Tag: screen

No comments

VGA vs DVI vs HDMI Resolution – Which Is Best?

  By

vga vs dvi vs hdmi resolution

Are you confused by all the different display ports and options on monitors, TVs and projectors? It can be confusing when comparing VGA vs DVI vs HDMI resolution, but it doesn’t have to be!

Here’s a port by port breakdown explaining each type of resolution and a recommended application of use for each!

VGA vs DVI vs HDMI Resolution

HDMI

We’re going to start by teaching you about HDMI Resolution, because quite frankly… it’s the best. HDMI broken down just means “high definition multimedia interface.”

Most modern TVs and PCs support this resolution. Furthermore, most products you would plug into a monitor of some type also support an HDMI connection. A few you might have could include:

  • Tablets
  • Google Chromecast
  • Cable box
  • Mobile Device

The main reason why HDMI connections are considered to be the best is because they incorporate both display and audio through the same cable. It’s a familiar format that most people understand, which makes it popular among customers.

In recent years, HDMI standards have been upgraded. But don’t go out and buy new cables – you don’t need them! The HDMI standards upgrade is a part of the hardware itself and cables used with lower standards equipment will still work perfectly.

To summarize, HDMI is great for general use, but other cables can be good for other specific situations.

Do you have a TV with damaged connection ports? Contact us to get in touch and get it fixed!

DVI

DVI stands for “Digital Visual Interface.” It was considered to be the standard display format in 1999… quite awhile back in the technological revolution. DVI has multiple different modes, including:

  • DVI-D (digital only)
  • DVI-A (analog only)
  • DVI-I (digital and analog)

Technically, the digital video signal passed through the cable is the same as HDMI.

The main difference between the two connection types is that DVI doesn’t support an audio signal and requires using a different cable in addition to the visual cable.

This helps to explain why it’s not something you would find on Bluray players or new HD TVs. You can, however, find it on projectors.

At this point in time, HDMI has basically replaced it, though it is good for computer monitors that lack speakers.

There are two types of connectors: dual-link and single-link. Dual-link connectors double the power of transmission with higher speed and signal quality.

VGA

VGA stands for “Video Graphics Array,” which is an analog, video only connection. You will rarely find this connection type on TVs, but can sometimes find it on projectors or old PCs.

The big tech companies (like Samsung) banded together to agree to drop support for VGA back in 2010. As such, there’s really no good use for this display type unless your PC or projector older and doesn’t support DVI or HDMI.

Do you still have questions about VGA vs DVI vs HDMI resolution or want to know what’s the best one to use for your specific purposes? Contact us online or call us at (440)725-0642 for more information!

Taking a look at your electronics, what are the most common connection types you can find? Share in the comments and see where you stack up amongst our other customers!

No comments

Comparing LCD vs LED vs Plasma for Gaming

  By

lcd vs led vs plasma for gaming

Since we recently started offering a TV repair service, we’ve heard one question over and over again… what’s the difference between LCD, LED and Plasma TVs?

If you’re a gamer, than you want to ensure that every part of your gaming experience is enjoyable. From a comfy chair, to snacks at the ready, and a headset equipped with a microphone (to scream insults at your opponents!), every detail makes a difference. So it makes sense that you’ll want to make sure that your perfect gaming experience is not ruined by a TV or monitor that doesn’t fit your standards. Let’s take a look at LCD vs LED vs Plasma for Gaming.

LCD vs LED vs Plasma for Gaming

Basic Differences

The only difference between LCD and LED TVs is that LED TVs are just LCD TVs that use an LED backlight instead of a fluorescent one. LED-LCD TVs tend to have better contrast and more accurate colors than fluorescent-backlit TV models.

Since LED TVs use an LED backlight instead of fluorescent lighting, and are the most energy efficient and consume the least amount of power. Gamers tend to prefer LED backlighting because the lighting is much more even and consistent across the screen. In terms of definition, 1080p is a good standard for high definition.

Plasma has the best quality display when considered against LED and LCD TVs, and tend to outperform LED and LCD TVs in many tests. The main difference for Plasma TVs is that Plasma TVs have deeper black levels, which make for better contrast. They also don’t have motion blur and limited viewing angles typically associated with LCD TVs.

