up loading another TV into our delivery van, drove out to their place.
Unloaded it, and WAITED until the thing was warm enough to plug in.

Needless to say, I got home late that Christmas Eve and had brand new TV console
waiting for my repair back at the shop.

F-connector broken off rear of TV or VCR

Sometimes this just happens due to poor manufacturing and a slight tug. However,
usually, there has been some severe trauma - like the TV or VCR falling off a shelf
while still attached. When else would it fall off a shelf? :-)

I recently repaired a Panasonic VCR with a dangling F-connector. It required

removing the cover, main board, unsoldering the A/V block and part of the power
supply, just to get at the RF modulator. Then it was a simple matter of resoldering the
center conductor to the printed circuit board (fortunately, nothing else was damaged)
and the shell of the F-connector to the metal box.

From: Glenn Watkins

We get a lot of sets with broken "F" connectors broken off - both VCR's and TV's.
The job can be quite involved depending on the exact set. It may take an hour just to
open it, remove the tuner or RF modulator and open the case. Then if you're lucky,
there is no additional damage inside the unit due to people probing with pencils,
screwdrivers, etc.

On some TV's including Sharp, there is a antenna(cable) isolation device that

connects between the tuner and antenna. This device comes in a few flavors and is
very easy to install if broken. I've seen them as cheap as $4.95 each mail order.

60. Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Some Model Specific Problems

Erratic problems with older GE TVs
 Older GE TVs used double sided circuit boards with poor-man's vias - rivets soldered
to the traces top and bottom. These have been called 'Rivlets' and 'Griplets'.
Unfortunately, whoever did the design didn't realize that (1) the the rivets did not heat
adequately during soldering and (2) the expansion coefficients of the rivets and circuit
board were not qutie identical.

Thus, erratic problems are almost a certainty with these TVs. Normal logical
troubleshooting is useless. The only solution is to repair every !@#$ Griplet on all
circuit boards in the TV.

I have repaired these with a high power soldering gun used on both sides with liberal
application of solder and flux. However, I do not recommend this shortcut unless you
are willing to redo the repair every couple of years.

(From: Mr. Caldwell (jcaldwel@iquest.net).)

There are two methods of repair.

61. Method 1: Clean the paint from around each griplet on both sides of the board to
expose the surrounding copper pad. Apply liquid solder flux to the cleaned copper.
Solder so as to bridge the griplet to the cleaned copper.
62. Method 2: Do the above but desolder the griplet and place a wire through it so that the
wire extends beyond the griplet to the copper foil and solder the wire on both sides
(this was the final fix GE used in this chassis).

If done carefully Method 1 works and is reliable.

I would normally do this prior to any troubleshooting, it repairs most problems in this
chassis. While you have the board out working on it be sure to also clean and resolder
high temperature components and connections that look bad. These griplets can be on
all boards, even the tuner control board.

Erratic problems on late model GE, RCA, or ProScan TV

Problems with bad solder connections, mostly in and around the tuner are very
common with several series of late model (e.g., CTC175/176/177 chassis)
RCA/GE/Proscan TVs. Ignoring these erratic and intermittent problems can lead to
serious damage including failure of the EEPROM and possibly other expensive ICs.
Therefore, it is essential to deal with the solder connections as soon as these
symptoms appear. The repairs are straightforward though perhaps tedious. Thomson
may reimburse for reasonable cost of repairs.

Some of the common symptoms include:

o Random power cycling. It may come on in the middle of the night!

o Picture shifts or changes size vertically or horizontally.
o Picture turns to snow or shows other reception problems.
o Picture turns to random display of time or other data.
o Noisy or muted sound, volume buttons have no effect.
o Remote has no or unexpected effect.
See the document: RCA/GE TV CTC175-187+ Solder Connection and EEPROM
Problems for additional information on these types problems including repair
procedures and approaches to getting coverage from Thomson Electronics.

Sylvania/Magnavox/Philips - no startup

Check the resistor supplying initial base current to the horizontal driver (not HOT)
transistor. On many chassis, it is R502, 47 K. It opens for not good reason. Why it
fails is a mystery as its power rating should be adequate.

Sony TVs/monitors and Hstat

Symptoms are that the TV or monitor will shut down possibly after a warmpup
period. There can be other causes but failure of the Hstat module HV sense wire is
quite likely on many Sony models.

(From: Mr. Beanz (slin01@mail.orion.org).)

If you've determined that the HV is fine, and the H-STAT is shutting down for no
reason, it's possible to bypass. There is a little brown wire coming out the bottom of
the H-STAT which goes to a 3-pin connector. Two wires have a jumper, and the
brown wire goes to the other. Snip the brown wire at the H-STAT and the TV will
continue to function normally. Measuring the regulated B+ to the flyback will give
you a pretty good indication of the condition of the HV output. If it remains steady at
rated voltage (I forget what it was, 130V or 135V) then HV is A-OK. If it slowly
creeps up or is too high to begin with, you have a problem. The voltage will normally
jump to 150V or so after HV shutdown is tripped.

Ideally, you should replace the H-STAT in this case. Although taking the poor man's
route will WORK, you lose any protection in the event that the HV circuitry should
malfunction.

More on Hstat

(From: Shawn Lin (slin01@mail.orion.org or lin@science.smsu.edu).)

The H-STAT is a plastic box that sits mounted to the picture tube's shield. It's red in
color (for every SONY TV that I have owned) and has a single knob on it. The
flyback's HV output wire goes into the H-STAT and another HV wire exists the H-
STAT and connects to the anode cap on the picture tube. It has a dual purpose,
horizontal static convergence (the control adjusts this) and HV overvoltage shutdown
protection. Chances are, your HV is within spec and the H-STAT is bad, but you
should make sure the regulated voltage to the flyback is steady and doesn't fluctuate
before assuming the H-STAT is bad.

H-STAT is expensive, and may not be worth replacing. My kV-1952RS is old and as
a whole, not worth the cost of a new H-STAT, so I just bypassed it and didn't bother
replacing it. The TV's been working great for over a year and the picture is still
excellent.
Note: On some models, the sense wires need to be connected during startup or else it
will never come on.

CAUTION: On some monitors (like the Sony CPD1302), the sense signal may be
used for actual HV regulation. Thus, if the sense wire is disconnected, (or the divider
inside the Hstat block fails open) there is no feedback and it is possible for the high
voltage (and probably B+) to increase until the HOT (and possible other components)
blow. I do not know if this applies to Sony built TVs as well.

No video on late model Sony TVs

(From: David Kuhajda (dkuhajda@locl.net).)

This following assumes that the more basic TV troubleshooting has already been
performed and resulted in no solution - i.e., filaments are lit up, CRT voltages are all
correct but the cathodes are all in cutoff, main power supply voltages are present, etc

The 3 most common causes of no video, but good audio are as follows:

7. AKB blanking due to either a fault in the AKB circuit or the CRT has one gun
that is too weak and the AKB won't unblank the CRT.
8. Loss of vertical deflection. The system control must see the vertical return
pulse to unblank the video.
9. Loss of data bus communication with the Jungle IC. The Jungle IC must send
the all OK signal to the micro before it will unblank the video.

To troubleshoot:

10. Try changing the volume with the volume control. If it changes the data bus is
not the problem. This is assuming the TV is tuned to a good TV station.
11. Mark the EXACT position of the screen/G2 control with a marker. Then turn
the G2 control up.
 If the picture unblanks and a gray scale bar pattern is used, you can
usually see which CRT gun is weak. Time to replace the CRT for a
long term fix. All of the temporary fixes I have tried resulted in only a
few months extra life out of the tube.
 If the picture does not unblank and it looks kind of like there is a halo
near the top of the screen. The vertical circuit needs checked for proper
operation and repaired. WARNING do not continue to operate the TV
set in this mode for any length of time, it will crack the CRT from
localized heating!!!! (because the guns are shooting into the extreme
top of the tube and possible the neck of the tube) RETURN the G2
control to the exact position that was marked before you started.

The typical failure mode of the vertical circuit in a Sony causes only one of the
vertical supply resistors to open usually. Either the +15 V or -15 V. This puts a full +
or -15 V on the yoke which deflects the guns into the glass envelope of the tube.
63. Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Items of Interest
Various video standards

Different standards for analog component video:

o Tektronix Video Standards Overview

Scart interface definitions:

o Panellink (serial digital rgb interface standard for displays)

An informal history of X-ray protection

(The following is from: Marty).

Most of the old tube type color TV sets used a shunt HV regulator tube, usually a
6BK4. If it failed, or some component in the HV circuit failed, the high voltage,
normally 25kV, could go up to 35kV or more, causing some X-Ray leakage from the
CRT. In the early 70s when news of this radiation scare was first announced, there
was a public outcry to immediately fix the problem. The feds hastily imposed a
requirement on manufacturers of TV sets to somehow render a TV set "unwatchable"
if the HV exceeded rated limits.

The manufacturers first response was to follow the letter of the law and the first
"HEW" circuit simply blanked the video when the HV exceeded a setpoint to make
the set "unwatchable".

It was quickly noticed that the HV was not turned off with this circuit and the CRT
still could emit some radiation. Many TV sets with this feature were left on so the
consumer could listen to the sound, so the feds tightened the requirement.

By this time new TV sets were all solid state and some manufacturers experimented
with HV shutdown circuits, but most of these circuits were poorly designed and not
reliable.

Zenith thought they had the answer by regulating the HV with a bank of 5 capacitors
across the horizontal output transistor to "hold down" the HV to 25kV. If one
capacitor opened, the HV would only rise about 2kV, not a dangerous situation. This
wasn't good enough for the feds.

The "fix" that Zenith finally came out with, was a "4 legged capacitor". Two legs
were the emitter return for the horizontal output transistor, & two legs were the HV
holddown capacitor (the equivalent value of the bank of 5 caps). This "fix" was
accepted by HEW and millions of TVs were produced. It worked so well, that other
manufacturers soon followed the lead (Magnavox, GE, etc.).

Then the worst happened! The 4 legged monsters started failing in a large numbers.
Not opening completely & not shorting out. They sometimes allowed the HV to
skyrocket to over 50kV. Some of them even cut the necks off of the CRTs.

Zenith issued a recall on those models with the problem (more than one entire model
year). After several "improved" versions of the capacitor, the problem was fixed but
that recall almost bankrupted the company. Other companies had failures too, but
usually not as dramatic as Zenith's.

Magnavox used the HV holddown capacitor, both single & 4 leg version in several
70s era TV sets and is a good candidate for fireworks as well.

(From: Roy J. Tellason (rtellason@pa.net).)

The problem was reputedly due to a capacitor maker substituting a different (cheaper)
material for the one that Zenith originally specified, leading to the failures. I can't
recall who the cap maker was (some company in Taiwan?) but remember hearing as
to how they were the ones who ended up having to pay for all those warranty repairs,
including CRT replacements.

What is this goop around some electrolytic capacitors and other

components?

That goop is probably glue and generally harmless - it is there to hold down the
components aganst vibration. I have heard of it sometimes decomposing and shorting
stuff out but I doubt you have that problem.

Therefore, unless you find a bad cap in the focus or related circuit, we are still looking
at a flyback problem.

What does the flyback (LOPT) transformer do?

The typical flyback or Line OutPut Transformer (LOPT) consists of two parts:

3. A special transformer which in conjunction with the horizontal output

transistor/deflection circuits boosts the B+ (120 V typical for a TV) of the low
voltage power supply to the 20 to 30 kV for the CRT as well as provide
various secondary lower voltages for other circuits.

A HV rectifier turns the high voltage pulses into DC and the CRT capacitance
smooths it. The HV may be developed from a single winding with many many
turns of wire or a lower voltage winding and a diode-capacitor voltage
multiplier.

The various secondary voltages power the logic, tuner, video signal, vertical
deflection circuits, and CRT filament. In fact, with many TV designs, the only
power not derived from the flyback is for the keep-alive circuitry needed to
 maintain channel memory and provide startup drive to the horizontal
deflection/high voltage system.

4. A voltage divider that provides the focus and screen supplies. The pots are in
this divider network - and these things fail resulting poor focus, uncontrolled
brightness, or fluctuating focus and/or brightness. A total short could also
result in failure of other components like the horizontal output transistor. In
some TVs, the focus and screen divider and/or controls are external to the
flyback and susceptible to dust and problems particularly on humid days. The
resistance of these circuits is so high that dirt or other contamination can easily
provide a bypass path to ground especially when slightly damp.

Why do flyback (LOPT) transformers fail?

While flyback transformers can on occasion be blown due to a failure elsewhere in the
TV or monitor's power supply or deflection circuits, in most cases, they simply expire
on their own. Why?

Flybacks are wound with many layers of really really fine wire with really really thin
insulation. This entire assembly is potted with an Epoxy resin which is poured in and
allowed to cure.

In some ways, these are just short circuits waiting to happen.

Flybacks get hot during use and this leads to deterioration of the insulation. Any
imperfections, nicks, scratches, etc. in the insulation contributes to failure.
Temperature cycles and manufacturing defects result in fine cracks in the Epoxy
potting material reducing the insulation breakdown particularly in the area of the high
voltage windings, rectifiers, and focus/screen divider network.

It is amazing they last as long as they do with the stress they are under. They also
physically vibrate to some extent. A whole bunch of other factors are also no doubt
important.

Brief comments on testing the HOT

For a TV with no blown fuses that will not start, here are two quicky checks to see if
the HOT is good and has power and drive:

o HOT tests - check across each pair of pins for shorts (preferably removed from
the circuit board). No junction should measure less than 50 ohms or so. Lower
readings almost certainly indicate a bad HOT. If in-circuit, however, the
reading between base and emitter will be near zero due to the secondary of the
driver transformer. See the document: Basic Testing of Semiconductor
Devices. Don't be confused by internal damper diodes and B-E resistors.
o Power - measure across the collector to emitter with a multimeter (with the
HOT removed or if there is no deflection, this is safe with it in place). There
should be solid B+ - typically about 100 to 160 V (115 VAC sets - possibly
higher for 220 VAC sets). If this is missing, iether there is a problem with the
 power supply or the emitter fusable resistor has blown (probably in addition to
the HOT) and there is no return.
o Drive: put an oscilloscope on the base - there should be pulses around 0.7 V
for most of the scan (~50 microseconds) and probably going negative a couple
volts at least for retrace (~12 microseconds). If drive is weak or missing,
determine how startup is implemented as there may be a problem in the startup
power supply or deflection IC.

WARNING: use an isolation transformer for the oscilloscope tests (and whenever you
are probing a TV in general)!!! This part of the circuit, in particular, is usually line
connected. See the sections on safety.

CRT rejuvenation

Where one or more electron guns in the CRT have deteriorated due to wear and tear,
it is sometimes possible to give them a new, but possibly, temporary lease on life
through rejuvenation using a special piece of CRT service equipment.

(From: Gary Klechowitz (klechowi@execpc.com).)

When I rejuvenate a tube I inform the customer that there is no warranty on the job.
Rejuvenating a CRT is like when Clatuu was brought back to life by Gort in "The
Day The Earth Stood Still". When asked "How long will you live"? he replied: "no
one knows".

I use a Sencore Beam Builder. If your tube is just moderately dim and blurry but still
shows good cut off threshold, I would just use the auto restore mode on the beam
builder rather than using the restore button. If the tube is really bad with little or no
cutoff threshold, then the rejuvenator is needed but that has less than a 50% chance of
fixing the tube and in many cases the tube gets worse to trashed in the process.

Memory chips in TVs

(From: Mark Zenier (mzenier@eskimo.com or mzenier@netcom.com).)

Actually, they are EEPROMs. A modern TV has integrated the circuitry so that the
microprocessor that controls it also sets the various adjustments like vertical height
and other characteristics. The same memory that knows what channels are valid and
what the brightness and other user adjustable settings are is used for factory
adjustments that are set when the TV is first turned on. It's a lot cheaper to use the
remote control signals that are already there than add a handful of trimmer resistors.

For service purposes there is often a magic key sequence used with your remote
control to access a service page in the on screen display than can change these. Since
you can easily set something that could fry the various high power deflection circuits,
getting a little too curious can void your warranty, and toast your set.

How does Picture-In-Picture (PIP) work?

A separate video input or tuner provides the PIP baseband signal which is then resized
and stored in a frame buffer large enough to hold the X and Y dimensions of the PIP
image. Readout is timed to place the PIP image in the selected area of the screen and
it is substituted for the main video. What could be simpler?!

Tony's notes on setting convergence on delta gun CRTs

(This section from: ard12@eng.cam.ac.uk (A.R. Duell))

The older delta-gun tubes (3 guns in a triangle, not in a line) can give **excellent**
pictures, with very good convergence, provided:

8. You've set those 20-or-so presets correctly - a right pain as they interact to
some extent.
9. The CRT is set up in the final position - this type of tube is more sensitive to
external fields than the PIL type.

Both my delta-gun sets (a B&O 3200 chassis and a Barco CDCT2/51) have very
clearly set out and labeled convergence panels, and you don't need a service manual to
do them. The instructions in the Barco manual are something like:

"Apply crosshatch, and adjust the controls on the convergence board in the numbered
order to converge the picture. The diagrams by each control show the effect".

