The core of any good home entertainment system is an HDTV. This may include a plasma TV, an LCD TV, or a DLP television. Should you replace your DLP or buy a new LCD or plasma TV? That is a question that will depend on problems you experience. Various problems can cause you to consider a new TV to use for your home entertainment system.

Why Consider A New TV?

A TV that does not turn on or seems to turn off and on at random times has a power issue. The TV may be plugged into a faulty outlet or you may have a power strip that is not working correctly. A fault with the television itself may also be the cause of a power issue. A television that turns on and off may have a sleep timer turned on. Check the menu of the TV to check this issue. If you leave the television on for long periods of time, then it may overheat and shut down to cool.

The bulb used with the TV can cause problems with the display. If a bulb in your TV fails, then it does not have a source of light. This can result in a black screen when the TV is turned on. The bulbs for the TV will last between 1,000 and 3,000 hours. The lifespan of the lamp is based on the manufacturer and the brand of TV that is in use. Bulbs often receive excess wear if the unit it turned on and off constantly without letting the bulb cool down.

Picture problems with your television may involve lines in the screen or seeing dead pixels. These are issues that a professional will need to repair. If you see discoloration on your screen or distorted picture quality, then you need to adjust options in the picture menu. This can be done using the remove control for your TV.

Sound issues that occur with your television can include a buzzing or humming sound. This issue results from having the volume turned up too high and blowing the speakers. A repair technician can repair a sound issue with your television. Your issue may just involve the mute option being activated. Turn the mute off using your remote control.

So, should you replace your DLP or buy a new LCD or Plasma TV? To answer that, you will have to weigh the cost of repairing an older TV against simply buying a new one. After so many repairs, it can be easier, and less costly, to buy a new TV.

Find A TV Repair Professional

If you do not have the time to troubleshoot your TV, then contact TalkLocal to find a professional who can fix the problem. We will connect you with up to three professional in just minutes, so you can choose the professional who is right for you.

What is more frustrating than being put on hold on the telephone? In the middle of your favorite TV show, your Hitachi TV turns itself off. It may be a quick fix, or you may need to invest in a new TV. Keep reading to find out why your Hitachi TV keeps turning off.

Why Your Hitachi TV Keeps Turning Off

Like a desktop computer or a laptop, TVs can also overheat. Excessive heat can cause your Hitachi TV to sporadically shut off. When the fans in the TV get clogged with dust or stop working, your TV cannot cool off effectively.

Your Hitachi TV could have a failing power supply board. A weak capacitor in the power supply will prevent your TV from functioning properly. Many plasma TVs have this problem, and you should contact a TV repairman to help switch the board.

Dry solder could be causing your TV to spontaneously shut off. The dry joints on the transistors need to be re-soldered. We recommend hiring a professional to do this for you, however if you are TV-savvy and you want to do it yourself, then make sure the TV is not plugged in while you solder.

Your Hitachi TV could be turning off randomly in order to protect itself from a short circuit. Again, check the power supply board and soldering to prevent unexpected turn offs.

Find A TV Repair Professional

If you are having difficulty with your Hitachi TV, TalkLocal can help connect you with top local TV repairmen. Simply enter our website and provide us with a brief description of your TV woes, your availability for service, and where you are located. After you submit your request, you can kick back and relax until you are connected with up to 3 TV repairmen within minutes.

If you have an HDTV, you know how crisp and sharp the screen can be. Before you start watching your favorite show, you may want to use some of these tips for optimizing HDTV settings. Once your settings are optimized, you will be watching television that is so clear, you will feel like you are really in the show.

Adjust The Backlight

When you buy a TV, the backlight is usually turned up really bright, so the TV can stand out among the bright store lights. Your home may not be as bright as a store, and therefore, the backlight can be turned down to better fit your needs. You can adjust the backlight using your television remote or by accessing the settings menu on your console.

