Troubleshooting your Cable Box

Unless you've recently moved from Alaska to Texas and you're feeling a little homesick, chances are that the last thing you want to see when you turn on your TV is Snow. Combine a Snowy screen with that obnoxious, loud static sound, and you've got a problem on your hands. Fortunately you don't have to be techie to fix your cable box – just follow these simple troubleshooting steps to get picture back in no time.

Troubleshooting your Cable Box

Troubleshooting your Cable Box

---

Troubleshooting your Cable Box

Troubleshooting your Cable Box

Cable Box Basics

Make sure your cable box is Plugged in. I know that sounds Silly, but after troubleshooting these things over the phone professionally, you can trust me on this one. Save yourself the time and embarrassMent of calling a professional just to have them tell you to Plug it in. That goes for the rest of the essential equipMent as well (i.e..TV, VCR or DVR if you're running the signal through one, etc.). It wouldn't hurt to make sure the TV is on the correct channel-usually channel 3 or 4 or one of the input channels.

Make sure all the cables are connected. Even if you're TV and cable box are both turned on, you won't see a picture unless they are connected. Check each connection to ensure it is tight and that none of the wires or connecting pieces is damaged. Also check to see that the connections are all correct-meaning, video and audio should be going out of your cable or satellite box to your TV "in" ports. The signal should follow a logical path. If the connections are correct but you're still not seeing any picture, replace the cables to see if that solves the problem. If you're running the signalthrough a DVR or VCR and having problems, skip the middle man and Plug the cables straight from the box to the TV. If you get a picture you know you're problem is in the VCR.

After making sure everything is on and the cable connections are all correct, try rebooting your system. Each company's receivers have different methods of rebooting, but one fAirly universal way is to unplug the box for 10 to 20 seconds and then plug it back in. Do not just turn the box off and back on again-you'll need to actually pull the plug out of the wall and then put it back in again. Once the cable box is plugged back in, turn the power on and cross your fingers. If you're still not receiving any picture, unplug the receiver again for up to one minute and then plug it back in.This may be tedious and time consuming, especially when you're missing the "fight of the year or the Super Bowl, but give it the full minute-you'll spend less time doing it yourself than you will waiting for a repAirman to come out and fix it.

Fuzzy Picture or Sound

If you are getting a picture but no sound; or sound but no picture; or a fuzzy picture or sound, recheck the cable connections to make sure they are tightened, and that the wires or connecting pieces are undamaged. Poor picture or sound is typically caused by one of three problems: poor wire connections, signal interference, or TV settings.

Going outside to make sure nothing is interfering with your signal will help with the second problem. Of course, if you have underground cables there is not much you cando about making sure they are clear of interference (that's read, "Your neighbor cut through it while gardening"). If you have a satellite dish, know that excessive rain or snow buildup on the dish can cause signal interference. Use caution when checking your dish, especially if it is on your roof or some other hard-to-reach place around your house. The installer should have verified that no trees or other objects would interfere with your signal from the satellites, but take a quick look around to see if new foliage is blocking the signal. If it is not on your property, do not cut or remove anything without prior permission from the property owner.

Finally, adjusting your TV settings can help when you are receiving a clear signal and all the connections are fine. Horizontal andvertical settings are the adjustMents that most often need to be made, but consulting your owner's manual can give you a better indication of other settings that can be tweaked.

Troubleshooting requires patience, so make some lemonade, roll up your sleeves, and get started. If none of these suggestions work (9 times out of 10 they will), contact your service provider. They may have additional troubleshooting steps or resources they can make available to you to get your cable or satellite TV up and running.

Troubleshooting your Cable Box

Mini DV Dvr Players

Mini DV DVR players are available with many different features. Sometimes the technical terminology becomes a little confusing for the layperson. You may have doubts regarding the compatibility of Mini DV cassettes with certain players, or what kind of editing features are available with a particular player. It is best to research extensively before purchasing a Mini DV player, and if you have doubts, you can always get them clarified at the DV player retail store. Also, many websites offer advise on what is the best Mini DV player to suit to your needs.

Mini DV Dvr Players

Mini DV Dvr Players

---

Mini DV Dvr Players

Mini DV Dvr Players

The Mini DV players mostly double as recorders. They are available for both amateur and professional use. For professionals like wedding videographers and filmmakers, JVC has come up with many innovative players. The JVC HR3U DVS, for example, is a player as well as recording system. It is very convenient to use, since the Mini DV cassettes can be directly inserted into and played by the DV player. There is no need for connecting the Camcorder to a VCR using a jumble of confusing wires. It has good editing features, and is capable of converting analog signals to digital. JVC's HR DV S 3, on the other hand, is a double deck Mini DV VCR which also converts Mini DV to S-VHS format after editing, apart from being a player and recorder compatible with almost all Mini DV cassettes.

For amateur use, the Panasonic Professional DV Proline offers many features like a high sound to noise ratio, four video heads, timer programming, and a clear image quality. This device is meant simply for playing and not forrecording purposes. Many users have Mentioned problems like the absence of remote control or parental locking mechanism, as well as the lack of built in monitors, which means the player needs to be connected to a VCR, but this player is good for amateur or home use.

With many brands of Mini DV players flooding the market, there is always one out there suited to your needs. With a little patient research, you will be able to locate the best Mini DV player in terms of features, size, recording/playback quality, and price.

Mini DV Dvr Players