Blog

26 Aug

Tech Tips — September 2014

CE Professional Tech Tip Sharing
September 2014
**NOTICE**
Due the danger and complexity of electronics repair, the following shared
technical tips are intended for professional reference only. Please refer to
manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy,
reliability or safety of this information.
Hitachi TV, 50V500A
Reason for Service: No picture, no OSD, sound is normal and lamp is on.  Some random color dots can be seen.
Solution: 1.8V from power
supply on  connector PPS2 was
missing.  Replacing the power supply
fixed the set.
Hitachi TV, 
53SDX01B
Reason for Service: 
No audio from ext. input 2
Solution:  Do a hard reset and re-adjust horizontal position and sub
brite in service mode.
Mitsubishi DLP TV, WD-62327
Reason for Service: 
Dead, red light error 34
Solution:  Check for 5V at J-9 connector pin 1 and 2 on the engine
driver board.  If missing, replace the
power board #930B921001.
Philips TV, 
42PFL5432D/37
Reason for Service: 
Power supply still dead after replacing several bad
caps.  It chirps now.
Solution: Replace ZD904 and
902, part number P6KE120A.
RCA TV, MM101
Reason for Service: 
Audio from the left channel was buzzing
Solution: Found a shorted
cap between pins 4 and 6 of the output. 
C11912
Samsung TV LNS4041DX/XAA
Reason for Service: Won’t start, but cycles
Solution:  Check power supply for bad caps and bad solder on Q801,
Q802.
Samsung LNT4069FX/XAA
Reason for Service: 
Picture flashes off and on (backlight problem)
Solution: Replace ICM804 on
power/inverter board, BN44-00167C
Sanyo TV, DS31590
Reason For Service:  Dead, fuse blown
(lightning?)
Solution:  Replace the following parts: Q601,
Q604, Q605, D612 and the 4A fuse
Sony TV, KF42WE610
Reason for Service: 
Lamp enclosure gets too hot
Solution: The sirocco fan
above the housing was clogged; clean it out.
Toshiba TV, 37AV502U
Reason for Service: Dead
Solution:  Found two 150V zeners in the power supply bad.

By News, Tech Tips 0 Comments Read more...
25 Aug

Evolving Parts Distribution to Improve the Customer Experience

Parts distributors in years
past could succeed by supplying just a handful of profitable parts in one or
two product categories. To remain competitive today, distributors must offer a
wide variety of parts, along with value-added services.
Robert Coolidge
President & CEO
It wasn’t that long ago that our operations
were run with DOS-based computer systems and manual inventory checks.  Years ago we didn’t need much more than a
phone, fax, warehouse and firm handshake to make it in this business. 
But times have
changed.  In the current market
environment, any parts supplier that hasn’t diversified their product offerings
(especially in the consumer electronics sector), and isn’t providing value
beyond distribution, is likely no longer in business or is quickly becoming obsolete.
With some manufacturers still
expecting their own in-house parts operations to improve their bottom line, savvy
parts distributors know that to remain relevant, they have to offer a strong
value proposition and services that enhance the customer experience and exceed
the capabilities of the manufacturers they represent.
The most forward-thinking
manufacturers know that parts distributors are crucial to creating a variable
parts supply chain cost structure, while protecting their brand equity at the
same time.  If consumers can’t get their
products fixed fast because replacement parts aren’t readily available – and
affordable – how likely are they to repurchase that brand? In a day when
word-of-mouth spreads like wildfire over the Internet and social media, it’s
more important than ever to provide superior aftermarket support for their
products.
Many manufacturers realize
that parts are really far more of a drain on their limited resources than they
are a profit center.  When I first got
into the parts business, nearly every manufacturer managed an internal Parts P&L.  At that time, product prices were higher so
consumers typically chose to repair their products rather than replace
them.  And healthy parts margins more
than offset parts infrastructure costs.  Today
we know that’s no longer the case.
Diversification is another key way
distributors can improve their value. At one time, Encompass was strictly a CE
Parts Distributor.  However, we knew that
to survive – and more importantly thrive – in this business, we would have to
change our model, infrastructure, and overall way of thinking. Just because it
had worked for dozens of years, doesn’t mean it would work going forward, and
we had to provide products and services that our customers and prospects
actually needed. As a result, we started adding new product categories to
diversify the vertical markets we serve. This has included expansion into Large
and Small Appliances, HVAC, Computers, Imaging, Health & Wellness, Security
and many other products to serve new customer segments.

