How to Troubleshoot Big Screen Televisions

Watch your favorite movies on a large television.

Big screen TVs immerse you into the television experience, whether you're watching a DVD, playing video games or catching up on your favorite television show. Just like their smaller-screened counterparts, large screen TVs can occasionally experience problems that affect their performance. Troubleshoot such situations to identify and fix the underlying problem so you can get back to getting the most out of your home theater.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth

Instructions

1. Make sure your television is turned on if the screen is dark. Press its power button, typically located on the television's front panel or on its side.

2. Verify that the television is plugged directly into a reliable electrical outlet if the TV won't respond to its power button or if it turns off unexpectedly. Big screen TVs are power hungry. Using extension cords or an outlet in which other large appliances are plugged can create unreliable voltage that causes the TV to shutdown.

3. Move and clean the TV if it becomes very hot to the touch. The television's big screen generates a high amount of heat and all large screen TVs have ventilation slots on their back panel. Keep the TV a foot away from the wall to allow air movement around the slots, and wipe the area periodically with a cloth to remove built-up dust.

4. Wipe the TV's screen if you notice strange colors or shading while playing video games or watching a movie. Dust, fingerprints and moisture from humid air can leave deposits that cause a distortion of the viewing surface. Use a soft cloth dampened with water to clean the screen as needed.

5. Change your viewing angle if the colors still appear strange or faded. Though big screen televisions have a greater viewing surface, manufacturers set optimum viewing distances and angles for the best appreciation of the TV's underlying technology. For example, Sony recommends a viewing distance of 20 feet between you and its large screen televisions. Consult your product-specific manual for further clarification.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're using a rear projection TV and hear a loud pop followed by the screen going dark, it's likely that the television's internal bulb burned out. This is a relatively common problem. An authorized service center can replace the bulb.

• Never try to open or service a television on your own. Such products should only be serviced by an authorized service center, as internal components may be sensitive and present an electrical shock hazard. Find the nearest service center by contacting the manufacturer of your television.

References

• "Home Theater For Dummies"; Danny Briere and Pat Hurley; 2008
• Sony: High Definition Projection TV Operating Instructions