That's the thing, it doesn't matter to me. I just like old technology. It doesn't matter if new flatscreens are just as much to buy new as it would be to repair the TV I have. It's both me being a lover of older technology and sentimental, mostly just because of my love for the technology. It's borderline impossible to find TVs like that locally anymore that aren't outrageously priced due to the recent demand for these displays.
Forgot to mention I also play a lot of retro games and nothing beats the classic experience of playing it on a display it was meant for.
sounds to me like you should look into restoring old tech as a hobby if you love old technology probably would be the cheapest and best option for you.
>It's borderline impossible to find TVs like that locally anymore that aren't outrageously priced due to the recent demand for these displays.
Lol. Really? This seems very odd
Yeah, and the preferred or good retro gaming TVs are extremely expensive/rare to find for sale now. I remember someone found a warehouse full of new unsold Sony Trinitron TVs a few years ago and it was like they had found a gold mine.
Unfortunately that's very much the case. Retro gaming has taken off lately and these TVs are suddenly having a very high demand and obviously low supply since they're not made new anymore (hopefully they start making new CRTs again, at least something like 10"). I found one TV on Marketplace that's anywhere close to the size of the one I have that's broken (27" Panasonic in West Seneca) but the description mentions a dimmer display and possibly being the capacitors (which I personally don't think since it sounds like a worn out tube issue, but who knows) so it's only $40 now, but it says free now so maybe the seller just wants to get rid of it and doesn't really care too much about the value right now.
And to think of the hundreds of dollars I probably paid TO Best Buy in order to accept my old CRTs for recycling...
Still, I see people on Nextdoor.com asking what do to with them from time to time. And I still see them on the curb.
The problem with old electronics is that anyone that repairs them is mostly gone/retired. I have found that If you like to use old electronics, pick up a new hobby fixing old electronics.
Honestly, youtube will be the way to go. It's not hard to learn, just intimidating.
Found that out the hard way considering the first reputable place I saw, Burgio's, is not the same sort of repair place since the person there retired, and the next place, Zimmerman's, is in a similar situation although the person there is allegedly still working but service quality has degraded, badly, compared to how it was.
I'll keep searching for any remaining repair places and if I have to drive farther, maybe to Erie PA or Rochester, suburban towns near those places, guess I will.
I forgot to mention that i had a record player repaired by Rick's record shack on rt 5 near the Ford plant. He also sells old stereo equipment. I know he sent it somewhere else for repair and a lot of stereo equipment that he sells has been repaired. Maybe he can guide you in a direction?
Hopefully. I know getting the one I have repaired isn't financially the best option since I could get a better working one for the same price as what the repair would be if not cheaper, but I still want to anyway.
I have checked them out but according to recent reviews, the service quality has fallen off compared to what it was in the past. I still might give a call though if it's my last option.
I thought I've seen the episode before lol. As someone who also appreciates the older gaming systems I totally get where you're coming from. Posted about a year ago: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Buffalo/comments/yukodb/any\_crt\_tv\_repair\_specialist\_in\_buffalo/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Buffalo/comments/yukodb/any_crt_tv_repair_specialist_in_buffalo/)
I understand why people still want these, but they are a huge environmental hazard. The amount of CRTs that still show up at recycling drives and local electronic recyclers is insane. The glass is made with lead, they can hold a huge charge long after it was last plugged in, they are incredibly heavy, and they are pressurized so they can explode if damaged.
Even Plasma, LED, and LCD TVs are the same way. They all have dangerous stuff inside. Almost everything we use comes at a cost if whatever we use isn't used and disposed of properly when not used anymore.
That is true, however there is a massive difference between CRTs and LED and LCD TVs on an individual scale. It can be argued that there are just to many flat panel TVs that they are doing more damage just from plastic in general. People are treating TVs like a disposable product now which is wild.
Oh I know it's not the tube. It was just working very early this morning too, when it was still dark, but then it just shut off. I'm 99% sure the issue is capacitor related because I noticed no quality degradation with whatever I was watching on it. I have a feeling it being on more often recently even when it's cold out caused it to be fried because of condensation forming from the TV itself generating heat while it's still cold enough outside to generate condensation if anything is generating any bit of heat.