Here's a very quick guide to delta gun convergence where the settings are done using
various adjustments on the neck of the CRT (if you don't have a service manual but
do know what each control does, and where they all are - otherwise, follow the
instructions in the service manual --- sam):

10. Apply a white crosshatch or dot pattern to the set. Don't try and converge on
anything else - you'll go insane. It's useful to be able to switch between those 2
patterns.
11. Before you start, set the height, width, linearity, pincushion, etc. They will
interact with the convergence. Also check PSU voltages, and the EHT voltage
if it's adjustable. That's where you do need a service manual, I guess.
12. Turn off the blue gun using the A1 switch, and use the red and green static
radial controls to get a yellow crosshatch in the middle of the screen. These
controls may be electrical presets, or may be movable magnets on the radial
convergence yoke (the Y-shaped think behind the deflection yoke).
13. Turn on the blue gun and use the 2 blue static controls (radial and lateral) to
align the blue and yellow crosshatches at the center of the screen. Some
manufacturers recommend turning off the green gun when doing this, and
aligning red with blue (using *only* the blue controls, of course), but I prefer
to align blue with yellow, as it gives a check on the overall convergence of the
tube.
14. Turn off the blue gun again. Now the fun starts - dynamic convergence. The
first adjustments align the red and green crosshatches near the edges - I
normally do the top and bottom first. There will be 2 controls for this, either a
top and a bottom, or a shift and a linearity. The second type is a *pain* to do,
as it's not uncommon for it to affect the static convergence.
 15. Getting the red and green verticals aligned near the edges is a similar process.
16. You now have (hopefully) a yellow crosshatch over the entire screen.
17. Now to align the blue. This is a lot worse, although the principle is the same.
Turn on the blue gun again, and check the static (center) convergence
18. To align the blue lines with the yellow ones, you'll find not only shift controls,
but also slope controls. Use the shift controls to align the centers of the lines
and the slope controls to get the endpoints right. These interact to some extent.
You'll need to fiddle with the controls for a bit to work out what they do, even
if you have the manual.

The convergence over the entire screen should now be good....

A word of warning here... The purity is set by ring magnets on almost all colour
CRTs, but on PIL tubes, there are other ring magnets as well - like static convergence.
Make sure you know what you are adjusting.

Saga and general setup for large CRT TVs

(Panic from: V. K.)

"I'm having problem(s) with a brand new 40" Mitsubishi tube (direct view)
TV. I'm writing this with hopes of getting some basic information so that the
dealer doesn't bamboozle me.

From first viewing (5 minutes after the delivery man departed). I noticed a
discoloration patch in the top right hand corner (purple when the background
is blue/greenish when background is white)."

(From: Tony (ard12@eng.cam.ac.uk).)

As you probably know, a colour TV produces a red picture, a green picture and a blue
picture on the screen at the same time. You eyes interpret that as a coloured picture. If
you look at (a normal, non-projection) TV screen through a magnifying lens, you
should be able to see red, green and blue dots, and no other colours.

Now, there are 3 basic adjustments to getting a good colour picture :

19. Purity. This means that the red picture is only red, the green picture only
green, etc. This is the one that needs setting up on your set - you have a purity
problem
20. Convergence. This means that the 3 pictures line up over the entire screen (or
as much of it as possible). If this one is wrong, you'll see coloured fringes
around objects in the picture.
21. Grey scale. This sets the overall colour of the picture - it means that white is
really white, etc. It varies the relative intensities of the red, green and blue
pictures.

(From: VK.)
 "I called the store in a panic and they calmly told me to press the "degauss"
button to eliminate the problem (which I quickly learned was spurious
magnetization, caused perhaps by storage near a speaker in the warehouse?).
Result? Better but not cured."

(From: Tony.)

Yes, spurious magnetization (or more correctly a different magnetic field around the
tube from the one present when it was set up) will cause purity problems.

(From: V. K.)

"The next day I visited the store, and the manager said (again) that this was an
easily fixable problem, requiring a few waves of a degaussing coil. To appease
me, he sends the salesman home with me with small (1 foot diameter) coil in
tow. Salesman (boy, actually) waves the coil in front of and around set but
can't seem to remove the discoloration."

(From: Tony.)

Argh... Here's what should have been done IMHO.

22. The set should have been degaussed (a fancy word for demagnetized).
23. They should have connected a 'pattern generator' to the set. This is a piece of
equipment that generates various test signals. They should have selected 'red
raster' (which will appear to you as a pure red screen), and set up the purity
adjustments on that. You should ask to see the pure red raster (and pure green
and pure blue if the generator will allow it), and make sure there are no
strange-coloured patches. If you like, you can examine the screen through a
magnifying lens to check that there are no dots of other colours appearing - I
do that when I'm setting up a new TV or monitor.
24. They should then have displayed a 'cross hatch' on the screen. This is a grid of
white vertical and horizontal lines. Convergence errors are shown by the lines
splitting into 2 or more colours (normally one of the 'primary colours' - red,
green, or blue, and its complementary colour (cyan, magenta, and yellow).)
Note, however, that it's _very_ difficult or even impossible to get perfect
convergence over the entire screen on a modern tube, and that you'll not notice
small errors near the corners on a TV screen. Note that some engineers prefer
to set up the convergence on some other type of display (dots, for example),
but you should at least be able to see a cross hatch pattern (all pattern
generators provide that one)
25. They should have then displayed a 'grey scale' test display. This is a pattern of
vertical grey bars of different brightnesses, from black to white. They should
all have been a neutral grey, without colouration.

Note that convergence and purity interact to some extent, and thus if either is
adjusted, both must be checked (and rechecked). Grey scale adjustments interact with
nothing else.
I would want to see the set on a pattern generator (at least the patterns I've mentioned
above) and identify the problems.

(From: V. K.)

"To demagnetize the TV, he says that a large coil is required, that
encompasses the whole unit; service rep will 'be in touch'."

(From: Tony.)

I've never heard of that - the correct procedure is to wipe the coil around the front,
top, sides and bottom _NOT the back_ and then move it 2-3m from the set before
turning it off. It doesn't matter whether the set is on or off for this, btw. I've not heard
of putting a large coil round the entire set. (See the section: Degaussing
(demagnetizing) a CRT.

(From: V. K.)

"After the sales boy leaves, I could SWEAR that the picture quality in general
is decreased, with people (especially their extremities like lips and ears)
appearing pinker than before, and also more general interference
(fringes/noise) noticeable."

The convergence and purity are set by ring magnets on the neck of the tube. It's
possible that the degaussing procedure has slightly demagnetized these, and if so, the
whole set will need to be set up. Similarly, if any part of the set was magnetized at the
factory, then the adjustments may have been set up to compensate, and then after
demagnetization, they'll need to be reset.

(From: V. K.)

"So my questions are these. Can the original problem truly be FIXED with
proper sized coil and application?

(From: Tony.)

I don't think the size of the coil will make any difference. I would want to see that set
on a pattern generator, so I could be _sure_ as to what the problems are. If the dealers
don't have a pattern generator, then they're not fit to be fixing TVs IMHO.

(From: V. K.)

"Could I be imagining that the waving of the small coil degraded the picture
quality?"

(From: Tony.)

It's possible, but fairly unlikely. See above

(From: V. K.)
 "Should I demand replacement to a new set? Can I legally ask for this, or is it
like a new car...you own it, now you deal with the service guys forever.

(From: Tony.)

I don't know US law, but in the UK, if a product is defective, you can demand a
refund of the money paid (not a replacement or a repair, a refund). IMHO, a TV with
incorrect colours is defective...

Liquid coupling fluid for projection TVs

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

The liquid serves two purposes:

26. It conducts the heat away from the surface of the tiny picture tube.
27. It couples the light from the glass surface of the picture tube to the glass
surface of the projection lens. Using air instead of liquid would give too much
unwanted refraction at the glass-air interfaces

I believe that the composition of the liquid is mostly water + glycol, quite similar to
the anti-freeze liquid in your car's radiator, but without the colorants added that
should warn you against drinking it.

A good replacement kit contains not only a plastic bottle of liquid but also new rubber
sealing rings to keep it in, where it belongs. It's always recommended to buy the
original stuff, if you can find it.

(From: markmtf@earthlink.net). I just wanted to throw my $.02 in since I was one of

the original members of the design team for the first Magnavox and Sylvania PTVs.

I don't recall the models, but essentially, there are several generations of liquid
cooled/coupled PTV designs. One type consists of a set of CRTs with a liquid cell as
part of that component. The other type consists of a liquid cell that directly couples
the CRT faceplate to the lens.

The liquid is a solution of DI (deionized) water and propylene glycol, with a small
amount of surfactant to eliminate bubbles sticking to the glass and plastic surface.
Distilled water can be used. The propylene glycol is USP grade, not commercial grade
for clarity reasons. You need to order this through a lab supply company and specify
USP grade. If you use a cheaper grade, the solution may become cloudy. The mixture
of your solution should be somewhere between 50/50 to 80/20 water/glycol. The are
many kinds of surfactant which can cause cloudiness or foaming. You should
probably leave this step out if you are just adding rather than replacing liquid. If you
want to experiment, you might try some fluid from a photographer darkroom supply
store that is used for eliminating water marks during the film drying process. Just add
a few drops to 1/2 liter. Then heat it up to check for cloudiness. If it works, then you
are in business. Again, if you are careful with filling the cell so that you don't mix in
air, you probably don't need any surfactant.
I probably can't help you too much on the seals or gaskets. It is very dependent on the
specific model. Both types of liquid cells loose the liquid over time due to vapor
traveling through the silicone seals. The CRTs with the cooling cell used a special
RTV for a seal. The CRT/Lens cooling cell used silicone gaskets. There is a tradeoff
on how tightly the gaskets can be tightened down due to CRT specifications. Some
manufacturers were also working on a expandable chamber to reduce buildup of
pressure when the liquid expanded due to heat. The higher the pressure, the faster the
liquid would evaporate through the gaskets.

Origin of burn spot/line on projection set

This may be an issue where a set was repaired but with a blemish that you didn't think
was there before.

(From: JURB6005 (jurb6005@aol.comtere).)

28. If you fire a projection set up with one yoke disconnected AND the yoke
windings are in series, unless you are quick, you will have a horizontal line
burnt in all three tubes.
29. The shop may have been less than 100% competent, and even if they were
100% competent, it could have happened at the actual time of the failure,
before they ever saw it.
30. If the set was fired up by ANYONE with any of the yokes disconnected, the
vertical blanking circuit should have cut off ALL beam current, preventing the
burning of the CRT screens. Two exceptions apply;
 YOU were already watching the TV with a fault, or the burn happened
really quickly and you didn't notice the spot.
 The technician turned up the G2 to the point where it overrode the
blanking.

Blue focus different for projection sets?

On some 3-tube projection sets, you may find the blue tube to have poorer focus than
red and green. Don't touch it!

(From: Dakuhajda (dakuhajda@aol.com).)

What you are describing is completely normal. The manufactures design in the blue
picture tube so that it will not focus completely.

In fact the service literature lists exactly how much and which way it should be out of
focus. In fact the picture generally looks better with the blue CRT slightly out of focus
per specification - slightly wider than the scan lines so that it completely fills in the
scan lines. The slight out of focus is designed to blend in the scan lines so they are not
as noticeable on the big screen.

This is because when the standard TV signal with 262.5 lines being displayed at any
given time, it looks bad to see the scan lines. The standard TV signal was never
designed to be viewed on a screen larger than 25".
It also is the nature of the phosphor that makes blue not to allow a good focus.
Especially in the older sets. I have not seen any early blue projection tubes focus well
even when they were new.

Comments on color purity, set orientation, and doming

"The problem with my TV is that bright parts of the picture change color. For
example, white areas may shift towards yellow or blue depending on the
orientation of the set.

What are the possible causes of doming? I have noticed that the magnitude of
the doming effect varies with TV orientation even after degaussing several
times at the new orientation. Does this help identify the cause of the doming in
my case?"

(Portions from: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

The problem with regular shadow masks is 'doming'. Due to the inherent principle of
shadow masks, 2/3 or more of all beam energy is dissipated in the mask. Where static
bright objects are displayed, it heats up several hundred degrees. This causes thermal
expansion, with local warping of the mask. The holes in the mask move to a different
place and the projections of the electron beams will land on the wrong colours: purity
errors. The use of invar allows about 3 times more beam current for the same purity
errors.

Both local doming and magnetic fields compete for the remaining landing reserve.
Due to improper degaussing, the doming problem may be more visible. And applying
a tube designed for the wrong hemisphere may very well increase the doming
complaints. It is possible to deliberately offset the nominal landing in order to get
more doming reserve (the shift due to doming is always to the outside of the tube).
You would do this using spoiler magnets put in the right places.

Permanently setting the contrast lower is not a real cure because the customer might
not like such a dark picture. A better picture tube (Invar shadow mask) *is* a good
cure (in most cases) but there is the cost price increase. (This is mainly due to the fact
that Invar metal is harder to etch.)

Also see the section: Comments on color purity, set orientation, and doming.

About instant-on TVs

Most TVs built since, say, 1980 have only the microcontroller powered from a small
transformer when the set is off. This permits the remote control or front panel
pushbutton to switch the set on. This circuitry should be no more prone to
catastrophic failure than what is in a VCR or digital clock.

Historically, there were 'instant on' TVs which kept a substantial portion of their
circuitry live all the time - especially those using vacuum tubes in at least part of the
circuitry (other than the CRT). In these, there was a lot more to fail. Those tubes
would continue to change their characteristics for many minutes when warming up.
Circuits were also much more touchy - remember all that constant tweaking! Thus, it
made sense from the users's perspective to eliminate the warmup period and keep
those tubes toasty all the time.

In modern solid state TVs, the only component to really need a warmup period is the
CRT. All this means is that you have to wait 20 seconds for the picture to appear.

About gadgets to use house wiring as TV antenna

Note that these $10 devices usually contain a single 5 cent ceramic capacitor as their
'sophisticated electronic circuitry'. The rest of the fancy plastic case is just for show.

(The following is from: Greg Smith (LiveTV@en.com).)

Most people mistakening believe that the larger the antenna the better the received
signal. The truth of the matter is that each element of the antenna must be cut to a
precise length depending upon the frequency of the signal you are attempting to
receive. Further more, each element must also be spaced a precise distance away from
the others. This creates what is commonly called a "directional array". (see diagram
below) By providing enhanced reception (gain) in the direction the antenna is pointed,
it also provides decreased reception from the sides and back. (directivity) This
prevents "ghosting" which is caused by the same signal arriving at the TV at a slightly
different time because the signal bounced off of some structure on it's way to your set.

If you use the house wiring as the antenna, the length will be random and the
orientation to the received signal will also be random. Therefore it will pickup the
bounced/reflected signals just as well as the primary signal. IE: lots of ghosting = very
poor picture quality.

Any kind of directional antenna, even a small one, whether inside or outside, should
provide a superior quality picture to that from the device you are talking about. Even a
cheap "rabbit ear" antenna mounted on top of the set allows you to orient it in the best
direction.

If you only receive the VHF channels (2-10) in your area then buy a VHF ony
antenna. If you only receive the UHF (19-60+) then buy a UHF only. If you get some
of each then make sure that it is a combination antenna. If your set has separate inputs
for VHF/UHF make sure you also get one with the proper splitter.

-------------------
------()-------
--------
----

^
|
direction of signal

Can I add an S-Video input to my TV or VCR?

Possibly, but why bother? You will most likely be limited by the TV or VCR's
circuitry anyhow.

All S-Video means is (1) a special connector and (2) separate luminance (Y) and
chrominance (C) rather than composite video.

In a VCR, you will need to bypass the input circuitry and get to the place where Y and
C are separate. This may or may not be possible depending on its design.

In a TV, they may never be separate and you will need to substitute your own
circuitry for the chroma demodulator.

It is probably not worth it as you will likely not gain much in picture quality but if you
really are determined, a schematic will be essential in either case.

If all you want to do is allow for an S-video input, there are single chips which will
combine the Y and C into a normal composite video signal.

Also, see the section: How do I add A/V inputs or outputs to a TV which does not
have them built in? since there may be safety implications in the case of adding S-
Video to a TV without any A/V jacks.

How do I add A/V inputs or outputs to a TV which does not have them
built in?

For A/V inputs (video and audio) The place to do this is after the video and audio IF
where baseband signals are normally separate.

For audio, in particular, an alternative is to tap into the audio circuitry which may be
elsewhere. Even the loudspeaker outputs can be used but then without additional
switching, you cannot disable the internal speakers when you are using your stereo
system.

Depending on the model of TV, doing any of this may be trivial to impossible - or a
serious safety hazard.

o Trivial: many low-end models use the same chassis (read this: circuit board) as
the high end A/V receivers. Either there will be some parts missing, a cable
connection to the missing A/V panel, or a missing auxiliary board which
would have the A/V interface and jacks. If this is the case with your model,
then it should be straightforward and safe to tap into the circuits at that point.

A service manual or Sams' Photofact for the set will probably even identify the
additional circuitry present in the higher priced models with A/V inputs.

If, on the other hand, everything is crammed onto a single circuit board with
no evidence of A/V signals, it may be very difficult as suitable tap-in points
may simply not be available.
 o Hazardous: many TVs have circuitry which is not isolated from the AC line. If
this is the case with your set, then it may be more trouble than it is worth to
provide the essential isolation barrier between the TV and your external A/V
equipment. The only 'easy' solution for audio at least is to include an isolation
transformer RATED FOR LINE VOLTAGE ISOLATION in each signal path
to the outside world. A means of isolation can be provided for video as well
but it has to be able to handle the 6 MHz or so bandwidth of the video signal.
A simple capacitor even if rated for sufficient voltage will probably not work
and could be hazardous since it would need to have a high uF value to pass the
lower frequency end of the video signal.

If what you are really after is replacing a dead tuner/IF with your own tuner or
converter, this may be possible but, again, may not be worth the trouble. The antenna
isolation circuitry is probably external to the TV's tuner so yours could be substituted
in its place. Of course, any user contact with the transplanted device would then have
to be TOTALLY prevented since a serious shock hazard would be present for all
metal parts and connections including shield grounds. In addition, many components
would likely blow the instant power was applied if this were not done perfectly.

Unless you intend to always use the direct A/V inputs and forgo the tuner, you will
need some way of selecting between them - a switch or relay. This could be manual -
you push a button or flip a switch - or automatic. There are all kinds of ways to doing
the detection - mechanical, checking for a low impedance connection, looking for a
signal, using a switch, etc.

