how to guide

  1. P

    Nine feet apart at ten feet back is fine - the hallway is the real problem

    Someone posted a bedroom setup asking whether 9 feet between left and right is a problem when they sit about 10 feet 5 inches back, with a hallway opening just off the right speaker. The equal sided triangle thing gets repeated so often that people treat it as a rule, and it really is not. It is...
  2. B

    Two USB fans on the sides will not cool an AVR that vents out the top

    Someone was planning to strap two USB fans to the sides of a Denon S770H and run them off the receiver's own USB port to pull the hot air out. There is plenty of space either side of the unit and about an inch to an inch and a half above it. I have been down this road and it does not do what you...
  3. OldCooper

    An 11x14 basement theater with an overflow room on an HDMI splitter

    Someone finished a basement build this summer and the part that caught me was not the theater itself, it was the room outside it. Eleven by fourteen for the main space with a projector, then an overflow room through the doors with a sectional seating eight and an LG CX with a soundbar, and an...
  4. Emma

    Speakers 9 feet apart at 10 feet back - close enough, or a problem?

    A bedroom setup post caught my attention because the numbers in it are the ones people agonise over for no good reason. Roughly ten and a half feet back from the speakers, the pair about nine feet apart, and the question is whether the room needs rearranging to widen that spacing because...
  5. C

    Sending 4K120 and USB both ways over one cable run is the hard part

    There is a thread running where someone in Auckland wants two rooms roughly 20m apart, multiple walls between them, joined over CAT6. He wants HDMI 2.1 at 4K120 and USB running in both directions, so the PC can feed the TV in one room while the PS5 feeds the monitor in the other, with KVM...
  6. W

    Inherited a dated basement theater with a dead-channel SR8002 - what goes first?

    Someone bought a house that came with a dedicated theater already built in the basement. Dated, but good bones, and he is not looking to spend heavily, just make it usable and reasonably future proof while he replaces pieces. What is in the rack now: a Marantz SR8002 with what sounds like a...
  7. Appholic

    Four subs into MSO on the fifth attempt - and the fix was in the level matching

    Fifth run at Multi-Sub Optimizer and this one finally clicked, going by a post I read this morning. Two SB-3000s at the rear, two Pretium 18s up front, all four into a miniDSP feeding an Onkyo RZ70 running Dirac with bass control, measured before DBC went on. He had also stopped toeing the front...
  8. G

    There is no real way back to the old Roku home screen - only damage control

    Since the redesign started rolling out in late May this keeps coming up, so here is the short answer: Roku does not give you a way back. Once the new home screen lands on your set or player, the old app grid is gone. What you do get is a handful of settings that let you switch off most of what...
  9. Mia

    Store mode is probably still on in your new TV - check it before you calibrate

    Engadget ran a reminder piece on this and it is worth repeating here because it catches people every single year. New televisions frequently ship with store or demo mode already enabled, including sets bought online that never sat on a shelf under a single fluorescent tube. The mode cranks the...
  10. Barend Ray

    A TV fell off the wall at an Airbnb and now the guests are getting blamed

    Saw this one over on r/hometheater and it is the nightmare version of every rental I have stayed in. Guests check out, the cleaners arrive and find the TV on the floor, the owner messages them asking how they intend to pay for it. Nobody was in the room when it came down. The thing is, the wall...
  11. D

    Putting the TV next to the window is still the setup mistake I see most

    Alastair Stevenson at What Hi-Fi has written up the thing I have been muttering about for years: people have got better at choosing a TV and are still terrible at putting it somewhere sensible. His specific complaint is the set parked directly beside a window, worst during summer, and I have...
  12. Barend Ray

    How to Connect Alexa to Smart TV? Step-by-Step Guide

    Wondering how to connect Alexa to your Smart TV so you can control it hands-free? Whether you want to turn the TV on with your voice, launch apps like Netflix, or control the volume, this guide walks you through everything you need to know. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll know exactly how...
  13. Barend Ray

    How Does Streaming Work on a Smart TV? Beginner's Guide

    In today’s world of binge-worthy series and on-demand entertainment, streaming content on a Smart TV has become the norm. But if you're wondering how streaming actually works on a Smart TV, you're not alone. Whether you're new to Smart TVs or just curious about the tech behind it, this article...
  14. Serena Anderson

    How to Watch Xfinity on Smart TV Without a Cable Box? Complete Guide

    Looking for a way to watch Xfinity on your Smart TV without using a cable box? You’re not alone. As more people cut the cord and streamline their setups, many Xfinity customers are choosing to access live TV and on-demand content without renting extra equipment. The good news? Xfinity makes it...
  15. Serena Anderson

    How to Watch Netflix on Smart TV Without Internet?

    Want to enjoy your favorite Netflix shows on a Smart TV without an internet connection? You’re not alone. Many users find themselves in places with limited or no Wi-Fi access and still want to stream content. The good news is—you can watch Netflix on a Smart TV offline, but there are some key...
  16. Hardon Williams

    How to Update Apps on LG Smart TV? Ultimate Guide

    Is your LG Smart TV running outdated apps, crashing randomly, or missing new features? You’re not alone. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to update apps on LG Smart TV—step by step. Whether you're using the latest webOS interface or an older LG model, this article covers...
  17. Hardon Williams

    How to Turn Off Safe Mode on Smart TV? Step-by-Step Fix Guide

    If your smart TV is stuck in Safe Mode, you're not alone. This issue can prevent apps from launching, limit features, and even block certain settings. But don’t worry—getting out of Safe Mode is often quick and easy, whether you’re using a Samsung, LG, Android TV, or another brand. In this...
  18. Shelby_Compare

    How to Pair Smart TV with iPhone? Easy Guide

    Want to know how to pair your iPhone with a smart TV to stream videos, mirror your screen, or play music wirelessly? You're not alone. Whether you're using a Samsung, LG, Sony, or Roku TV, pairing your iPhone can unlock a more flexible and wireless entertainment setup — and it's easier than you...
  19. Barend Ray

    How to Install Apps on Vizio Smart TV? Easy Guide

    If you just got a Vizio Smart TV and are wondering how to install apps, you're not alone. Vizio’s app system is different from brands like Samsung or LG, which often causes confusion for new users. In this quick guide, you’ll learn how to install, add, and manage apps on a Vizio Smart...
  20. Barend Ray

    How to Get Paramount Network on Your Smart TV? Step by Step Guide

    Looking to stream Yellowstone, Bar Rescue, or other Paramount Network favorites on your smart TV? You’re not alone. A common question we see from users is: Good news: there are multiple easy ways to watch Paramount Network, even if your TV doesn’t come with it pre-installed. This guide...
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