Home Theater Knowledge Base

054bcf56-5aa2-4ab7-9836-28fe657d1f00 5a6aa3cd-f60f-4f83-bbf3-3b7fcb6dd1b6

244aeb5d-af1f-40cf-8a26-42cb47955943 d4281a28-3dbd-4856-b8fb-7281e6661fcf

44c92cb2-1eae-4f2d-81d4-73d84cc28fa4 80d4a4ac-6cb2-4f3d-a16f-3bf57a318745

e651e8a5-9343-4689-99fb-ef511181f19d 6262a341-b8e3-4dd4-8b6e-1333922a5939

Symptoms I have a new HDTV and was expecting it to rock my world, but the picture quality isn't so great. Is there anything I can do myself to improve the picture?   Diagnosis Walking yourself through some simple troubleshooting tips can help you discover a basic solution before you take your unit in for repair or spend your day on the phone with technical support. Solution Basics The exact terms and settings may differ depending on the make and model of your television. However, most of the problems that arise and the ways to remedy them are universal. Keep your TV away from air vents that can expose it overly hot or cold temperatures. Also keep it away from excessive moisture. If it starts to overheat or if the power indicator starts blinking, turn the TV off, unplug it and plug it into a different outlet. If you see black bars at the top and bottom of the screen or on the sides, adjust the aspect ratio, either to 4:3 for standard TV or 16:9 for widescreen. If you turn on the TV but no picture shows, or if the picture looks fuzzy and unclear, first check the connections. See that the cables are connected securely and to the input for the component you wish to view, and have the TV set to that input. Turn the TV to the correct channel, usually 3 or 4. Turn off or move any electrical devices that may cause interference with the picture. Switch between component inputs (cable and DVD, for example) to see if there's a noticeable difference. If so, the problem may be with that component. Settings HDTVs feature a number of adjustable video settings. They're a good place to start if the picture quality isn't what you want. Use the remote control to access the various menus. Set the picture resolution to 1080i to get optimal video from HD channels. These settings may differ between standard and HD channels, and between different components (cable/satellite and DVD). The components may have their own settings to adjust as well. Also use the menu features to adjust the sharpness, brightness and contrast to improve the picture. Some TVs may have other options as well, such as digital noise reduction to cut down on interference. Sound If you have video but no audio or if the audio is too low, double-check the cable connections. Make sure that "Mute" hasn't been activated, either on the TV or video component you're viewing. Adjust the volume, either manually or with the remote control, on both the TV and video component to see if it changes. Go into the menu. Different brands of TVs have different audio settings, such as "Mono" and "Stereo," or "Analog" and "Digital." See that audio is on the correct setting and enabled for that particular input. Change the channel or try a different component input---is there a substantial difference? Support If the issue or issues persist after you try these steps, your TV may need service. Before you call a professional, consult the owner's manual and visit the TV manufacturer's website support page for more troubleshooting tips. The support page will also provide terms and settings for your specific model, updates, accessories and customer and technical support.

Question I want to keep my home theater simple, so I'm opting for a sound bar rather than surround sound. I thought I had all the questions answered, but I'm stumped on whether I want a sound bar with a built-in amp.   Answer Most models have built-in amplification. As a result, they don't require a separate home theater receiver -- you just connect your audio components, and you're all set. Some virtual surround and Left-Right-Center sound bars don't have built-in amplification. These are called passive sound bars and you need to connect them to a separate home theater receiver. Passive sound bars are a good option if you already have a home theater receiver you'd like to use. Plus, a separate receiver can provide cleaner power and more sophisticated audio processing, so you might enjoy higher-quality sound. So like every other question, the answer is it all depends.

Question I've decided to go with a sound bar for my home theater. All the photos I see show them directly under the TV. Are there any other options that make sense?   Answer Sure there are! Although sound bars are often pictured on the wall below a wall-mounted TV, many of them are shallow enough to fit on a TV stand in front of a television. If you plan on going this route, double check the sound bar's depth to make sure it will sit safely on your TV stand. If you do plan to wall-mount your sound bar, think about cable management. You'll need to run at least a signal cable, plus a power cable if the sound bar is amplified. If you don't intend to run your cables through the wall, you can just let them hang down, or use a cable-hiding raceway to cover them. But if you do want to hide the wires in the wall, here are some important things to consider: Try to avoid mounting your sound bar on an exterior wall, since these walls have extra bracing and insulation that can make running wire difficult. Follow local building and fire codes. In many cases, this means you'll need to get UL-rated A/V cable labeled CL2 or CL3. The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) looks at heat generated from current flowing through wire, how quickly the cable will catch and spread fire when exposed to flame, and the wire's susceptibility to damage from external stresses. Don't run the power cable inside the wall. If you want the power cable hidden, you'll need to hire a licensed electrician to install a recessed AC receptacle in the wall, in a location where it will be covered by your sound bar or TV, and not obstructed by the sound bar's mounting bracket. You and your electrician may also want to consider in-wall power protection units. Another option is to route the A/V cable in-wall, and use a small wire raceway on the outside of your wall for the power cord.

How close to a real home theater experience can I get with a sound bar instead of surround sound? Depending on the equipment you have, very close indeed!

This is the teaser