I don't know the model # of my TV offhand, but it's a Sony that I
purchased about 6 years ago.

It has recently started making a very high-pitched noise when the
volume is on.  (No high-pitched noise when "mute" button on.)  I can
still hear the dialogue, sounds, etc. coming from a television show,
but the high-pitched noise is annoying and it reduces the quality of
the sound coming out of the TV in general.

My questions include:

(1) Any idea what might be causing this?
(2) Does this sound like a big (expensive) problem?  Or small?
(3) Is there reason for repair, or is this something I can fix myself?
(4) If fixable myself, how?  (Will pay more for an answer to this!)
(5) If send it in for repair, any estimate of what the cost might be?

Thanks,
Jen

Jen --

High-pitched whines are usually power supply problems.  You may not
realize it, but instant-on features of modern TV sets actually provide
some power to the electron guns in the picture tube so that they're
warm and read to go.

I'd be cautious and have it checked -- it's probably an indication of
an imminent failure.  But if it shorts, it could make for more serious
problems.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

Since the sound is related to *only* the audio when not muted, I would
be disinclined to suspect a general PSU problem. Depending upon
exactly how high the frequency is points to different things. If it is
almost at the limit of hearing, ie you won?t hear it if you are over
forty, it could be a component in the PSU, or more probably associated
with the PSU. If it?s quite obvious even to the more ?mature? ear it
is likely to be associated purely with the audio circuit. In both
cases the cost of the component is generally very small -- finding it
is where the cost lies.

In cases such as this, one would initially be directed towards
electrolytic capacitors. They ?dry out? with amazing alacrity. Crudely
stated, they store electricity, and in the PSU they smooth out ripples
on supply voltages and prevent very high (and low) audio frequencies
from other circuits being amplified. However, when they fail they can
also cause circuits to de-stabilise and oscillate. Often this note
will be of a lower frequency.

So the problem you have is no, it?s not really feasible for a
layperson to repair unless one is possessed of good mechanical and
electrical skills -- and are aware of which bits in a TV can *bite*.
However, were I repairing it, I?d estimate a minimum of thirty
minutes, but it could take hours if it?s not an electrolytic capacitor
which is responsible. So I would suggest you take it to a shop and let
them hear it. There is a possibility it?s a ?standard? so you could
get lucky.

If you really want to have a dig at it yourself and want more info,
I?ll check tomorrow.

Best

Thanks, Omnivorous and Guzzi, for your comments on this.

Sounds like I need to suck it up and get it checked out, regardless,
since I am certainly not "possessed of good mechanical and electrical
skills"!  The noise is definitely obvious to the 'mature' ear, so
hopefully the problem does only lie in the audio circuit and can be
identified expeditiously.

Now my only problem is getting it into a shop since the thing weighs so much!

Thanks again,
Jen