Remote Control FAQ
Q) How do I know which remote I need for my TV or devices?
A: Most of TVs or devices would have a manufacturing label in the back or on the bottom of itself. This label should contain the model of the TV or device, Manufacturer name, country of origin and serial number. After knowing your model number, simply search on our website search box. If a compatible remote matches your TV or device model, a list of result should display for your selection.
In some cases, there could be multiple remote models that may work with your TV or device. If you are not certain which is the proper one, you can always contact us to help you get the right one.
Q) What is the difference between Genuine and Generic remotes?
A: Genuine remotes are the original remote that is being manufactured and comes with the TV or device. The quality is pretty much the identical as what you had with the one that came with the TV or devices.
Generic remotes (Those that are sold here on this website) are mostly 100% cloned from the original remote which should offer 100% functionality and features as the original one (Some may have removed the backlight function). Every brand and model of generic remote we sold here are 100% guaranteed to be compatible and functional as what we have listed as compatible within it’s listing.
Q) Why buy generic while one can buy an original remote?
A: Usually it is a choice and preference. Naturally, generic remotes are usually being offered at a more economical cost than the original. However, there are original remotes that has been phased out and no longer being available out there. Therefore, sometime generic remote is probably the only options.
Q) How come no user’s manual or batteries being included?
A: User’s manual for a remote has never been included. The manual usually is the one that comes with the TV or device with exception of a Universal remote. Therefore, please refer to your device or TV user’s manual for operation or programming instructions.
Batteries are not included because they have expiration and can only be stored for a fixed period of time. It is also not recommended for frequent transportation. (There are some exceptions of remotes that we do include batteries)
Q) Received remote but it is not working with my TV or Device?
A: First thing that needed to check is that if the correct remote is being purchased. Please check if your TV or Device model is compatible with the remote you purchased. NOT all remotes for the same brand works with all the TV or devices. Remote controls are usually pre-programmed to work with specific models only even they look very alike. If the correct model is purchased, please try the following troubleshooting:
1) Please change to a set of brand new batteries and try again.
2) Try to pull the battery springs a little as some remotes may have the springs not being manufactured properly and may be just a little bit short so it is not making contacts with the batteries.
3) Check and see if there are any buttons that is stuck which sometime that will prevent the remote from working.
4) If it is a Bluetooth remote, It needs to be paired with your TV or device before it will work. Please check with your TV or Device User’s Manual for how to pair the remote.
5) If it is an IR remote, please check if there is an IR signal with the remote when pressing buttons. To test the signal, make sure you have brand new batteries installed. You can use a Cell phone camera or a digital camera by pointing the remote toward the camera and press some buttons on the remote. If you see blinking lights through the camera, that means the remote is working properly. (Some phone cameras may not be able to detect IR signals like the back camera of an iPhone. Please try different camera and see.)
6) If the IR signal test is ok, there may be some problem with your IR receiver on the TV or device. That would be something beyond our capability to help.
Q) Can’t tell if the remote is a Bluetooth or IR remote. How?
A: If you can’t really tell, please always contact us for assistance. We are more than happy to help you check and find out for you.
Q) What if I can’t find the remote I need from your website?
A: Please still give us an opportunity to do the work for you and earn your business by helping you find one that may work for you from our product line or we can help you find one out there either from our supplier or through different channels we may have on locating one for you. Simply send us an email. We will do our best to help you.
Q: Do I need to program the remote I buy?
A: 99% of the remotes we carry are all specifically pre-programmed to be used with compatible TV or Device models. Compatible models are within the product listing compatibility list. There are some that is functioning like a universal remote, which it can be programmed to function with multiple devices such as Stereo, DVD players, Cable boxes…etc. These remote will be needing programming which your TV or Device user’s manual should have the programming codes. (Sorry we don’t supply those codes.)
Q: I bought the wrong remote, can I return it for exchange?
A: Yes, you may return it for refund but No, we cannot exchange it due to the nature of different value for different remotes. We may refund you the original purchase after the return is received so that you can purchase the correct one again. We always encourage you to check with us first before you make any purchase if you are not certain of what model of remote you need.
Q: I received a different remote then I have purchased.
A: First, we are sincerely sorry for such error occurred. There are times that our shipping department may have mistakenly picked the wrong model and shipped it out by error. We will make sure we will correct the issue and will send you the right one. Simply contact us and we will make it right for you.
Replacement Lamps FAQ
Q: I just installed the lamp, and my TV will not come on, OR the TV tries to come on, but then shuts off and the Lamp light comes on.
A: Often because customer did not properly replace and secure the access door. We recommend that to repeat the installation process – let lamp cool 30 minutes. If it still doesn’t work, replace it, but customer must make sure access door is secured in place first. (Most of the time there is an indicator light that will notify if the door isn’t secured. On a Sony TV, three red blinks indicate the door is not secured.)
Q: I just installed the lamp, and now my picture is all green (or other color), OR it has stripes, spots, blobs, lines, etc. It was fine with my old bulb.
A1: This is not due to the bulb. The previous, old bulb was dim, and any faults would have been hidden. Now with a new, bright bulb, faults in the picture are obvious. This is caused by the color wheel or optic engine, depending on the technology in the unit.
A2: Customer should verify that input cables going into the TV/projector are secured and not damaged, but if the color/image issue continues, there’s a problem with the unit, not the bulb.
