First off thanks to umasusan. A google search turned up this website because of your post.
Interesting that we both have problems with such an old tv in such a short amount of time from one another.
Now to the TV. A family member is moving out of the country. They had this television. They decided to not take it with them. I asked what they were going to do with it, and they said "Put it on the sidewalk." Well I'm a poor college student. My current tv is a tiny 21 inchs. So I offered to take it!:) Little did I know it was 500 pounds (I live on the third floor). So after calling some friends and getting the tv inside the apartment, I decided to turn it on.
Before giving it to me, my cousin let me know that there were some problems with it, so I was ready for something.
So far this is what I've found that I need help with. I don't have cable television and I use my tv for dvd's only (I'm a poor college kid!). So I hook up my dvd player to the tv using the s-video connection. Turned the tv to the correct ext. and saw nothing but a solid black screen. What was interesting was that it said s-video in the upper right corner, which leads me to believe it knows what connection was in there. So I decided maybe a standard video line would work better (the yellow one!). Black screen again. So thats the first problem.
The other is when I turn the tv to the antenna channel (if I can call it that) there is a blue blob in the upper left corner. Similar to what happens if you put a small magnet near a crt monitor.
Any help on how to fix this would be awesome (if its possible).
Some things about me, I'm a computer science major with a lot of EE friends. I have never worked on a tv before, but I have worked with a soldering gun and I've done some circuit work. So if its possible to fix this on my when the pre-requiste is a basic electronic knowledge, check. I got that. I'm willing to put in the work, and learn a lot if I need to (Plus if I mess up, hey it was free right?!)
the only thing I'm worried about is shocking and killing myself(so says the side panel.)
Thank you in advance for the help. Thanks again to umasusan for helping me find this site.
Sorry if this was too long.
Well first off, the fact that you get something like s-video on the screen is a good sign. Your most likly going to need the original remote first. now I cannot say this is all your going to have to get, but if you do not have it , it will make it near impossable to eliminate the problems. you can get an original replacement remote at http://www.remotes.com. first off with thwe remote, go into the menu. where the input or video options are, go there and see what the set is set to. try that ? Still no video?. ok sems that you may have a video switching problem, so now its time to invest in a schematic diagram. This will be needed to see where you lose the video signal when you use your DVD player. Could be a simply plug connection? but to trace it is hard without a service diagram or a schematic. Let us know how you made out or if you need more assistance with this set. oh and thank you for comming in and letting us to try and assist you with your gadget problems, as we have alot of cool articles here and some may even assist you and your freinds. Good Luck
Thanks Larry. I actually do have the original remote with me( I think this is a first). I went throught the menu, and there aren't any settings in there that would affect the s-video. In fact, this menu doesn't have much more than set the system clock and would you like a parental lock. And more tips?
Where do I find a schematic diagram? I've done a quick google search and wasn't able to find anything.
And I may have exagerated my skills a little. I am willing to put in work and learn, but I'll probably need to be baby'd. Atleast for a the first few steps, as I've never repaired a tv.
Thank you so much for advice so far.
The service manual is available for a PDF download at http://www.servicemanuals.net for 21.99 If you get it I will send you my e-mail and I will be more then happy toassist you. Although this may be a tough one for a beginner to do because im afraid you may need to trace the video with a scope, and have and know how to use a multimeter
Thank you Larry. I should be getting paid within the next week and when I do I'll be buying a manual.
Something I found out that I thought was interesting. When I connect a cable (coaxial) line and try to get video that way(ex. old vcr), I get a picture. I've taking the back off and the coaxial connection is on the same board as all the other ones(s-video,rca). Does this change your assement at all?