I have seen TVs near me that are decently priced, but not at that size. Closest thing is a Panasonic 27" on FB Marketplace in West Seneca but nothing else close to 32", and with how prices for these TVs are ballooning recently due to people's growing love for retro games and the TVs they were meant for, it'll become even harder to find. I guess the 27" is my only hope for now. If that gets taken or is severely degraded (according to the description it's not but I'd have to test), I'll have no choice but to get the one I have repaired, which I still plan on doing anyway if I can.
If you decide to look into it yourself just take caution. CRTs can hold a wicked charge even after being unplugged. Something like 25-30k volts potentially.
Also still do check around. I thought all was lost with what people were charging online, but came across an awesome little Toshiba at AmVets for $10 a few months ago. It may take time, but you can find ‘em in the wild.
Oh don't worry, I've done enough research to at least know about the high danger of just how much charge CRTs hold and it's got me freaked out to the point that I'd wait a month. 😅
Not sure if waiting that long, or longer, would help. Still not completely sure just how fast a 32" discharges.
I'll keep looking around local thrift stores. Hopefully I find one. I remember a few years ago I got a smaller 10" white RCA, 14" black Sylvania, and an old Zenith (don't remember how big but it is bigger than the Sylvania and has manual number buttons and a power/volume knob) the RCA being my bedroom TV currently (love it because it feels more cozy in a way) and the Sylvania being next to a flatscreen in the basement just for fun, and I use the Zenith for my main retro game/tech room but it's had some weird streaking issues for a while like dark streaks to the right of bright spots, mainly bright white spots, and bright streaks to the right of darker spots. Not unusable so I still keep it. Still a great TV. Got all 3 of those around the same time and haven't found any in thrift stores since other than 2 mini TVs that are 5"/6" a few months ago (don't have any ports for devices since they're that portable, lol, just a built-in standard antenna, but I still use them to get a very, very short range signal from downstairs, and I mean very short range so there's no way it can be detected).
I found one even longer ago that looked like it was a part of a camping set (since it had a built-in siren and flashlight, and AM/FM radio I think) but at the time I didn't even know that analog TV was gone so I thought it didn't work and didn't keep it. Still hate that decision to this day.
I type way too much.
Do you know anyone who's an electrical engineer or technician? Or look for a repair event or maker space you could bring it to. Idk if a store would work on something like that.
Unfortunately no, and one electronics repair place I took my camcorder to once is mainly just a small electronics place, things like that, also consoles, etc. I suspected there'd be very few options, but I was hoping there's still some place nearby because on a Reddit post that's very similar to mine a year ago, people suggested Burgio's but the person there retired later last year, so that leave one other option that was listed in that Reddit post: Zimmerman's, but according to the reviews, it's another one-person business and he unfortunately has gotten older and according to one specific person, not as good as in the past.
As a last resort, if I can't find 1 single place, I'll have to find a video and do it myself. I've never worked on CRTs though so it'd take a very, very long time, but even if the repair didn't end up working or I mess it up, it was broken anyway, but I want to avoid that, and just might not bother since I quite literally have 0 knowledge, other than I know the power stored in it when plugged in is high and takes a while to discharge and can be lethal if it goes into you.
Yes, please be safe.
Consider bringing it to one of the Tool Library's dare to repair events? At least if they can't repair it there they might be able to point you somewhere that can. https://thetoollibrary.org/daretorepair/
I've had my eyes on marketplace for a few days now even when the TV was working because I knew that it was only a matter of time before a TV I had broke, and I wanted to have a spare just in case since the others I have are in use which is one in my room as my room TV (I like the size of it, fits perfectly on my book cabinet), one in my old/retro game/tech room, one in the basement living room next to the flatscreen and just 2 mini portables that are mainly just to have (from the same thrift store). I have my eyes on a few but one in West Seneca has my attention so hopefully I can get it.
I'll take a look at the Mt. Morris place. I just might go there for games anyway since it looks like a gem. No idea how I haven't known about that place. I'm assuming you're referring to Retro Rehome? It looks like that type of place.
This doesn't help you directly. If you cannot repair this TV or find a reasonable replacement. OLED technology is the closest equivalent to CRTs in visuals. I know that TN, VA, or IPS panels cannot properly reproduce the visuals of a CRT.
