Troubleshooting steps if you can't get video and/or audio from an external device on your TV

Hey Guys, ZaccyM here

Are you having trouble getting video and/or audio from an external device connected to your TV (that is, anything connected through composite (yellow usually paired with audio connections like the red and white connections or in some cases optical audio), component (reddish, blue and green also usually paired with audio connections), or HDMI (the one usually black connection that carries both audio and video), and possibly coaxial (antenna) connections)? If you answer yes to this, then these steps may help you before you call in the pros

1. Check the cable is in all the way: This is a VERY common problem, most TVs won't recognize a connection until it is in all the way, so even though the cable is actually connected, the TV still thinks nothing is there because the cable isn't connected securely! So check the cable and just push it in further until it won't go in any further then check the input to see if the problem is fixed
2. Check you are actually tuned in to the right input: It may seem obvious but some people don't pay attention to where they're plugging in a cable, normally near the set of sockets where you plugged in a device will be a label telling you what input those sockets correspond to, something like "AV1 In" or "HDMI1 In", essentially it'll have the type of connection (most TVs either have AV or HDMI, but it varies based on the TV, check your operations manual), a number, and the word "In" (although some simply have the word "Input" and a number), if it doesn't have the word "In" or "Input" then it's not an input! So yeah, just go back to where you plugged it in and make sure it's a input, and if it isn't, plug it in to an input, and note down what input it corresponds to (it should be above, below, or beside the set of sockets), if it is, ensure you're on the right input, that should solve your problem
3. Plug it in to a different input: sometimes ports can be faulty, which obviously means they won't work, but it could also be the device, to test, unplug the device from the TV, and plug it into another input, if that works, then it's the TV, mark the defective port (you don't have to but it helps!) so that it doesn't get used until it's repaired, then call the store to get it repaired (it should be covered by warranty if it wasn't the result of something you did), if it doesn't work, repeat the previous steps but use inputs that you haven't tried, if none of the inputs work then it's the device, call the store to get it repaired (again it should be covered by warranty unless it was the result of something you did). Remember not to mix and match cables and inputs (composite cables won't go into component inputs even though they fit)
4. Make sure you are using the right sort of input: Just because Composite cables will fit into Component inputs doesn't mean they'll work, remember, sockets are color coded for a reason... to help you connect the cables to the right sockets, for example, red cable goes into red socket, kind of like batteries, you have to put the end of the battery marked + into the + end of the bay, not the other way around! The colors HAVE to match each other EXACTLY, so just because a cable matches the same color but each have a different tone (like a neutral red cable and a bright red socket) it still won't work! So check you are using the right sort of input, and if you aren't make the proper changes.
5. Don't mix and match ports: Unless you are using one sort of cable for video and are pairing it with some sort of audio connection, you should NEVER mix and match ports, it never works!
6. If you use a surround sound system, check the connections and input is correct on that: Some devices let you send the video to one place and send the audio elsewhere (like to a surround sound system), but if you're doing that, you NEED to ensure everything is setup correctly, like the TV is set to the correct video input, the surround sound system is on and is set to the correct input (and quite obviously, the speakers are on and connected!), and all the connections are secured, also sometimes you have to tell the device to send it's audio to the surround sound system and NOT to the TV, otherwise it may cause problems!

All that should fix everything and get you back on your feet, or on your feet if you've always had problems!

Peace,
ZaccyM

PS: Remember that there usually is a troubleshooting section in your TV's or external device's operations manual that could help a bit more then I or anyone else can, don't forget if you're in warranty your device's or your TV's manufacturer is usually on hand to help you with any problems you may have

My HP Story and how I’ve come to hate their printers

Hey Guys, ZaccyM here

As not many of you know, I LOVE HP printers… until now! My Mum purchased a HP Color LaserJet CM1015 quite a while ago, and so far I bloody love it! But the trouble starts when you lose the disc to install the software, as it appears, when you install the software for your printer, you not only install the drivers (which is really all that is required for your computer to communicate with the printer, although not to HP) but you install a heap of other useless software (like OCR (Optical Character Recognition, simply software that takes a pre-printed document, and converts it into editable text) software, scanning software, etc.) that isn’t even required for the printer to do it’s specified job: print! So when you go and download the software, the HP servers will push you an image of what is on the CD, they won’t just let you go and download just the drivers, HP FORCES this stuff on you, they won’t ask you if you want it or not, they’ll just give you what’s on the CD, even if you don’t want it! And the worst part is, if you just want the drivers, they’ll assume you’re a massive enterprise with multiple HP printers of different models, and give you what they call a “Universal Print Driver” which is just something that allows you to print to multiple models of HP printers with the one driver! So to HP, I say this: HP, why do you always insist on telling us how we should use OUR printers? I just don’t see any reason why we should be forced to install software which we don’t even want! Unless you’re trying to lose a customer I suggest you straighten yourself up!