Wall mounting your Plasma or LCD TV can be done in five easy steps. Required tools are a ratchet set for the mount screws, drill, level or tape measure, sheet rock knife (if placing wires in the wall).
Step 1) Determine where you want to locate your TV. Consider a place where direct sunlight will not hit the TV. You may also want to think about where you can position the speakers to get the best surround sound and the best seating arrangement. General rule is that the seating distance should be 1.5 times from the diagonal size of the TV. When seated the bottom of the TV should be at eye height.
Step 2) Now that you know where the TV will be located, the next step is to locate the studs in the wall. It is very important that your TV mount be securely fastened to a stud and not just the wallboard. The easiest way to the studs is to buy a stud finder. (Most hardware stores)
Step 3) Next we need to determine how to run the cables from your equipment to where the TV will be on the wall. One option is to run the cables in the wall. Another option is to use a cable cover then texture and paint the cover to match the wall. If running cables in the wall, cut a hole where the TV will be and cut a hole where your equipment will be. Make sure the holes do not cross over a stub unless you plan on drilling a hole in the stud for the cables to run through. Run the wires in the wall.
Step 4) With the wires in place we know where the mount needs to be. The next step is to attach the mount to the wall. Make sure that the mount is level, either by using a level or my measuring from the floor to each side of the mount. Also make sure the screws go into the studs and that you drill (starter holes) for the screws so that you do not crack the studs. Most mounts come with the screws and tell you which size holes to drill.
Step 5) Last step is to place the TV on the mount. This is actually the hardest step, make sure you have help with this step as it is difficult to see the mount and lift the TV at the same time. You don’t want to drop it at this point and need Television repair.
Surge Protectors
You may not be aware of it but power surges happen all the time in homes and businesses. Everyday activities such as starting the dryer or dishwasher, using the garbage disposal, operating the copier, turning on the air conditioner or opening the garage door cause power surges. These small, frequent bursts of electricity can slowly deteriorate the internal circuitry of any device that is plugged in to a power outlet, phone line or cable.
Spikes of electricity, from lightning for example, are rapid and infrequent but much more powerful and destructive to computers, TVs, and other electronic devices.
Surge protectors are designed to prevent damage due to electrical surges and spikes. They act like a sponge, absorbing excess voltage before it reaches devices that are plugged into them. This protection is exceedingly important for valuable electronics and devices that store important data. Devices with microprocessors or “chips”, which are used commonly in most electronic devices, are particularly sensitive to voltage fluctuations. Portect yourself from costly Tv Repair !!
Consider using a surge protector on these electronic devices:
o Computers, laptops and portable hard drives
o Printers, copiers and scanners
o Phones and fax machines
o Scanners
o TVs and surround sound systems
o VCRs, DVRs and DVD players
o Game systems and stereos
o Microwaves, convection ovens and other kitchen appliances
o Medical equipment
o Tools and machinery
o Anything that’s recharging
When shopping for surge protectors, compare them for these features:
o UL clamping voltage - The lower the UL clamping voltage, the better protection. Make sure the rating reflects 500 amp test results for household or office use.
o Joules - The higher the joule rating, or MOVs, the more energy a surge protector can absorb before reaching its limit. A higher rating means better protection longer.
o Circuit breaker - When a circuit overloads, a breaker stops the flow of electricity (this is separate from surges and spikes).o Cost - Surge protector prices range between $10 and $40, the most common difference being how long they will last before they need to be replaced and manufacturer guarantee.
Has your tv remote stopped working?
Remote controls - these days we can’t seem to function without them. In modern-day living, remote controls have virtually become an extra limb that we cannot do without.
In fact, the first use of remotes in our homes began after WWII, when remote controlled garage doors started being manufactured. The T.V. remote followed suit. It was aptly called ‘Lazy Bones,’ and was made by Zenith Corporation, an American company.
In present times almost every gadget we own needs a remote control, from TVs, music systems, VCRs and DVD players to home theater systems, some of which require as many as six separate remotes. The day is not far away, when every single gadget we use will need a remote.
