Why would I opt for 2006 technology in my home? I wanted a large screen in my basement but hesitated to invest in a flat-screen due to the kids’ rowdy play. The basement served as their rec room, and I did not want to see my money wasted in the form of a cracked screen. It worked but there were some hiccups along the way.
ONE’S TRASH ANOTHER’S TREASURE
On my way to work I saw a projection screen TV on the curb. It was a Sony flatscreen. I assumed that it ended up on the curb due to its outdated technology, making room for newer models. This could be the perfect TV for the basement. If the kids break the screen it only costed me labor, and I needed exercise. I huffed and puffed putting this block of a TV into my Dodge Caravan. Upon testing it at home, I noticed a slight humming sound, but overall, it worked well. We played video games, watched television and movies. I was impressed with the brightness of it. However the TV eventually failed.
SEARCH FOR ANOTHER FLATSCREEN
Since we had a good experience with the plat screen I set my aim to find the largest flat-screen I could by on Kijiji. After some searching, I found the Toshiba 72-inch, costing me $250 CAD. It fit perfectly in my Dodge Caravan and looked fantastic in the basement. The only downside was that it didn’t come with a stand.
Three months later I noticed the picture colour bleeding while we were watching Godzilla. We stopped the movie.
REPAIRS
After thorough research, I discovered I had to replace the light drive. Light drive? This crucial component takes light from the lamp and projects it onto the screen through various lenses and mirrors. Finding replacement parts online was more expensive than the cost of the TV. Determined to salvage my investment, I kept an eye out for another Toshiba 72-inch on Kijiji and came across a broken unit in Hamilton for $50. Opting for this option was far more economical than the $300 USD unit available on the Internet. I disassembled the broken unit, transferred the functional light drive to my TV, and voila – it worked like a charm.
SOUND
Desiring to enhance the audio experience, I bought in a Sony speaker system from the early 2000s on Kijiji. This system uses infrared light to transmit the signal to the remote speakers.
I further improved the sound quality by purchasing an optical cord, maximizing the TV’s audio capabilities for a crisper and richer experience.
TV STAND FINALLY
Sometimes, the best finds happen on the curb. I stumbled upon a discarded flat-screen stand that seemed like a perfect fit for my TV. This was harder to pickup and put into the van than the TV. I think I new muscles spawned in my back that day. At home I realized I had to take it apart because I could not take it down the basement stairs without worrying about scratching the walls. Once I got it downstairs it fit perfectly.
TODAY
The TV continues to serve us well. My kids play Xbox and Nintendo Wii U. When we have our summer family BBQs the kids go to the basement to play. I have two extra TV lamps, one from the original purchase and another from the unit acquired in Hamilton. So if a lamp goes out I have one ready to go. The screen was hit with toys with a force that would have cracked a modern flat screen. So this Toshiba has fit it’s role.
Last updated on January 26, 2024