The biggest problem with Plasma TVs is that they tend to retain images longer than LED or LCD TVs. Newer models have fixed most of this problem. However, older models have images that can leave an imprint for hours – not always ideal for gamers worried about lag. Speaking of which…

The Problem with Lag

Response time, also known as “lag,” is important to gamers, and can mean the difference between living and dying (in the game at least!). Gamers measure this delay in milliseconds, for online games and Twitch, which require very timely collaboration for an enjoyable gameplay experience. Check out CNET’s guide to the Best Low Lag HDTVs for Serious Gamers to get an idea of what TV models are appropriate for gamers.

Pricing Considerations

In terms of pricing, Plasma is the newest technology, and is therefore the most expensive. From there, LED is cheaper than LCD. You can get a basic understanding of pricing between models considered to be the best for gaming from Tech Radar.

What TV or monitor you decide to use for gaming will ultimately depend on how much you enjoy gaming, and the associated cost of the models you’re considering. For the best experience, with money not an issue, choose a Plasma model. On a lower budget, you’d still have a great gaming experience using and LED TV… not to mention, the cost savings add up with it’s energy efficiency on your monthly electric bill. So what will you choose between LCD vs LED vs Plasma for gaming?

And if you have a TV that you use for gaming and need it repaired, contact us online or by calling (440) 725-0642!

No comments

Here’s What to Do with an Old Laptop

  By

what to do with an old laptop

The thing about electronics is that they have a finite lifespan. What was once a powerful laptop used for business or gaming is now sitting in a closet and collecting dust.

Perhaps the hardware wore out, or maybe the technology is too outdated for your machine to do anything useful.

Whatever the case, consumers are often left wondering what to do with an old laptop.

In this short guide, we’ll provide you with a few different ideas.

Repair It

This option might seem a little too obvious.

If your laptop has a few broken parts – such as a damaged screen or a loose power connection – it is easy enough to to repair. In most cases, the cost of the repair will be less than buying a new laptop.

If you live in the Cleveland area, take a peek at our services page to see what we can do for you.

Give It One Job

If you’re wondering what to do with an old laptop that’s in otherwise perfect working condition, consider re-purposing it. In other words, give it just one simple task to do.

For instance, you could mount it to the wall and use it as a stationary calendar or photo frame. If you have a few broken keys, a battery that won’t hold a charge, or a damaged CD drive – it really won’t matter.

If you have a room in your house that doesn’t receive WiFi, you could turn your old laptop into a hotspot. Here is a guide on how to do that.

You could also use your laptop simply for its screen by connecting it to your desktop computer.

Use It for Parts

Removing and reusing laptop hardware can be rather tricky. This idea would be best applied by those more technically inclined.

For example, you could remove the hard drive from your old laptop, place it in an enclosure, and then use it as an external drive.

In some cases, you may also be able to salvage the CD drive, although finding an external enclosure for it may prove to be challenging.

Sell It for Cash

Computer repair stores, such as Target PC Inc here in Willoughby, Ohio, will often buy your laptops. We can use the parts, or sometimes even refurbish certain models for resale.

The answer to what to do with an old laptop is not to throw it away. Not only is that the equivalent of tossing money in the trash, but it is also not the environmentally responsible thing to do.

Instead, bring your old laptop into our showroom and we may be able to give you cash for it on the spot.

  • Trying to figure out what to do with an old laptop you no longer use?
  • Are you upgrading to a newer, more powerful laptop?
  • Do you need extra cash to pay for an unexpected expense?
  • Perhaps your laptop requires extensive repairs, and you simply cannot afford it?

Find more details on selling your laptop to Target PC Inc here.

No comments

4 Ways You’ll Accidentally Damage Your Cell Phone

  By

damage your cell phone

Nearly 3 in every 4 Americans own a smartphone. While that may be great news in terms of staying connected, other surveys show that roughly 1 in every 3 smartphone owners will lose or damage their cell phones.

Here are a number of surprising figures in terms of how you may damage your cell phone:

  • The average iPhone is damaged within 10 weeks of purchase
  • 23 million Americans that have damaged their smartphones while watching a sporting event
    • 12 percent flung their phone in a fit of passion
    • 13 percent dropped their phone into their beers
  • Men are more likely than women to damage their smartphones
  • 18-to 24-year-olds are 16 percent more likely to break their smartphones
  • Men are 70 percent more likely to lose their phones
  • Men are 57 percent more likely to drop their phones into a toilet
  • Women are 42 percent more likely to have their phone stolen
  • The most common accidents include cracked screens and spilled fluids

Of course, if it is simply a matter of a cracked screen, we can easily repair that for you.