From controlling home and office appliances to directing robots, weapons and even equipment to be used in space, the humble remote control has come a long away and has now literally become a symbol of power in our hands.
But I digress, if your remote stopped working but the device still powers up manually then:
1. Check the batteries
2. Check to see if one of the remote buttons is jammed.
3. Sometimes drinks (liquids) get spilled onto the remote keypad, then works its way into the circuitry (electronics).
4. Sometimes the remote hand units gets dropped, the impact can dislodge the batteries or even crack the internal circuit board.
5. Sometimes the remote control is actually ok, but the remote receiver in the device has failed.
With 3-4-5 you may need to take the remote to a television repair facility for minor repairs.
3.
HDTVs use more power than you might imagine. Because old tube televisions are starting to vanish, replaced by much larger plasma and LCD sets, TV watchers in general may note an increase in their electricity bills. And with the ever increasing popularity of TV-based entertainment options, such as video games, digital video recorders, more and more electricity is being utilized on TV-related activity. Those devices use a bit of power, but typically the biggest energy hog in your entertainment center is the TV itself.
The power used by an active television is determined by three factors: size of screen; type of technology, such as plasma or LCD; and picture brightness, which nearly always depends on selected picture settings.
Average plasma: 338 watts
Average LCD: 176 watts
PlayStation 3: 197 watts
Xbox 360 Elite 185 watts
Nintendo Wii: 19 watts
DirecTV HR20 DVR: 33 watts
Screen size: Larger TVs use more power. A 32-inch LCD uses about half as much power as a 52-inch LCD. Of course, the 52-incher’s screen is nearly three times as large as that of the 32-inch model, so the efficiency payoff for going down in screen size does tend to taper off. However, the chances are your new flat-screen TV will use more power than your old tube TV-if the new set is significantly larger.
Technology type: Plasma TVs use more power than LCD TVs, on average, roughly two to three times more electricity to produce a picture of the same brightness as LCD. In the last couple of years, plasma TV makers have made some progress–but they still can’t compete with LCD for energy efficiency. One problem is that in plasma sets, each pixel is a distinct light source (think of it as a tiny light bulb), so when resolution increases, say from 720p to 1080p, power use goes up also. The intensity of light from each pixel must be increased to brighten the picture as a whole.
LCD TVs, on the other hand, a backlight shines through an LCD panel to create the picture. Since the pixels reside in the panel, and not the backlight, the TV’s power use is largely independent of resolution. Many LCDs can conserve additional power by automatically turning the backlight down during dark scenes and up during bright scenes. Some models use a different backlight technology, such as LEDs, which are inherently more efficient than standard fluorescent backlights. And some “local dimming” models can even control the brightness of different parts of the LED backlight independently.
Picture settings: The brighter the picture, the more power is consumed, and since light output is primarily a function of the picture settings available on all TVs, this is the one factor that any user can control regardless of television. Reducing the light output of your TV can cut power use by as much as half, and as long as you don’t overdo it, you’ll still enjoy great picture quality.
The principal settings that matter are contrast and backlight. Both directly control light output. Nearly every TV has a contrast control, but backlight is generally restricted to LCD models but not every LCD has it. In LCDs with both backlight and contrast controls, backlight is the main determinant of light output and power use. The brightness control has less of an impact on TVs light output than the other two settings do.
Other controls are also often available, such as energy saver modes, which typically limit peak light output, dynamic settings that raise or lower the light output depending on the brightness or darkness of the image being displayed, and room lighting sensors that increase light output in dark rooms and lower it when the lights dim. Turning on any of these controls will generally reduce the TVs power use, but it will often sacrifice image fidelity. Automatic adjustments can be distracting, for example, and aggressive energy saver modes can make images too dim. No LCD tv repair is needed this is normal.
HDMI
By now almost everyone who has a high definition Television or a Home Theater System is familiar with an HDMI cable. If not, you should get acquainted with it ASAP! Check out this basic information about HDMI Cables which you should know. You may not need television service to get a more clear picture, you may just need a HDMI cable.
