Decisions, decisions.
With all the different kinds of televisions on the market these days, it's important to make informed decisions so you select the best television possible for your needs.
Different TVs can pose different problems so it is a good idea to do some research on what to expect from different TV models.
Check out these helpful articles:
http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv-plasmavslcd.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED-backlit_LCD_television
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_display
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LCD_television
http://ledhdtvtelevisions.com/
http://hometheater.about.com/od/lcdtvfaqs/f/lcdtvfaq8.htm
http://www.hdtv.ca/plasma_lcd_projector/lcd_tv_versus_plasma_tv.php
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100610153931AAUIGva
http://hometheater.about.com/od/lcdtvfaqs/f/lcdfaq2.htm
Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, October 5, 2009
Appliance use and care
With care, appliances get shot at longer life.
That ancient hand-crank washing machine may have been an enormous pain for our great-grandmothers, but it was built to last.
Today's modern appliances are built for energy efficiency and convenience for the user, but they also have a shorter lifespan.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers says today's washers need to be replaced about every 12 years, and most other appliances don't last much longer.
And as far as specific brands, none lasts significantly longer the others, according to Consumer Reports. Their studies show that, across the board, appliances from a wide variety of manufacturers carry similar life spans.
All appliances can break down before their optimal end dates or fail to work at peak performance if not properly maintained. To make the most of the life they do have, follow the maintenance suggestions in the user manual or try these tips from Consumer Reports:
Refrigerator
Life expectancy: 14-17 years
• Clean the compressor coils every few months or so (typically, coils are at the bottom of the unit).
• Keep gaskets on the refrigerator and freezer doors clean with mild detergent and water, not bleach, to ensure a good seal and prevent wasted energy.
• Check the gasket seal by closing the doors on a dollar bill; replace the gasket if the bill falls out or can be easily removed without opening the door.
Stove
Life expectancy: 17 years
• Place heavy pots and pans gently on smooth-top models to avoid breakage.
• Never cover drip pans and bowls with foil; it can short-circuit the burner.
• Keep reflector bowls (beneath burners) shiny and clean, which affects how efficiently they reflect heat up to the pan or pot. Replace them when they can no longer be cleaned.
• Gas stoves: periodically clean burner ports with a needle and don't poke the igniter or spray it with oven cleaner.
Wall oven
Life expectancy: 17 years
• Check door seals for damage.
• If heat is escaping from an older oven, adjust or replace the gasket.
Washing machine
Life expectancy: 11-14 years
• Remove grit from the screens where the hoses attach to the water supplies.
• Don't overload the washer beyond its manufacturer-recommended capacity.
• Install the washer on a level and well-supported subfloor to prevent vibration and banging.
Dryer
Life expectancy: 13 years
• Clean lint filter after each use to keep air flowing freely.
• Each year, clean the entire exhaust duct to keep it from clogging and creating a fire hazard.
Microwave
Life expectancy: 9 years
• Avoid turning on when empty and avoid putting metal inside.
Dishwasher
Life expectancy: 11 years
• Replace a dish rack with worn or rusted tines.
• When loading, make sure silverware and dishes don't catch the spray arms to avoid damaging the arms.
• Inspect the spray arms for paper, glass or other debris, which can clog holes. Remove any obstructions. If you find glass, inspect the pump housing for glass, as well as any seals that it might have punctured.
• If your dishwasher has a manual-clean filter, clean the filter regularly, as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Projection TV
Life expectancy: 30,000-60,000 hours, about 3½ to 7 years if used 24/7
• Screens can scratch easily, so be careful when cleaning them.
Conventional tube television
Life expectancy: 30,000 hours, about 3½ years if used 24/7
• Keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Remove dust from screen and vents. Keep screen brightness (contrast settings) low to prolong picture life and reduce chance of "burn in," a permanent disfiguring of areas of the screen.
That ancient hand-crank washing machine may have been an enormous pain for our great-grandmothers, but it was built to last.
Today's modern appliances are built for energy efficiency and convenience for the user, but they also have a shorter lifespan.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers says today's washers need to be replaced about every 12 years, and most other appliances don't last much longer.
And as far as specific brands, none lasts significantly longer the others, according to Consumer Reports. Their studies show that, across the board, appliances from a wide variety of manufacturers carry similar life spans.
All appliances can break down before their optimal end dates or fail to work at peak performance if not properly maintained. To make the most of the life they do have, follow the maintenance suggestions in the user manual or try these tips from Consumer Reports:
Refrigerator
Life expectancy: 14-17 years
• Clean the compressor coils every few months or so (typically, coils are at the bottom of the unit).
• Keep gaskets on the refrigerator and freezer doors clean with mild detergent and water, not bleach, to ensure a good seal and prevent wasted energy.
• Check the gasket seal by closing the doors on a dollar bill; replace the gasket if the bill falls out or can be easily removed without opening the door.
Stove
Life expectancy: 17 years
• Place heavy pots and pans gently on smooth-top models to avoid breakage.
• Never cover drip pans and bowls with foil; it can short-circuit the burner.
• Keep reflector bowls (beneath burners) shiny and clean, which affects how efficiently they reflect heat up to the pan or pot. Replace them when they can no longer be cleaned.
