"Dr Hugh M. Aye" wrote in message
...
Hi again...

The TV repair guy came by from the local Panasonic Service Agent earlier
today, unfortunately when I was out...was expecting him later. My mother
was in, and the guy's diagnosis was that the tube is dead...he apparently
went into a whole spiel about how the tube on this model of Panasonic TV
just sparks out and dies instantly rather than gradually
deteriorating...which is pretty impressive, considering that it's been
going
along quite happily for over a year now!

Anyway, he says the only thing to do is replace the tube, but he took the
TV
away to have it "re-focussed". It'll be back towards the end of the week.

Just wondering what you guys make of the diagnosis...am I wrong for
feeling
a little sceptical? I don't think I'd have let him take the set away if
I'd
been home...I'm not sure what good refocusing a tube that should
apparently
be dead would do anyway...

Many thanks,

Dr Aye.

He might be taking it to degauss (demagnetise), but he could have brought
the degaussing equipment with him - it's hand-held.

He might also be planning to put it on a tube rejuvenator, but they're
really for last resort tubes when there is nothing to lose and your
description doesn't seem to match that.

Obviously, without seeing the set, one cannot rule out the possibility of a
tube failure, but most colour faults have other causes.

As I said in my previous post, the video processing IC is the most common -
but not exclusive - cause of colour problems in this chassis.

If you're sceptical then that's something you need to address directly with
the repairer as gut feelings are usually worth following up - it could
simply be that the guy that called doesn't have enough technical knowledge,
so returned it for a proper diagnosis by the workshop technician.

I'm not making any allegations in your specific case, but here are some expe
riences that I've had in the past. Working for a reputable service
workshop - who are the majority - usually means picking up the pieces after
some of the cowboys have had a go.


Technician has no idea what the problem is, but repair department is part of
a sales outlet, so sees opportunity for new sale and avoiding a difficult
repair;

Technician does know what the problem is, but either can't or won't repair
it, so takes it away to 'confirm' diagnosis. In the meantime, has
transplanted parts from the set to fix another one at minimal cost but
charging for components anyway, and returning the first set with the
'confirmed' diagnosis - usually a write-off, new set required. This ploy is
particularly effective for dead sets and if one of the sets is covered by an
extended warranty/insurance, so much the better;

Technician works for large company that sets targets on number of completed
repairs each week. Technician takes path of least resistance - writing sets
off - to maintain targets and keep his job.

Technician dislikes repairing a particular brand, so tries to get rid of
many as possible - this sounds crazy, but I've seen it happen !!

And finally of course, there is an age-old problem. The technician shouldn't
be in the job because he doesn't have a bloody clue - as I say, most
repairers are great, but it's the lazy, the cheats and the liars that give
the majority a bad name.

There, I've had my rant for the day - I feel so much better !!!