Teletech's Original FAQ's

These questions are included because they were in my original FAQ,
but they really don't apply any more.

• My VCR has good audio, but the picture is all snowy, or blurry, could it just need a cleaning?
  There is a very good chance that your VCR is a gonner. Look into buying a combo DVD/VCR an make the switch.
• Does using a tape Rewinder really help the wear and tear on my VCR?
  Yes, Using a rewind unit does help extend the life of the transport in your VCR. Unfortunatly, most VCR's don't last long enough anymore to make it really matter.
• I rented a movie and now everything is snow,What kind of head cleaner should I use?
  A head cleaning tape is the equivilant of a piece of 10000 grit sandpaper and it's use cannot be condoned except in rare instances. Only use a WET system, where you apply a fluid to the tape.
• How often should I have my VCR cleaned?
  Unlike changing the oil in your car, a VCR can be used until a problem occurs. However, due to the current market, your unit probably won't even be cleaned by an actual technician.

Your set may have possibly, received a power glitch. In some cases, unplugging the unit from the wall for 20 minutes or more will reset it. If this does not work, call a reputable service center to arrange for service or bring it into the shop to save the trip charge.

Does your settop box have a volume control on it? If so, ensure the volume is at maximum before adjusting the volume on your TV set.
Also, check if your set has any features like "Smart Sound","Ambi-Sound" or similar. Turn them all off before proceding.
Next, check each speaker. If you pipe the sound through your stereo system, this may be the actual culprit.Go buy a new one, stereo technicians are a rare these days.

    Check your Closed Caption Text Mode.
    In the menu, turn it off or choose CC1 for normal captions.

Your picture tube is sensitive to any magnetic fields (such as those caused by Speakers, Motors, etc.). The larger the tube the more sensitive it is. Being in close proximity (4-6 feet) to these fields can result in color and/or picture distortion. Try removing these devices from the area or look into getting "Shielded Speakers".

Your TV has a built in "deguasser" that over a period of a couple days should take care of it. If not, it is usually a simple procedure for a tech to cure.
(Note:Deguassing is recommended in the final viewing position of the monitor)

Manufacturer’s Factory Services have setup specialized repair depots for specific models. In some cases, these are handled by the service center, other times you would ship directly to the depot. Except for small camcorders, the most likely case would be removing a circuit board for rebuilding.

Now this is really a loaded question.
Repair turn-around varies with each unit. Several factors come into play at this point.

• How extensive is the damage to your unit?, Has it been previously worked on?
• How elusive is the problem? Intermittant problems usually take longer.
• Your unit may have multiple problems that wasn't apparent initially.
• A delay may occur if a new part for your unit is defective or not in stock.
• Has the technician been properly trained to diagnose your unit?
    *Don't be hesitant to ask to see certificates if not displayed.
• It is also a possiblity that additional problems were inadvertantly caused by an improperly trained technician.
  
  The major cause of this is current market conditions:
  1. Qualified, experienced, journeyman technicians come at a premium price, something that repair centers see (inaccurately) as not cost effective.
  2. Warranty and contract labor rates have been steadily declining for years.
     At the same time, documentation requirements, payment rejections, shipping and core charges have steadily increased.
  3. To offset this, service centers have resorted to employing under-qualified journeyman willing to work for less, or apprentice techs working unsupervised.
• For more on this subject, check out my TV Repair by Professionals page

The only time a used part is installed is when the original part is no longer available. Only new parts will carry the warranty of 90 days.

No, Service Centers are not parts distributors.
Usually, the only parts stocked are ones with a high failure rate. Additionally, those parts are on-hand for the technician's benefit to repair units in the shop. Most times, we can connect you with a distributor or manufacturer's contact for you, just call, e-mail us or check our Links page for sources.

Does your TV have a picture tube? Then replace it with a new one. The Raytheon tube factory burned down several years ago so that really limits your options.
Plazma and LCD's have been around long enough that they could be considered old. By thier very nature, Plazma repairs are more expensive The high current drive boards fail if something is wrong with the panel, driving up the diagnostic costs.
Conversely, LCD technology is very solid and the expensive panel can usually be diagnosed without even opening the unit. Additionally, there are generally only a few boards in LCD's (Power, Logic, Scan Drive, and Backlight).

A manufacturer's comes with the original purchase of a unit at no additional charge. Unless specified, 90 days labor and 365 days on the parts.
An extended warranty can be purchased from either the product manufacturer or an insurance company to add 3, 4, or 5 years onto the original warranty length.
* The extended warranty does not take affect until after the original manufacturer's warranty expires and may not cover everything your original warranty did.

Yes, if a conscious effort is made to pay off the repair in a timely manner.
If after repeated attempts to contact you, we do not receive a response, we will be forced to consider the unit abandoned and sell the unit to recover our costs.
* This is a very extreme case scenario but does occur.

Yes.
Call us to have it all spelled out.

Ajax is a group of inter-related web development techniques used for creating interactive web applications. A primary characteristic is the increased responsiveness and interactiveness of web pages achieved by exchanging small amounts of data with the server "behind the scenes" so that the entire web page does not have to be reloaded each time the user performs an action. This is intended to increase the web page's interactivity, speed, functionality, and usability.
* And it actually works.