Adjust The Contrast

In order to make the colors on your TV look better, you will need to adjust the contrast. You can change these with your remote or the buttons on the TV. When you adjust the contrast, you will want to make the dark colors on the screen as black as possible. You can also fix the bright colors, but be careful not to make them too bright or the picture will look fuzzy and odd-colored.

Device Settings

Optimizing your HDTV can allow you to change certain settings for certain devices. You may be able to set a certain contrast or backlight for DVD players, cable boxes, or another device that you connect to your television. See your user manual to find out exactly what settings can be assigned to these devices and how you can go about setting them.

If you are planning on optimizing HDTV settings, make sure you have consulted the user manual and have the appropriate time and patience to complete the task. Some TVs are easy to optimize and others are more difficult. When you are finished optimizing, your television should display the perfect screen.

Need Expert Help?

TV repair technicians can help you in optimizing HDTV settings, and they can even fix televisions that are broken altogether. To find one in your local area, trying using TalkLocal. We will connect you with the right professional in just minutes.

DLP televisions — either front or rear projection — can offer a stunning picture. However, these types of televisions require one extra maintenance step, which is incredibly important.

Learning how to replace the bulb in a DLP television is a must if you want to maintain that bright, clear picture. You will also want to price replacement bulbs out and factor that into the price of your television. You will eventually need to purchase a new bulb, and they are not always cheap.

When Do You Need To Change The Bulb?

When your projector’s picture noticeably loses its brightness and clarity, that is a good indicator that you need to change the bulb. If the bulb burns out all together, you will have no problem noticing.

Consult your TV’s manual to determine what type of bulb you need to replace it.

How To Replace The Bulb In A DLP Television

1. Remove the back of the television by unscrewing the screws that are holding it in place.

2. Once the inside of the television is exposed, locate the project box. This is generally located in the middle of the TV.

3. Also unscrew the screws holding the projector box closed so you can access its contents.

4. Inside, you will find a lamp box, located near the lens.

5. Disconnect any wires that are attached to the lamp box so you can free it.

6. Remove the lamp box from its location and change it out with your new lamp box. You will need to re-connect all the wires to the new lamp box.

Are You Not Tech Savvy?

Maybe you do not want to attempt any sort of bulb replacement on your own — whether it’s in a DLP television or projector. Help is just a call away — actually, help is just a TalkLocal away.

Using our service, you can track down and be connected with local professionals, and use them to help with your needs. Try it out — it’s fast, easy, and free.

Remote controls have revolutionized household efficiency. You probably have a few remotes lying around your house. They are so convenient that we do not know what we would do without them!

Most people have an RCA universal remote control. It can be used on almost all TVs. Learn how to program remote controls for your TV by following 10 simple steps.

How To Program Remote Controls

1. Turn on your TV or the device you want to synchronize with the remote control.

2. Optional: you may need to find a code for your remote, which you can find on the control manufacturers website or in the manual that comes with your remote.

3. Find the TV device button on the remote control, which is usually located at the top of the control. If you want to program other devices, use the other device buttons (DVD, SAT, VCR, etc.) on the remote.

4. Locate the power button on the remote, usually found on top of the remote.

5. Press and hold the TV button.

6. Press and hold the power button while holding the TV button.

7. Release both buttons when you see a blinking light on your remote. Optional: At this point you would enter the code from Step 2.

8. The TV button should stay illuminated after you let go. If it does not, press and hold the TV button and the power button simultaneously for a longer amount of time.

9. Press and hold the Play button until the TV turns on. The TV button or a light should blink.

10. Try turning your TV on and off to test the remote control.

Different providers, such as Comcast, Verizon FiOS, and Dish, may have different steps for programming their remote. The company’s installation professional should take care of programming your remote for you.

Need Your TV Repaired?

If you are having difficulty with your remote control or your TV, TalkLocal can help connect you with top TV repair professionals in your local area. Just tell us a little about yourself, and we’ll have the right professionals call you in just minutes.

If you are looking to invest in a new sound system, you are probably pretty excited. A good set of speakers can make your TV, Xbox, Netflix, and everything else you watch seem a little better, clearer, and more awesome. Before you buy, consider where you’ll be using your new sound system.

