AWTV Magazine – Retro Tech, TV Repair, Photography & Liverpool History

    I wish I had a pound, or Dollar for everyone who has rang asking if a broken TV screen can be repaired. The usual story is that the little one has thrown something at it or bashed it with Buzz Lightyear or some other object. If that has happened to you, you’re not alone and happens to lots of TV’s every day. Cracked TV Screen Beyond Repair The answer is - it can’t be fixed! Just as when a pane of glass is cracked, the whole piece has to be replaced - so the whole screen would have to be replaced. You have more chance of finding hen’s teeth than a replacement screen, and then the cost of replacement and fitting would be more than the TV is worth(the screen makes up about 85% of the total cost of the TV) - so basically, it’s a write off. Screen Protector It may be a bit late if it’s happened to you, but the best thing is Prevention. You need a Screen Protector. These    may seem  expensive at first, but look upon it as a one- off insurance payment that wil...

  I am often asked “what is the best make?” The answer years ago would have been the well-known Japanese makes along with Philips and Ferguson. Many of the top names don’t even make their own TVs anymore. Most TVs are made by a company called Vestel, which is based in Turkey. Almost all of the cheap TVs in supermarkets with obscure names are made by Vestel. I have seen the likes of Toshiba, JVC, Hitachi and Panasonic with the same Vestel panels in them as the cheaper brands, so people have paid extra for the name. There was a time when nearly all screens were made by Samsung or LG. Many TVs now have screens that are made by Vestel or of Chinese manufacture. I would go for Samsung, Sony and LG. Look for the models that come with 5 years warranty. Retailers don’t want to see them again once they are sold, so they must be confident that the TV will last at least five years without any problems. Cheap TVs TVs are relatively cheap nowadays, but you get what you pay for, and the quality ...

  This is the most common problem with TVs today. Most likely cause is backlight failure The backlights are bright LEDs on strips behind the screen, or sometimes along the edge of the screen.  They are usually 3 Volt or 6 Volt and connected in series, so if one goes open circuit, this will break the current to them all very similar to the old fairy lights where you had to check each one to see which one had failed. The TV will have to be dismantled and the screen removed to get at the backlights. Before replacement strips were widely available, the faulty LED, or more would be replaced, but this proved unreliable as the other LEDs were also likely to fail at some point. It eventually became possible to obtain complete sets of LED strips that made a lasting repair. The cost of replacement varies with screen size as well as make and model. You are looking around £85 for a 32" and £120 - £200 for 40"- 55".   £150 is around the average. How can you tell if it's backlight...

  This is not a very common fault on modern TVs - it's usually no picture. The main cause is likely to be the audio amplifier on the main board has blown which will no doubt be in the form of a single integrated circuit. It may be possible to replace the chip, but may be even more cost effective to replace the main board if there are many about. You are looking around £60-£80 to fix.       Speakers I have had speakers go open circuit which obviously will give no sound. There will be two for stereo, but they will not go at the same time. One will go first, but will not be noticed by the owner. The owner will turn up the volume to compensate for the lower sound which will put a strain on the remaining speaker until that dies. Things You Can Try If there is a headphone socket, try plugging in headphones to see if you can hear the TV sound. If you can, it may be possible to use an external amplifier by connecting from the headphone socket to the amp. Better still, if you...

 I’ve had Sky TV since the early 1990s, back when satellite dishes were new and the idea of hundreds of channels felt exciting. Over the years I stuck with Sky through the switch from analogue to digital, through new boxes, new features and—unfortunately—ever‑increasing monthly bills. A year ago I finally decided enough was enough. I cancelled Sky, switched to Freesat, and to my surprise I’ve saved hundreds of pounds without losing the TV I actually watch. My Journey With Sky TV Since the Early 1990s As I was repairing TVs and Video recorders, it wasn't long before I was asked if I could repair satellite boxes. I soon got my hands dirty repairing the analogue boxes of the day such as Amstrad and Pace. To test them, of course, I needed a satellite dish which I had installed. This opened up the world of Sky TV with many free channels such as sky news, cartoon network etc that you couldn't get on terrestrial TV. There were many occasions when I had a box in for repair that had the...

  TV Repair – Expert Advice from a City & Guilds Qualified Engineer With over 40 years of hands‑on experience in TV, electronics and radio servicing, this section brings together practical repair guides, fault diagnosis tips and clear DIY advice. Modern TVs may be cheaper to replace, but many faults can be repaired — and knowing the difference can save you money. What You’ll Find in the TV Repair Section Common TV Faults Repair Guides Buying Advice Retro & Modern TV Insights

  Is it worth repairing a TV? You need to consider these factors- How old is the TV?  Was it expensive 'Top of the range' when you bought it or a cheapo? What will the estimated cost of the repair be? What was the picture quality when working? Sound quality? There is no guarantee that another fault won't develop after this repair. How long will it take to repair?  How long is the repair guaranteed for? If the repair is straightforward and the cost is considerably less than buying a new TV, then probably it is worth getting it repaired. Some people get used to the style and functions of a TV and don't like the idea of looking for a replacement, or it may be desirable to keep it going as long as possible for sentimental reasons. In this case, a repair at a reasonable cost would be the answer. Keep in mind that televisions are becoming more difficult and uneconomical to repair. It is also a problem obtaining parts, replacement boards are mostly second hand, harvested from ...