Projector Screen

While some users may opt for a white wall when using their projector, others may want to go with a screen. While white projector screens have been a staple for years, some home theater enthusiasts are opting for gray screens, which are considered “high contrast.”

As far as screen size goes, there are a variety of sizes to consider, and it all depends on the size of the room you’re in. You won’t want to buy the largest one available if the room you’re in is small, though if that room is dedicated only to being a home theater, consider getting a larger, permanent screen.

There are options to buy a 4 x 3 (full screen, squarish) or 16 x 9 (widescreen, film- and HD-friendly) screen; we recommend going with a 16 x 9, as more TV programming is going high definition widescreen, and movies are pretty much all widescreen now on DVD and Blu-ray. This cuts down on the letterboxing you’d see on a 4 x 3 screen.

There’s the option to purchase a permanent screen that will stay in place on the wall, great for a dedicated home theater room. Or you can opt for a screen that can be pulled down (like your teacher did back in school) and hung up on the wall, or from the ceiling – it’s semi-permanent and semi-portable. Then you could always go with a portable screen, which is affordable and might be a great option if the projector you’re buying is going to travel with you for business presentations. Consider your needs before making a decision, especially if you think you’ll be moving in the foreseeable future.

To decide where you should place your projector there are many things to take into account, including room size, the lamp’s lumens rating and more. Probably the best thing is to search online for a “viewing distance calculator,” which will help you place it properly.

Projectors - A Word about Lamps

The average lifespan of a lamp, perhaps the most important part of the projector, is between 2,000 and 4,000 hours. As time goes on, the image will stay nice and bright, but toward the end of its life, it will start to dim. If you run the projector often and at full power, expect it to last around 2,000 hours. If you use energy saving modes, it will last up to 4,000 hours. When a lamp goes out, it can cost around $200 to $400 to replace.
Some tips to help with lamp life: A little maintenance via filter cleanings will help extend that life; keep the exhaust fan open and away from objects that might obstruct it; and take care when turning it off right after the projector has been turned on – wait at least five minutes.

LED/LCD TVs

Man’s second best friend. His TV. The best thing you can do for you LED and LCD TV is to watch it. Which is pretty easy. Here are a few other tips to keep it in the best working order.

• Keep the screen lint and dust free with a soft cloth wipe down once a week.
• Keep the picture crystal clear, and all the colors correct with calibration. You can do this yourself, or have a professional come out and check your color spectrum for you.
• Make sure all cables are attached correctly and evenly.
• Keep the set turned off when it is not in use.
• Do NOT use cleaners, such as Windex, that contain ethyl alcohol, ammonia, acetone, ethyl acid or methyl chloride to clean your screen.

Digital Camera Care

Your digital camera can capture and upload your memories in moments. Depending on what type of camera you have, it can be an important investment. Here’s a way to treat it nice.

• Always keep a digital camera charged.
• Get a snug fitting bag to store it.
• Use the lens cover all the time (except when taking pictures).
• Clean the lens and body with a soft cloth.
• Don’t take pictures with your digital camera while sky diving.
• Keep liquids away from the camera at all times.
• Don’t drop your camera in hot lava. Stay away from volcanoes in general. 

Did You Know?  According to our internal research, the average repair cost for a digital camera or digital SLR camera is around $150.  Lot of money for just one, run of the mill, repair job.  Follow these simple steps and keep your camera in tip top order to reduce the risk of any kind of failure.

Camcorder Care

There are so many types of video cameras to choose, from high to low price, feature rich to basic varieties, the list goes on. Once you choose one, you want to take good care of it so it will be there to capture your special moments, funny accidents, and family fun.

• Always keep the video camera charged.
• Get a video camera bag. Keep it stored in the bag at all times. Except when using the camera, of course.
• Use the lens cover all the time to protect the lens.
• Clean the lens and body with a soft cloth once a month.
• Keep liquids away from the camera at all times.
• Don’t use your video camera as a doorstop. This will damage the video camera.

Desktop Care

In general your desktop computer should be easy to operate and pretty low maintenance. Here are a few simple tips for keeping it in great working order:

• Keep food and liquids away from your desktop. If you do spill, shut it off and unplug from its power source.
• Don’t roll over the power cord with your office chair. Tape the cord to your desk or to the wall.
• Have your laptop professionally cleaned once a year to remove internal dust.
• Virus and spyware software is a good investment.
• Run a defragmentation program.
• Back up your hard drive externally, just incase.
• Do NOT use cleaners, such as Windex, that contain ethyl alcohol, ammonia, acetone, ethyl acid or methyl chloride to clean your monitor.

Laptop Care

Your laptop is attached to you most of the time. Love/hate relationship. You take it everywhere. It’s your traveling lifeline and workstation – and access to Facebook and other social scenes. Don’t let anything bad happen to it. Caring for it is easy if you follow a few easy steps.

• Never pick your laptop up by its monitor/screen
• Don’t roll over the power cord with your office chair. Tape the cord to your desk or to the wall.
• Have your laptop professionally cleaned once a year to remove internal dust.
• Avoid using your laptop in bed. It will suck up dust and lint, possibly blocking the fan. And it’s not into “cuddling.”
• Keep food and liquids away from your laptop. It’s just a matter of time before you dump a piping hot Americano on the keyboard. If you do spill, shut it off and unplug from its power source.
• Virus and spyware software is a good investment.
• Run a defragmentation program.
• Back up your hard drive externally, just in case.
• Do NOT use cleaners, such as Windex, that contain ethyl alcohol, ammonia, acetone, ethyl acid or methyl chloride to clean your monitor.
• Never use bubble gum to keep your laptop shut.