10 Steps to a Basic TV Setup and Repair

If you are a first time owner of a TV, upgrading your old TV or replacing that old tube TV here are 10 tips to a basic TV setup.   These should help you get the most out of your new TV and give you the best possible picture quality.

This How To article is written to give guidance for connecting your TV to a cable/satellite box and a Blu-ray DVD player.  Future articles will explain how to connect Surround Sound Systems, Sound Bars, WI-FI (for Wi-Fi enabled TVs & Blu-ray players) and Game Consoles.

Take the TV out of the box

Yes this is obvious, but a word of caution. Manufacturers like to pack the parts needed to assemble your TV in very odd places. They use tape to hold the parts securely and sometimes the parts are light and don’t make any noise as you unbox your TV.  Carefully look for parts on each piece of Styrofoam in the box. Finally, don’t throw away the box until the TV is completely assembled and working, just in case.

Assembling the parts in the box

There are dozens of different pedestals for flat screen TVs. Each manufacturer has its own pedestal, some manufacturers even have multiple types of pedestals depending on the TV model. Here are links to a few of the most popular types of Samsung, LG, and Panasonic and Sony instructions. The best thing to do is follow the instructions that came with your TV to assemble the pedestal. If you’re wall mounting it then just store the parts away for the future.

TV Setup & Repair

The back panel

Here is a basic panel on a TV:

·         TV back panel

·         There are a number of connectors back there but only a few are used in a basic High Definition setup.

·         RF Jack Used to connect an Antenna or cable service where a box is not necessary

·         HDMI port.  This is the preferred input for a TV.  If you want the best picture you can have this is the one to use.

·         RCA Composite Video.  This is the old school connector.  Used to hook up old VCRs or DVDs. (red, white & yellow)

·         RCA Component Video.  These are the old analog HD connectors (red, green, blue)

·         VGA Connector.  If you want to connect your laptop or desktop computer this is where you connect it using a VGA cable.

·         S-Video.  An old cable type.  Not the oldest, but close.  I used to be popular on VHS camcorders and players among others.

·         PC Audio In.  Connect your laptop or desktop here using a 1/8” (3.5mm) patch cord.  Sound from your computer will come from the TV.

·         This one is not numbered but it’s in the lower left.  Coaxial connector.  Used for connecting a powered subwoofer.

Above is a complete list of all the jacks. Listed below are the jacks you will need to complete your connections.

·         RF Jack. This is used if you can receive TV over the air and don’t use a set top box (cable/satellite).

·         HDMI port.  This is the preferred input for TV.  If you want the best picture this is the one to use.

·         Component Video.  Still used by some gaming systems.

Gather the materials and devices

Cable and Satellite service providers bring cables with them when connecting new service.  However, most only use the older Component Video connectors and charge extra if you want the better HDMI cable.  If you had your box installed before you had TV then you probably only have an old RF coax cable (#1) or composite video cable (#3).  If you didn’t pick up cables when you bought your hardware or, as mentioned above, you’re upgrading from a non-HD TV now is the time to go out and shop for your cables.  In, HDMI Cable, Why do I need one? I cover some basic knowledge you’ll need when purchasing your HDMI cables.

If you are wall mounting the TV then you’ll need to decide which mounting style you’ll want.  In The Three Main Types of TV Brackets there is a good overview of the difference between the brackets.

Video Source makes all the difference

If you haven’t already done so, you should get a new HD set top box from your satellite or cable provider.  Without one you’ll never really get a good picture. It may cost a bit more each month, but the difference in the picture will be worth the extra money.

Putting everything in place

If you are wall mounting, then the wall mount should already be in place.  I would suggest adding a wall shelf to hold the cable/satellite box and the DVD right below the TV.

If you are installing the TV on a stand then it should be installed at eye level for the best viewing angle.  Place your box and DVD where you want but be aware of the length of your cables.  I like using a 3 foot cables to keep the extra wire at a minimum, but this requires everything to be close and leaves no room to snake the wire around shelves.

The Basic TV Setup

At this point you should have all the necessary components to setup and program your new TV.  TV’s with more than one HDMI have them numbered (figure 1).  This will be important later when programming your TV.

Connect the first HDMI cable to HDMI1 if your TV has more than one connector.

·         Put the Cable/Satellite box where you want it and connect the HDMI cable to it. Normally there is only one HDMI connector in the back of the box.

·         If you’re installing a Blu-Ray DVD player follow the same procedure.

·         Connect the second HDMI cable to HDMI2 if your TV has more than one connector. It’s the lower connector in Figure 2.

·         Put the Blu-Ray DVD player where you want it and connect the HDMI cable to it. Again, normally there is only one HDMI connector in the back of the box.

·         If your TV doesn’t have a second HDMI then you can use the component video cables.  DVD players are still being made with the older component connectors (#4). These are examples of the rear panel of the devices.  Your actual panel may differ but the basic jacks will be there.