Noosa HiFi Helpful Hints

This area is for you to browse through and see if there is something that may assist you to improve your ‘home electronics’ systems with the least effort or expenditure. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact mike@noosahifi.com.au or phone the office and we shall endeavour to assist you . We hope this may be of benefit to you!!

Security

  • Once a month, cover the front of motion sensors with your hand and give a quick spray around and behind the sensors with a surface insecticide to deter insects from taking up residence and possibly causing false alarms.
  • Like any electronic device, a burglar alarm can develop problems. It is wise to do a “walk test” of the system and set off the siren and strobe for an instant, just to ensure they are working. If you need assistance, we can carry out a complete ‘periodic check’ of the entire alarm functions and prepare a report for you.
  • Ensure that you don’t place objects in front of or anywhere near a sensor, which will block it’s view of doors or windows. Passive infrared sensors cannot detect movement through a solid object.
  • Don’t leave windows open when you are arming the alarm. If the weather changes and becomes windy, sudden temperature variations and objects that may be moved by a breeze, will cause false alarms.
  • Every burglar alarm has a “back up battery” on board. This battery exists to support your alarm in the event of power failure. Depending on the capacity of the battery and the load of equipment it supports, the charge could last between a day and four days. These batteries last on average 3 years, again it depends on how often it may have been discharged and recharged. If the battery cannot support your alarm on a ‘dynamic test’ for a short time, it needs replacing quick.

Audio

  • You may have the best audio equipment in the world, but the worst interconnect cables linking components. The best you will get from your system, is measured by the worst component you have connected...it may just be one cable!
  • For older audio systems that have been pumping along for a number of years without a problem, it is wise to look where no-one ever does....around the back of the amplifier and CD player. The interconnect cables connected to the RCA sockets of your equipment tend to become oxidised and tarnished with age. Remove the cable from the terminals and give them a bit of a cleanup with a solvent. Let them dry and rub with a clean cloth...the grime you see has been affecting the output of your system and you may notice a marked difference in the quality of the sound.

Video

  • Occasionally through a power glitch or something, your digital TV “set top box” might freeze or drop a station or two. In this event, turn the power off on the set top box for 30 seconds, then turn it on again. Using the remote control, go to SET UP or MENU, depending on the model and then INSTALL...choose “Full Scan” NOT “Quick Scan”, to reload the TV stations available to you. This will overcome your problem in most cases