Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Zenith TV problems
I was reading some of the threads regarding problems with Zenith
televisions a little while ago, and it got me to thinking. I have a 1995 Zenith SM1917SG, which I keep as a backup for my RCA (Thomson) F19261 in my living room. The Zenith does not work well anymore (tuner problems, I think), but it is good enough to use (with a cable box) until I can get a new set if and when the RCA eventually goes bad. However, after reading the comments in this group regarding service and other problems associated with Zenith TVs, especially since the company was absorbed by LG Electronics (!) a few years ago, I am having second and even third thoughts about getting another Zenith or even another RCA if either of my sets goes bad. I have had the RCA repaired twice in the last three years for the same problem (RF port snapping off the tuner PC board); my warranty did not cover the repairs, so I had to pay some $120 out of my own pocket to have the set repaired. The set works well now on cable, but I would think twice about having it fixed again. In fact, the technician even told me not to bother having the TV repaired again if anything else goes wrong; after three years it wouldn't be worth it, considering it is now out of warranty by a year or so (I purchased an extended warranty shortly after purchasing the TV itself). Needless to say, I am very disappointed with Zenith (and RCA) TVs. It used to be Zenith was a very well-respected name in television, radio, high fidelity and even hearing aids (the company was known as "the royalty of radio and television" for many years, and made many very good three-way entertainment-center consoles); however, these days, since LG bought the company, the quality has gone downhill in a hurry. I doubt if I could even get my own Zenith (mentioned above) repaired anymore. When I read that parts are often NLA for sets made as recently as six years ago (!!!) and that the sets often go bad within a short period of time (a friend of mine told me his parents bought an RCA in which the picture tube failed after only two years), it made me stop and think--again. My Zenith was manufactured in 1995. The chances are horribly good, I'm afraid, that if this set were to quit on me, I couldn't get it repaired, or if I could, I'd be waiting weeks or months while the shop waited for the replacement parts (if they were available). Hardly seems worth it to me. What on earth has happened to Zenith and RCA over the last few years? These companies used to be known for quality in their TVs and other home-entertainment equipment; in fact, RCA pioneered all-electronic compatible color TV in the 1950s, and Zenith proudly proclaimed for years that "the quality goes in before the name goes on." Remember those well-made hand-wired Zenith sets of the 1950s and '60s, with beautifully designed console cabinets that looked like (and were) fine furniture? Many of these sets went for years or decades without major service problems; in fact, the older Zeniths are sought after by collectors today (look at audiokarma.org in their antique-television forum for examples). Unfortunately, however, we will never see the likes of hand-wired TVs again. Zenith switched to circuit modules in its sets in the 1970s, as did RCA (the latter began using modules in its original XL-100 sets, which were introduced, if I remember correctly, in the early seventies--and Motorola was using modular circuits in its "works in a drawer" sets as early as 1967). Zenith and RCA, in my opinion (please, no flames), seem to have forgotten the meaning of the word "quality." When these companies were bought out by foreign interests, quality went out the window, for the most part. These sets also were built to become obsolete within a very short period of time--witness the fact that parts become NLA within a period of only two or three years. I think today's RCAs and Zeniths are made this way on purpose--so that retail stores and outlets such as Best Buy and Circuit City can sell more of them, like everything else these days. We may not like it, but the fact of the matter is that planned obsolescence is a fact of life in the 21st century; it is what keeps the stores in business. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Zenith TV problems
JOE BLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The new HDTV widescreen TVs that are rolling out of the factorys and into the stores, are a vivid sign of how poor quailty and craftsmanship is anymore. Most of these sets come out of the box so poorly aligned, that people are paying large sums of money to have calibrators come to their house and adjust their set - ON A NEW TV!!! Did you ever in your wildest dreams, figure you would ever see anything like this? I have a new HDTV widescreen TV, and what an experience, even for a tech. Within one week, I had three TVs delivered because the first two RCAs had serious flaws and problems. Finally, after deciding on a new model JVC 56" widescreen, did I get a set that was properly aligned and without major flaws. After seeing how badly most RPTVs are aligned from the factory, I thank my lucky stars that I received one that is very well aligned. So, that's my take on the situation, pretty much the same as yours. What you said in the end, is very true - planned obsolescence is now a fact of life . |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Zenith TV problems
