MovieChat Forums > Displays and Projectors > Picture problem with my LCD TV -- update...

Picture problem with my LCD TV -- update: seems to have righted itself..

posted 14 years ago by Prelude_in_C_maj
7 replies | jump to latest

I have a Bush LCD HD TV. It has built-in Freeview (I'm in the UK) and I get my Freeview via a cable directly from the wall outlet for same; goes through no other boxes or receivers.

I have that signal split to also feed a DVD/VHS combo recorder/player, which also has its own built-in Freeview.

I can view channels directly on my TV, or via the signal that runs via my DVD recorder.

Suddenly two days ago, the picture on my TV has completely broken up into jagged, moving, trembling and rolling horizontal lines -- it's unwatchable. The TV is only about 17 months old.

But the problem can't be the physical screen itself, because when I watch the TV via the DVD recorder's Freeview reception, the picture is perfect. Same for watching DVDs -- perfect picture, no problems.

It's only when I watch via the normal "straight from the wall" Freeview that everything is broken into lines and interference.

I've tried switching cables incase it's just a crappy cable -- no change. I've tried upsplitting that signal and letting the TV get all the signal from the wall outlet -- no difference.

I still get sound, and I can still see the picture but its fragmented into shards that dance up and down the screen, kind of like when old tube TVs used to get a "rolling" picture.

But as I've said, it couldn't be an intrinsic problem with the screen itself, as when I view via the player's channel reception, there's nothing wrong with my TV picture.

What would that indicate being broken, and is there a simple solution, or is this an expensive repair or replacement part?

Any ideas would be most welcome; thanks.

When I think up a decent sig...I'll let you know.

[–] TrekkerScout 14 years ago

It is likely that the built-in Freeview receiver in your TV has failed. Is your TV still under warranty?

Gort, Klaatu barada nikto

[–] Prelude_in_C_maj 14 years ago

Sadly no; it was on the standard one-year warranty, which ran out seven months ago.

This really stinks right before Christmas. I would have to fight but I think there are some consumer rights having to do with early failure of a product before its expected lifespan is over, even when warranty has expired.

How much would the replacement part and labour be, do you think, if I had to get it fixed at my own expense?

When I think up a decent sig...I'll let you know.

[–] TrekkerScout 14 years ago

How much would the replacement part and labour be, do you think, if I had to get it fixed at my own expense? The general rule of thumb for LCD TV repairs (parts and labor - not to include replacing the screen) is 1/4 (large screen sizes) to 1/3 (small screen sizes) the retail price of the set. You should contact a certified TV repair shop for an actual estimate.

Gort, Klaatu barada nikto

[–] Prelude_in_C_maj 14 years ago

That's an interesting guideline; yeah I guess I'll be calling around, probably leave it until after all the seasonal stuff has died down after New Year. It's an infuriating thing to happen in a TV under two years old.

It's weird, out of seven major appliances I bought in the space of a one-year period, five of them developed faults even though I've always taken care of my stuff, and that kind of bad luck with electronics has never happened to me before. All bought new from name-stores...the gadget gods are laughing.

When I think up a decent sig...I'll let you know.

[–] Prelude_in_C_maj 14 years ago

TrekkerScout -- something just occurred to me, if I may pick your brains on this. Could I bypass my TV's broken Freeview receiver by buying one of those set-top Freeview boxes that are meant for giving Freeview to older TV's that don't have it built-in?

I see those boxes are only around £70, which is probably a bit cheaper than whatever the repair costs are going to be.

If I hook that up to my TV, will it act like a new "built-in" and serve the purpose of returning things to normal by bypassing the broken built-in? What do you think?

When I think up a decent sig...I'll let you know.

[–] TrekkerScout 14 years ago

If I hook that up to my TV, will it act like a new "built-in" and serve the purpose of returning things to normal by bypassing the broken built-in?That should work, or you could simply use your DVD recorder as the receiver.

Gort, Klaatu barada nikto

[–] Prelude_in_C_maj 14 years ago

Update:

Well this is weird, but good-weird -- it's working again. Perfect picture on my TV via its own Freeview receiver. Not one bit of interference.

I'm relieved but confused. The picture was completely shot, got worse and worse, and wound up being a black blur with red blurs. I checked back yesterday late and it was completely normal.

I'd been about to bite the bullet and just buy a new TV.

When I think up a decent sig...I'll let you know.