Severe lightning storm last night and TV not on surge supressor since I thought it was unplugged (cable box was but unfortunately TV was still connected). The unit will click "on" with remote but no picture and no further functionality with remote. Is TV repairable or beyond help?

A modern tv is as much computer as tv and isn't electronically robust having much delicate circuitry that is vulnerable to surges, spikes or transients.

A direct lightning strike isn't necessary to cause damage and lightning activity in the area is all that is necessary. A surge protector could provide some protection but in reality disconnecting the tv from the mains and the antenna is the best protection.
In the early days of radio when circuits were more robust, an external antenna and a good ground was often necessary for good signal reception, there would be a knife switch provided to disconnect the antenna and ground it whenever there was thunder around - a worthwhile precaution that unfortunately isn't practical today.

A tv that has failed during an electrical storm might be economically repairable or might not - only the repair guy could tell you this. My limited experience with this tells me although such a tv can be fixed it never seems to achieve the same quality.

during storms it is advisable to turn of and disconnect electronic devides, there must have been a strike not far from you?

Hi,
please call a specialist in that for assistance.
As of now and future: Follow what everyone says: "Turn off the modem and TV during a lightning storm".

Turn the monitor off.
Unplug it from the AC power.
Reconnect it, turn it on, and see if it returns to "normal".

Do you have house-insurance that covers electrical damage from lightning/thunder storms?

The warranty does not cover lightning, check if your insurance covers it.
A lightning strike on such panel ( HDMI ) is very difficult to repair and if not impossible.The HDMI connector is hooked to the ground of the TV set so everything could be damaged.
My advice is not to repair.

try is with out the bar

Maybe the video portion of your receiver was fried by the lightning. The good news is, you don't need it!
I run all my video sources (sattelite, xbox and dvd player) to my TV with hdmi cables, and a single toslink(optical) from the televison to my 5.1 home theatre receiver. it sounds great and I only use a single input of the receiver for all my video.

If your setup does not have toslink themn use coaxial digital. it is also one wire and probably is indistinguishable in sound quality.

for future, run the power for all your electronics through a UPS or fancy surge supressor to protect them from bad power (and lightning)

Hello DJ,

I am sorry to say but it sounds like you had a major surge go through your tv. Go to this area: TV Repair man in your area
Find a repair place near you and have them check it out.