• Gas stoves: periodically clean burner ports with a needle and don't poke the igniter or spray it with oven cleaner.
Wall oven
Life expectancy: 17 years
• Check door seals for damage.
• If heat is escaping from an older oven, adjust or replace the gasket.
Washing machine
Life expectancy: 11-14 years
• Remove grit from the screens where the hoses attach to the water supplies.
• Don't overload the washer beyond its manufacturer-recommended capacity.
• Install the washer on a level and well-supported subfloor to prevent vibration and banging.
Dryer
Life expectancy: 13 years
• Clean lint filter after each use to keep air flowing freely.
• Each year, clean the entire exhaust duct to keep it from clogging and creating a fire hazard.
Microwave
Life expectancy: 9 years
• Avoid turning on when empty and avoid putting metal inside.
Dishwasher
Life expectancy: 11 years
• Replace a dish rack with worn or rusted tines.
• When loading, make sure silverware and dishes don't catch the spray arms to avoid damaging the arms.
• Inspect the spray arms for paper, glass or other debris, which can clog holes. Remove any obstructions. If you find glass, inspect the pump housing for glass, as well as any seals that it might have punctured.
• If your dishwasher has a manual-clean filter, clean the filter regularly, as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Projection TV
Life expectancy: 30,000-60,000 hours, about 3½ to 7 years if used 24/7
• Screens can scratch easily, so be careful when cleaning them.
Conventional tube television
Life expectancy: 30,000 hours, about 3½ years if used 24/7
• Keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Remove dust from screen and vents. Keep screen brightness (contrast settings) low to prolong picture life and reduce chance of "burn in," a permanent disfiguring of areas of the screen.
Common Electronics Problems and Solutions
Problem: The disc will not eject on the DVD player.
Unplug the DVD player and then plug it in again. This will reset the player and the disc should eject.
Problem: The CD/DVD skips and the picture quality is terrible.
Compact discs/DVD discs will malfunction if dirty or scratched. To clean the disc, use a soft cloth and wipe in a radial direction. Never use solvents to clean a disc.
Problem: There is no sound coming from the speakers (receiver).
The most common solution is to check the ‘input mode’ – the most common selections are ‘analog’, ‘co-axil’ and ‘optical’. If a component, i.e. DVD player, is connected via an optical cable, there will be no audio if the receiver is not set to ‘optical’.
Problem: The receiver/stereo has no power.
First check the power source, if it is plugged in, then unplug the speakers and the unit then plug back in (this will reset the ‘protect mode’ on many receivers).
Problem: The music system (or mini system) keeps turning itself on.
There are 2 possible solutions: 1. Ensure the clock is set properly or 2. Take the unit out of ‘demo mode’.
Problem: There is no sound coming from the subwoofer.
Many older movies do not have a subwoofer channel, therefore there will be no sound.
Problem: The television will not receive channels past 13.
Ensure that the ‘CATV’ switch is selected.
Problem: There is a burned in image on the television (projection TV).
Projection TVs will develop this problem if a stagnant (non-moving) image is left on the screen. Do not leave video games on pause, or keep the TV tuned to any stagnant image.
Problem: The television’s brightness alters when I play video games (projection TV).
When playing video games, the brightness should be turned down so as not to damage the TV.
Problem: A rental video tape/DVD is stuck in the player.
The video store should be notified of the problem and the unit should be taken in for repair, rather than attempting to open the player and remove the stuck video or DVD. Repairs by non-factory trained technicians are not recommended and may result in further damage. The video store may extend the rental time if informed of the problem.
Unplug the DVD player and then plug it in again. This will reset the player and the disc should eject.
Problem: The CD/DVD skips and the picture quality is terrible.
Compact discs/DVD discs will malfunction if dirty or scratched. To clean the disc, use a soft cloth and wipe in a radial direction. Never use solvents to clean a disc.
Problem: There is no sound coming from the speakers (receiver).
The most common solution is to check the ‘input mode’ – the most common selections are ‘analog’, ‘co-axil’ and ‘optical’. If a component, i.e. DVD player, is connected via an optical cable, there will be no audio if the receiver is not set to ‘optical’.
Problem: The receiver/stereo has no power.
First check the power source, if it is plugged in, then unplug the speakers and the unit then plug back in (this will reset the ‘protect mode’ on many receivers).
Problem: The music system (or mini system) keeps turning itself on.
There are 2 possible solutions: 1. Ensure the clock is set properly or 2. Take the unit out of ‘demo mode’.
Problem: There is no sound coming from the subwoofer.
Many older movies do not have a subwoofer channel, therefore there will be no sound.
Problem: The television will not receive channels past 13.
Ensure that the ‘CATV’ switch is selected.
Problem: There is a burned in image on the television (projection TV).
Projection TVs will develop this problem if a stagnant (non-moving) image is left on the screen. Do not leave video games on pause, or keep the TV tuned to any stagnant image.
Problem: The television’s brightness alters when I play video games (projection TV).
When playing video games, the brightness should be turned down so as not to damage the TV.
Problem: A rental video tape/DVD is stuck in the player.
The video store should be notified of the problem and the unit should be taken in for repair, rather than attempting to open the player and remove the stuck video or DVD. Repairs by non-factory trained technicians are not recommended and may result in further damage. The video store may extend the rental time if informed of the problem.
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