You will need a schematic - don't attempt this without one (for safety, if no other
reason). Even some TVs that have A/V jacks use a live chassis and provide isolation
for each signal (though this is the exception rather than the rule). So, even adding
another A/V jacks to one of these would be hazardous!

Can I add direct RGB inputs to a TV?

The signals going into the CRT neck board are separate RGB, possibly a somewhat
higher voltage level, but otherwise similar to those sent to a computer monitor. So,
would it be possible to bypass the tuner and color decoding and go direct for better
picture quality? After all, RGB SCART inputs are common on PAL TVs.

Assuming the scan rate of your source is NTSC (or PAL as appropriate), in principle,
yes. The RGB signals may have to be amplified from the normal .7 to 1 V p-p used
for monitors to whatever is required by your TV's final video amps (unless you can
find a location on the mainboard where the levels are lower) and composite sync
would need to be injected separately.

However, there are some serious safety issues. Many TV are designed with a chassis
that is electrically live - not isolated from the AC line so unless an isolation
transformer is used to power the TV or some means of isolation is used in the
coupling of the signals, you could end up with a very shocking situation and/or blown
parts all over the place. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have the complete
schematics and really know what you are doing.
Adding variable volume headphones to a TV

"My Mother-in-Law is hard of hearing. He is not. Is there such a thing as a

variable volume headset that can hooked up while maintaining normal volume
on the main speakers?"

(From: Filip "I'll buy a vowel" Gieszczykiewicz (filipg@repairfaq.org).)

Greetings. But of course... The cost is $9-ish per set and it includes a 9 foot (yup, 9
foot) cable and a handy, in-line volume control. The setup requires an audio output
somewhere on the TV itself - is there a headphones jack? If yes, all you need is a "Y"
(splitter) and two sets of headphones. If not, hmmm.... Either you or the local TV
repair shop will need to add one. Depending on the circuitry of the speaker amplifier
inside the TV, this may be as easy as splicing in a headphone jack and drilling a hole
for it on the case, or as hard as somehow matching the impedance of the speaker to
that of the headphones. You *will* need to look at the schematic or measure the
speaker/signal. See the section: How do I add A/V inputs or outputs to a TV which
does not have them built in? for the very important safety issues.

First, however, make sure they have a TV with a headphones jack or have one put in
(or get a TV that *does* have one). The 'Y' adapter can be purchased in any Radio
Shack. Any cheapo one will do - no need for gold plating (they will try to sell it to
you ;-) should be under $5.

Building a Frankenstein TV

Here is an interesting questions:

"I got a lot of partially gutted TVs at an auction (All the same brand) and I'm
trying to build a 'Frankenstein TV'.

I have a 13" unit with a working power supply board and tuner board in one
set. I have another set with a 25" picture tube in it. I'd like to drive the big tube
with the guts from the small TV. Does anyone know If I'll blow up my
workbench if I attempt this sort of transplant?"

It won't blow up your workbench but the differences are probably significant enough
that the performance would be unsatisfactory if it worked at all.

In addition, this may blow up the power supply board - kill the horizontal output
transistor and/or low voltage power supply itself - as the required power levels are
higher. If you have nothing to lose, power your Frankenstein initially through a series
100 W light bulb and Variac. Then you will be able to tell if you are even close with
less risk of blowing expensive parts.

Of course, this does assume that all the organs your are merging are actually good to
start with. Why do you you think they unloaded those TV carcasses?

While the same chassis may be used for 19" and 25" sets, going from 13" to 25" is
likely to have many differences.
Turning a TV (or monitor) into an oscilloscope?

This question comes up so often and it does sound like a neat project to give a defunct
TV a second life. Don't expect to end up with a Tek 465 on the cheap when you are
done. However, it could be a fun learning experience.

CAUTION: See the safety recommendations below.

You will be severely limited in the performance of such a scope. TVs and monitors
are designed to operate at a very narrow range of horizontal scan rates and the high
voltage is usually derived from the horizontal deflection. So, you would need to retain
the original deflection system for this purpose at least.

33. You will need to disconnect the deflection yoke from the horizontal and
vertical deflection circuits of the TV or monitor without killing the HV. (also,
doing all this without killing yourself as well). Depending on the design, this
may be as simple as unplugging the yoke connector. More than likely, you
will need to substitute a load for the horizontal deflection coil. A coil from
another sacrificial similar TV or monitor would probably suffice.

Warning: at this point you have a really bright spot in the middle of the screen
which will turn to a really black spot if the brightness is not turned way down
really really quickly.

34. For the horizontal, you need a ramped current source. You are driving a non-
ideal inductor (the deflection coil) so it has both inductance and resistance.
Thus the waveform is a trapezoid - a voltage ramp (for the resistive part)
superimposed on a voltage step (for the inductive part). This should not be too
difficult. Don't expect to be able to achieve really fast sweep. Even running at
normal TV rates is non-trivial.
35. Similarly, for the vertical you need to drive with a voltage (your signal)
controlled current source. However, if you are just screwing around, then the
linearity etc. for the vertical may not be that important. In this case, one way is
to put a current sensing resistor in series with the deflection coil and use this in
a power op amp type of feedback arrangement. (You could do this for (2) as
well.
36. There is a good chance that the original brightness control will work as an
intensity adjustment. However, with some TVs and monitors, this depends on
receiving a valid video signal. You may need to improvise. If you do want to
control the intensity from a signal source, you should be able to tap into the
drive signals going to the little board on the neck of the CRT.
37. Don't expect high bandwidth, uniform response, or any of the other things you
take for granted with a decent scope. That takes work. However, as a fun
project, this certainly qualifies. Interchanging the functions of the horizontal
and vertical deflection yoke (and rotating it 90 degrees) may provide a better
match of horizontal and vertical bandwidth to your intended applications or
experiments.
38. With a color TV or monitor, these experiments could be quite interesting and
educational but there may be color fringing effects since you are not
compensating for certain aspects of dynamic convergence at all.
 39. SAFETY: Once you disconnect the deflection yoke from the TV or monitor's
circuits, move the original circuits out of the way and put a barrier between
between you and the rest of the TV or monitor. All you will need are
connections to the deflection yoke on the CRT (unless you want to do
intensity modulation in which case you will need to drive the video output(s)
to the CRT cathodes. I would recommend against doing this if your unit is one
of those with a totally 'live' chassis as there would be additional safety hazards
and circuit complications).

(From: Chris Crochet (ccrochet@premier.net).)

Hehehe... Actually, I've done this one. :)

I've got two old IBM mainframe terminals, painted like charred metal, hooked up to
each channel of the 'B' speaker outputs on my stereo. It's strange looking and always
an attention getter when I have guests. Not to mention, the long-persistence phosphor
they use makes interesting tracers :)

One caveat, at least on these monitors (I don't know what other monitors this might
apply to). When you turn them off, the circuitry shuts down in the following order:
horizontal drive first, electron gun second, and vertical drive last. Therefore, if there is
no vertical deflection, which would be the case if the stereo is quiet, the active
electron beam becomes perfectly stationary during the course of shutdown, thus
burning a hole in the phosphor. Oops :) I found it more effective to hook the stereo
into the HORIZONTAL drive, thus avoiding this problem. Not quite like your
average oscilloscope.

Another interesting effect -- if the electron gun is active during vertical blanking
interval, it seems to deflect so far that it bounces off the SIDES of the picture tube,
and sprays all over the phosphor, making some interesting images.

(From: Lance Edmonds (lanceedmonds@xtra.co.nz).

Some years ago ELEKTOR and Electronics Australia magazines published articles on
a design for this. Dick Smith Electronics in both NZ & Australia used to sell the kit.

Max Bandwidth was a startling 10 or 15Khz. Enough for elementary audio servicing.

Those magazines also published designs for delayed sweep & trigger modules as
additions to any basic 'scope. Plus, a storage scope design, logic analyzer design, and
a Dual trace emulator design.

Enough to keep the average hobbist/experimenter happy for quite a while (g).

(From: Dale H. Cook (dhcook@rev.net).)

Every few months someone will pop up with this question. A TV would not make a
very good scope. Bandwidth would be limited and the amount of work needed to
build the horizontal and vertical amplifiers, sweep and triggering circuits and so on
wouldn't be worth the effort. You'd need even more work to add modern features such
as delayed triggering and variable hold-off. Don't even think about multiple channels
and the advantages they offer. In a time when I see used Tek 465s offered for $200 it
certainly doesn't pay to try to convert a TV. If you are just looking for a challenging
electronic project I can think of several that have a far better chance of yielding
something useful. Now, if you were starting with an antique set that used an
electrostatic CRT you might do a bit better, but a 1937 Dumont will set you back
about $3,000.00 or so - a little too much of an investment.

(From: Tony Duell (ard@p850ug1.demon.co.uk).)

I've worked on the vector monitors that were used on some of the 1970's
minicomputers. These are essentially X-Y displays (not raster scanned), and would
make audio-bandwidth 'scopes if given a timebase. I would guess at a bandwidth of
the order of 100kHz.

Some of them (DEC, certainly, maybe Tektronix) were electromagnetically deflected

like a TV. However, there are a couple of things to be aware of. Firstly, the output
amplifier, which drives the yoke at constant current, is pretty complex. Secondly, the
yoke is specially made - the 2 sets of coils are pretty similar (unlike those in a TV),
and the inductance is critical.

So, while I'll keep these monitors running, I'd not want to have to covert a TV into
one :-).

(From: David Katz (DAVEkATZ@prodigy.net).)

If by chance what you want is an X-Y display for audio, not a (more typical) X-T, it's
easy. Just put a resistor in series with each yoke (about 100 ohms, 5 W) and drive
them with a stereo amp.

(From: Steve Roberts (osteven@akrobiz.com).)

Your best hope might be to get a older generation heart monitor from a hospital, these
have a professional X-Y display module to begin with, and are surprisingly easy to
hack, mine was $10 at the local surplus shop. The ultra long persistence phosphor is a
pain/blessing depending on what you are doing.

For a description of what one person did, see: Dan's Home-Built O-Scope Page.

(From: Alan (revidyks@rocketmail.com).)

Apparently it's pretty hard to produce a decent scope.

It is, however, pretty easy to use the CRT as something like a scope, which I did
recently with the built-in green screen monitor of a thing called a Kapro 2X. It was
being thrown away, so I said I'd take it and have a look inside before throwing it
away.
I wondered what if it was possible to drive the CRT from a source other than the
computer video circuitry, so I did some tests, worked out how and by what voltage the
deflectors were driven, (about 1v, 0.3A measured as an AC voltage).

Once I'd worked out that this was about the same as the output from a small stereo
amp, I removed the horizontal signal from the CRT and hooked one channel of my
stereo across the horizontal deflector , left the vertical deflector hooked up to it's
(60Hz?, 30Hz?) signal, and switched it on. The results look pretty good, I get a full-
screen moving trace of the sound wave. One other thing that I did was make the beam
intensity constant by turning a knob marked 'B-SUB' a bit, this would have flooded
the screen with 'white' ordinarily, but was perfect for me as I could now remove the
computer motherboard all together.

I also tried connecting the left and right channels across the horizontal and vertical
deflectors respectively (first disconnecting them from their normal inputs), which
produced some really cool looking lissijous (sp?) figure type things, that change and
throb with the music- each CD seemed to have distinctive characteristics. Maybe I'll
try two different pieces of music across the axes, could be interesting...

I'd love to try throwing some different signals of different frequencies and shapes
across the axes too, especially in combination a with musical one. The 'best' results so
far, have been from music with a strong bass, simple beat (cymbals with a bass drum
look great), and not too many layers of guitars, vocals, etc. (too many sounds and it's
an uninteresting mess...)

If you want more information or have any advice on or experience with this sort of
thing, mail me...

If you're thinking of trying any of this, remember (in case you don't know) that
TVs/Monitors can be REALLY dangerous even when switched off and unplugged.
See the section: SAFETY.

Displaying a video signal as a picture on an oscilloscope

I am not sure why anyone would really want to do this other than as an experiment - it
would be interesting one.

If a composite video signal is the input, you will need a sync separator.

You will have to construct a vertical deflection voltage ramp generator which can be
locked to your vertical sync signal.

The horizontal timebase of the scope will be fine for the horizontal deflection and
should easily lock to your horizontal sync pulse or (if the scope has a TV trigger
mode) directly to the video signal.

A video amplifier will be needed if your Z axis does not have an internal amplifier
(you need .7 V p-p to be full brightness range.) Unless you provide automatic gain
control, this will need to include offset (brightness) and gain (contrast) adjustments.
Even if there is an internal amplifier, it may not have the required bandwidth for the
video signal.

However, the overall brightness may be disappointing - a scope is not designed for
overall high brightness. The beam focus will not be as good as that on a little TV
either.

Use of surge suppressors and line filters

Should you always use a surge suppressor outlet strip or line circuit? Sure, it shouldn't
hurt. Just don't depend on these to provide protection under all circumstances. Some
are better than others and the marketing blurb is at best of little help in making an
informed selection. Product literature - unless it is backed up by testing from a
reputable lab - is usually pretty useless and often confusing.

Line filters can also be useful if power in you area is noisy or prone to spikes or dips.

However, keep in mind that most well designed electronic equipment already includes
both surge suppressors like MOVs as well as L-C line filters. More is not necessarily
better but may move the point of failure to a readily accessible outlet strip rather than
the innards of your equipment if damage occurs.

Very effective protection is possible through the use of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power
Supply) which always runs the equipment off its battery from the internal inverter
(not all do). This provides very effective isolation power line problems as the battery
acts as a huge capacitor. If something is damaged, it will likely be the UPS and not
your expensive equipment. Another option is to use a constant voltage transformer
(SOLA) which provides voltage regulation, line conditioning, and isolation from
power spikes and surges.

It is still best to unplug everything if the air raid sirens go off or you see an elephant
wearing thick glasses running through the neighborhood (or an impending lightning
storm).

Comments on lightning damage

Unfortunately, lightning or similar surge related damage can happen to any equipment
that is plugged into ANYTHING - AC line, antenna, cable, phone. Symptoms can be
almost anything but often run along the lines of the following:

"I just recently bought a new JVC TV, about 5 months ago to be exact. A few
weeks ago it got hit by lightning. Not directly though. I am trying to figure out
why it will not power up now. I traced as far as I could into the power and it
seems to be getting 120 all the way to some sort of parts. I know at least that it
is going past the fuse, and the fuse did not even blow. But when I press the on
switch still nothing happens. The switch is good, as is the wiring leading to the
mainboard. From there I don't know. Does anyone know of any VERY
common things to go when hit by lightning? I really don't know much about
TV repair, but I feel like trying to fix it myself. I just have no idea where to
 look now. It is getting power, but I don't know where exactly it is stopping.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated."

(From: Brian Frank" (jambfrank@erols.com).)

When I was in trade school the instructor who taught the TV/VCR. repair course also
had a fixit place on the side. This man knew everything about TVs, he could almost
tell you what was wrong with a set by just smelling it. Once I brought a set to class
that had been struck indirectly as well, the instructor told me the best thing to do was
to tie a rope around it an use it as an anchor for a boat. He further went on to explain
that a set struck in any way usually has so many problems that it is not worth getting
in to. The one time he did try to fix a particularly expensive set it took him and two
other employees three weeks to get it going. And he said there were still some
problems.

As for tips on actually fixing it you might want to ask around for junkers and
cannibalize them into one set.

GFCI tripping with TV, monitor, or other high tech equipment

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are very important for minimizing shock
hazards in kitchens, bathrooms, outdoors and other potentially wet areas. They are
now generally required by the NEC Code in these locations. However, what the GFCI
detects to protect people - an imbalance in the currents in the Hot and Neutral wires
caused possibly by someone touching a live conductor - may exist safely by design in
high tech electronic equipment. The result - false tripping - is mostly a problem with 3
wire grounded devices with built in line filters having capacitors between Hot and
Ground but may also occur with 2 wire ungrounded TVs due to the power-on surge
into the highly capacitive or inductive loads of their power supplies.

However, it's also possible for this to happen when a TV is hooked to a cable system
because it's cable shield is connected to Earth ground. In such a case, this may or may
not be a cause for concern.

TVs using Hot chassis designs couple the antenna and its cable shield to the tuner
with small coupling capacitors. A side effect is that some AC leakage current can
flow through these capacitors, possibly enough to trip the GFCI. If the TV's plug isn't
polarized, try reversing it and see if the problem goes away. If it is polarized, make
sure your outlet is wired properly and you aren't using a non-polarized extension cord
with the TV plugged reversed.

It's also possible the TV is faulty and the tripping is actually taking place as a result of
a legitimate problem.

To assure the set is safe, (whether reversing the plug helps or not), a leakage test
should really be performed by measuring the AC current between the TV's antenna
shield and an Earth ground. Try it with both polarities of the wall plug. Anything over
about 8 mA will trip a GFCI. If the leakage current is less than this with either
polarity of the wall plug, the GFCI is overly sensitive. If the leakage current is much
more with either polarity of the wall plug, the set is defective and should be serviced
immediately. It should not be used until the problem is corrected as a serious shock
hazard exists.

Multisystem TVs

The question often arise: can my NTSC TV modified to display PAL signals (or vice-
versa). Unlike a VCR where there are substantial differences between recording of
NTSC and PAL, the problem of displaying the picture is much simpler.

The following assumes 525 line NTSC and 625 line PAL:

The horizontal scan rates are nearly identical (15,734 Hz for NTSC and 15,625 Hz for
PAL), so this is not likely to be a problem. If these differed significantly, then there
would be design issues similar to those for multisync computer monitors and this
would drive up cost.