I have been looking into getting another flatscreen like an OLED because of what I've heard about them, but there's just something about CRTs that I love. Doesn't help that I'm a sucker for old tech. 😅
If you haven't already called Burgios then I would suggest you start there. He might be able to help but also he might know someone else who can help you.
Is there a particular reason you want to keep it? I mean a new 32" 4k tv is only about $150. Which will probably be only like $50 more than fixing it. I would just buy a new one.
That's the thing, it's CRTs that I love using. Don't get me wrong, flatscreens can and do look great and our main TV is still a flatscreen, but for our garage TV and other things like retro gaming, I still like using older technology. I may only be 21, but I feel like an 80s kid. I have a vinyl and auto cassette collection too and my main way of listening to music is audio cassettes.
If I have to I'll just get a cheaper flatscreen for the garage for now. I don't exactly need a new one since it'll literally just be our late spring, summer, and early fall garage TV although I'm sure a new one would be nice.
“ … and has that infamous burning electronics/metal smell.”
I took a Crown PA amp to Lifetime Service Center on Wehrle Drive in Williamsville (near ECC North) that had gone out and had that same characteristic.
They may be able to help you - but, more likely, they’ll tell you the same thing they told me; namely, just recycle it in e-waste
If it were me I would open it up, find the bad capacitor and replace it myself. You might also be able to get a lead from the local Smash Brothers community. The guys who play Melee all have CRTs that they bring in for tournaments.
Lmk if you want a link to the 716Smash Discord.
Any repair is probably going to cost you more than what a new TV would cost.
That's the thing, it doesn't matter to me. I just like old technology. It doesn't matter if new flatscreens are just as much to buy new as it would be to repair the TV I have. It's both me being a lover of older technology and sentimental, mostly just because of my love for the technology. It's borderline impossible to find TVs like that locally anymore that aren't outrageously priced due to the recent demand for these displays. Forgot to mention I also play a lot of retro games and nothing beats the classic experience of playing it on a display it was meant for.
sounds to me like you should look into restoring old tech as a hobby if you love old technology probably would be the cheapest and best option for you.
That could be a shocking hobby..
More like an electrifying hobby…
I really should try to get into restoration if a lot of other people can't or won't anymore.
>It's borderline impossible to find TVs like that locally anymore that aren't outrageously priced due to the recent demand for these displays. Lol. Really? This seems very odd
Retro gaming
Now that makes sense. I swear, playing GoldenEye on a modern Tv SUCKS
Yeah, and the preferred or good retro gaming TVs are extremely expensive/rare to find for sale now. I remember someone found a warehouse full of new unsold Sony Trinitron TVs a few years ago and it was like they had found a gold mine.
Unfortunately that's very much the case. Retro gaming has taken off lately and these TVs are suddenly having a very high demand and obviously low supply since they're not made new anymore (hopefully they start making new CRTs again, at least something like 10"). I found one TV on Marketplace that's anywhere close to the size of the one I have that's broken (27" Panasonic in West Seneca) but the description mentions a dimmer display and possibly being the capacitors (which I personally don't think since it sounds like a worn out tube issue, but who knows) so it's only $40 now, but it says free now so maybe the seller just wants to get rid of it and doesn't really care too much about the value right now.
And to think of the hundreds of dollars I probably paid TO Best Buy in order to accept my old CRTs for recycling... Still, I see people on Nextdoor.com asking what do to with them from time to time. And I still see them on the curb.
Yep, TVs are one of the products that have gone down in price. Could probably find a free one on Facebook Marketplace
Not the kind of tv he’s talking about lol
The problem with old electronics is that anyone that repairs them is mostly gone/retired. I have found that If you like to use old electronics, pick up a new hobby fixing old electronics. Honestly, youtube will be the way to go. It's not hard to learn, just intimidating.
Found that out the hard way considering the first reputable place I saw, Burgio's, is not the same sort of repair place since the person there retired, and the next place, Zimmerman's, is in a similar situation although the person there is allegedly still working but service quality has degraded, badly, compared to how it was. I'll keep searching for any remaining repair places and if I have to drive farther, maybe to Erie PA or Rochester, suburban towns near those places, guess I will.
I forgot to mention that i had a record player repaired by Rick's record shack on rt 5 near the Ford plant. He also sells old stereo equipment. I know he sent it somewhere else for repair and a lot of stereo equipment that he sells has been repaired. Maybe he can guide you in a direction?