Is portability a factor? Will speaker size or the number of speakers be an issue (many landlords don’t take kindly to speaker stacks, for example)? How much do you want to spend? And of course, how far above your stated budget are you actually willing to go? The answers to these questions will help you decide which system is right for you.

Ask five different audiophiles who makes the best speakers. Chances are, you’ll get seven or eight different answers. Is an AIWA setup worth the money? Are Bose speakers the best? Should I just stick with Samsung?

The only way to know for sure may be to listen to different setups in environments that are as close to yours as possible. In addition to speakers, you’ll want to consider the output source, as well as the amp and/or pre-amp you’ll be using. You may be surprised at how much difference the little things can make.

Are Bose Speakers the Best? 

This is a question you’ll hear a lot, since Bose is one of the most popular brands of speakers. Passionate listeners everywhere have varied opinions on other systems like Samsung, AIWA, Bowers and Wilkins, Polk, or Paradigm. All of these brands have advantages and disadvantages. Some do well on the low end, leaving the high ends sounding flat. Others are wonderful in small spaces, but just don’t have the power for a large room or hall.

The dual wave guides help Bose provide so much sound from such a tiny package. The Sounddock is on par with an iHome in terms of size, but the sound output of an iHome is merely average. Plug the same iPod into a Bose Sounddock and stand back. The torrential outpouring of highs and lows is a thing to behold.

Ready For Some Bose Speakers?

So, if you’re asking, “Are Bose speakers the best?” the consensus might be that they are. But don’t take our word for it. Go out and listen to some. If you decide to pull the trigger and purchase these speakers, TalkLocal can connect you with someone who can help install them. Installation can be a tricky process, and with our innovative concierge service, help is just a few clicks away.

Speakers are a contentious issue among fans of music, movies, and video games. Everyone is looking for something different — from thumping bass to surround-sound battle scenes, consumers are all looking for different things from their speakers. TV is useless without sound.

If you are researching new speakers, you’ll want to make a list of your specific needs. Such as:

– Price. Money is finite, after all.

– Layout of the room the speakers will be used in.

– Portability needs, if any.

– What devices you’ll be attaching your speakers to.

– The sound you’re looking for.

Small Bose Speakers

Many consumers have grown to be big fans of small Bose speakers. Bose products are a bit of an investment over popular national brands like Sony or Panasonic.  Compared to designer speaker brands like Polk, Bowers and Wilkins, or Kilpsch, Bose speakers can actually save you money while still providing great sound.

Small Bose speakers are especially effective for those that want to get a lot of sound from a small speaker or two. They also help you limit the number of wires running to and from your television. Small Bose speakers sound great whether you are watching a movie or blasting a Shostakovich symphony.

Whether you are looking for small Bose speakers or some towering concert-hall stacks, everybody has an opinion to offer on which speakers you need. That’s why the best thing may be to do a little leg work.

The only surefire way to find out which speakers you like the best will be to go and listen to some. The sales associate should offer to demonstrate the bass, treble, surround, and other effects through any speakers you are interested in. Avoid anyone who tries to drastically up-sell you or who will not give you straight answers to your questions. Your new speakers will be a big investment that should bring you years of aural enjoyment.

Need Help Installing Them?

TalkLocal can help you locate a local professional to help you install your small Bose speakers and other audio equipment. Try it right now, and you can be chatting with a service professional in a minute or two, for free!

HDTV, assuming it’s properly formatted, offers you crystal-clear picture and sound to make your viewing experience all the more vivid and enjoyable. While HDTV is an obvious upgrade from traditional television, you will only get the most out of it if you find the ideal settings for HDTV.

The beauty of HDTV is that the settings are so flexible, you can spend hours in pursuit of the perfect picture. Even so, you can utilize pre-programmed settings to cut down on your time and energy.

Preset Picture Settings

Like with most television sets, you can select a certain category that will adjust all your settings at once. These include presets for movies, sports games, DVDs, or dynamic viewing.

