Problem with Rear projection TV

[TimSmith]

You never know, someone here might be able to help me with a faulty TV. Its a rear projection Toshiba model, about 4 years old. Suddenly its got a serious blue "ghost image" next to the main image and that ghost image is distorted one way in the top half of the screen and the opposite way in the bottom half of the screen. Its like looking at some crazy acid-induced modern art image (not that I would have personal experience of acid, you understand officer!).

Since I am being quoted silly money to get it looked at (let alone fixed) I may end up upgrading to a plasma or buying a new one of the same model. However, since this seems like shameless consumerism/terribly environmentally wasteful because its such a physically large item, I am thinking of opening it up to take a look myself. Anyone know anything about these beasties?

 

[Bront]

The blue lamp probably needs to be realligned. Some TVs have options for doing this with the remote, or you may either have to crack open the back, or more likely have someone come out to fix it, but it is repairable (or at least should be) if that is the case.

I would not get a Plasma. You'll get 3-5 years of life out of it before it burns out, and then you'll have to replace it again. DLP is a great technology that is rear projection, but doesn't need to be as monsterous, and LCD is nice, but just don't come quite as big as a Plasma.

If you do go new, you might want to get an HD tuner, because then, even if you get basic cable, they are required by law to give you local broadcast HD chanels, since in theory you could get them with an antenna. And you wouldn't need a box.