For starters, HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface and the name is basically a description of what the cable does. It transmits high definition audio and video through one single cable. The cable is used with Audio and Video equipment such as Blu-ray DVD Players and HDTVs. The cable itself looks very similar to a USB cable, but you have 19 individual wires wrapped inside a single HDMI cable.
HDMI is a pure, uncompressed digital source while the others are all analog. The difference is simple, analog cables take a digital signal and converts it to a less clear analog signal which is then transmitted to your TV. This signal is then converted back to a digital signal to be displayed on the screen. With all this converting of the original signal, it starts to break down and loses clarity, resulting in a poorer picture and audio quality. A HDMI cable keeps the original digital signal, eliminating any need for conversion, thus giving you the clearest, sharpest images and audio possible.
The next thing you need to know about the HDMI cable is that it comes in different versions. Through its technical evolution different versions of the HDMI cable have appeared. They are as follows: HDMI 1.0, HDMI 1.1, HDMI 1.2, HDMI 1.2a, HDMI 1.3, and now HDMI 1.4. Any older audio/video equipment you have will work together with any newer equipment regardless of which HDMI cable version you use. Basically, all you should be aware of is that the HDMI version 1.4 will fit all your needs in both your older and newer equipment.
Ok what HDMI cable should you purchase? When you go to a store you will see HDMI cables ranging in price from $10 up to $100. Does the difference in price reflect the quality in the HDMI cable? Will you get a clearer picture or faster signals with a more expensive HMDI cable? The answer is NO. Regardless of what information you are given, most experts agree there is no difference in performance quality between the differently priced cables.
Start loading up your rack or cabinet with the gear positioned such that you can install it easily. This is where you’ll be glad you bought two-meter cables, because the slack you have now can be used to make your system slide together easily.
Start attaching all of your speaker cables first, especially if you are working with a receiver. If you have a pin or banana plug connector on the receiver end of the speaker cable, then you are in good shape. Most receivers do not leave enough room for connection of speaker cables and it is the single most frustrating part of the installation project. I recommend, especially if you are using bare wire, that you take your time during this part. Make sure you have the wire stripped far enough down the cable. Twist the cable very well and then twist it again around your binding post of your receiver. Also, install other inputs first make installing the speaker connectors on the back of the receivers even harder to successfully complete.
Once the speakers are connected solidly, start connecting inputs. For example, you might connect your TV with a component cable. You might start with sources after that. Arrange the cables you need for each source one at a time. In the case of a DVD-Audio/SACD player connect the 6 RCA cables first - being careful to connect the correct corresponding interconnect from the player to the receiver. They are not always labeled the same. Sometimes Left Surround is labeled “left rear” or “LR.” Connect the digital audio cable and the component video cable. Once done with plugging in cables, program the input(s) on your receiver for the source.
Move on to other inputs, systematically installing each and adding up your successes with each source component.
Install a direct connection from your traditional satellite receiver or cable box right to your TV. You will want to have that so you can just turn your TV on and watch without getting involved with your entire home theater systems. If your system doesn’t work when you power it up, you may need to seek out some more advanced TV repair troubleshooting.
Microwave ovens need to be maintained regularly, or there could be some serious consequences. Microwaves generally seem like simple and reliable appliances, but like anything that ages, things can go wrong with it. Any microwave oven that is getting older than say 15 years, should probably be checked. If you find that food is taking much longer to cook then usual, then perhaps it’s time to have a professional examine it. They can test for radiation leakage or any other problems that the microwave is experiencing. They can also make a determination as to whether the microwave oven should be replaced. Chances are, that any microwave of that age should just be replaced. They are pretty inexpensive items, and the newer ones are likely to have more features and conveniences to make your cooking experience more enjoyable. Just in case you like to do-it-yourself, here’s a warning.
Do Not attempt to repair a microwave oven. Microwave repair is a job strictly for professionals. Microwave circuits carry 3000 to 5000 and sometimes higher volts of electricity. One of the most common repairs that occur in a microwave is a worn out fuse, that gets zapped by a power surage. Another common part that fails are the switches that the door latch activates when you open and close the oven door. Easily replaced by a pro, and saves the need of buying a new microwave.