The vertical scan are slightly more of a problem with 525 line/60 Hz NTSC and 625
line/50 Hz PAL. But it is a lot easier to design vertical deflection to accommodate a
modest variation in rates. TVs could be easily designed or modified to accept either.

The color encoding techniques differ but inexpensive ICs exist that can deal with
either standard. In fact, many are programmable to do either with a jumper and slight
modifications to the external components.

Displaying a monochrome - B/W - picture on the other kind of set is usually possible
if the set has a vertical hold control or enough vertical range. Modifying the chroma
circuitry is more complicated but it should be possible to substitute a second IC and
patch it into the existing video chain.

As far as commercial multisystem TVs are concerned, the real reason we do not see
many of these (at least in the U.S.) is lack of demand. They are available if you look
hard enough and are willing to pay a premium. They are readily available on the
international market.

Playing NTSC videotape on a PAL TV

Note that you will probably need an adapter at the very least to connect a PAL TV to
an NTSC RF cable. This, at least isn't a problem as suitable devices should be readily
available for a couple dollars. However, that may be the easy part if the VCR doesn't
do enough of a conversion!

"Does anyone know if NTSC VCRs (NTSC is a special feature in Ireland)

require an NTSC capable television too, or can they convert NTSC signals to
PAL (seems unlikely)?"

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

There are 4 possible answers:

 40. The VCR does not convert an NTSC signal to PAL, it outputs pure NTSC and
you need an NTSC-compatible TV to view it.
41. The VCR converts NTSC 3.58 to NTSC 4.43 and you need a PAL-TV adapted
to NTSC 4.43 to view it (relatively minor adaptation).
42. The VCR converts NTSC 3.58 to PAL 4.43 but keeps the field rate at 60 Hz.
That is definitely not a standard signal! Some standard PAL-TV's will permit
viewing it, and some Won't! At least be prepared to see interesting artifacts
and crosstalks.
43. Conversion to real standard PAL is very expensive, thus unlikely.

The most likely answers are (1) and (3), check the spec of the VCR. The NTSC 4.43
system has been sold to middle-east and maybe US-military.

Buying a TV in Europe

"I have the following question for you specialists:

Can I buy a TV in any west-european country and use it in any other west-
european country? For example, buying a TV in the Netherlands and use it in
Greece or buying in France and using in England."

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

The general answer is: NO.

There are multi-standard TV's that cover more countries, but a TV that covers them
all is extremely rare. Most countries now have PAL-BG, including all of Germany.
England has PAL-I, the analog sound is at a different frequency and the digital sound
is their own variety of Nicam. France has Secam L-L', mostly incompatible with
anything else. I don't know about Greece, probably PAL-BG. Most Philips high-end
sets can do PAL-BG, Secam-BG and NTSC (the latter from the baseband video inputs
only).

(From: Allan Mounteney (allan@amounten.demon.co.uk).)

The answer is YES. Well, at least one.

Reason I know is that I was with a company that made computers with TV-OUT for
world wide use and wanted something that could show that the TV Out worked for
various countries.

This ONE and ONLY one we could find Three years ago came from Germany and
covered PAL, SECAM and the American NTSC systems and came with a note that
said from the time of making/selling that set it would not work in just one small
country in South America. All features (including audio) were adjustable from the
front panel Menu and it was a Grundig 17" job. I am advised that there is a load of
others on the market now.
The company who seemed to know all about these international sets and gave us good
service at that time was Andrew McCulloch Ltd in Cambridge UK. Phone
#44(0)1223-351825

Could a TV be modified for 3D (stereo) display?

The whole idea of stereo 3-D vision to put the left and right views to the appropriate
eyeball. There are two common ways of doing this:

44. Use different colors for the two views with color filters in from of each eye to
separate the views. This is what were often used for the really bad (content
wise) sci-fi movies of the '50s.
45. Display alternate views on the same monitor screen but use LCD shutter
glasses to allow each eye to only see the appropriate view. This requires
increasing the refresh rate to avoid unacceptable flicker.

The first approach can be used with any TV and a pair of monochrome video cameras.
Of course, true color cannot be used since pure colored images are needed to separate
the stereo views.

Alternating views with synchronized LCD glasses is a possibility but on a standard

TV, the resulting refresh rate would be 30 Hz with a 50% duty cycle which is likely to
be useful only as a short experiment - else your viewers will likely develop splitting
headaches.

Displaying TV on a computer monitor

My general recommendation is that if you have the space, buy an inexpensive TV -

the quality in the end may in fact be better. And, it will be usable without tying up
your expensive monitor and (maybe) PC.

While various convertors are advertized to use a computer monitor with video from a
VCR or other source, keep in mind that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
like the claim of a $200 box for this:

OK, let me get this straight - this card/box will enable a 31.4 kHz horizontal scan rate
monitor (VGA) be used as a TV - yes or no? It thus includes a video A/D, full screen
frame buffer, D/A, and all the other tuner stuff for under $200? I don't think so. A
scan doubler - which is a subset of the above - will not result in a high quality picture
since it will display pairs of lines interleaved. Or does the impressive advertisement
leave out the key requirement that the monitor sync at the NTSC horizontal scan rate
of 15.734 kHz (most newer monitor do not)? Or is it a board that plugs into a PC and
indeed does use the resources of the PC including the VGA card and bus?

In any case, get a written money back satisfaction guarantee.

Displaying computer video on a TV

Assuming this means NTSC:

 46. You need to convert RGB to NTSC - there are single chips for this. Try Sony,
Philips, Motorola, and others. These will combine the R, G, B, H sync, and V
sync into a single composite video signal using a minimum of additional
components.
47. You need to match the scan rate to NTSC - 15.734 kHz horizontal. Even basic
VGA is twice this - 31.4 kHz. If your video card can be programmed to put
out interlaced NTSC rate video then this is easy. If not, it is more difficult. If
you want to use anything higher res than VGA, it is a very non-trivial problem
requiring the construction of a scan convertor which includes a video A/D, full
frame store, interpolator/readout timing, video D/A. Unless you are an
experienced digital/analog designer, you really do not want to tackle any of
this.

For the special case of VGA->NTSC, you may be able to get away with just storing a
single scan line since the horizontal frequency is (almost) exactly twice the NTSC
horizontal of 15.734 kHz. A double buffer where one buffer is storing while the other
is reading out at approximately half the VGA pixel rate should work. With
appropriate timing, even lines become the even field for NTSC and odd lines become
the odd field (I may have this backwards). It is still not a trivial undertaking. Also,
keep in mind that the quality you will get on NTSC will be poorer than the VGA due
to fundamental NTSC bandwidth limitations. Also, flicker for line graphics will be
significant due to the interlacing at 30 Hz. Even this is a non-trivial undertaking.

The requirements for PAL are very similar. For 625 lines systems, the 800x600 is the
format that most closely matches the TV resolution.

You can also buy little boxes to do this. Quality is general not great as you are
seriously limited by NTSC/PAL and the VCR. Except for presentations on existing
TV rate equipment, it is probably not worth the effort. This is totally useless for any
serious computer applications.

For professional presentations, modern video projectors are available that use high
resolution LCD panels and real-time scan conversion. However, they are still
relatively expensive).

How can I couple 4 TV screens to make them act like only one?

"I've being thinking about how people do these kind of things? Is this analog
stuff or do they use some kind of digitized signal which is then divided to each
TV?"

It is mostly digital. The original master signal is digitized and stored in memory.
Control codes specify the readout of a (probably double buffered) frame store. 9 and
16 screen versions are common. If you look closely, you will note that the resolution
of pictures that differ is always lower indicating that the whole affair is driven from a
single tape source with appropriate decoding. Where the pictures are the same, they
may be at full resolution. Sub blocks of identical pictures may be at some
intermediate resolution.

What is Scan Velocity Modulation?

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

Scan velocity modulation occurs around the transients in the luminance signal. The
beam is sped up just before and just after the edge and it is slowed down during the
edge. This makes for a sharper edge. On an alternating B/W pattern (stripes,
checkerboard) you will see that the white parts get smaller and the black parts get
whiter. This geometry error is a side-effect. Some say that this is the main intended
effect of SVM.

SVM is *supposed* to be used to compensate for the spot blowup at high beam
current. Peaking does not help to improve sharpness because the higher peak beam
current also gives a fatter spot. SVM *can* work in that case. Unfortunately it is often
misapplied, too much SVM will give a very unnatural picture, with obvious horizontal
geometry errors.

If applied properly, SVM can improve the picture. Unfortunately there has been a rat
race, led by Japanese, suggesting that more is better.

Some people will simply advise turning the contrast down. At low beam current the
spot size will be acceptably small and SVM is not needed. In most, if not all, cases
they will disable the SVM circuit, usually by pulling the supply connector to the SVM
panel. That panel is often fixed to the neck of the picture tube, behind the video
amplifier panel.

About Automatic Black Level Stabilization and possible problems

This is how some Philips TVs automatically compensate for component drift.

(From: Jeroen Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

Check datasheets of TDA4580, TDA4680, TDA4780, TDA8390:

These video control ICs have automatic black level stabilization. At the top of each
field it generates 3 measurement lines (R,G,B). Through a BCI beam current info wire
it measures the beam current. It adjusts the amplitude of the measurement pulses so
that it gets a fixed current level back, usually around 10 uA. Actually it measures a
delta-voltage, the current is determined by resistors on the picture tube panel. The
result is used as an offset for the video signals so that black voltage is put at zero
beam current. (3 capacitors near the IC store 3 voltages, a 4th capacitor is used to
store an ultra-black reference to compensate for leakage current.)

The pulses are easily seen on the screen if you turn down the vertical amplitude
(height), you'll see 3 dim lines at the top.

When the set first starts up, the measurement loop can not close because cold
cathodes can not produce any beam current. That would cause the loop to increase the
black level to maximum. To prevent that, first it is measured whether the cathodes are
warm yet. Instead of the 3 small measurement pulses a much larger (peak-white level)
warm-up pulse is generated. This looks like a big fat white line at the top (above the
screen edge).
The video control IC waits for the beam current to increase (to approx. 5 mA for the 3
guns together) before it will release the black level control loop. This is measured
over the same BCI line, a diode adds an extra load resistor to this line so that a large
beam current is required to cross the detection level. After this level is reached (was it
+8 or +9 V ?) the black level stabilization starts, and after almost a second the picture
is unblanked. It should be correct at once.

(I have often argued that this long delay is not pleasing to the customer who would
rather have a faint picture earlier.)

Reasons why the warm-up trip level may not be reached are:

o The pulse is not strong enough, sometimes it can be adjusted via the same pin
on the IC that adjusts the peak drive limiter,
o The emission of the cathodes is not enough (too cold, worn out cathode
surface or too low VG2 voltage = screen voltage),
o The measurement resistor is too low value (via that diode),
o The beam current info circuit at the video output amplifiers does not work
well, often because the CRT cathode voltage goes too low and the voltage on
BCI can not be higher than that.

If there is too little beam current in general then I would start with re-adjusting the
VG2 screen voltage. Because of the automatic black level stabilization this will NOT
have any obvious effect on the picture. The stabilization just follows the VG2.

If VG2 is too low then the peak drive limiter will kick in too early and you can't get a
decent contrast. Also the picture will be less sharp because at a lower cutoff voltage a
smaller cathode area is used plus there's your problem with the warm-up detector.

If VG2 is too high then the video signal can not achieve blanking level anymore and
you will see retrace lines. Also the cathodes will wear out faster because at a higher
cutoff voltage a smaller cathode area is used, you'll have a sharper picture but not for
long.

The proper adjustment procedure for VG2 is in the service doc, you need to observe
the measurement pulses on an oscilloscope. But a little twist won't hurt too much,
especially if you have already written off the CRT.

(I have the advantage of having known the people who invented this system many
years ago, they were once my teachers.)

What is Kell factor with respect to interlaced displays?

(The following is from Bob Myers (myers@fc.hp.com).)

The Kell factor - which has to do with the fact that we're often undersampling an
image from the standpoint of the Gospel According to St. Nyquist - IS a factor in the
reduction of vertical resolution, but interlacing plays a part as well. This comes from
at least two factors:
 52. The receiver usually cannot precisely interleave the two fields.
53. More importantly, there are steps taken to reduce the interline flicker which
reduce the effective vertical resolution. This includes running the line width of
the display somewhat larger than would otherwise be the case, and in
interlaced cameras, discharging the entire screen (including the lines from the
"other" field) after every field scanned.

Interlace is particularly troublesome on moving images, where you will often perceive
momentarily "missing" details. There was a LOT of discussion regarding the gory
details of interlacing in the recent HDTV debates within SMPTE and other groups.

Homemade V-chip (or at least viewing limiter)

Here is an interesting questions:

"I would like a control box of some sort that controls the cable signal that comes into
the TV. I want to be able to control the total time a particular child has in his account
to watch, plus the actual channels that he is allowed to watch (no Playboy or MTV),
PLUS the time of day that he can watch (not during home work time). Programmable
by channel, cumulative time, hour of the day, and day of the week. I also need a
master pass word for parental programming of the kids accounts, plus be able to
watch what I want to at any time. The kids could use either an individual account
number or an individual "card" of some kind with a PIN like our ATM cards. This
"box" should be secure so that a 14 year old boy can't bypass it very easily. At least
without doing come major damage so that I'd know it when he did it. I know that this
is a lot to ask, but I'm very familiar with computer programming and chipset
technology, I do know that such a thing can be done. I just don't have the electronics
knowledge to do it."

The following probably won't help you build such a gizmo but here are some
thoughts:

First, I would not attempt to build any of the RF/cable switching stuff - there are too
many variations. I would suggest trying to control the control of what you have. With
a cable box, this would be relatively easy - just put the box and an IR transmitter in
the same sealed enclosure. If you have only a cable ready TV, you could substitute or
intercept the remote detector signal inside the set and disable the front panel controls.

Then you need:

o An input devices - keypad for example.

o A display - a 1 line LCD.
o A microprocessor. This doesn't need to be much - just to store the 'account
information' including balance, allowable channel and time slot map,
passwords. It would need a real time clock.
o An IR remote code transmitter. This could probably be directly programmed
by the micro to control your cable box.

Each account would have a means of adding to the balance, password authentication,
etc.
You would have a superuser account for your own watching as well as changing any
of the individual account settings.

Too bad I don't still teach my intro to computer design courses - this would make a
nice term project.

If you have a junker PC, this would be a simple bit of programming (but quite
wasteful of power even for an 8088 based PC).

What is Aquadag?

You may see the term 'Aquadag' referring the the black paint covering the outside of
most of the funnel section of the CRT.

(From: Nicholas Bodley (nbodley@tiac.net).)

Aquadag used to be a trademark of Acheson Colloids [Corp.?], I think around Niagara

Falls or Buffalo, NY. It was one of many "-dag" colloidal graphites; they also made
Oildag, Gredag (grease), and Alcoholdag, as I recall. Unfortunately, it's probably sold
in 55-gallon drums minimum. I hope you can find smaller quantities. Are there any
CRT rebuild shops around the USA? See the Thomas Catalog (ThomCat) in a library
to find Acheson.

I am pretty sure there's nothing magic about the graphite. If you can find some
reasonably-priced nickel-flake or copper-flake paint (be sure it's conductive!), you
might have an affordable (?) coating. How about plain metal foil, maybe even
ordinary aluminum foil? You surely don't need current-carrying capacity; you would
need a decent adhesive, though. How to make sure you have continuity between
pieces, I'm not so sure; shoot for really tight crimps that deform the metal and are gas-
tight. (This might, however, be quite unnecessary.)

Combined computer monitor and TV

"This is a 27" VGA monitor which should also be able to be used as an NTSC
television monitor. Can anybody comment on it?"

IMO, I think the entire idea of a combined TV/computer monitor is silly especially
when the likely cost premium is taken into account. Watching the boob tube will tie
up your entire PC. The optimal size for TV and computer use is not the same nor are
the requirements in terms of scan rate, resolution, brightness, and sharpness. Thus, the
design will be inherently more expensive and include more compromises. So, I will
probably be proved wrong by record sales of these things but my only justification for
such a hybrid would be if there were absolutely no space for both.

Interesting TV Switch Mode Power Supply

The following was found in a Sony TV:

Q1 switching/reg
transistor
 (+) ---
+---+-------------| |---------------+-----------+
+--+ | _|_ --- | _|_
AC >--| |--+ --- C1 | | diode /_\ D2
| | | | | |
AC >--| |------+---+ +-----+------+ | |
+--+ (-) | | Reg. Drive | C |
D1 | +-----+------+ C choke +----
gnd
| | C _|_
| | | +135 cap --- C2
| | | I---> |+
+----------+----------------+-----------+--->
+ 135

Although at first this appears to short out the line supply, when drawn like this it turns
out to be a valid switching regulator:

o Q1 is driven by a pulse width modulated signal a the horizontal rate.

o Q1 turns on putting 150 V across choke. Current ramps up in choke - more or
less linear until saturation which should not occur. This time increases with
increasing load.
o Q1 turns off. Since current in an inductor cannot change instantly, current
continues to flow, now through D2, C2, and +135 load. LCR (R of load,
diode) time constant - charges capacitor and powers load.

It would appear to fail and run away under the following circumstances:

61. Inductance is too low and choke cannot store enough energy even at high duty
cycle to supply load. Too high a duty cycle and core saturates at which point
transistor blows up.
62. Inductance is too high relative to switching frequency so that choke does not
have time to discharge (its current) before next current pulse - DC current will
just keep increasing until core saturates. This could only really happen if the
switching frequency were too high for some reason unless someone changed
core material or something like t.
63. Load is too great due to fault elsewhere.

Unfortunately for reliability and troubleshooting, many modern power supply designs
have similar failings.

