I have just been given this in exchange for my Sony.

It was working perfectly on Friday but since we moved it yesterday to our house, we now have no picture - but sound is coming from the TV but not the VCR.

It is a 81/03 50htz mark 4.

I'm in a real mess now cos I can't give it back not working and now have no TV!

If anyone could throw any light as to what might have caused the picture to fail and if its worth repairing.

Many thanks

Ollie Bollie 

Hi Ollie = Presume u have checked all your cons ok

1  Have u a raster on the screen (snow)?  If yes - u may have an antennae problem

2  If not, can u feel static off the glass on the back of hand at swith-on? If not - you may have a PSU or Line Output Stage problem

It seems a bit strange considering this has happened after your move! Check all your cons. Good luck = Brian (Northumberland)

Hi Blong, thanks for coming back so quickly.

No there is no raster on the screen just completely black

Will check re static - 

Am really hoping that it is not we need a new tube as other half is already in a mood about it and feeling really bad that it's not even our TV!

I can't believe that something as good as B&O could be affected by such a short trip in the car.

Hopeful

Ollie Bollie!

Hi again Ollie = I'm fairly sure u have a set-up problem. Have u got a User Manual to hand - if not u can get it in the Products section and follow the links.  I had a quick look there just now and it's possible that if u started from scratch again and followed the guide carefully, you may just get it fixed ok!  I can't imagine that a short car journey has damaged it- u never know, but give it a try - i'm fairly sure that's yr problem. Good luck = Brian (Northumberland)

Thanks Blong.

Have just had the engineer round who suspects it to be a faulty tube heater!

Big decision now is to how much it costs to repair versus get a new one. Problem is that as it was working when it left friends house feel that I should get it repaired but other half is giving me a lot of grief re cost and time it will take.

Wish I'd never got into the situation now with the way things are at the moment!

Ollie Bollie

The heater inside the CRT can be checked with a multimeter in a few seconds. Similarly the supply voltage. I'm surprised the techie did not give a definite statement of the fault. Mark

There was no glow at all from the heater. Everything else seemed to be making the right noises etc. 

I know that all repairs to B&O equipment is costly, but would I be right in thinking if this is the case it will be less than a picture tube replacement?

Thanks

Ollie Bollie

 

Ollie = Did u do static test? Before u condemn tube, test the heater supply side circuitry - it comes straight off the line output transformer - u should have continuity from tube base panel thru the heater winding. I looked at cct diagram and saw no fusible link - but there sometimes is a fusible resistor in this cct - make sure.  The transformer could be faulty , but special tester needed.  A new transformer might cost about £20 - i'm not too sure on this set.  Also Mark's comments apply as well - if heater cct in tube oc, tube is goosed!  I still think the problem is corruption - u could try going thru all the set-up pars - its all there in the Service Manual.  Are there any panel indications such as flashing leds ie flashing error codes?  All needs thinking about before it goes off to TV resting place! = Brian (Northumberland)

Brian

Thanks for coming back. 

All abit techinical for me I'm afraid - I'm not an expert by any means so a little unsure what your talking about. All I know is that I'm waiting for the engineer to advise the cost of repair to the tube heater as when he took the back off yesterday this was not driving the tube. Am at wits end as other half giving me real grief (due ££ and time involved) and also now have the situation that have got friends TV that was working fine but now broken - will I have to stump up for the repairs any how.

Really really wish I'd never got involved with this TV ......

Ollie

Which area are you in? In the unlikely event that you happen to be near Malvern, I'd be happy to pop over and have a look at it for you. Mark

Mark

Thanks for offer but suspect given I'm in the South East this probably wouldn't be an option. In your experience would you have any idea of the replacement cost of a tube heater and how length of time to fit?

Thanks

Tracy

The heater is internal to the tube. If it has broken, then you need a new tube - expensive. If the problem is lack of heater voltage, that's most likely the Line Output Transformer. Last time I looked for one, they were about £30, and I'd expect an hour or so for labour. Mark

Thanks for the info Mark.

TV being picked up tomorrow for repairs - best case £389 worst case £530!!!

But don't really have any choice as can't give it back broken.........

Tracy

Reading all of this makes me kind of suspicous....when such a price is mentioned i assume it's known what's gonna be repaired, the big questions is 'what' ??

Because with all the possible trouble with these tubes: heather problems isn't one  of them (but you could have the exeption) but as mentioned is quite easy to check.

Now if the tube is gonna be replaced: B&O price (including different deflection board etc, needed for a replacement tube) used to be around 700 euros.

Don't bother having this done: the whole tv isn't worth more than 200,- (ex beo4) !!, getting the tube changed for a 50Hz avant is a waste of money...

On the other hand, as mentioned here, i also have serious doubts if your tube is the problem...

I don't want to talk 'bad' but i'd go for a repair guy who knows about Avants, for some repair places these tv's are quite ''mysterious''...:)

Thanks for the insights ipaul. 

Repair is being done by Simon of AVA Services Ltd in Coulsdon who is highly respected in B&O circles over here and very familiar with Avants.

I take on board what you say regarding the tube replacement not being worth it, but as I can't give the TV back broken, unfortunately I have no choice but to go ahead with the repair.

I'm really really hoping that it isn't the worst case scenario of the tube .... fingers crossed cos the whole thing has been a nightmare......

Tracy

OK, that sounds fine (abt the repair guy) but still leaves the question: if amounts are mentioned: what's being done for that money ?

And, again i don't want to talk 'bad' but if someone would come to me with a broken tube Avant 50Hz, i'd never advice him to get if fixed....(regardless of the fine quality of that tv, getting it fixed for 500 pounds would be a bad advice imho...).

Just get a 100Hz one for half that amount (even with a new tube).

Anyways, it's your choice etc, but it's interesting (here) to know what's the technical story: is the tube gone or not ?? and, if not, what is the problem ??

Good luck :).

Ipaul

The tube is fine - its a line output problem and despite being manufactured in 1998 it has only been used for 296 days (7,000 hours) so not even run in!

I am going ahead with the repair because as previously mentioned I don't really have a choice.

Tracy