Simple Cleaning
Microwave ovens don’t need a whole lot of maintenance, but they do require some. Simply keeping the interior clean is important. Covering most foods with a loose top, or paper towel will keep the food in the dish or on the plate you are microwaving with. Food particles left inside a microwave will eventually turn to carbon after being microwaved multiple times. Carbon particles can arc and present a fire hazard within the microwave. Another little tip to keeping your microwave clean, is to make sure anything you put in is somewhat ventilated. This usually just means poking a few holes in the food or the plastic containers your cooking the food in. This prevents the build up of steam pressure in whatever your cooking. Nothing like an exploding potato to create a big mess for the cook to clean up.
CLEANING YOUR LCD & PLASMA SCREENS
Keeping LCD and Plasma TV screens clean not only provides a better picture, but extends the life of the TV. Learning the proper methods of cleaning your screen can save yourself a lot of grief and possible damage to your investment, and keeps you from costly television repairs.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1
Obviously, your LCD or Plasma Tv screen isn’t glass. So, DO NOT! use Windex or any other household cleaners. They Can Harm Your Screen! Ammonia is bad !
Step 2
Ensure that your TV has been off long enough that it doesn’t feel warm to the touch. Wipe your screen with a soft, lint-free cloth. If there are no visible smudges after dusting, stop here. The Less you have to clean your screen, the longer it will last!
Step 3
To remove smudges from the screen, you will need a mild cleaning solution. There are many LCD/PLasma screen cleaners on the market, but they are overpriced and contain little more than water and isopropyl alcohol. Why not make your own solution and save money?
Step 4
Using a measuring cup, make a solution of equal parts water and isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Do not add more than 50% alcohol, as this will produce a mixture too harsh to use.
Step 5
Take a soft, lint-free micro-fiber cloth and dip it in the cleaning solution. Squeeze out any excess solution. DO NOT spray the solution directly on the screen. This could damage nearby electrical components or wick into the screen layers. Wipe the solution-damp cloth lightly! over the screen, concentrating on visible smudges.
Step 6
If there is visible dirt in the corners of the screen, use a cotton swab dipped in the solution to clean them. Once you are finished cleaning the screen, give it a quick wipe with another dry cloth.
Now set back and enjoy your clean screen.
Despite being less clunky than a VCR, DVD players still require a significant amount of care, particularly if they’re being used frequently. While DVD player repair should be let to the experts, here is an easy guide on how to clean and maintain your DVD player:
First you will want to start by, unplugging your DVD player from the wall and tv, and move it to a more suitable working environment, like a table or desk.
Examine the outside of the DVD player, around the vents for the cooling fans, and look for any excessive dust build up, if the vent area seems to have a small quilt of dust on it, it has been way to long since you cleaned! You don’t want to blow this dust with the air duster, as it will spread back into the DVD player, however, if your dust build up is light, you can begin by blowing through the machine. If you open the drawer, on some models this will allow you to blow all the way through the DVD player.
Next, you can put your cleaning disc in and relax as it plays through. Now you can watch your movies with a peace of mind.
For anyone who is interested in technology, the term “LCD” has undoubtedly come across your radar in the past few years. But for anyone who doesn’t know the term, LCD stands for liquid crystal display. And there are several distinct benefits to having an LCD TV. First and foremost, these types of TVs are much lighter in weight. Second, for the energy-conscious TV watcher, they also require less power. Another unique and distinct benefit of LCD TVs is that they can even double as computer monitors.
And for those who can’t live without technology in their lives, the LCD TV might have seemed out of reach when it first debuted. But now there are many places where you can find a high quality discount LCD TV. That means you can enjoy all the benefits of a LCD TV without the exorbitant price tag. Just imagine watching your favorite movies, television shows, or sporting events on the crisp, clear image offered by an LCD TV. And if your friend or family member needs a new television, don’t forget to let them know about all the benefits of owning this new television technology. If you are wary of getting a discount model, don’t worry; I was able to find a Seattle LCD repair just a few minutes from my house.