The TV is about 4 yrs old, and bought from Tchibo. When the TV is on for a while hot it begins to make a crackling sound and lines appear on the screen. Eventually picture disappears totally. The time it takes before this happens is getting shorter. Is this a costly repair or should I just get a new TV. If so any recs?

Men D, March 2010

No!

I can tell you what is wrong.
It is on the Power Supply Board.

You need to replace Five electrolytic Capacitors.

Don't attempt this unless you know what you are doing as the Power Supply board can be very dangerous for those that are not technically minded.

Even after a TV set is unplugged the Power Supply can still hold dangerous voltages and you can get a nasty electric shock - Especially from the reservoir Capacitor.
You need to check this is not charged - before working on the power supply.

Upon removal of the back of the TV you will see the Power Supply Board which is held in place by four screws.

1. Remove the wire plugs
2. Remove the four screws holding the power supply in place.
3. Do not touch any solder terminals on the back of the board unless you are certain that it is fully discharged - especially the reservoir capacitor! marked EC2.

4. You need to remove Capacitors marked EC19, EC10 both near to the plug socket marked CON4.

This is the hard part you need to replace two capacitors underneath the black heat sink: and on the heatsink are located 4 transisors.

You need to undo the four screws on the transistors then desolder four studs that hold the heatsink in place.
Remove the Heat Sink

The two electrolytic capacitors are marked EC9 and EC12.

Finally just to the back of the heatsink is an electrolytic Capacitor marked EC22. This also needs replacing.

Michael, March 2011