When attempting to diagnose problems with these types of circuits where the natural
outcome of a fault is for one or more expensive parts to fail catastrophically, it is wise
to either use a Variac to bring up the input voltage slowly and carefully observe the
behavior hopefully before too late or put a load in series with the line such as a 100W
light bulb to limit the current (though this will change the behavior in various ways).

The horizontal output transistor substitution jig trick

(From: penguin@datastar.net).
Okay, here's a good trick you can use for almost all TV work. Mount a TO-3
transistor socket on a heatsink that has about as much surface area as the skin of both
fists balled up, actually the bigger the heatsink the better. Then mount a horizontal
output transistor in the socket. Use an ECG238 or equivalent. Make sure you use a
good mica insulator, as there will be over a thousand volts on the collector.

Solder a 1.5 foot red wire (18 gauge or bigger) to the collector, an equal but yellow
wire to the base and an equal but green wire to the emitter (or use your own color
codes). You may be able to salvage a ready made heatsink with socket out of an old
receiver or TV. Mine came out of some old Curtis Mathes TV's. Solder a damper
diode with the cathode to the collector and the anode to the emitter. Add a 200 ohm
1/4 watt resistor from base to emitter. Add these parts to the socket not the transistor,
so the transistor can easily be changed if you ever need to.

Now you have a very useful test jig. If you are ever working on a TV that has a blown
HOT (horizontal output transistor) you can pull out the bad part and connect this jig.
Then you can run the set at low voltage.

If you have a set where the HOT is running too hot, this method often will give you
some running time, hopefully enough time to find out what the problem is. Often the
bad parts themselves will self destruct or heat up to where identifying them is easy.
Usually a bad flyback will crack and smoke proving itself to be bad. Once your
satisfied that the problem is cured, you can put the original HOT in knowing it will be
safe.

Usually when I power a TV in this way (using a Variac) I'll bypass the series pass
regulator with a jumper. This is easily done by finding the 180 to 330 ohm 15 to 20
watt regulator bypass resistor and putting a jumper across it. With the regulator
bypassed the power supply will go to 160 volts this is why it is necessary to use a
Variac and only run it at about 60 volts. It is necessary when using this brute force
approach, to make sure that all of the low voltage supplies coming off the flyback are
fused with fusible resistors. Most models do fuse the LV supplies, but some don't.
(One particular RCA comes to mind.)   Another good trick, if your out in the field and
don't have a varactor handy, is to simply pull the series pass regulator (e.g. STR30130
etc.) and let all the power just come through the 20 w bypass resistor. If the flyback is
okay the B+ to the flyback will come up to about 60 to 90 volts, and in many cases
you can even see a dim picture.  Anything less than 50-60 volts and the flyback is
probably bad. Don't run it this way for more than a minute or two as the the resistor
will be dissipating close to or more than its rated power under these circumstances. Of
coarse you obviously can't use this method with switching power supplies.

Here's a good trick for the Sony TVs that use the SG-613, even though this device is a
gate controlled SCR you can sub a regular HOT like the ECG238 on your test jig. I
used to blow out these buggers to the tune of about $20 dollars a pop til I figured out
how to use the "HOT Heatsink Jig". Now with the jig connected, the horizontal width
may not open up all the way, but you can run these old Sony's like this for about 5
minutes before the HOT jig starts to get too hot. Usually if they run this long they're
ok and then you can put the SG-613 in knowing that you aren't going to see a bunch
of $$$ go up in smoke. I had a Sony that would run for weeks then blow the SG-613
finally put this one to rest when I changed out the horizontal output transformer which
was separate from the flyback on this oldie.

Always be cautious of the high voltage on the collector of the HOT JIG.

Ken's comments on (TV) SMPS repair

(From Kenneth Aaron (kennetha@geocities.com).)

64. NEVER NEVER NEVER power on a SMPS without load, the newer ones
especially in TVs (not so much VCRs) self destruct when not loaded.
65. The light bulb test is great to see if your SMPS can handle the load of the
horizontal circuits - when the set does not turn on - you get the initial power
on then it goes off - best is to disconnect the collector of the horizontal output
transistor and plug in a light bulb and see if it goes on.
66. Chinese TVs have poor quality capacitors - the latest models mostly have the
same SMPS so this applies for all. There is a small electrolyte cap in the
supply feedback about 22 to 47uF at 50V. This dries up real fast and after 2
years or so the voltage B+ goes up from 110 V to anything up to 300 V! (not
joking here). I got a TV where the end of the tube was blown off from a
supply that reached 296 V instead of 105 V. that's over 75kV into the screen!
67. The newer Philips and copycat Chinese models use the main supply to power
the horizontal. The flyback is driven by a transistor which has over 2500 V on
it's collector. The flyback is built differently as well. These transistors are
called 2DS... - do not use a replacement - I did use one with a higher voltage
and it fried - this is because the ceramic capacitors around it along with it's
different characteristics changed the 'on' time and it overheated after a few
minutes.
68. You can always use a BU208D instead of a BU208A, BU508D instead of
BU508A, etc, the extra diode will do no harm.

IR detector circuit

This IR Detector may be used for testing of IR remote controls, CD player

laserdiodes, and other low level near IR emitters.

Component values are not critical. Purchase photodiode sensitive to near IR - 750-900
um or salvage from optocoupler or photosensor. Dead computer mice, not the furry
kind, usually contain IR sensitive photodiodes. For convenience, use a 9V battery for
power. Even a weak one will work fine. Construct so that LED does not illuminate the
photodiode!

The detected signal may be monitored at the collector of the transistor (Q1) with an
oscilloscope.

Vcc (+9 V) >-------+---------+

| |
| \
/ / R3
\ R1 \ 500
 / 3.3K /
\ __|__
| _\_/_ LED1 Visible LED
__|__ |
IR ----> _/_\_ PD1 +--------> Scope monitor point
Sensor | |
Photodiode | B |/ C
+-------| Q1 2N3904
| |\ E
\ |
/ R2 +--------> GND
\ 27K |
/ |
| |
GND >--------+---------+
_|_
-

UK Satellite TV information

(From: Martin Pickering).

Here is a list of the FAQs and other documents related to UK satellite TV available at:

o Satcure Web Site

by adding the appropriate file name to the URL, above, or following the links.

aegir.htm The Aegir/Dixi/Lenco/Oritron Jupiter D2Mac decoder FAQ

churchil.htm The Alfaglade Churchill D2Mac decoder FAQ
d2mac.htm A general discussion about buying D2Mac decoders
digifaq.htm Chris Moore explains Digital Satellite Receivers
diseqc.htm An explanation of DiSeqC
dummies.htm Satellite TV for the beginner
filmnet.htm Philips BBD-901 FilmNet D2Mac decoder FAQ
galaxis.htm Galaxis digital receiver specifications
grd150.htm Grundig GRD150/200/280/300 receiver FAQ
interf.htm A discussion about picture interference problems
jack.htm Lots of humorous stories originally published in
magazines
lnb.htm A discussion about various LNBs and frequencies
money.htm How to make money from Satellite TV!
mrd920.htm Pace MRD920 D2Mac receiver FAQ
mss200.htm Pace MSS200/Apollo receiver FAQ
mss500.htm Pace MSS500/1000 receiver FAQ
nimbus.htm Mimtec Nimbus receiver FAQ
prdkits.htm Upgrade kits for Pace PRD receivers explained
products.htm Index page for SatCure products
reliable.htm A discussion about making your receiver more reliable
sat1700.htm Nokia SAT1700 receiver FAQ
sataccs.htm SatCure accessories page
satbooks.htm SatCure books page
satfaqs.htm Index page for all FAQs
satkits.htm Satcure repair/upgrade kits page
satwalk.htm A discussion about the SatWalker and other motorised
units
scarts.htm A discussion about Scart connectors - which is best?
 spares.htm A complete price list of SatCure component spares
sparkly.htm A discussion about "sparlies" ("fischen") and the
cures
sr5500.htm Echostar SR5500 receiver FAQ
srd400.htm Amstrad SRD400 receiver FAQ
srd500.htm Amstrad SRD500 receiver FAQ
srd510.htm Amstrad SRD510 receiver FAQ
srd600.htm Amstrad SRD600 receiver FAQ
srx200.htm Amstrad SRX200 receiver FAQ
ss9kits.htm Upgrade kits for Pace SS9xxx receivers explained
svs250.htm BT-SVS250 receiver FAQ
tools.htm A discussion about repair tools
uniden.htm Uniden UST- receiver models FAQ
which.htm Which receiver shall I buy?
advice.htm What to do if your receiver will not work?
ard200.htm Cambridge ARD200, BT-SVS200, JVC TU-AD1000 receiver
FAQ
ctu900.htm Philips CTU900 D2Mac decoder FAQ
mss100.htm Pace Prima/MSS100 receiver FAQ
prd.htm Pace PRD800/900 receiver FAQ
rd480.htm Cambridge/Matsui RD480 Extra receiver FAQ
srd6.htm Ferguson SRD6 receiver FAQ
srd700.htm Amstrad/Fidelity SRD700, SR950, SR950+ receiver FAQ
ss9.htm Pace SS9xxx receiver FAQ
svs300.htm BT-SVS300 receiver FAQ
why.htm "Why am I in business" - a discussion for when you're
down!
yourfaqs.htm Copies of questions and answers - let's have more!

64. Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

International Color Television Standards

Brief description of international color TV standards

(The following is from Bob Myers: (myers@fc.hp.com).)

Well, the joke was that SECAM stands for System Essentially Contrary to the
American Method....:-)

The basic, oversimplified description of the three common encoding methods is as

follows:

NTSC: Used in North America, Japan, and a few other areas. Luminance ("black and
white" information) is sent just as it was before color, and color information is
provided in two "color difference" signals (actually, derived along with the luminance
(Y) signal) via matrix multiplication) which are carried on a "color subcarrier". The
chroma (color) signals are severely band-limited compared to the luminance signal,
which is one reason you can never fully recover proper RGB from an NTSC-encoded
signal. The color information itself is encoded such that the PHASE of the chroma
signals, relative to the reference signal, is important in recovering the color. As used
in the U.S., the broadcast standard provides a line rate of approx. 15,734.26 Hz, and a
field rate of 59.94+ Hz*

PAL: Very similar to NTSC, with the exception that the phase of the color subcarrier
is reversed on alternate lines; this tends to cancel some of the more common color
errors seen in the NTSC system. (The color signals of PAL are also simple color-
difference signals, rather than using the more involved RGB -> YIQ matrix of
NTSC). In the most common European PAL broadcast systems, a line rate of 15,625
Hz and a field rate of 50.00 Hs are used*.

SECAM: This system is very different from both NTSC and PAL. Luminance and
color-difference signals are still used, but the color difference signals are sent
separately, on successive lines. This requires at least a one-line memory or delay line
be provided in the receiver for proper color decoding. The broadcast SECAM systems
usually use similar line/field rates as for the PAL broadcast standards noted above*.

Note: In all three cases, the terms "NTSC", "PAL", and "SECAM" technically refer
only to the COLOR-ENCODING systems described above; they do not specifically
imply a set of timing standards or frequencies. The one possible exception to this is
the use of the term "NTSC", since the U.S. National Television Standards Committee
ALSO came up with various timing standards for U.S. television. But in all cases, the
color encoding method is not *strongly* tied to a specific line/field timing. For
example, there is at least one broadcast system (Brazil's) which uses NTSC encoding,
but at the line/field rates more commonly seen in the European systems.

Some questions and answers about TV standards

(Responses from: Steve McKinty: (smckinty@france.sun.com))

1. What are the most common TV standards in the world?

NTSC: National Television Standards Committee PAL: Phase Alternate Line

SECAM: SEquential Couleur Avec Memoire (Sequential colour with memory)

There are other differences though. Strictly they are just different colour systems, but
most countries which use PAL have 625 lines in a picture and send 25 full
pictures/second, most NTSC countries have 525 lines and send 30 full pictures/second
(mostly for historical rather than technical reasons). That complicates things.

2. Who devised them, and when? and why? Are they as old as television?

The first serious TV experimenting was done in several countries around the period
1900-1930, mostly black & white. The BBC started a regular service in 1936, other
countries followed soon after, but since the technology was developing very rapidly
there were always improvements being made. The BBC started with 405 lines, the US
started a service a couple of years later with 525, by the time other European countries
started the technology allowed 625 lines. France even tried 819 lines.

All those system were black & white, but people wanted to have colour. During the
1940's much of Europe was at war, and technological development for entertainment
slowed down, but in the US they were able to continue and devised a colour system
which was compatible with the existing black & white one.

By compatible I mean that a black & white TV got a black & white picture, a colo(u)r
one got a colour picture. No need to make people throw away their B&W TVs. This
system was endorsed by the American National Television Standards Committee, and
was named after it => NTSC.

After the war other countries started to look at colour. NTSC was a very clever
system, but it had some flaws. Engineers in various countries tried to improve on it,
and Telefunken in Germany came up with a simple modification which improved
colour stability. It was named PAL because they reversed the Phase of the colour
signal on Alternate Lines.

At the same time Henri de France, in France, fixed the same flaw in a different way.
His design (SECAM) needed a memory inside the set which made it more expensive.
PAL gave as good a result, so most countries opted for that. France stayed with
SECAM, possibly because in the De Gaulle era of the 50's memories of German
occupation were still fresh, and dropping a French system in favour of a German one
would have been unpopular. Rumour has it that the French government subsidized
Thomson to make memory affordable.

Since Britain went PAL, France went SECAM, and the US went NTSC, any colonies
or dependencies of those countries tended to get the same system. India/Pakistan got
PAL, Algeria got SECAM, and since the US helped rebuild Japan after WW2 it got
NTSC, etc.

3. What's the difference?

To squeeze a colour signal into the same space as a black & white one, and stay
compatible, the NTSC designers separated the colour and brightness information. The
human eye is less sensitive to colour, so they were able to reduce the bandwidth of
that signal (make it take up less space in each channel), 'hiding' it at the high-
frequency end of the video. That meant they didn't need to make the channels bigger,
and incompatible.

To do that, they used the fact that you can represent most colours with a combination
of Red, Green and Blue. If you film a scene with three cameras, one for each colour,
then add all the outputs together you get a black & white image. This signal is called
luminance, usually represented by 'Y'. Mathematically Y = R + G + B. (Actually, not
all the contributions are equal).

They then transmitted the Y signal just as for a black & white TV, and also
transmitted the R and B in the extra colour signal. B&W TV's only saw Y, and colour
TV's got Y, R and B. Since Y = R + B + G, G can be obtained as Y - (R+B), so they
didn't need to transmit all three.

To get both R and B into one signal, they use a combination of Phase and Amplitude
modulation (think of it as AM and FM at the same time). Its called quadrature
modulation, and works very well, but is susceptible to phase changes as it passes
along cables, etc. If the signal gets +10 degrees phase change the colour will visibly
change, which is why NTSC TV's have a tint control.

PAL overcomes that by sending R and +B on one line, then R and -B on the next.
That way a +10 phase shift on one line becomes -10 on the next, and small differences
will cancel out. PAL TV's don't need tint controls. (Some old PAL sets may have a
one, however).

SECAM doesn't send both R & B together, it sends R on one line, B on the next. No
fancy modulation, so no phase problems, but you need a 'memory' in the set to save
up the signal from the previous line, since both R & B are required together for
processing.

4. Why do you need different TVs?

Mostly because of the different numbers of lines. Its quite easy to make one colour
decoder which can cope with all the systems, but making a TV which can do 625 and
525 lines, 25 and 30 pictures/second, gets expensive. Consumers shop on price, no-
one will buy a SECAM TV in the USA even if it only costs $20 more, since there
aren't any SECAM channels.

5. Why do you need different VCRs? Why can't one VCR record the same
"output"?

Some can, but like TVs it costs more to make them adjust. The motor speed varies
with the number of pictures transmitted per second, for example. (This is covered in
more detail in the document: Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of Video
Cassette Recorders.)

6. Why did different systems evolve? Is one cheaper? Is one better?

When originally developed, expense was considered based on contemporary

technology. As noted, politics may have been equally important.

As to which has better quality, its all rather subjective. The 625-line system adopted
in Europe has better vertical resolution than the 525-line US system, but some people
find the 50Hz field rate still produces some flicker. NTSC/PAL/SECAM are all
equally capable of excellent colour reproduction, but under poor signal conditions
NTSC can degrade more quickly.

7. Are there other systems besides the ones I've mentioned? Why?

Some others, like MAC where the colour and luminance are completely separated.
That gets rid of interference (ever see the strange colours which appear on very fine
check patterns?) but is more expensive and really only possible due to modern
electronics.

8. Are there going to be more or less systems in the future?

That is THE question! There are certainly going to be different systems, more lines,
better sound, etc.

9. Is there any way to convert a PAL tape to NTSC or vice versa?

Yes. If the PAL tape has 625 line pictures and the NTSC one has 525 line then you
normally need a computer which can read in one format and re-adjust things. Not
cheap, but becoming cheaper, several companies offer that sort of service. Some PAL
VCRs can do a half-conversion, enough to fool most PAL TVs into thinking its got a
PAL signal.

10. Do they teach this stuff in electrical engineering courses?

Sometimes. Some of it, depends a lot on the course and school.

Politically Correct TV Standards

(The following is from: Robert Rolf).

SECAM:
Used by France and the former Soviet union.
No tint control. No color control.
Full socialism. The state knows exactly what color you
should see, and how strong that color should be.

PAL:
Used by Germany & UK, Australia etc.
No tint control. A color control.
Partial socialism. The state knows exactly what color
you
should see, but you get a choice as to how strong it
can be.

NTSC:
Used in USA and Canada, Japan etc.
A tint control, A color control.
Uncontrolled socialism. The state lets you chose what
color you
see and how strong it can be. They then tax you
regardless.

Just another way of looking at it....