This is a quick-and-dirty way of modifying your picture settings to match what you are viewing. While this certainly can enhance your viewing experience,  it might not be the ideal settings for HDTV. For that, you will have to manually adjust the various picture settings.

Picture Settings To Consider

Color: While the factory settings on your TV will likely be as close to ideal as possible, you might still find yourself adjusting the color ever-so-slightly. These settings include tint, hue, and color temperature. You will have to adjust these settings — and all other settings — by eye. Alter them until you get the picture that you are looking for. There are no one-size-fits-all settings that will work for every television set.

Brightness: This is actually a setting you might find yourself manipulating quite a bit. Many televisions, when set to factory settings, are far too bright. You can stand to bump the brightness down a little bit.

Sharpness: Oddly enough, you will probably not have to worry about sharpness too much. With HDTV, the picture is already sharp. Turning your settings up to high sharpness could prove to be overkill and negatively affect your HDTV’s picture.

Contrast: Here is where TV manufacturers error pretty badly in their factory settings. The contrast on your television is probably way too high. Consider setting contrast at around 50 percent, but you can go higher or lower, depending on the picture you are going for.

Need Help With You TV?

With today’s evolving technology, TV repair and installation has become a complicated process. Luckily, there are local professionals that can help out, and at an affordable price. You can find one of these quickly and easily at TalkLocal.

Are your TV remote buttons not working? There are many reasons why the buttons on a TV remote may not work, so keep reading to try and figure out why your remote isn’t working, and how you may be able to fix it.

TV Remote Buttons Not Working?

1. First check the batteries of your TV remote. Try replacing the batteries with the correct type of battery (AAA or AA) as well as checking to see if the batteries are good before placing them into the remote. If this doesn’t solve the problem, consider other aspects of the problem.

2. The signal from the remote might be not reaching the television. Ensure that there are no obstructions to the TV’s receiver which may be blocking the remote’s signal from reaching the TV. Blockages, especially metal or other electronic equipment signals, could hamper the signal from the television remote to the receiver – move the blockages (radios, metal decorations, etc) in order to improve the reception between the two devices.

3. Did you drop the remote or was it in contact with water recently? That implies that the board and wiring inside the remote may have been damaged, and the remote should be replaced. This could also indicate that the LED (the signal transmitter) may have been pushed inside the remote, trapping the signals inside the remote – if that is the case, simple adjust the LED back to its original position.

The television receiver may have been damaged – if you recall anything happening to the TV or its receiver, you should consider having a professional look at it. You may just want to consider buying a new receiver that can be hooked up to your television.

Additional Help

If you feel like you need professional help with your remote or TV, TalkLocal can help. We will connect you with up to three TV repair professionals in your area who will be able to help you!

If you are trying trying to change the channel on your television, but the TV remote won’t change channels, this is the article for you. Below is a list of common problems that will cause your TV remote to not work, and how to fix them.

1. The most likely problem with your remote is that the batteries have died. Try changing your batteries and then see if the the remote will change channels. Also, make sure that you put the batteries in the right direction (with the positive sign on the battery facing the positive sign on the remote, and the negative sign on the battery facing the negative sign on the remote).

2. Another possible problem is that the path between the remote and television is being blocked. If there are any objects obstructing the path between you and the TV, try moving around them or in front of them and then use the remote. Also, if you are far from the TV, try moving closer. You can also try wiping down the “eye” on the front of your remote, as built up dust can be blocking the path as well.

3. The other common problem with TV remotes is that it may not be programmed correctly. If this is the case, you will need to reprogram it. Depending on your TV setup, your remote may be programmed in different ways. Read your TV instruction manual to learn how to reprogram your remote.

Find Professional Help

If you have tried all of the above options, but your TV remote won’t change channels, you may need to contact a TV repair professional in order to figure out  the problem and fix your remote. With the help of TalkLocal, you can be on the phone in minutes with up to three, high-quality TV repair professionals in your area, who are available to help you when you need them.