Friday, February 24, 2012

A Blank Screen

There are certainly a sufficient number of choices when looking to by a new television. In fact, there are too many. One needs a degree in electronics and a few spare days for Internet research in order to be a knowledgeable consumer. Sometimes having a maximum price helps out by dramatically slashing the number of options. I spent a little time yesterday and a bit of this morning trying to decide on a new model.

Unboxing vin 2006
Unboxing the TV on November 12, 2006

The day we left for vacation on Valentine's Day, we were up early. I switched on the set but it didn't come on, instead a red LED along the bottom of the set simply kept flashing three times. Oh great, I thought, we'll probably have to buy a new TV when coming back after a week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! Yet, on the 22nd, after getting back it switched right on. We had lots of programs saved on the PVR from when we were gone.

Last evening, however, the Toshiba was back to its old trick. Subsequently, I've discovered that it is an indication of a power supply problem on start up. Well, I know that a problem like that would require servicing. The flat screen is more than five years and three months old. In 2006, manufacturers hadn't had much time to iron out the wrinkles in LCD panel fabrication, and we have lived with a very faint vertical, mid-screen band for years. After dinner, we took a trip to BestBuy in Queensborough. It is time to give postive comments about that company for having non-commissioned sales people. I had seen a special and had gone to buy one. I am thankful that the guy told us they'd been having some issues with the LD 47LV4400. He didn't try to upsell. We simply walked away.

A few hours ago I tried and the old TV is working! It was a good incentive for me to get back into the adjustments and make a lot of changes. It almost seems like a new TV now. Also, we have been in the habit of unplugging it nightly as the old non-Energy Smart model, sucks up a lot of juice on standby. Maybe, we'll leave it plugged in all the time for a while. I just watched an episode of Arctic Air, and In the Middle. It turns off and on well at the moment. Maybe I can squeeze another nine months out of this set. I somehow believe a television should continue to work for at least six years.


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