Variations on a 'standard' - the PAL system

In the U.S., when PAL is mentioned, it is usually assumed to be 625 line/50 Hz as

used in the UK and man other places. However, there are several variations on the
PAL system.

(The following from: Ed Ellers

I can think of five major groups right off:

PAL B/G/H - 625-line 50 Hz systems used in most European countries and many
countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

PAL I - Again 625 lines at 50 Hz, but with a different sound carrier frequency. Used
in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong, South Africa and a few
other places I've forgotten.

PAL D/K - Yet another 625-line system with a different sound carrier. Used in some
former Warsaw Pact countries as well as mainland China; this may become more
popular as PAL/SECAM receivers become common in the CIS republics and other
former Soviet bloc countries, since those countries now use SECAM D/K.

PAL M - This one's 525 lines at 59.94 Hz; it's just like NTSC except for PAL-type
color encoding. It's used mainly in Brazil.

PAL N - A real oddity, with 625-line 50 Hz video but a *lower* sound carrier and a
lower color subcarrier than the B/G/H, I and D/K varieties. It's used in Argentina and
a few other places.

What about PAL sets WITH a tint/hue control?

Here is one for the record books - a Sony PAL TV that really wants to be NTSC!

(From: Tony Duell (ard@p850ug1.demon.co.uk).)

Although this very old Sony set (KV-1300) receives PAL signals, it's much closer to
an NTSC set inside. In fact it's one of the strangest PAL decoders that I have ever
seen. As you know, in the PAL system, the phase of one of the colour signals is
inverted on each line, and in the receiver there's a bistable which switches at half the
line rate to re-invert the colour signal on alternate lines. Well, to avoid a patent, the
Sony set only uses (say) the in-phase colour signal that's received on alternate lines.
For the lines in between it uses the previous line's colour signal (ignoring the
incoming inverted one), which has been stored in a delay line.

This approach avoids the main patent on the PAL system. It also means that this set
doesn't automatically correct for phase errors in the colour signals - it's almost an
NTSC decoder. Hence the hue control (which is also on my kV1320UB schematic).
It's just about the only set like that.

TV, shortwave, power worldwide

(From: Mark Zenier (mzenier@netcom.com).)

A book, "The World Radio TV Handbook" published by Billboard that covers TV,
along with where all the world's shortwave radio transmitters are, and what sort of
power comes out of the wall plug all around the world. It has a new edition each year
and costs around $25 to $30.

Color television standards worldwide

(The following is from EDMUNDO, Design Engineer Ten-Lab. This and additional
information are available at: http://www.tenlab.com/format.htm).

We at Ten-Lab have put together the following chart listing countries and their
corresponding color TV standards.

We are trying to be as accurate as possible, but we need your feedback to refine and
correct the information. We are doing the best we can in spite of inherent problems
such as:

1. Some of the literature and charts are contradictory; even some books and
manuals contradict each other more than they agree.
2. Many countries have changed their names during the last few years.
3. Some countries have one broadcast TV system, but also receive programs in a
different system from beyond their borders. This creates some confusion about
the format(s) used locally.

INTERNATIONAL TV STANDARDS CHART by TEN-LAB (UPDATED Jan 19, 1996)

COUNTRY VHF STANDARD UHF STANDARD

AFGANISTAN PAL/SECAM B

ALBANIA PAL B PAL G

ALGERIA PAL B PAL G

ANGOLA PAL I

ARGENTINA PAL N PAL N

AUSTRALIA PAL B PAL G

AUSTRIA PAL B PAL G

AZORES PAL B

BAHAMAS NTSC M

BAHRAIN PAL B PAL G

BANGLADESH PAL B

BARBADOS NTSC M

BELGIUM PAL B PAL H

BERMUDA NTSC M

BOLIVIA NTSC M

BOTSWANA PAL I
BOURKINA FASO SECAM K1

BRAZIL PAL M PAL M

BRUNEI PAL B

BULGARIA SECAM D SECAM K

BURMA NTSC M

BURUNDI SECAM K1

CAMBODIA NTSC M

CAMEROON PAL B PAL G

CANADA NTSC M NTSC M

CANARY ISLANDS PAL B

CHAD SECAM K1

CHILE NTSC M NTSC M

CHINA PAL D

COLOMBIA NTSC M NTSC M

COSTA RICA NTSC M NTSC M

CUBA NTSC M NTSC M

CYPRUS PAL G PAL G

CZECHOSLOVAKIA: now

CZECH REPUBLIC PAL PAL

SLOVAK REPUBLIC PAL PAL

DAHOMEY SECAM K1

DENMARK PAL B PAL G

DJIBHOUTI SECAM B SECAM G

DOMINICAN REP NTSC M NTSC M

ECUADOR NTSC M NTSC M

EGYPT SECAM B SECAM G

EL SALVADOR NTSC M NTSC M

EQUATORIAL GUINEA PAL B

ETHIOPIA PAL B PAL G

FIJI PAL B

FINLAND PAL B PAL G

FRANCE SECAM L SECAM L

FRENCH POLYNESIA K1

GABON SECAM K1

GAMBIA PAL I

GERMANY PAL B PAL G

GHANA PAL B PAL G

GIBRALTAR PAL B PAL H

GREECE SECAM/PAL B SECAM/PAL G

GREENLAND NTSC M/PAL B

GUADELOUPE SECAM K1

GUAM NTSC M

GUATEMALA NTSC M NTSC M

GUANA (FRENCH) SECAM K1

GUINEA PAL K

HONDURAS NTSC M NTSC M

HONG KONG PAL I

HUNGARY SECAM D/PAL SECAM K/PAL

ICELAND PAL B PAL G

INDIA PAL B

INDONESIA PAL B PAL G

IRAN SECAM B SECAM G

IRAQ SECAM B

IRELAND PAL I PAL I

ISRAEL PAL B PAL G

ITALY PAL B PAL G

IVORY COAST SECAM K1

JAMAICA NTSC M

JAPAN NTSC M NTSC M

JORDAN PAL B PAL G

KENYA PAL B PAL G

KOREA NORTH SECAM D

KOREA SOUTH NTSC M NTSC M

KUWAIT PAL B

LEBANON SECAM B SECAM G

LIBERIA PAL B PAL H

LIBYA SECAM B SECAM G

LUXEMBOURG PAL B PAL G/SECAM L

MADAGASCAR SECAM K1

MADEIRA PAL B

MALAGASY SECAM K1

MALAWI PAL B PAL G

MALAYSIA PAL B

MALI SECAM K1

MALTA PAL B PAL H

MARTINIQUE SECAM K1

MAURITANIA SECAM B

MAURITIUS SECAM B

MEXICO NTSC M NTSC M

MONACO SECAM L

MONGOLIA SECAM D

MOROCCO SECAM B

MOZAMBIQUE PAL B

NAMIBIA PAL I
NEPAL PAL B

NETHERLANDS PAL B PAL G

NETH. ANTILLES NTSC M NTSC M

NEW CALEDONIA SECAM K1

NEW GUINEA PAL B PAL G

NEW ZEALAND PAL B PAL G

NICARAGUA NTSC M NTSC M

NIGER SECAM K1

NIGERIA PAL B PAL G

NORWAY PAL B PAL G

OMAN PAL B PAL G

PAKISTAN PAL B

PANAMA NTSC M NTSC M

PARAGUAY PAL N

PERU NTSC M NTSC M

PHILIPPINES NTSC M NTSC M

POLAND SECAM D/PAL SECAM K/PAL

PORTUGAL PAL B PAL G

PUERTO RICO NTSC M NTSC M

QATAR PAL B

REUNION SECAM K1

RUMANIA PAL D PAL K

RUSSIA SECAM D SECAM K

RWANDA SECAM K1

SABAH/SARAWAK PAL B

ST. KITTS NTSC M NTSC M

SAMOA NTSC M

SAUDI ARABIA SECAM B/PAL B SECAM G

SENEGAL SECAM K1

SEYCHELLES PAL B PAL G

SIERRA LEONE PAL B PAL G

SINGAPORE PAL B PAL G

SOMALIA PAL B PAL G

SOUTH AFRICA PAL I PAL I

SPAIN PAL B PAL G

SRI LANkA PAL B

SUDAN PAL B PAL G

SURINAM NTSC M NTSC M

SWAZILAND PAL B PAL G

SWEDEN PAL B PAL G

SWITZERLAND PAL B PAL G

SYRIA SECAM B

TAHITI SECAM K1

TAIWAN NTSC M NTSC M

TANZANIA PAL B PAL B

THAILAND PAL B

TOGO SECAM K

TRINIDAD Y TOBAGO NTSC M NTSC M

TUNISIA SECAM B

TURKEY PAL B PAL G

UGANDA PAL B PAL G

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES PAL B PAL G

UNITED KINGDOM PAL I

UPPER VOLTA SECAM K1

URUGUAY PAL N PAL N

USA NTSC M NTSC M

VENEZUELA NTSC M NTSC M

VIETNAM PAL B PAL G

YEMEN PAL B

YUGOSLAVIA PAL B PAL G

ZAIRE SECAM K1

ZAMBIA PAL B PAL G

ZIMBABWE PAL B PAL G

Cable channel allocation

(The following is from: (kruskal@watson.ibm.com (Vincent Kruskal).)

The following table gives the definitions of the numeric cable channels defined in the
EIA (Electronic Industries Association) Interim Standards, IS-6 (CP), May 1983 and
associated information that has been gathered. Definitions appear at the end.

HRC
Picture
Channel Carrier Cable Band Other Names
-------- ------- ----------- --------------------------

1 72 MHz Low (VAR) A-8, C54, J54, G64, 4+, 5A

2 54 Low

3 60 Low

4 66 Low

5 78 Low A-7, C55, J55, G65

6 84 Low A-6, C56, J56, G66

7 174 High

8 180 High

9 186 High

10 192 High

11 198 High

12 204 High
13 210 High

14 120 Mid A

15 126 Mid (ATC) B

16 132 Mid (ATC) C

17 138 Mid (VAR) D

18 144 Mid (VAR) E

19 150 Mid (VAR) F

20 156 Mid (VAR) G

21 162 Mid (VAR) H

22 168 Mid (VAR) I

23 216 Super (VAR) J

24 222 Super (VAR) K

25 228 Super L

26 234 Super M

27 240 Super N

28 246 Super O

29 252 Super P

30 258 Super Q

31 264 Super R

32 270 Super S

33 276 Super T

34 282 Super U

35 288 Super V

36 294 Super W

37 300 Hyper AA, W+1

38 306 Hyper BB, W+2

39 312 Hyper CC, W+3

40 318 Hyper DD, W+4

41 324 Hyper EE, W+5

42 330 Hyper FF, W+6

43 336 Hyper GG, W+7

44 342 Hyper HH, W+8

45 348 Hyper II, W+9

46 354 Hyper JJ, W+10

47 360 Hyper KK, W+11

48 366 Hyper LL, W+12

49 372 Hyper MM, W+13

50 378 Hyper NN, W+14

51 384 Hyper OO, W+15

52 390 Hyper PP, W+16

53 396 Hyper QQ, W+17

54 402 Hyper RR, W+18, C62

55 408 Hyper SS, W+19, C63

56 414 Hyper TT, W+20, C64

57 420 Hyper (HAM) UU, W+21, C65

58 426 Hyper (HAM) VV, W+22, C66

59 432 Hyper (HAM) WW, W+23, C67

60 438 Hyper (HAM) AAA, W+24, C68

61 444 Hyper (HAM) BBB, W+25, C69

62 450 Hyper (HAM) CCC, W+26, C70

63 456 Hyper DDD, W+27, C71

64 462 Hyper EEE, W+28

65 468 Ultra U14, FFF, W+29

66 474 Ultra U15, GGG, W+30

67 480 Ultra U16, HHH, W+31

68 486 Ultra U17, III, W+32

69 492 Ultra U18, JJJ, W+33

70 498 Ultra U19, KKK, W+34

71 504 Ultra U20, LLL, W+35

72 510 Ultra U21, MMM, W+36

73 516 Ultra U22, NNN, W+37

74 522 Ultra U23, OOO, W+38

75 528 Ultra U24, PPP, W+39

76 534 Ultra U25, QQQ, W+40

77 540 Ultra U26, RRR, W+41

78 546 Ultra U27, SSS, W+42

79 552 Ultra U28, TTT, W+43

80 558 Ultra U29, UUU, W+44

81 564 Ultra U30, VVV, W+45

82 570 Ultra U31, WWW, W+46

83 576 Ultra U32, AAAA, W+47

84 582 Ultra U33, BBBB, W+48

85 588 Ultra U34, CCCC, W+49

86 594 Ultra U35, DDDD, W+50

87 600 Ultra U36, EEEE, W+51

88 606 Ultra (RA) U37, FFFF, W+52

89 612 Ultra U38, GGGG, W+53

90 618 Ultra U39, HHHH, W+54

91 624 Ultra U40, IIII, W+55

92 630 Ultra U41, JJJJ, W+56

93 636 Ultra U42, KKKK, W+57

94 642 Ultra U43, LLLL, W+58

95 90 Low (FM) A-5, C57, J57

 96 96 Low (FM) A-4, C58, J58

97 102 Low (FM) A-3, C59, J59

98 108 Low A-2, C60, J60, G60

99 114 Low A-1, C61, J61, G61

100 648 Ultra U44, MMMM, W+59

101 654 Ultra U45, NNNN, W+60

102 660 Ultra U46, OOOO, W+61

103 666 Ultra U47, PPPP, W+62

104 672 Ultra U48, QQQQ, W+63

105 678 Ultra U49, RRRR, W+64

106 684 Ultra U50, SSSS, W+65

107 690 Ultra U51, TTTT, W+66

108 696 Ultra U52, UUUU, W+67

109 702 Ultra U53, VVVV, W+68

110 708 Ultra U54, WWWW, W+69

111 714 Ultra U55, AAAAA, W+70

112 720 Ultra U56, BBBBB, W+71

113 726 Ultra U57, CCCCC, W+72

114 732 Ultra U58, DDDDD, W+73

115 738 Ultra U59, EEEEE, W+74

116 744 Ultra U60, FFFFF, W+75

117 750 Ultra U61, GGGGG, W+76

118 756 Ultra U62, HHHHH, W+77

119 762 Ultra U63, IIIII, W+78

120 768 Ultra U64, JJJJJ, W+79

121 774 Ultra U65, KKKKK, W+80

122 780 Ultra U66, LLLLL, W+81

123 786 Ultra U67, MMMMM, W+82

 124 792 Ultra U68, NNNNN, W+83

125 798 Ultra U69, OOOOO, W+84

Notes on cable and broadcast frequencies

(The following is from: (kruskal@watson.ibm.com (Vincent Kruskal).)

RF band: To get the band, subtract 1.25 from picture carrier (low end) and add 4.75
(high end).

Color subcarrier: Add 3.58... to picture carrier.

Sound carrier: Add 4.5 to picture carrier.

HRC: Harmonically Related Carrier. Makes both second- and third-order beats
invisible by making them fall directly on the picture carrier of other channels. That is,
multiplying the picture carrier by two or three will yield exactly another picture
carrier.

IRC: Incrementally Related Carrier, add 1.25 to HRC frequency. A General

Instruments (Jerrold) catalog said that IRC makes third-order (more important than
second-order) beats invisible by making them fall directly on the picture carrier of
other channels. But it is not true that multiplying an IRC picture carrier by two or
three yields another IRC picture carrier. This contradiction has not been resolved. The
reason third-order harmonics are more important is that oscillators and amplifiers tend
to generate odd-order harmonics far more than even-order ones.

Broadcast frequency: Add 1.25 to HRC frequency except for channels 5 and 6. For
them, subtract 0.75. But these are just nominal frequencies. The FCC actually has
three channel designations for each number as in 5, 5- and 5+. The minus channels are
10 kHz below the nominal value and the plus channels are 10 kHz above. For
example:

How did the (vertical) frame rate get chosen

Some people think that TVs are synchronized to the local power line since the vertical
scan rate is around 60 Hz (or 50 Hz). This is not correct.

No TV (at least once the broadcast standards were defined - some experimental
schemes did) ever used the power line for synchronization. However, older TVs had
line frequency power transformers (no SMPSs) whose stray magnetic fields could
affect the CRT deflection slightly. So it made sense (well, this is one justification at
least) to make the vertical scan rate (field rate) equal to the power line frequency.
Otherwise, there would be a jiggle or wiggle in the picture due to the stray magnetic
field affecting the deflection of the beam inside the CRT. Since it was thought at the
time (and for other reasons as well like cost) that 60 Hz was adequate to produce an
acceptable amount of flicker, this all fit together nicely.
In the good old days before color TV, the frame/field rate was exactly 30/60 Hz (or
25/50) Hz. With color, it had to be changed slightly (see the section: Why is the
NTSC color subcarrier such a weird frequency?) but since TVs no longer use line
power transformers, there would not even be a slow position shift (period of several
seconds) due to this so it didn't matter.

Why is the NTSC color subcarrier such a weird frequency?

(The following is from Bob Myers (myers@fc.hp.com).)

Actually, if we wanted to define the rates to the Nth degree, the important starting
point is the field rate. The NTSC color frame rate was defined as (60 * 1000/1001)
Hz, which is a bit more than 59.94 Hz. From this rate, all the others in the system are
defined. The line rate is 262.5 times this, and the color subcarrier is defined as 455/2
times the line rate. This is often given as simply 3.579545 MHz, but the the color
subcarrier was actually derived from the line/field rates rather than the other way
around.

The whole thing was done so as to avoid (or at least minimize) interaction between
the luminance, chrominance, and audio subcomponents in the standard color signal.
This could have been achieved by moving either the audio subcarrier or adjusting the
line and frame rates as described above. Unfortunately, the latter route was chosen,
leaving us with this very strange looking set of rates.