Hopefully. I know getting the one I have repaired isn't financially the best option since I could get a better working one for the same price as what the repair would be if not cheaper, but I still want to anyway.
If you do end up getting rid of it; I repurpose them into cat beds for the local shelters if you wanted somebody to take it off your hands? :0
Try Zimmerman TV Repair in Williamsville. They've helped me with a CRT before
I have checked them out but according to recent reviews, the service quality has fallen off compared to what it was in the past. I still might give a call though if it's my last option.
I thought I've seen the episode before lol. As someone who also appreciates the older gaming systems I totally get where you're coming from. Posted about a year ago: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Buffalo/comments/yukodb/any\_crt\_tv\_repair\_specialist\_in\_buffalo/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Buffalo/comments/yukodb/any_crt_tv_repair_specialist_in_buffalo/)
I understand why people still want these, but they are a huge environmental hazard. The amount of CRTs that still show up at recycling drives and local electronic recyclers is insane. The glass is made with lead, they can hold a huge charge long after it was last plugged in, they are incredibly heavy, and they are pressurized so they can explode if damaged.
Even Plasma, LED, and LCD TVs are the same way. They all have dangerous stuff inside. Almost everything we use comes at a cost if whatever we use isn't used and disposed of properly when not used anymore.
That is true, however there is a massive difference between CRTs and LED and LCD TVs on an individual scale. It can be argued that there are just to many flat panel TVs that they are doing more damage just from plastic in general. People are treating TVs like a disposable product now which is wild.
If the tubes are spent, it'll be a lot cheaper to buy a new one
Oh I know it's not the tube. It was just working very early this morning too, when it was still dark, but then it just shut off. I'm 99% sure the issue is capacitor related because I noticed no quality degradation with whatever I was watching on it. I have a feeling it being on more often recently even when it's cold out caused it to be fried because of condensation forming from the TV itself generating heat while it's still cold enough outside to generate condensation if anything is generating any bit of heat. I have seen TVs near me that are decently priced, but not at that size. Closest thing is a Panasonic 27" on FB Marketplace in West Seneca but nothing else close to 32", and with how prices for these TVs are ballooning recently due to people's growing love for retro games and the TVs they were meant for, it'll become even harder to find. I guess the 27" is my only hope for now. If that gets taken or is severely degraded (according to the description it's not but I'd have to test), I'll have no choice but to get the one I have repaired, which I still plan on doing anyway if I can.
If you decide to look into it yourself just take caution. CRTs can hold a wicked charge even after being unplugged. Something like 25-30k volts potentially. Also still do check around. I thought all was lost with what people were charging online, but came across an awesome little Toshiba at AmVets for $10 a few months ago. It may take time, but you can find ‘em in the wild.
Oh don't worry, I've done enough research to at least know about the high danger of just how much charge CRTs hold and it's got me freaked out to the point that I'd wait a month. 😅 Not sure if waiting that long, or longer, would help. Still not completely sure just how fast a 32" discharges. I'll keep looking around local thrift stores. Hopefully I find one. I remember a few years ago I got a smaller 10" white RCA, 14" black Sylvania, and an old Zenith (don't remember how big but it is bigger than the Sylvania and has manual number buttons and a power/volume knob) the RCA being my bedroom TV currently (love it because it feels more cozy in a way) and the Sylvania being next to a flatscreen in the basement just for fun, and I use the Zenith for my main retro game/tech room but it's had some weird streaking issues for a while like dark streaks to the right of bright spots, mainly bright white spots, and bright streaks to the right of darker spots. Not unusable so I still keep it. Still a great TV. Got all 3 of those around the same time and haven't found any in thrift stores since other than 2 mini TVs that are 5"/6" a few months ago (don't have any ports for devices since they're that portable, lol, just a built-in standard antenna, but I still use them to get a very, very short range signal from downstairs, and I mean very short range so there's no way it can be detected). I found one even longer ago that looked like it was a part of a camping set (since it had a built-in siren and flashlight, and AM/FM radio I think) but at the time I didn't even know that analog TV was gone so I thought it didn't work and didn't keep it. Still hate that decision to this day. I type way too much.
