- There is no power to my TV.
Check that the power cord is connected correctly and to a suitable live electrical point. Check that if you are using a gang lead that the lead is not faulty by plugging the TV directly into the mains bypassing the extension gang lead. Some TVs also feature a power switch on the rear of the set in addition to the main switch on the front; it is worth checking if your TV has this feature.
- My picture is OK but I have no sound, or I have sound but no picture.
Try another channel or a signal on another AV input such as DVD or video and check it is not a fault with one channel, check that the AV and antennae cables are wired correctly and are not loose. If this does not cure the problem, try resetting to factory defaults; use the instruction manual to find out how to do this.
- The television has a slope to one side can I adjust this?
Generally all widescreen televisions have a form of sloping due to the Earth’s geometry, some worse than others. It is considered by most manufacturers that approx 6 mm either side is within their tolerances. Check your manual for an option to set the convergence within the user menu options.
- Why does my television make a buzzing noise and is it safe?
Due to the size of the mains transformer and the scan coils within the television it's possible you may notice a low level buzz. This will not increase or decrease by adjusting the volume. Most of the time it can only be heard if you are standing very close to the television or at night when there is less ambient noise. Also take into consideration the surrounding environment i.e. floors and wall surfaces. For example, if you have hard flooring any noise will be exaggerated, as there is less damping. Also be aware that voltage changes across a tube may result in certain frequency (pitch) changes; this may occur when a scene changes dramatically from a very dark to a brilliant scene.
- I have recently purchased a television that I was led to believe is a 100Hz set. However, on the label at the back it only states 50Hz. Have I been misled and sold the wrong product?
The 50Hz stated at the rear of the set relates to the frequency of the mains power system used within the United Kingdom. This does not directly relate to the frequency at which the tube in the television is scanned. Please refer to the specifications in your instruction manual, which will confirm if your television has 100Hz technology.
- I have purchased a 100Hz set and I can see a double image on the screen.
This is know as ghosting and affects 100Hz models, it is not a fault and is due to the refresh rate generated with 100Hz sets, and can only generally be seen on fast moving pictures such as sport. Some TVs have a built in system such as Natural Scan or Pixel Plus to combat this or suggest turning off anti picture noise systems such as DNR, check your user manual for details on how to minimise ghosting.
- When I purchased my television I expected it to be a certain screen size, however it is smaller than I expected. Is this a fault in production?
This is not a fault in production. Manufacturer’s normally quote both the overall size of the tube, LCD or plasma panel and the visible screen size, as once the front cabinet is fitted there is a small loss to the overall picture size.
- My TV has developed green or purple smearing around the edges of the screen.
Your TV has more than likely been exposed to a magnetic source. An unshielded speaker or simply switching a vacuum cleaner off near a TV when operational can create a magnetic field. This causes the green or purple smearing near the edges of the screen. Sometimes moving the CTV when switched on will cause the smearing to appear. Switch the TV off and remove the plug from the mains. After thirty minutes, switch the TV back on. If the TV still has smearing, leave the TV unplugged from the mains overnight.
- Why does my TV not show a picture for ten or twenty seconds after it is switched on?
For most TV’s this is perfectly normal. After pressing the ‘on’ button, the TV performs circuit and picture processing checks before emitting a picture. This is particularly characteristic of Panasonic TV’s.
- There are bright (or dark) spots on my LCD monitor screen.
This effect is not a defect. It is a consequence of the manufacturing process used to produce LCD panels. Due to the large number of 'pixels' (individual picture elements) on LCD panels, the specification issued by the panel manufacturer allows a defined number of 'stuck' pixels and sub-pixels. Manufacturers have different levels of fault tolerance for their products and varying policies with regard to dead pixels. Some will replace the screen when just one pixel fails while others only consider replacing it if two, three or more have failed. Refer to your user manual in all cases.
- I have noticed that some images remain on my Plasma screen.
Avoid leaving static images on the screen, pausing a picture on the plasma display for more than a few minutes can cause phosphor burn-in. Always ensure that plasma screens are turned off when not in use or use the screensaver function. Use the brightness and contrast levels that are appropriate to the viewing. In a lower lit room it is not necessary to exploit the full capabilities of your screen, by doing so you are needlessly curtailing its life. There are memory settings on the unit that make it easy to adjust to your present requirements that will care for the screen.
- Why has the power suddenly switched off on my Plasma display?
If the plasma display unit's temperature becomes too hot, it may automatically switch itself off to prevent further damage. If power is suddenly turned off, it is probably because the air vents are blocked. Remove any objects blocking the vents and clean, before turning the unit on again. When installed plasma screens need a minimum distance between the screen and wall. Position the plasma screen in a well-ventilated area, where the unit will not have to labour to keep cool. Plasma screens do get hot and placing the unit in an environment where it cannot get the air it needs may result in damage by overheating.
- I have an LCD/Plasma TV and in action programmes such as football matches I can see shimmer and blotchy images, is this a fault?
This is normal on LCD and Plasma displays. Motion blur and some picture noise can be seen during fast action programmes due to the speed of refresh rate on these products. One way to reduce this effect is to switch off any artificial picture enhancing tools with your remote control, such as picture sharpness and DNR which are designed to reduce picture noise but can work in reverse when watching fast moving scenes. Check your manual for details of how to do this.
- I have wired up my TV to my DVD player/recorder via component inputs and I cannot hear any sound.
Component connectors offer excellent picture quality and are ideal when setting your DVD player to output progressive scan signals to a compatible TV; however they carry picture feed only and do not carry sound signals. In order to listen to the soundtrack a separate SCART lead must be used in conjunction with the component cable, or wire the DVD player to your TV via the component connection and use an RCA/PHONO cable to obtain sound. Check your manual for the correct configuration. If you wish to benefit from component progressive scan feed and have an AV surround system, connect the component cable as normal and use a Toslink Optical or Co-Axial connection for digital sound directly from your AV system.