The precise color burst frequency winds up being 3.579545.4545... under this
definition, but giving it to the nearest Hz is within the tolerances of the system.

What is the maximal allowed deviation of the horizontal frequency?

(The following is from: Peter Bennett VE7CEI (bennett@triumf.ca))

In Canada and the US (525 line, 60 HZ, NTSC), the horizontal frequency is
15,734.264 Hz. The colour subcarrier is 455/2 times the horizontal frequency which
should come to 3.579545 MHz. I believe the tolerance on the subcarrier frequency is
+/- 10 Hz.

Informal comparison of TV standards

Q: I heard that TV in certain part of Europe has more quality in Europe then here in
North America. I'd like to know the differences between the two systems. Is that why
we cant use video tapes from there?

(Responses from: Mark Zenier (mzenier@netcom.com or mzenier@eskimo.com))

The first difference is that a lot of the world runs on 50 Hz power as opposed to North
America's 60 Hz power. In the olden days, before active power supply regulators got
cheap, it was decided that the vertical scan rate match the power supply frequency, so
that ripple in the power supply wouldn't produce obnoxious visual effects.

So the PAL/SECAM signals have 50 vertical scans per second.

I don't know the exact reasoning, but the horizontal scan rate is close to the same.
15750 (now 15734) for 60 Hz, and 15625 for 50 Hz systems. My guess is the tradeoff
between cost (50 years or so ago) and audibility for a large portion of the population.

So 50 Hz systems have more lines - 625 vs. 525 lines for 60 Hz systems.

The second difference is that European TV channels are wider. 7 or 8 MHz compared
to the North American 6 MHz. Video bandwidth is limited to 4.2 MHz in a 6 MHz
channel, but can be as much as 6 MHz in some of the 50 Hz systems. (Note: Systems
is plural. There are many different European systems with incompatible color and
sound transmission methods.)

As for the quality, if you move a little farther away, so that a pixel on each system
subtends the same angle, NTSC doesn't have a poorer picture, just a smaller one.

PAL-plus

"I wonder if you could tell me about PAL-Plus. The last time I was in
Germany was in '84 so I've been out of touch with them."

(From: Jeroen H. Stessen (Jeroen.Stessen@philips.com).)

Oh boy, here goes another long story:

PAL-plus is an attempt to extend the life-cycle of terrestrial PAL transmissions by

including compatible wide-screen (16:9) transmissions. It is an advanced variant of
the letterbox format, this means that when you receive a PAL-plus widescreen
program on an older 4:3 receiver you will see black bars top and bottom. It was
originally developed in Germany (university of Dortmund in cooperation with
German terrestrial broadcasters and some setmakers). Later a large consortium of
European and Japanese setmakers took over and finished the job. Strangely, the
German broadcasters seem to use PAL-plus only very rarely.

The PAL-plus standard comprises three extensions to the PAL-standard:

4. Vertical helper. In order to compensate for the fact that 1/4 of the video lines
are not used, which would deteriorate vertical resolution for the widescreen
viewer, the missing vertical information has been coded into the black lines in
a manner as to be nearly invisible on a 4:3 receiver (you see some dark blue).
The 16:9 PAL-plus receiver combines 432 visible lines plus 144 helper lines
into 576 new visible lines.
5. Colour-plus. The PAL colour carrier is modulated in a slightly different way
(making use of correlation between 2 fields) in order to give a cleaner Y/C
separation in the PAL-plus receiver.
6. Signaling bits from which the receiver can conclude whether the transmission
is 4:3/16:9/PAL-plus and adapt the display format accordingly. The bandwidth
of these bits is low enough to survive recording on a VHS recorder.

In order to enable a poor-man's PAL-plus receiver, the standard permits using the
mark "PAL-plus" if at least the vertical helper reconstruction is included. Colour-plus
is optional, so you will find sets on the market with only half of the PAL-plus
extension.

PAL-plus may also be combined with teletext, ghost cancellation reference, digital
Nicam stereo, VPS, PDC and what-you-have more. Theoretically it can be broadcast
over a satellite channel too, but it was not designed for that and some aspects of a
satellite channel do indeed give interesting technical problems.

There are also sets marketed as "PAL-plus compatible". These are mostly widescreen
sets without any PAL-plus processing at all, but they allow switching of the display
format between 4:3 and 16:9. They may well do that automatically, based on the
signaling bits.

There are 2 methods for displaying a 4:3 letterboxed signal on a 16:9 display, without
using the PAL-plus helper lines:

7. Increase of the vertical deflection amplitude to display only the centre 432
lines.
8. Vertical interpolation without using the helper, to convert 432 lines into 576
lines and display on a 576 lines display.

Both modes may be called "movie expand". Only when you really convert to full-
resolution widescreen will it be called "widescreen".

And there are 4 methods for displaying a regular 4:3 signal on a 16:9 display (regular
PAL, has nothing to do with PAL-plus):

9. Decrease of the horizontal deflection amplitude, this gives black bars left and
right.
10. Horizontal interpolation, to convert N pixels to 3/4*N pixels. Both modes may
be called "4:3" or "normal".
11. Non-linear horizontal deflection waveform, called "Panorama mode" by JVC,
works by increasing the S-capacitor value.
12. Non-linear horizontal interpolation, called "Superwide" by Philips, works with
an advanced sample-rate converter.

With both modes, the left and right edges of the picture will be stretched to fill the left
and right bars, but the aspect ratio of the centre part of the picture will hardly be
affected.

Interesting, huh?

More information about watching NTSC video on PAL systems

(From: Aaron Smart (spectrum_kid@hotmail.com).)

Most VCRs of remote quality sold in the British Isles (UK & Ireland) and probably
other PAL regions (and definitely in the Middle East) in the past few years say
something along the lines of "NTSC playback on PAL TV". It's usually automatic (it
often takes the VCR about a second to adjust to NTSC speed), but some older VCRs
have a switch. They don't usually go into much detail about how it's done in the
manuals, but I'm pretty sure they usually just convert the signal to NTSC 4.43. Many
decent TVs made in the last decade or so can handle this well enough, but some (most
noted are Philips sets) will only display it in a kind of 'meshed' black and white.
However, use of an RGB connection (e.g. SCART) removes this problem.

All DVD players sold in PAL regions (I think) are equipped to play NTSC video (too
bad that most of them only play Region 2 discs, which means the only NTSC discs
they can play are Japanese or region-free titles). I don't know exactly how every
player works of course, but with ones I have used, they either just play NTSC discs in
NTSC 4.43 or have the option to do that or play them in 'PAL' which I assume is PAL
4.43 at 60Hz which seems to be the same, except it won't turn out in blank and white
with a composite connection as it does on some sets.

Also, certain newer videogame consoles (Sega Dreamcast and Nintendo Gamecube
mostly) have many games that are allowed to be played in either 60 or 50Hz modes
(since most games originate from NTSC regions, and 50Hz versions are usually
slowed down and contain sometimes MASSIVE 'letterbox' borders). I don't know
about other consoles, but the Dreamcast displayed the 60Hz video modes in PAL.

Panasonic TV manuals call this system "PAL 60/525", and I've heard it called "PAL
60" before, so it must be standardised to some extent.

I've tried a few PAL TVs with displaying 60Hz (PAL or NTSC), and here's some
vague results of what happened: (O = yes, X = No. 'M' under NTSC only means black
and white with composite or RF connection - not tested with RGB. Sorry I don't know
the model numbers for all the tested sets. All models are Irish models unless stated)

TV Make/Model (if known) PAL 60 NTSC 4.43

--------------------------------------------------------
Panasonic TX-21S4TL (1998) O RGB only
Panasonic TC-14JR1L (2000) O ?
Hitachi C1405R (UK, 1994) O ?
Philips 21"(mid 90s) ? M
BPL 14" (early 90s) X X
Panasonic 21" (early 90s?) O ?
Mitsubishi 21" (late 80s?) X X
Ferguson 14" (late 90s) O O
Akura 14"(Daewoo tube, early 90s) X X
Salora 21" (circa 1990) O ?
Philips 28" (circa 2000) O* ?

* The colour was screwy at the top of the screen and was kind of
unstable.

I've noticed that on a lot of sets that 60Hz pictures go off the screen a bit (vertically),
and the OSD is stretched with it.

As for multi-region TV sets, most sets sold in the British Isles only receive PAL I RF
transmissions, but I've seen some cheaper TVs sold in Ireland with PAL G as well.
However, I have seen a widescreen Philips set (circa 2000, 32"?) that actually had a
country selection menu - and it was definitely changing to the different PAL systems
 and to SECAM when I put it on France. I personally haven't seen other TVs like this,
but there probably are others.

In the Middle East, though, it's a totally different story. In Saudi Arabia, anyway, all
TV sets and VCRs had at least PAL (dunno which one) and MESECAM support.
Most VHS VCRs had NTSC 4.43 playback, you could get multi-region TVs which
had support for PAL, SECAM, NTSC 4.43 and NTSC 3.58. I had a multi-region
Daewoo TV which had 4 LEDs below the screen to tell you which system you were
watching - how nice!

65. Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

Service Information
Advanced TV troubleshooting

If the solutions to your problems have not been covered in this document, you still
have some options other than surrendering your TV to the local service center or the
dumpster.

Also see the related document: Troubleshooting and Repair of Consumer Electronic
Equipment.

Manufacturer's service literature: Service manuals are available for a great deal of
consumer electronics. Once you have exhausted the obvious possibilities, the cost
may be well worth it. Depending on the type of equipment, these can range in price
from $10-50 or more. Some are more useful than others. However, not all include the
schematics so if you are hoping to repair an electronic problem try to check before
buying.

Inside cover of the equipment: TVs often have some kind of circuit diagram pasted
inside the back cover. In the old days, this was a complete schematic. Now, if one
exists at all, it just shows part numbers and location for key components - still very
useful. Some TVs - as late as 10 years ago, maybe even now - included a complete
schematic with the product information and owner's manual. I have a 1984 Mitsubishi
which has this. It is, however, the exception rather than the rule anymore.

Sams' Photofacts (http://www.samswebsite.com/): These have been published for

over 45 years (I don't know for how long but I have Sams' for a 1949 portable (3 inch)
Pilot TV - about as portable as an office typewriter (if you remember what one of
those was like) and are generally the best most consistent source of service info for
TVs (nearly every model that has ever been sold), radios, some VCRs and other
consumer electronics. For TV servicing, they are indispensable.
There are some Computerfacts but the number of these is very limited. The VCRfacts
are also somewhat limited and the newer ones tend to have strictly (obvious)
mechanical information.

Even if they don't list your model, they may have a folder for one using the same
chassis so search by chassis number as well. Even if this doesn't help, there still may
be a folder for models that are similar enough to be of value (though you really have
to be in the library to be able to determine this by looking at the circuit diagrams or
photos) so check out folders for other model numbers that are close to the one you
really want.

You can search this site to determine if they have a folder for your model. Service
info (EFacts) for most models manufactured after 1992 is available in electronic form
(currently) about $11. These are similar to the print PhotoFacts but may be ordered
on-line and will arrive via email within 1 business day. The hard copy versions are
also available from major electronics distributors but may be more expensive than the
EFacts. However, I don't know how quickly the Photofact is created after a new
model is introduced. So, if your set is just out of warranty, it's possible that none is
available.

Sams' Photofacts are also often available (for photocopy costs) from your local large
public library which may subscribe to the complete series.

One advantage of the Sams' info is that it is compiled in a very consistent format so
that once you are familiar with one model TV, it is easy to transfer that knowledge to
any other. They provide waveforms at key locations and DC voltage measurements
almost everywhere. Additional info such as IC pin to ground and coil resistances are
often provided as well. The manufacturer's service manuals are generally not nearly as
complete.

Note that I have no connection with Sams Technical Publishing (formerly Howard
Sams).

Elsewhere around the world, libraries may also have Sams' or other service
information:

(From: Chris Laudan (chris.laudan@zetnet.co.uk).)

This is true here in UK too, though not Sams photofacts, just schematics issued by
manufacturers. Go to the reference library and ask for Video and TV service manuals,
most main libraries carry a good selection.

(From: Michael Covington (mcovingt@ai.uga.edu).)

Concerning Sams' Photofacts, here is a bit of history that seems to be very little
known:

The name "Sams" is not an acronym, nor is it "Sam." It's the last name of Howard W.
Sams, who founded the Howard Sams publishing company (now Sams Technical
Publishing). Accordingly, they are "Sams' Photofacts" rather than any of various other
spellings that we often see on the net.

And they're a great product. Apparently "Howard W. Sams & Co., Indianapolis,
Indiana" is a sufficient address to reach them. So is 1-800-GAT-SAMS.

Service manuals for really old TVs

Try your large public library for Sams' photofacts. I found a 3" TV of from around
1948 at a yard sale. There was no problem finding a complete set of Sams' service
information including full schematics, parts list (of course, finding suitable parts like
tubes in the 1990s may be a bit more difficult than when this set was new!),
troubleshooting procedures, etc. Someday, I may even get around to fixing it. All the
paper capacitors are leaky (for starters).

BTW, the case for this 3" TV is about 18" x 10" x 15" and it includes a handy option:
a 6 inch semispherical water filled magnifier. The CRT is an oscilloscope tube. Not
your modern portable!

How to locate service info when all the little stickers have fallen off

On newer TVs, the chassis number may be printed on the mainboard.

(From: "Clifton T. Sharp, Jr."

Somewhere on the chassis there may be an inked chassis number; an example for one
color set was TS-914. A chassis number will at least get you some service
information, and should be all you need unless you plan to try to get cabinet parts for
it (chortle guffaw titter). Number should be findable on the back of the chassis (i.e.
where the pots are mounted through the chassis).

Techical assistance help numbers

Here are contact numbers for some TV manufacturers:

Curtis Mathis 1-800-949-4999 Steve Long

Mitsubishi 1-800-552-8324

NAP 1-900-896-8324

Zenith 1-800-874-1930 ext 1065 or 1066

1-800-856-0981
1-312-745-5154

Sanyo 1-800-877-5032

Panasonic 1-201-348-7957
1-201-348-7958
1-201-392-6961
1-201-392-6992
Web resources

Many manufacturers are now providing extensive information via the World Wide
Web. The answer to you question may be a mouse click away. Perform a net search or
just try to guess the manufacturer's home page address. The most obvious is often
correct. It will usually be of the form "http://www.xxx.com" where xxx is the
manufacturers' name, abbreviation, or acronym. For example, Hewlett Packard is hp,
Sun Microsystems is sun, Motorola is, you guessed it, motorola. Electronic parts
manufacturers often have detailed datasheets for their product offerings.

Radio Shack (Tandy) has a nice web resource and fax-back service. This is mostly for
their equipment but some of it applies to other brands and there are diagrams which
may be useful for other manufacturers' VCRs, TVs, CD players, camcorders, remote
controls, and other devices:

o Hitachi Service Manauls (Requires registration but should be free)

o Radio Shack Product Support

In addition to Tandy products, there is at least one Sony model. Furthermore, since
Tandy does not manufacture its own TV sets - they are other brands with Realistic,
Optimus, or other Radio Shack logos - your model may actually be covered. It may
just take a little searching to find it.

Parts information

I have found one of the most useful single sources for general information on
semiconductors to be the ECG Semiconductors Master Replacement Guide, about $6
from your local Philips distributor. STK, NTE, and others have similar manuals. The
ECG manual will enable you to look up U.S., foreign, and manufacturer 'house'
numbers and identify device type, pinout, and other information. Note that I am not
necessarily recommending using ECG (or other generic) replacements if the original
replacements are (1) readily available and (2) reasonably priced. However, the cross
reference can save countless hours searching through databooks or contacting the
manufacturers. Even if you have a wall of databooks, this source is invaluable. A
couple of caveats: (1) ECG crosses have been known to be incorrect - the
specifications of the ECG replacement part were inferior to the original. (2) Don't
assume that the specifications provided for the ECG part are identical to the original -
they may be better in some ways. Thus, using the ECG to determine the specifications
of the parts in your junk bin can be risky.

Other cross reference guides are available from the parts source listed in the section:
Repair parts sources.

Suggested references

Some good sources for technology information:

o Basic Theory of Colour Television

Philips
 Ask for this book from your local technical bookstore.

o Basic Television & Video Systems, 5th ed.

Bernard Grob
McGraw Hill

For a technical reference on the various flavours of NTSC, PAL, and SECAM used
around the world, I suggest:

o Recommendations and reports of the CCIR

volume XI, Part 1

Available from Omnicom, 115 Park St. S.E. Vienna, VA 22180 (703)281-
1135

The following book is for PAL TV-standard specifications:

o Colour Television (With particular refererence to PAL)

G.N. Patchett
Norman Price (Publishers) Ltd.

It has three heavyweight chapters describing NTSC/PAL/SECAM and has a

decent amount of math content.

The following is more directed toward digital video but may still contain some
information useful for understanding analog TV technology:

o Video demystified: A handbook for the digital engineer

Keith Jack
Brooktree Corporation, 1993
ISBN 1-878707-09-4

There don't seem to be nearly as many TV repair books for modern solid state TVs as
I recall for old tube sets. Here are a couple which you may find (or its predecessor) at
your local public library (621.384 if you library is numbered that way) or a technical
book store. MCM Electronics has the Davidson as well.

o Troubleshooting and Repairing Solid State TVs

Homer L. Davidson
2nd Edition, 1992 (The 1st edition is also useful)
TAB Books, Inc.
Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214
o Lenk's Television Handbook: Troubleshooting and Repair
John D. Lenk
McGraw Hill, 1994
ISBN 0-07-037517-8

(Recommended by: Larry Sabo (sabo@storm.ca).)

 o Color and Black & White Television Theory and Servicing
Alvin A. Liff and Sam Wilson.

