Overscan is a remnant of CRT TV days when images needed to be enlarged slightly to ensure the quality of the image at the center of the screen. There is no real excuse for continuing the practice today other than, “that’s how it’s always been done.”

Because overscan occurs, some broadcasters don’t attempt to provide images that are clear at the edges, or they use that space to include information that might be useful in production.

The good news is you can compensate for overscan by adjusting the pixel mapping on your TV. Typically there is a control on your LCD, plasma or projection TV remote that allows you to manually adjust the picture size. You will want to look for a button on your remote labeled something such as “format,” “screen size,” “picture size” or “p size.” You can use this to toggle through your various screen settings to find the one where you get a full screen fit. Of course, you may not even notice or care that your picture is being blown up slightly. In which case, you can leave things well enough alone.

If you’re hoping to actually upgrade to a larger image you’ll want to be sure to pay attention to screen height. ScreenMath has a handy table for making sure you’re at least maintaining the same screen size when upgrading your set.

This “pillar box effect” most often happens when you are watching a video or broadcast that was shot in standard definition with an aspect ration of 4:3. Because your widescreen TV has an aspect ration of 16:9, the picture can not properly fill the entire screen.

Almost all modern widescreen TVs have a “wide” or “zoom” function that will allow you to completely fill the screen. Unfortunately when you choose one of those modes the picture will either appear stretched out of proportion (because it is) or part of the picture will be cut off. You will want to play with these modes to see if one of them is suitable to your needs. You may prefer to continue watching in the original 4:3 mode with the black bars around the image. But be careful, on some plasma TVs this may cause plasma screen burn in.

It’s important to note that many movies you get on HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs will have an aspect ration of 1.85:1, which instead of causing black bars to appear on the side of your screen will cause them to appear at the top and bottom. You can deal with this effect in the same way as with the pillar effect. Simply use zoom or fill to get the picture to fill up your screen completely. In this case you may not fine the black bars as undesirable because the picture will already be filling up most of your screen.

• Make sure you are using the appropriate cable box for your TV. If you have a high-definition TV you should also be using a high-def channel box from your cable provider. Watching standard definition channels on a high-def TV can make the picture look distorted and fuzzy.
• Not all cable channels are broadcast in high-definition. When you stretch a standard definition picture to fill the full frame of your wide-screen TV it may look distorted. You can try changing your TV display settings to show standard-def channels at their native resolution. This will create black or gray bands on either side of your picture.
• Ideally all of your video components will be connected to your TV with HDMI cables. Your next best option will be component video cables. If your cable box does not have HDMI capabilities, contact your cable company about upgrading your box to one that does include HDMI.
• Make sure there is no glare on your TV from a window or other strong light source. This can significantly degrade the quality of the image you are watching.
• If your TV has digital noise reduction, try turning that feature on.
• You can adjust your TV’s sharpness and picture modes to see if that improves picture quality.
• Try plugging the power cord into a different electrical outlet and/or surge protector. You may be receiving electrical interference through your power cord.
• Trying moving any nearby electrical devices away from the TV. They may be creating interference that can degrade the picture quality.

My Plasma TV will not turn on, what can I do? Verify that the power cord is plugged into a working outlet. Press the main power switch located on the front of the screen. Press the standby/on button on the remote or the side of the panel. If the power still doesn’t come on you will need to make a support call to Pioneer at 1-800-421-1625.

Why does the blue power light on my Plasma blink 12 times? On the following models Pioneer has determined this to be part of the normal operation, if the unit will power on: PRO-940HD, PRO-1140HD, PRO-1540HD, PDP-4270HD, PDP-5070HD and PDP-6070HD. If the power doesn’t come on you will need to make a support call to Pioneer Plasma TV Support at 1-800-421-1625.

I lost the TV Guide listings on my plasma TV. How do I get them back? 1. Go to TV Guide. 2. Go to the navigation bar. 3. Arrow left or right, to the SET UP tab. 4. Arrow down once to highlight CHANGE SYSTEM SETTINGS. (Do not hit enter; only highlight it.) 5. Enter code number 653274147. You will not see anything happen until you complete the code. Once you complete the code, the unit will perform a power cycle. When this is completed, turn the unit off. The TV Guide should start to repopulate within 24-48 hours. If the TV Guide still does not load, or has never loaded, you willneed to make a support call to Pioneer Plasma TV Support at 1-800-421-1625.

What can I do to prevent or repair Plasma TV screen burn in? When a static image is left frozen on a display for several hours, a faint imprint of the image, known as image retention, can remain. There are several steps you can take to avoid getting Plasma TV screen burn in and to correct the problem if it occurs. Continue reading our tips for repairing plasma TV screen burn in.

I set up the TV Guide on screen, however when I press TV Guide on I get NO LISTING, what can I do? There are several reasons for the “no listing” message: 1. It is possible that the information for a particular show was not available at the last update download. TV Guide information is updated daily, however the time to download the data can take from 1-2 days or as long as 7 days. 2. TV Guide information is only retrieved via a cable line or an antenna signal. This feature does not work with satellite TV. If you do not receive any TV Guide listing information within 48 hours, there may be a problem with the EPG data in your area and you will need to contact Pioneer Plasma TV support at 1-800-421-1404.

How do I clean my plasma TV? Cleaning a plasma TV screen is very easy. Continue reading for our guide to cleaning a plasma TV screen.

