What can i say, ive had this old girl since she was new. Its been used, abused, fallen off a truck and spent two days partially underwater early this january and she still works.

So i figure i owe it to her to get her back tip-top shape. Shes a 1985 samsung 12" b&W model BT-307MR. The picture is fine 95% of the time (when hooked to cable), but then will get these diagonal lines going for a moment, as well as the on-off/volume switch has become a bit finnicky(sometimes you have to tap it for the sound to come on after youve turned it up or down).

Its not like shes worth anything, but ive had it so long i just want it to fix her up. So any help on what to do or replace would be greatly thanked.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/suedebear/the-shit/suedebear083.jpg

Samsungs hold a special place in my heart.When my parents split,my mom was looking for a cheap color tv.The cheapest they had was a Samsung.Thousands of hours watching the then new MTV,and HBO and Z channel.
When I met my wife,she had done the same thing at the Base Exchange:Bought the cheapest tv in the store.Another Samsung.We spent so much time watching local channels on rabbit ears when we were dating.It must have been love,cause I would never sit through Melrose Place and 90210 now.
Jimmy

I have a special attachment to 12" B&W sets myself. Although they have no monetary value, they have functional value. They are compact, attractive, easy to fix most of the time and there are so many different styles from conservative to way out colors and shapes. The simplicity of these sets makes them reliable too. Also, for many of os, our first TV was a 12" B&W. Mine was a mid 60s Zenith.

I'm pretty sure the on/off switch is simply dirty and needs a good squirt or two of deoxit.

As for the intermittant diagonal lines, something inside the TV could be loose, or a connector could have a bit of corrosion from being partly submerged.

Seems like only yesterday that these were gracing the shelves of Woolworths, Ames, Kmart, etc. My 12" bw, the only TV I have ever bought new, was this same age-a Midland from Western Auto.

I really feel these are heading towards collectability. You could fill a whole wall with them quite easily, and have quite a variety of styles. Could do it quite cheap, too. I probably have about 10 altogether right now...I don't really want any of them but can't bear to toss them.

I have considered them collectible for quite a while now. Currently I only have three, two of which are restored and working.

...

I'll save the mid to late 70s ones, but my about 1982 or 83 I just don't find them interesting anymore.

However, sentimental value is often more important. If I found my old '82 Samsung 13" color with preset tuning, I'd definitely buy it! Lot of memories there.

Heys Zenith..

Sentiment is about all we have. Or at least what a lot of us hold on to.

This ole girl means a ton to me. Im gonna tear her down tomorrow and deoxit the volume. & such. Gotta call the local stores and find the stuff...

Check out the connectors and stuff.

Get her back to tip-top fighting (watching) condition.

Cheers to you, suede. I agree that sentimental value is extremely important. :thmbsp:

Good luck tuning her up. Should work for many years to come.

That's the thing about 12" b&w TV's, especially solid-state ones: They last forever, or close to it. :yes:

That looks like a 12 inch b&w that I had back in the early 80's. It was sold as a Portland, but I always wondered who really made the set.

Good for you !