"Jeff Strieble" wrote in message om... I was reading some of the threads regarding problems with Zenith televisions a little while ago, and it got me to thinking. I have a 1995 Zenith SM1917SG, which I keep as a backup for my RCA (Thomson) F19261 in my living room. The Zenith does not work well anymore (tuner problems, I think), but it is good enough to use (with a cable box) until I can get a new set if and when the RCA eventually goes bad. However, after reading the comments in this group regarding service and other problems associated with Zenith TVs, especially since the company was absorbed by LG Electronics (!) a few years ago, I am having second and even third thoughts about getting another Zenith or even another RCA if either of my sets goes bad. I have had the RCA repaired twice in the last three years for the same problem (RF port snapping off the tuner PC board); my warranty did not cover the repairs, so I had to pay some $120 out of my own pocket to have the set repaired. The set works well now on cable, but I would think twice about having it fixed again. In fact, the technician even told me not to bother having the TV repaired again if anything else goes wrong; after three years it wouldn't be worth it, considering it is now out of warranty by a year or so (I purchased an extended warranty shortly after purchasing the TV itself). Needless to say, I am very disappointed with Zenith (and RCA) TVs. It used to be Zenith was a very well-respected name in television, radio, high fidelity and even hearing aids (the company was known as "the royalty of radio and television" for many years, and made many very good three-way entertainment-center consoles); however, these days, since LG bought the company, the quality has gone downhill in a hurry. I doubt if I could even get my own Zenith (mentioned above) repaired anymore. When I read that parts are often NLA for sets made as recently as six years ago (!!!) and that the sets often go bad within a short period of time (a friend of mine told me his parents bought an RCA in which the picture tube failed after only two years), it made me stop and think--again. My Zenith was manufactured in 1995. The chances are horribly good, I'm afraid, that if this set were to quit on me, I couldn't get it repaired, or if I could, I'd be waiting weeks or months while the shop waited for the replacement parts (if they were available). Hardly seems worth it to me. What on earth has happened to Zenith and RCA over the last few years? These companies used to be known for quality in their TVs and other home-entertainment equipment; in fact, RCA pioneered all-electronic compatible color TV in the 1950s, and Zenith proudly proclaimed for years that "the quality goes in before the name goes on." Remember those well-made hand-wired Zenith sets of the 1950s and '60s, with beautifully designed console cabinets that looked like (and were) fine furniture? Many of these sets went for years or decades without major service problems; in fact, the older Zeniths are sought after by collectors today (look at audiokarma.org in their antique-television forum for examples). Unfortunately, however, we will never see the likes of hand-wired TVs again. Zenith switched to circuit modules in its sets in the 1970s, as did RCA (the latter began using modules in its original XL-100 sets, which were introduced, if I remember correctly, in the early seventies--and Motorola was using modular circuits in its "works in a drawer" sets as early as 1967). Zenith and RCA, in my opinion (please, no flames), seem to have forgotten the meaning of the word "quality." When these companies were bought out by foreign interests, quality went out the window, for the most part. These sets also were built to become obsolete within a very short period of time--witness the fact that parts become NLA within a period of only two or three years. I think today's RCAs and Zeniths are made this way on purpose--so that retail stores and outlets such as Best Buy and Circuit City can sell more of them, like everything else these days. We may not like it, but the fact of the matter is that planned obsolescence is a fact of life in the 21st century; it is what keeps the stores in business. I have been a tech for over 35 years, and I could not of said any of this better myself. I agree with your observations of the situation. I think cheap inports had a lot to do with the decline of quality built products. Greed is also another prime factor. There is no way anybody is going to make me beleive that when these sets are designed, that they do not know how long these sets are going to last, when the caps are still of the same **** poor quality, heatsinks are too small to