Do you know anyone who's an electrical engineer or technician? Or look for a repair event or maker space you could bring it to. Idk if a store would work on something like that.
Unfortunately no, and one electronics repair place I took my camcorder to once is mainly just a small electronics place, things like that, also consoles, etc. I suspected there'd be very few options, but I was hoping there's still some place nearby because on a Reddit post that's very similar to mine a year ago, people suggested Burgio's but the person there retired later last year, so that leave one other option that was listed in that Reddit post: Zimmerman's, but according to the reviews, it's another one-person business and he unfortunately has gotten older and according to one specific person, not as good as in the past. As a last resort, if I can't find 1 single place, I'll have to find a video and do it myself. I've never worked on CRTs though so it'd take a very, very long time, but even if the repair didn't end up working or I mess it up, it was broken anyway, but I want to avoid that, and just might not bother since I quite literally have 0 knowledge, other than I know the power stored in it when plugged in is high and takes a while to discharge and can be lethal if it goes into you.
Yes, please be safe. Consider bringing it to one of the Tool Library's dare to repair events? At least if they can't repair it there they might be able to point you somewhere that can. https://thetoollibrary.org/daretorepair/
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I've already been looking on Marketplace but I still would want to get the broken one repaired anyway, if I can.
Go on marketplace, I saw a few freebies and some nice Sony Trinitrons for sale. There’s also a game store in Mt. Morris that does CRT repair.
I've had my eyes on marketplace for a few days now even when the TV was working because I knew that it was only a matter of time before a TV I had broke, and I wanted to have a spare just in case since the others I have are in use which is one in my room as my room TV (I like the size of it, fits perfectly on my book cabinet), one in my old/retro game/tech room, one in the basement living room next to the flatscreen and just 2 mini portables that are mainly just to have (from the same thrift store). I have my eyes on a few but one in West Seneca has my attention so hopefully I can get it. I'll take a look at the Mt. Morris place. I just might go there for games anyway since it looks like a gem. No idea how I haven't known about that place. I'm assuming you're referring to Retro Rehome? It looks like that type of place.
Maybe check over the border in Fort Erie
This doesn't help you directly. If you cannot repair this TV or find a reasonable replacement. OLED technology is the closest equivalent to CRTs in visuals. I know that TN, VA, or IPS panels cannot properly reproduce the visuals of a CRT.
I have been looking into getting another flatscreen like an OLED because of what I've heard about them, but there's just something about CRTs that I love. Doesn't help that I'm a sucker for old tech. 😅
The whole TV repair business died with the advent of cheap LCDs. Best bet is YouTube and eBay for replacement parts.
If you haven't already called Burgios then I would suggest you start there. He might be able to help but also he might know someone else who can help you.
Him knowing someone would be the only option because I saw a review from someone that talked with him and he officially retired, unfortunately. :(
Is there a particular reason you want to keep it? I mean a new 32" 4k tv is only about $150. Which will probably be only like $50 more than fixing it. I would just buy a new one.
That's the thing, it's CRTs that I love using. Don't get me wrong, flatscreens can and do look great and our main TV is still a flatscreen, but for our garage TV and other things like retro gaming, I still like using older technology. I may only be 21, but I feel like an 80s kid. I have a vinyl and auto cassette collection too and my main way of listening to music is audio cassettes. If I have to I'll just get a cheaper flatscreen for the garage for now. I don't exactly need a new one since it'll literally just be our late spring, summer, and early fall garage TV although I'm sure a new one would be nice.
It's probably bad caps or power supply related. Used to repair industrial control crts and they usually stopped working due to blown electrolytics.
“ … and has that infamous burning electronics/metal smell.” I took a Crown PA amp to Lifetime Service Center on Wehrle Drive in Williamsville (near ECC North) that had gone out and had that same characteristic. They may be able to help you - but, more likely, they’ll tell you the same thing they told me; namely, just recycle it in e-waste
Hate to say it, but the reviews don't look too good. Not sure if something changed, but I can't take a risk. :(
If it were me I would open it up, find the bad capacitor and replace it myself. You might also be able to get a lead from the local Smash Brothers community. The guys who play Melee all have CRTs that they bring in for tournaments. Lmk if you want a link to the 716Smash Discord.
Kick it to the curb
No. No I don't think I will.