Are HDTVs more sensitive to lightning than CRT?

[Aldbaran]

My Dad had his 36" CRT TV for at least 20 years, and it's been giving him trouble lately, so it was time for a new one. It had been plugged in for all that time and never got fried by a lightning storm either.
Now he has a 55" Sony 4k TV and I helped him get it set up, and then I went home. That night, there was a thunderstorm. My dad told me he was watching TV during that time and the picture kept messing up. He said he thought maybe it was the cable service being disrupted by the storm. But I'm starting to wonder about that. I've heard computers are prone to being damaged by lightning, and a HDTV is very much like a computer. Are they just as prone to being damaged by lightning?

I'd sure hate to find out that something in the TV got damaged on the very same day he bought the TV. It was $800.

[raffriff42]

Living in Florida, I've had lots of electronics die from lightning & power surges (not lately, touch wood). Lightning damage (AFAIK) is usually sudden death, is it not? Either the whole unit dies, or a particular USB/Ethernet/HDMI port stops working forever. What you describe sounds like the cable company had satellite problems.

But to answer your question, yes: they are more susceptible. I would get a UPS for the TV, or at least a good quality surge protector. It can help, but there's nothing that can stop lightning damage in every case.

[Aldbaran]

Living in Florida, I've had lots of electronics die from lightning & power surges (not lately, touch wood). Lightning damage (AFAIK) is usually sudden death, is it not? Either the whole unit dies, or a particular USB/Ethernet/HDMI port stops working forever. What you describe sounds like the cable company had satellite problems.

Whew! Thanks! I'll be going over to my dad's place later today. I've never had a HDTV before, so I'm interested in trying out my dad's to see what it can do. I wanted to try plugging in a USB drive. I've heard these TV's work just like a computer with such things. I want to see what kind of content can be played. I'll try out the different ports to see if any of them are no longer working.

BTW, I live in Wisconsin and have been through plenty of storms but have never had anything die from lightning (yet). I have a microwave oven, a CRT TV, stereo and other usual items but they all survive the storms with no problem. However, my laptop stays unplugged when not in use, and is not used during storms. Nevertheless, my previous laptop died anyway while everything else survives. Go figure.

[videobruger]

I want to see what kind of content can be played

Maybe read the manual.

[redwudz]

More common for voltage spikes is a power line failure, such as a mounting arm breaking and the wires falling onto the lower voltage lines.
This can happen during wind, heavy rain, ice and snow storms.

Usually power lines that are properly installed and grounded don't have a high risk for causing damage from lightning.

If your dad lives in a house, you might also want to check that the ground from the meter box is securely attached to
a ground stake or a metal water line. That is where voltage spikes or lighting voltages are dissipated as the last line of defense.

And though the power company won't tell you, they are usually liable for spikes that cause damage to your electrical system or appliances.
They are supposed to supply safe power. They normally have a claim form you can fill out for damages. But you have to ask for it.

Beyond that, I would also recommend at least a surge protector on expensive electronic devices.
They are usually sacrificial when there is a voltage spike, so you have to check them on occasion.
I've had a couple pop. And not all of them cut the power after failure. But they did indicate they were blown.

Types and brands of spike or surge protectors and UPS devices is better researched online.
There is a lot of variety and quality differences between devices and really cheap ones are mostly useless.

[Drowning]

I guess both of them are similar.