dissipate heat from power devices, and power resistors that are over heating under normal operation, and mounted close enough to the pc board, to char the hell out of it. These are not mistakes or cheap design flaws, not after they have been doing it this many years now, this is on purpose. I, like you, miss the days of higher quality. Todays tvs have advanced greatly in terms of technology, but quality and longevity are of little concern. The new HDTV widescreen TVs that are rolling out of the factorys and into the stores, are a vivid sign of how poor quailty and craftsmanship is anymore. Most of these sets come out of the box so poorly aligned, that people are paying large sums of money to have calibrators come to their house and adjust their set - ON A NEW TV!!! Did you ever in your wildest dreams, figure you would ever see anything like this? I have a new HDTV widescreen TV, and what an experience, even for a tech. Within one week, I had three TVs delivered because the first two RCAs had serious flaws and problems. Finally, after deciding on a new model JVC 56" widescreen, did I get a set that was properly aligned and without major flaws. After seeing how badly most RPTVs are aligned from the factory, I thank my lucky stars that I received one that is very well aligned. So, that's my take on the situation, pretty much the same as yours. What you said in the end, is very true - planned obsolescence is now a fact of life .. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Zenith TV problems
What on earth has happened to Zenith and RCA over the last few years? Zenith got bought out by LG recently, although they were actually worse off before that. RCA went bust as a corporation in 1986. These companies used to be known for quality in their TVs and other home-entertainment equipment Until the Japanese came over and showed us REAL quality... Zenith and RCA, in my opinion (please, no flames), seem to have forgotten the meaning of the word "quality." When these companies were bought out by foreign interests, quality went out the window, for the most part. Actually, their quality had already been lost before their acquisition by foreign interests. I think today's RCAs and Zeniths are made this way on purpose--so that retail stores and outlets such as Best Buy and Circuit City can sell more of them, like everything else these days. Or just be made cheaper so that they can be sold at a lower price to satisfy the ever-increasing public demand for less expensive electronics. We may not like it, but the fact of the matter is that planned obsolescence is a fact of life in the 21st century; it is what keeps the stores in business. It's what also kept the American auto industry alive for years ... until the Japanese came and changed that. - Reinhart |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Zenith TV problems
"Mr. Lee" wrote in message .. . JOE BLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't agree more LOL The new HDTV widescreen TVs that are rolling out of the factorys and into the stores, are a vivid sign of how poor quailty and craftsmanship is anymore. Most of these sets come out of the box so poorly aligned, that people are paying large sums of money to have calibrators come to their house and adjust their set - ON A NEW TV!!! Did you ever in your wildest dreams, figure you would ever see anything like this? I have a new HDTV widescreen TV, and what an experience, even for a tech. Within one week, I had three TVs delivered because the first two RCAs had serious flaws and problems. Finally, after deciding on a new model JVC 56" widescreen, did I get a set that was properly aligned and without major flaws. After seeing how badly most RPTVs are aligned from the factory, I thank my lucky stars that I received one that is very well aligned. So, that's my take on the situation, pretty much the same as yours. What you said in the end, is very true - planned obsolescence is now a fact of life . |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Zenith TV problems
Subject: Zenith TV problems
From: (LASERandDVDfan) Date: 7/22/03 10:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time Until the Japanese came over and showed us REAL quality... During the 80s, it was the Japanese stuff that kept us busy. Amercian made TVs from the early\mid seventies through the late 80s (when they were pretty much gone) were the most trouble free in my opinion. Other than the Zenith module contacts, RCA XL100s\ColorTraks, Magnavoxs, GTEs, and even GEs were solid and dependable even when run 12 hours or more a day. John Del Wolcott, CT "Nothing is so opportune for tyrants as a people tired of its liberty." Alan Keyes (remove S for email reply) |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Etching 304 Stainless Steel with Ferric Chloride Problems | Metalworking | |||
Honeywell 3 port mid position valve - problems with... | UK diy | |||
tig welding problems | Metalworking | |||
multiple simultaneous washing machine problems | UK diy | |||
UPDATE: Zenith TV and 175-2721 Tuner Replacement | Electronics Repair |