I have a GE rear projection TV that doesn't work.

I have 2 differing opinions. One is that this 10 year old unit (repaired) will last longer than what is being sold now. The other is that this unit is dead and not worth attempting any repair. Both opinions from professionals.

Does anyone out there have any helpful experience?

Gal - Do you really need a huge monstrosity in your livingroom? Why not get one of the newer, lighter weight LCDTV's instead? I ditched my old huge heavy weight analog set not too long ago and got a swell LCDTV. Those rear projection sets are definitely a thing of the past. They don't have the crisp picture that the LCD's have.

Try going out to a store and actually comparing the new sets for the picture quality. You'll be amazed. I bought a Sharp Aquos for the bedroom and a Panasonic Viera for the livingroom. The both have excellent definition of the picture - something that I think your old rear projection never had.

Also, they are much easier to watch from any angle in the room. I get headaches from the rear projection big screens and can't watch them for very long.

Provided nothing goes wrong with modern sets, they are rated for approximately 60,000 hours. Which at 8 hours a day is 20 years. Take that into consideration with the price you'll pay to have your old TV fixed, the improved picture quality of the new ones, the space you'll gain, and how inexpensive some of the newer sets are... well, in my opinion, you have a no-brainer.

I have a 40" Samsung LCD in my bedroom, and a 52" Samsung LCD in my living room. One thing I like about the Samsungs is that they seem to have the best picture quality, but their screens are shiny and have more glare.

At the very least, go take a look at the newer TVs and check out the pricing. I would throw the costs of repairing your old one and purchase a new one. Most places offer free delivery and haul away. :)

Good point Faded - I forgot about the 60,000 hours life of the LCD's.

Also, the LCD's take very little electric consumption versus your rear projection screen. Take that into consideration as well. My Panasonic Viera uses less than 100 watts when turned on and not even one watt when turned off. Can you say the same about your GE? Probably not.

Also, how easy is the GE to move around? Can you mount it on a wall? Probably not.