Any TV Repairmen Here?

[branch37]

When my room mates moved out they left a TV here that of course doesn't work.  The picture is terrible, so fuzzy you cant make out anything on the screen, but when you use the menu it is clear as day, only the TV signal is bad.  Its not satellite, just basic cable.  I have tried changing the cable, and using another cable jack, but the problem is with the TV itself.  Its a Toshiba big screen.  One of those big screens from the 90s that you need 2 or 3 people to move.  I got it for free, and it doesn't work, so I'm not really gonna spend alot of money on this dumb thing.  If I can get it to work for cheap then great, it not ill use it for target practice.   

[Soulyss]

If it's an old rear-pro CRT TV you may need to get the CRT guns re-calibrated.  There are three "guns" and associated lens and mirrors that project the red/green/blue information to the screen.  Over time these elements get out of alignment and the image goes out of focus. 

If that's the case you'll probably need to find the local Toshiba service center to perform the service.

[Slash27]

I had a rear projection that picture went bad on I ended up giving to my buddy. Turned out the fluid that was in the projector tubes had some sort of fungus growing in it and needed to be changed out. $300 later the picture was back to normal.

[hyzer]

As Soulyss suggested if it's a projection CRT perhaps you can adjust it via its menus.  I've got an old one, it has 2 adjustments.  The first is where you line up the guns sort of like a bulls eye in the center.  The second adjustment displays a rectangle every couple of inches on the whole screen, you have to go to each rectangle and align red and blue separately.  Takes probably 20 minutes to do the whole thing.

[branch37]

Ive messed around with the menu a little bit and didnt find anything that helped.  Like I said, i got the TV for free, and if a fix is more than about $100 Ill probably just give it away. 

[Dragon]

If it's an old rear-pro CRT TV you may need to get the CRT guns re-calibrated.  There are three "guns" and associated lens and mirrors that project the red/green/blue information to the screen.  Over time these elements get out of alignment and the image goes out of focus. 

If that's the case you'll probably need to find the local Toshiba service center to perform the service.

This would affect the menu screen as well.  Sounds like an input issue. Check the female cable connector to see if any wires are loose.  If you can, connect a dvd via the red, yellow, white and test the picture.  If it's clear it's just the cable jack, run it through the dvd and ta dah, problem solved.

[icepac]

As written above, try the other inputs.

Also, there is a menu on those TVs for calibration which allows you to set the three guns settings for sectors of the screen.

It's usually a screen with + all over it and you line up the colors such that they match.

This is because just moving the tv will change the basic shape of the unit......which requires alignment again.

First is to make sure it is on level ground and that you have the proper inputs set to the proper settings.

[branch37]

The menu works fine, but when I plug in an XBOX in the red, yellow, and white inputs, its picture is crappy as well.

[Soulyss]

This would affect the menu screen as well.  Sounds like an input issue. Check the female cable connector to see if any wires are loose.  If you can, connect a dvd via the red, yellow, white and test the picture.  If it's clear it's just the cable jack, run it through the dvd and ta dah, problem solved.

It could be an input, but the menu screen working doesn't necessarily rule out the other theory.  Many menu screens are monochromatic, the problems can occur when the images coming off all three guns aren't converging correctly. 

[BoilerDown]

You should test with another known-to-work TV first.  Because if your menus look fine, its likely something else is the problem.

[Jenks]

Do you have the manual?  If not do a search for one.  I bet theres a free PDF for it.  A lot of sets have a hidden service menu setting (hold two bottons for 3 secs while holding yur tongue jjjjjjust right) (also you may need the remote to access it)  If the convergence is way off it will give a ghosted out of focus look with the colors kinda spread out. If thats what it looks like  then adjusting the convergence may fix it.  However  an old set with a convergence problem might require replacing the IC's used for the driver signals, which oddly enough in a lot of sets were off the shelf audio output ICs   

Hope this helps...good luck

Jenks