Q: I just installed the bulb, and there are little white dots all over the screen.
A1: Not caused by the bulb, but the new bright bulb allows you to see what the old dim bulb hides. The white spots are caused by a failure within the Light Engine, mirrors are getting stuck in position.
A2: When the DLP chip begins to fail, it will look like there are stars twinkling on the screen and as they get worse entire areas will be white pixels. This usually means the unit has reached the end of its life. DLP chips can be very expensive to replace.
Q: I just installed the bulb, and there is a dark shadow along one side, OR around the corners or edges.
A: The lamp or bulb might not be installed in straight. If the beam of light doesn’t hit the first mirror at the right angle, the resulting image will be dim and might have shadowing around the perimeter. Customer should reinstall the lamp, and if shadowing continues it should be replaced. Customer should also tap the unit to see if the shadow wiggles or changes – if it does, it could be a damaged light tunnel, and a new lamp won’t help. DLP units can have a failing Light Tunnel. This will show edges that may have a rainbow following the edge. This requires repair and a new lamp will not solve the issue.
Q: I connected my projector and the entire image is red (or blue or green).
A: Verify if the projector is using a VGA cable to a laptop or computer. If so, the cable is most likely the issue. Over time the cables can crack internally and cause the loss of the rest of the color info and they will see only one color. Try flexing the cable where it connects, you will usually see the colors again.
Q: I just installed the bulb, and the picture is dim.
A: Customer should reinstall lamp to make sure it is installed straight in the unit properly. If still dim, lamp may be defective.
Q: I just installed the bulb, and there is a bad odor.
A: Sometime lamps may have some glue residual left in the lamp unit or housing during production in factory. Sometimes it will take a couple of hours for those glue residuals to burn off from the lamp and may result in some odor being produced. Let the projector run for a couple of hours and see if the odor persists. Do not panic, while the odor may be foul, there is no health hazard, and the lamp and wires will not catch fire –although if there is a problem elsewhere in the projector there could be a fire. Customer should discontinue use immediately if odor persist after a couple of hours of use or feel that there may be overheating in the projector unit. The materials used for the lamp do not support fire. They will melt, give off an odor (if overheated) but will not burn.
Q: I just installed the new lamp, and it exploded right away.
A: Verify if the lamp purchased is correct lamp for the TV/Projector model. If it is correct, Lamp may be defective.
Q: I just installed the bulb, and the Projector turns off after 10 minutes. I turn it on again, and it shuts down in 10 minutes again.
A: The Lamp Timer needed to be reset. The lamp timer doesn’t know a new lamp has been installed, and after a certain number of hours it will shut down the unit as a safety precaution. Check owner’s manual for instructions, but usually it’s through the menu on the screen. Occasionally it requires pressing buttons on the remote or projector in a sequence to reset the timer. *This applies to Projectors Only!
Q: I just installed the lamp and the TV/projector still gives me replace lamp message.
A1: If there is an image on the screen, the bulb is working, and the customer has to reset the lamp timer to make the message go away.
A2: If there is NO image on the screen, there could be a problem with the lamp. Check for flashing indicator lights and see what the manual says the problem is. Replace lamp as indicated. If the same thing happens with a second new lamp, it could be an internal issue.
Q: I just tried to install the lamp, and it doesn’t fit.
A: Check for the MODEL number off the back of the TV/projector, and verify the lamp model number if it is compatible, contact us to verify if we shipped the correct lamp to you. Very likely a wrong lamp was purchased or shipped. Some TV’s have a lamp number on the old lamp housing, verify that as well.
Q: The bulb has been working for a few days/weeks, and suddenly stopped working.
A: If the bulb made a very loud POP sound and is broken inside, it's popped due to overheating, not because of a defect. Customer should be advised to clean dust from unit and filters before installing new lamp.
Facts to know about Replacement Lamps
• If there is a picture of any sort on the screen – even if it’s just snow or a solid color– the bulb is working.
• The bulb creates white light only and does NOT affect color or the picture, these color issues are created within the TV/projector by the color wheel or optic engine.
• TV’s and projectors have safety features that will shut down the lamp and then shut down the unit – the flashing indicator lights will look like the lamp is at fault, but you won’t really know the exact cause.
For example – if there is a failure of the color wheel, the TV will shut down the lamp, so it doesn’t damage the color wheel, and then it will turn off the unit. Flashing lights will indicate “the lamp is not working”, but they don’t tell you why.
• If the TV tries to come on, then shuts itself off, it could be a color wheel in a DLP TV. Sometimes you can hear a humming or buzzing sound when the color wheel fails or feel a vibration in the unit. A new lamp won’t fix this condition.
A Few key things that can check before confirming it is the lamp problem
• Do you hear the fan? (If not, check door is secure. If it is, could be problem with fan.)
• Do you hear any other sounds – a buzzing, crackling or squealing noise? (If yes, could be color wheel.)
• Does the TV/projector come on at all and shut down quickly, or not come on at all? (Reset the lamp Timer.)
There are many other possible scenarios that may occur from order issues to product issues which we can’t list out everything here in the FAQ. Please feel free to contact us for any type of assistance you may need from us from Pre-sales to Post-sales inquiries. They are all welcome. Thank you