Barring that, what we are going to explore today is four common ways to accidentally damage your cell phone that you may not even know about.

(1) Accidentally installing malware

When you download smartphone apps, even from iTunes, you are risking granting permissions that may not be safe. In fact, you could accidentally damage your cell phone – or at the very least, your privacy – by allowing a new app to access your contacts, send text messages on your behalf, delete data, activate your camera, use bandwidth, or track your location.

Conclusion: If you aren’t familiar with an app, skip installing it.

(2) Leaving your phone on the charger too long

Do you generally leave your smartphone on the charger all night long? If so, the excess heat is not good and could damage your cell phone. In some rare cases, that excess heat has resulted in fires. Unlike the old days of cell phone usage, you no longer need to wait until your battery has fully died before charging it. At the same time, overcharging does not benefit your device.

Conclusion: Take your smartphone off the charger when it reaches 100%.

(3) Placing it in direct sunlight

This is the type of damage to your cell phone that could easily be an accident. Whether it is leaving your phone near a window, or placing it on a picnic table while playing some beach volleyball, that excess heat can easily cause several hardware components to malfunction.

Conclusion: Keep your phone in cool and shaded areas.

(4) Accidental exposure to moisture

This point might seem obvious; we all know that water and electronics don’t mix. That being said, many smartphone users forget that moisture does not necessarily refer to gigantic puddles. For example, you can damage your cell phone by placing it in the cup holder in your car that had a cold beverage in it a few moments before. Even placing your smartphone in the pocket of some freshly dried pants could be dangerous.

Conclusion: Keep your device away from any source of moisture.

Have you accidentally wrecked your smartphone in an unusual way? Tell us all about in the comments below.

No comments

What to Do about Your Shattered Smartphone Screen

  By

What to Do about Your Shattered Smartphone Screen

At Target PC Repair, we have seen our fair share of shattered smartphone screens. Smartphones get dropped, kicked, stepped on, sat on, run over… and, well, just about any bad thing that could happen to a smartphone screen generally will.

If you find your smartphone to be in the unfortunate situation of having a damaged screen, you have a few options. Here’s what you can do about your shattered smartphone screen:

1. Ignore It

Nobody relishes the thought of having an ugly crack or series of cracks running through their smartphone screen. That is especially true if it is a new device that just got damaged.

That said, in many cases, the phone and touchscreen are otherwise still functional. If you find yourself short on funds, and your phone still works, you can always grin and bear it for the time being.

2. Borrow One

A lot of people have an older smartphone kicking around that they no longer use. Do you have a favor to cash in with a friend or a family member? Perhaps you could borrow their unused device until you have the funds available to repair or replace your damaged device.

3. Replace It

You have a couple of different options here. For example, if your contract with your wireless carrier is about to renew, you may be eligible for an early upgrade.

If not, you could always explore buying a used replacement. eBay and Amazon might have something suitable, and you might even be able to get a few dollars back for selling your used device with a shattered smartphone screen. As a last resort online, you could always check out what’s on Craigslist.

If you would prefer to search for a replacement device offline, most of us have a local electronics store that sells gently used items. This is scraping the bottom of the barrel, but you could always try a local pawn shop, a flea market, or even a yard sale.

Finally, if all else fails, you could simply bite the bullet and buy a new smartphone outright… although that isn’t likely to be a very budget-friendly option, it might be the easiest.

4. Repair It

If you know how to, or you wish to learn by watching amateur tutorial videos on YouTube, you could attempt to replace your own smattered smartphone screen.

This can be a very cost-effective option if done correctly, although in many cases it works out to be more expensive than paying a professional to replace it the first time. If you cause further damage when replacing your smartphone screen, or install the replacement screen incorrectly, you may still need to pay a professional to clean up the mess you made.

If you are going to repair it, you would be best to bring it to a professional the first time.

Should you happen to live near Cleveland, Ohio, we would be happy to serve you at Target PC Repair. You can call us at (440) 725-0642, contact us online, or just drop by our shop in Willoughby, Ohio.