The infamous CRT rear projector, whether NTSC or HDTV, remains one of the greatest display products to have hit the consumer market. They lasted over two decades until the flat panel display phenomenon wiped them out. The same can be said of CRT direct view, the TVs we all grew up on. While big, bulky and heavy, these displays could deliver some great imaging, producing bright dynamic pictures and inky blacks in medium to dark ambient light environments. For rear projection, smaller sizes (below 50") could even perform well in brighter environments. CRT rear projection and direct view technology was used to drive the HDTV revolution out of the gate and along the way there were some really stellar videophile performers meeting most of the imaging science aspects of video standards. These products have a typical 10-15 year life span based on normal usage and CRT wear and tear. Before deciding to throw out this technology, you should reflect on the imaging performance you will be losing, the less expensive service costs and how you use a display in your application.
Dispelling Four Consumer Myths
1) All my past TV's lasted for years and never needed a repair, so they must have been good.
FALSE: It's all about failure rates and the luck of the draw. Nearly every time I hear this all I can think about is how I made a living fixing those same TVs. Often times I wonder how their TVs have never had the same common problems of their siblings; I guess I need to remind myself as well that it's the luck of the draw.
2) My TV broke down, it must be a lemon or cursed and that means it will break again.
FALSE: While nobody has a crystal ball, odds are in your favor that your TV will meet or exceed the normal life span after one out of warranty repair. This does not include repairs under warranty; that is why the warranty is there. That also does not include lightning or power surges; these are often referred to as "Acts of God" and are hardly the fault of the product.
3) If I buy a new TV it shouldn't fail.
FALSE: When I hear this it is difficult to not smile or laugh. We repair plenty of new TVs as well as older TVs, and just like the first myth, it's all about failure rates and the luck of the draw.
4) With the switch to DTV in 2009, my NTSC TV won't work.
FALSE: This myth that has finally begun to be put to rest over the last year now that the retailers are getting their act together on the subject. For more information on why your current TV could last quite a bit longer than the DTV cut-off, check out the HD Library Forum post, HDTV: What is it? (DTV) .
Dollars and Cents
Now that we have the myths out of the way, let's talk the dollars and cents of fixing your TV. Those new wonderful display technologies are far more expensive to fix than that seemingly old and outdated technology called CRT. Lamp based ...
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