(Recommended by: Michael Caplan (cy173@freenet.carleton.ca) who has the

following comments.)

There are three editions, the first going back to 1979. I've used both the second
(1985) and third (1993) editions (ISBN 0-13-150012-0). The latter
incorporates more digital circuitry and virtually no tube systems. The second
has somewhat more tube-based information, but still focuses on
semiconductor circuits. The first edition, I understand, had far more tube
system detail.

o Basic Television Principles & Servicing

Bernard Grob
o Complete TV Servicing Handbook
Walter H. Buchsbaum
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1985

The following is a recent publication:

o Troubleshooting and Repair Guide to TV

PROMPT Publications (Howard W. Sams), 1-800-428-7267
ISBN #0-7906-1077-9, $29.95.

From the advertising blurb for this book:

"This book, 300 pages of detailed photos, schematic diagrams, and text
explains in easy to understand language how TV works, how to troubleshoot
problems, and advice on how to fix them. The Howard W. Sams
Troubleshooting and Repair Guide to TV is the perfect reference book for
technicians, instructional guide for students and hobbyists."

FCC ID Numbers of TVs

Only a few manufacturers actually produce the vast majority of TVs. For example,
Radio Shack, Magnavox, and Emerson do not make their own TVs (I can tell you are
not really surprised!).

How do you determine the actual manufacturer? For most types of consumer
electronic equipment, there is something called an 'FCC ID' or 'FCC number'. Any
type of equipment that may produce RF interference or be affected by this is required
to be registered with the FCC. This number can be used to identify the actual
manufacturer of the equipment.

A cross reference and other links can be found at:

o S.E.R FCC ID FAQ

Interchangeability of components

The question often arises: If I cannot obtain an exact replacement or if I have a

monitor, TV, or other equipment carcass gathering dust, can I substitute a part that is
not a precise match? Sometimes, this is simply desired to confirm a diagnosis and
avoid the risk of ordering an expensive replacement and/or having to wait until it
arrives.

For safety related items, the answer is generally NO - an exact replacement part is
needed to maintain the specifications within acceptable limits with respect to line
isolation, X-ray protection and to minimize fire hazards. Typical parts of this type
include flameproof resistors, some types of capacitors, and specific parts dealing with
CRT high voltage regulation. However, during testing, it is usually acceptable to
substitute electrically equivalent parts on a temporary basis. For example, an ordinary
1 ohm resistor can be substituted for an open 1 ohm flameproof resistor to determine
if there are other problems in the horizontal deflection circuits before placing an order
- as long as you don't get lazy and neglect to install the proper type before buttoning
up the monitor or TV.

For other components, whether a not quite identical substitute will work reliably or at
all depends on many factors. Some deflection circuits are so carefully matched to a
specific horizontal output transistor that no substitute will be reliable.

Here are some guidelines:

15. Fuses - exact same current rating and at least equal voltage rating. I have often
soldered a normal 3AG size fuse onto a smaller blown 20 mm long fuse as a
substitute.
16. Resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, switches, potentiometers, LEDs, and
other common parts - except for those specifically marked as safety-critical -
substitution as long as the replacement part fits and specifications should be
fine. It is best to use the same type - metal film resistor, for example. But for
testing, even this is not a hard and fast rule and a carbon resistor should work
just fine.
17. Rectifiers - many are of these are high efficiency and/or fast recovery types.
Replacements should have at equal or better PRV, Imax, and Tr specifications.
18. Posistors - many of these are similar. Unfortunately, the markings on the
devices are generally pretty useless in determining their ratings. Note,
however, that the prices for replacement posistors may be quite reasonable
from the original manufacturer so it may not make sense to take the risk of
using an unknown part.

(From: Stefan Huebner (Stefan.Huebner@rookie.antar.com).)

In most cases you can use a standard 3-terminal-device, the resistance of the
temperature dependent resistors in it are nearly identical. Here is a list of
possible replacement devices:
 380000-01, 24340521, 2199-603-1201, 163-024A, 163-035A, CO2200-N66,
C8ROH, QX265P05503, 32112026, 4822-A1-11240148, 02199-003-120, 15-
08-001A, 5391560067, F400001.

19. Transistors and thyristors (except HOTs and SMPS choppers) - substitutes will
generally work as long as their specifications meet or exceed those of the
original. For testing, it is usually OK to use types that do not quite meet all of
these as long as the breakdown voltage and maximum current specifications
are not exceeded. However, performance may not be quite as good. For power
types, make sure to use a heatsink.

Also see the section: Replacement power transistors while testing.

20. Horizontal output (or SMPS) transistors - exact replacement is generally best
but except for very high performance monitors, generic HOTs that have
specifications that are at least as good will work in many cases. Make sure the
replacement transistor has an internal damper diode if the original had one.
For testing with a series light bulb, even a transistor that doesn't quite meet
specifications should work well enough (and not blow up) to enable you to
determine what else may be faulty. The most critical parameters are
Vceo/Vcbo, IC, and Hfe which should all be at least equal to the original
transistor. I have often used by favorite BU208D as a temporary substitute for
other HOTs and SMPS (chopper) transistors. Make sure you use a heatsink
and thermal grease in any case - even if you have to hang the assembly by a
cable tie to make it fit.

For that matter, you can usually substitute a similar HOT with the D suffix
instead of the A (or no) suffix. These have a built-in damper diode and two in
parallel (the external one) will not hurt (or remove it). Naturally, the reverse is
not true since a damper diode IS essential and the HOT will probably not last
beyond the click of the power relay without one!

On SVGA monitors, there will likely be additional circuitry between the HOT
and the damper so this trick doesn't work for them.

However, using a HOT with much better specs may actually result in early
failure due to excessive heating from insufficient and/or suboptimal base
drive. See the document: "TV and Monitor Deflections Systems" for more
info.

For more information, see the document: TV and Monitor Deflection Systems.

21. Deflection yokes - in the old days, particularly for B/W TVs, all of these were
quite similar. It was common to just swap with one that fit physically and at
most need to adjust or change a width coil. With color TVs and high
performance multiscan monitors, this is no longer the case. Sometimes it will
work but other times the power supply won't even be able to come up as a
result of the impedance mismatch due to different coils and pole piece
configurations. In addition, there may be other geometry correction coils
associated with the yoke that could differ substantially.
 However, if you are really determined, see the section: Swapping of deflection
yokes.

Also see the section: Replacement power transistors while testing.

22. Standby power transformer - this most likely only has a single secondary so
locating a standard UL approved (for safety reasons) power transformer with
the same output voltage should not be difficult.

Check the service manual or the Sams' Photofact for the set to determine the
required output voltage and if a centertap is needed. Current should be quite
low.

23. CRTs - aside from the issues of physical size and mounting, many factors need
to be considered. These include deflection angle, neck diameter, base pinout,
focus and screen voltage requirements, purity and convergence magnets, etc.
Color CRT replacement is rarely worth the effort in any case but trying to
substitute a different CRT is asking for frustration. For monochrome CRTs,
there is less variation and this may be worth a try.
24. The following are usually custom parts and substitution of something from
your junk box is unlikely to be successful even for testing: flyback (LOPT)
and SMPS transformers, interstage coils or transformers, microcontrollers, and
other custom programmed chips.

Horizontal output transistor pinouts

You will nearly always find one of two types of horizontal output transistors in TVs
and monitors:

66. Metal can - TO3 package:

67. _
68. / O \ View from bottom (pin side)
69. / o o \
70. ( B E ) B = Base, E = Emitter, C = Collector
71. \ /
72. \ O / C The metal case is the Collector.
73.
74. Plastic tab - TO3Pn (n = several suffixes) package:
75. _____
76. / \
77. | O | View from front (label side)
78. | |
79. | | B = Base, E = Emitter, C = Collector
80. |_______|
81. | | | If there is an exposed metal tab, this is
the
82. | | | Collector as well.
83. B C E

Some other transistor types use the same pinout (TO66 for metal can, TO218 and
TO220 for plastic tab) but not all. However, for horizontal output transistors, these
pinouts shouuld be valid.
Note that those with a built in damper diode may read around 50 ohms between B and
E (near 0 on the diode test range) - this is normal as long as the resistance is not really
low like under 10 ohms.

How do you locate the HOT

Well, it is usually the LARGEST transistor in the set near the LARGEST transformer
in the set (flyback - the thing with the FAT red wire connecting to the picture tube) on
the LARGEST heat sink in the set.

Got that? :-)

Or, in the good old days....

(From: Don Wall (d.wall@nunet.neu.edu).)

Sure, it's usually the largest tube in the set, has a top cap, runs very hot, and is often a
6BQ6G or some such. (tongue firmly in cheek) Actually, back in the days of yore, the
Horizontal Output Tube was frequently referred to as the HOT; guess some things
don't change!

Replacement power transistors while testing

During testing of horizontal deflection circuits or switch mode power supplies,

particularly where the original failure resulted in the death of the HOT or chopper,
overstress on replacement transistors is always a possibility if all defective
components have not be identified.

Therefore, using a part with better specifications may save you in the long run by
reducing the number of expensive blown parts. Once all other problems have been
located and repaired, the proper part can be installed.

However, this is not always going to work. In a TV and especially a high performance
monitor, the HOT may be closely matched to the drive and output components of the
deflection circuits. Putting in one with higher Vce, I, or P specifications may result in
overheating and failure due to lower Hfe.

Where possible, a series load like a light bulb can be used limit the maximum current
to the device and will allow you to power the equipment while checking for other
faults. Some designs, unfortunately, will not start up under these conditions. In such
cases, substituting a 'better' device may be the best choice for testing.

(From: Glenn Allen (glenn@manawatu.gen.nz).)

I been repairing SMPS of all types but when I started on those using MOSFETs I was
blowning a few of them when replaced because something else was faulty.

Ever since I have been using a BUZ355 on a heat sink I haven't blown it. It is rated at
800 V, 6 A, and 220 W. it is a TO218 case bigger than a T0220. It seems the higher
ratings allows you to do repair where as a something like a 2SK1117 or MTP6N60
will just blow.

Testing of replacement HOTs

The following is useful both to confirm that a substitute replacement HOT is suitable
and that no other circuit problems are still present. However, single scan line
anomalies (particularly when changing channels and/or where reception is poor with a
TV or when switching scan rates and/or when no or incorrect sync is present with a
monitor) resulting in excessive voltage across the HOT and instant failure are still
possible and will not result in an HOT running excessively hot.

(From: Raymond Carlsen (rrcc@u.washington.edu).)

After installing a replacement HOT in a TV set or monitor, I like to check the

temperature for a while to make sure the substitute is a good match and that there are
no other problems such as a weak H drive signal. The input current is just not a good
enough indicator. I have been using a WCF (well calibrated finger) for years. For me,
the rule of thumb, quite literally, is: if you cannot hold your finger on it, it's running
too hot, and will probably fail prematurely. Touching the case of the transistor or heat
sink is tricky....

Metal case transistors will be connected to the collector and have a healthy pulse
(>1,200 V peak!) and even with plastic case tab transistors, the tab will be at this
potential. It is best to do this only after the power is off and the B+ has discharged. In
addition, the HOT may be hot enough to burn you.

A better method is the use of an indoor/outdoor thermometer. I bought one recently

from Radio Shack for about $15 (63-1009). It has a plastic 'probe' on the end of a 10'
cable as the outdoor sensor. With a large alligator clip, I just clamp the sensor to the
heat sink near the transistor and set up the digital display near the TV set to monitor
the temperature. The last TV I used it on was a 27" Sanyo that had a shorted H. output
and an open B+ resistor. Replacement parts brought the set back to life and the
flyback pulse looked OK, but the transistor was getting hot within 5 minutes... up to
130 degrees before I shut it down and started looking for the cause. I found a 1 uF 160
volt cap in the driver circuit that was open. After replacing the cap, I fired up the set
again and monitored the heat sink as before. This time, the temperature slowly rose to
about 115 degrees and stayed there. I ran the set all day and noticed little variation in
the measurement. Test equipment doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Removing and replacing the deflection yoke

Should you need to remove the deflection yoke on a color CRT, some basic
considerations are advised both to minimize the needed purity and convergence
adjustments after replacement as well as to prevent an unfortunate accident.

The position and orientation of the yoke (including pitch and yaw) and magnet
assembly (purity and static convergence rings, if used) are critical. Use paint or
White-Out(tm) to put a stripe across all of the magnet rings so you will know their
exact positions should they accidentally shift later. If there are rubber wedges between
the yoke and the funnel of the tube, assure that they are secure. Tape them to be
doubly sure as adhesive on old tape dries up with age and heat and becomes useless.
This will avoid the need for unecessary dynamic convergence adjustments after
reassembly.

The neck is the most fragile part of the CRT so do not apply any serious side-ways
force and take care not to bend any of the pins when removing and replacing the CRT
socket.

The yoke and purity/static convergence assemblies will be clamped and possibly
glued as well. However, the adhesive will probably be easily accessible - big globs of
stuff like hot melt glue and/or RTV silicone. Carefully free the adhesive from the
glass neck of the CRT. Loosen the clamps and gently wiggle the magnets and yoke
off the neck. They may appear stuck from age and heat but should yield with gently
persuasion.

Once the yoke is replaced, some fine adjustments of the picture rotation, purity, and
static and dynamic convergence may be needed but hopefully with your most
excellent diagrams, these will be minimal.

Similar comments apply for monochrome CRTs but there are far fewer issues as the
yoke is positioned firmly against the funnel of the CRT and rotation and centering are
usually the only adjustments. However, there may be magnets located on swivels or
glued to strategic locations on the CRT envelope to correct for geometric distortion.

Swapping of deflection yokes

This should work with identical TVs or monitors. Your mileage will vary if you are
attempting a swap between monitors with similar specifications. Chances of success
for monitors with widely different screen sizes or scan rate specifications is close to
zero.

One indication of compatibility problems would be major differences in resistance

readings for the corresponding yoke windings, CRT HV and other bias levels, etc.

Before you do the transplant, see the section: Swapping of deflection yokes for
procedures and precautions to minimize problems in realignment.

Make a precise diagram of everything you do.

Keep the purity/static convergence magnet assembly with the original CRT if possible
and install it in the same or as nearly the same position as possible when you replace
it.

Once you are sure of the connections, power it up carefully - there is no assurance that
your yokes are compatible. A yoke with a much lower resistance or inductance than
the original may overstress components in the power supply.

You will then need to go through all the adjustments starting with purity and
convergence.
Swapping of CRTs

Given the problems of just replacing a CRT with an identical new one, it isn't
surprising that attempting to substitute a CRT which is not the same type will result in
difficulties - to say the least. Obviously, the closer in size, scan rate (for monitors),
and deflection angle, the more likely the chances of success. Where the alternative is
to junk the TV or monitor, it may be worth a shot - and you may get lucky!

It may be best to transfer as much as possible with the CRT - yoke and purity and
convergence magnets. The connectors to the yoke may need to be changed but this
may be the least of your problems. Difference in yoke impedance and other
characteristics may result in anything from incorrect size to a truly spectacular melt-
down! The latter is much more likely with SVGA monitors compared to similar
size/deflection angle TVs.

Where the neck size is the same, the yoke can be moved from one CRT to the other
but you will have to do a complete purity and convergence set up and even then you
may have uncorrectable convergence errors. See the section: Swapping of deflection
yokes.

(From: J. G. Simpson (ccjgs@cse.bris.ac.uk).)

Monitors are generally designed by choosing a CRT, then the EHT, then designing a
yoke to scan the CRT, then designing a driver circuit to drive the yoke.

In a CRT test lab it's common to have variable supplies for EHT and other voltages, a
small selection of yokes, and variable amplitude drive circuits.

EHT affects scan sensitivity, brightness, spot size. You can't get high brightness and
small spot size on a large monitor with 3 kV of EHT. Virtually every variable has
some effect on convergence. Spot size is important, in as much as you want most of it
on the phosphor and not the shadow mask.

Provided the neck size is the same you can swap tubes in yokes but don't expect it to
work very well. Different tube manufacturers may use radically different gun
structures. A given yoke and its driver may give underscan or overscan and it's pretty
well certain that convergence will be way off.

The military spends a small fortune on trying to get the drop into the yoke and it flies
with no adjustment or convergence CRT. For the rest of us swapping a CRT is a pain
in the butt.

Decayed glue in electronic equipment

Larger components like electrolytic capacitors are often secured to the circuit board
with some sort of adhesive. Originally, it is white and inert. However, with heat and
age, some types decay to a brown, conductive and/or corrosive material which can
cause all sorts of problems including the creation of high leakage paths or dead shorts
and eating away at nearby wiring traces.
 The bottom line: Most of the time, this stuff serves no essential purpose anyhow and
should be removed. A non-corrosive RTV or hot-melt glue can be used in its place if
structural support is needed.

Repair parts sources

For general electronic components like resistors and capacitors, most electronics
distributors will have a sufficient variety at reasonable cost. Even Radio Shack can be
considered in a pinch.

However, for consumer electronic equipment repairs, places like Digikey, Allied, and
Newark do not have the a variety of Japanese semiconductors like ICs and transistors
or any components like flyback transformers or degauss Posistors.

See the document: Major Service Parts Suppliers for some companies that I have used
in the past and others that have been recommended.

For those hard-to-find or overpriced TV replacement boards, modules, or other parts,

try:

o PTS Electronics Corporation

 Bloomington, Indiana (National Headquarters): 1-800-844-7871
 Arvada, Colorado: 1-800-331-3219
 Tustin, California: 1-800-380-2521

Email: pts@ptscorp.com
Web: http://www.ptscorp.com/

Also see the documents: Troubleshooting of Consumer Electronic Equipment and

Electronics Mail Order List (this one is quite dated though) for additional parts
sources.

84. Back to TV Repair FAQ Table of Contents.

-- end V3.15a --