• Plasma TV Repair
• Pioneer Plasma TV Support Website

Raymond Manoukian, the general manager of Spectrum Electronics in Burnaby, remembers when there were three or four similar shops in his KIngsway-Imperial neighbourhood alone. Now the owners have moved on to retirement, or just work from the basement of their homes because they can’t afford to maintain a store front.

They’re not alone.

In the U.S., there are about 15,000 fewer TV repair technicians currently registered with the National Electronics Service Dealers Association than in the 1980s.

They’re the collateral damage of an industry that is changing at an ever-quickening pace. TVs are getting bigger, flatter and more sophisticated. They’re also getting cheaper. So much so, today’s flat screen has become an almost disposable commodity, says Manoukian.

The advent of newer technology is also making it harder for TV repair technicians to keep their skills sharp. Cathode-ray tube TVs didn’t change much over the years and TV repair skills stayed pretty constant. Even as CRT TVs began using more sophisticated circuitry the basic repair skills remained pretty much the same. That’s not the case with modern LCD and Plasma TVs that are constantly changing in form and technology. And the next generation of LED and OLED screens will continue to challenge local repair shops. And it’s not like the TV manufacturers even have TV repair shops in mind when producing their products.

“As manufacturers look to cut costs and increase efficiency, they’re making electronics more difficult to service, says Manoukian.”

Read the full story here.

Cleaning solutions and kits for your plasma and LCD TV screens can be purchased at your local computer or electronics store.

If you have a large, flat-panel plasma TV, no doubt you have collected finger prints on the screen. Luckily cleaning a plasma TV screen is a simple process that shouldn’t take too long.  Modern plasma TV screens are more sensitive to being damaged by cleaning than old, cathode ray tube televisions, but with a little care that won’t be a problem.  First, it’s important to note that you should not use any cleaning solution that contains ammonia, such as Windex, or bleach. These chemicals will react to the polymer screens, causing long-term damage. The screens are also easily scratched, so be certain your cleaning cloth is soft, such as a microfiber cloth or lens cloth.

How to clean your plasma TV screen

The easiest way to clean your plasma TV screen is to purchase a screen cleaning solution at your local electronics or computer store. It will contain a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water (We’ll show you below how to make your own). You should also be able to buy an plasma screen cleaning kit that includes the cleaning solution and a soft cleaning cloth.

Next, turn off your plasma TV and let it thoroughly cool for about 30 minutes. If you don’t let your TV cool the cleaning solution may evaporate before you have a chance to clean the screen.

Instead of spraying the cleaning mixture directly onto your screen and wiping it off, spray it instead onto your soft, clean cloth and gently wipe the screen clean. Repeat the process with the other side of your cleaning cloth if necessary and make sure all of the liquid is removed from your TV before turning it on. It’s wise to let your TV sit for a few minutes before turning it on to be certain it is thoroughly dry. If you see streaks, use another soft cloth to gently polish them away.

How to make your own plasma TV screen cleaning solution

You may prefer to make your own cleaning solution. The materials are common chemicals that can be purchased at any grocery store. You will need a spray bottle, isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. In your spray bottle, create a mixture that is 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% distilled water. Be certain not to use more than 50% isopropyl alcohol as that may damage your screen.

“People are repairing, in some cases, instead of buying new, because they want to save all they can,” said Mack Blakely, executive director of the National Electronics Service Dealers Association based in Fort Worth.

The number of electronic service shops nationwide dropped during the past 20 years, from about 20,000 in 1990 to about 6,000 today, but there has been an uptick during the past five years as new service centers open to specialize in flat-panel technology, Blakely said.

Of course, we always think TV repair is the best alternative if it’s doable and cost effective. It’s always important to consider the investment you’re putting into repairing an old TV, but it’s almost always worth it to pursue a repair and determine if the price meets your budget.

Cleaning solutions and kits for your LCD TV screen can be purchased at your local computer or electronics store.

Modern LCD TV screens are magnets for finger prints and dust and require regular cleaning. They are also more sensitive to being damaged by cleaning than old, cathode ray tube televisions of the past. First, it’s important to note that you should not use any cleaning solution that contains ammonia, such as Windex, or bleach. These chemicals will react to the polymer screens, causing long-term damage. The screens are also easily scratched, so be certain your cleaning cloth is soft, such as a microfiber cloth or lens cloth.

How to clean your LCD TV screen

The easiest way to clean your LCD TV screen is to purchase a screen cleaning solution at your local electronics or computer store. It will contain a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water (We’ll show you below how to make your own). You should also be able to buy an LCD screen cleaning kit that includes the cleaning solution and a soft cleaning cloth.

Next, turn off your LCD TV and let it thoroughly cool for about 30 minutes.

Instead of spraying the cleaning mixture directly onto your screen and wiping it off, spray it instead onto your soft, clean cloth and gently wipe the screen clean. Repeat the process with the other side of your cleaning cloth if necessary and make sure all of the liquid is removed from your TV before turning it on. It’s wise to let your TV sit for a few minutes before turning it on to be certain it is thoroughly dry. If you see streaks, use another soft cloth to gently polish them away.

How to make your own LCD TV screen cleaning solution

You may prefer to make your own cleaning solution. The materials are common chemicals that can be purchased at any grocery store. You will need a spray bottle, isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. In your spray bottle, create a mixture that is 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% distilled water. Be certain not to use more than 50% isopropyl alcohol as that may damage your screen.