To keep costs down and supplement the
parts supply chain with hard to find parts, many distributors are harvesting
key components from products that may otherwise be unrepairable and/or not cost
effective to repair. This not only helps control costs, it greatly reduces the
amount of environmental waste that may ultimately end-up in landfills.  Customers like reclaimed parts because
they’re less expensive than OEM Parts, and OEMs are beginning to view them as
an option for parts that would otherwise be no longer available.
Effective warehouse
management is one of the most important areas that have evolved to help
distributors deliver top notch customer service.  You’ve got to be able to quickly and
efficiently receive incoming inventory, ship parts orders and process returns.
Encompass has implemented the latest automation tools available in the distribution
space, and we’ve made changes to our warehouse layout configuration to maximize
efficiency. Our goal is to move a larger volume of orders each day to get them
in the hands of our customers as fast as possible.
Consumer expectations have taken off in
recent years as technology has increased their awareness of the overall service
experience. Technology has also helped innovative
distributors improve the parts service experience.  Encompass, for example, provides
sophisticated, real-time inventory access, intuitive ordering processes, comprehensive
data, and email/chat/social media solutions.
We have also integrated our
technology systems with third-party administrators and service management companies
to help servicers get the parts they need quickly and efficiently to expedite
consumer repairs, while also simplifying the claims filing and validation
process.  Perhaps the greatest
integration benefit is that everyone involved has complete visibility
throughout the entire service experience.
While technology has been critical to
improving the customer experience, good old-fashioned people skills are still
just as important to attracting and retaining customers as they were 60 years
ago. Ensuring staff has both parts knowledge and customer rapport is key. 
As long as there are products to
support, distributors must continue to look for ways to further improve our
operations and change the way we do things to provide the best possible service
to all our customers. If we take our eye off the customer experience and fail to
make changes, we will not survive in this market.
By News 0 Comments Read more...
13 Aug

Encompass Exhibits at Nationwide PrimeTime! Show

Encompass VP of Business Development Joe Hurley, VP of Channel Development Delbert Bray and Director of Marketing & Communications Kristin Hurst attended this week’s Nationwide PrimeTime! show in Nashville. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth and tried our putting challenge!  Click here for more photos.

VP of Channel Development Delbert Bray (left) and
VP of Business Development Joe Hurley (center)
speak with a show attendee.

By News 0 Comments Read more...
28 Jul

Tech Tips — August 2014

CE Professional Tech Tip Sharing
August 2014
**NOTICE**
Due the danger and complexity of electronics repair, the following shared
technical tips are intended for professional reference only. Please refer to
manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy,
reliability or safety of this information.
Hitachi TV, 46UX12B
Reason for Service: Loss of brightness
Solution: Replaced IC-006.
Hitachi TV, 
65XWX20B
Reason for Service: 
No video, audio or osd.  Turning up screens, you will see some.
Solution:  Check video mute AC protect and H BLK, found Q445
shorted.  Replaced.
JVC TV, AV36850
Reason for Service: Dead
Solution:  Replaced C926, 1000uF/16V.
Mitsubishi TV, WS55909
Reason for Service: Timer light blinks continuously. PS 5V and 3.3V are low.
Solution: Check and replace
C9811 surface mount, located across from the 12V supply on IC9800.
Panasonic TV, PT-47WX53/RP
Reason for Service: No picture but you see retrace lines
Solution: Replaced Q944 and
Q945.
Philips TV, 
50PFP5332D/37
Reason for Service: 
Dead
Solution:  Replaced 3 caps, C601 and 609, both 470uF/25V and C036,
100uF/50V.
Samsung TV, HLR5067W
Reason for Service: 
Vertical stops working, intermittently, good sound
and lamp ok.
Solution: Found SM C9005 in
digital board open. 10uF/10V.
Sharp TV, LC52E77U
Reason for Service: 
Replaced a bad main board, and now a “k” is
flashing on the screen.
Solution: When you turn the
set on and see the k, quickly toggle volume up and channel down together.  You’ll be in the service menu.  Look for Industry Initialization in the menu,
activate it and wait until it finishes. 
Unplug the set then plug it back in and turn it on. The “k” should be
cleared now. 
Sony LCD, 
KDL40V4100
Reason for Service: Picture too dark and color too rich
Solution:  T-Con is bad, but before replacing, try replacing just
the AS15-F chip on it. 
Toshiba TV, 42HP83
Reason for Service: Set would play for a couple of minutes then shut down.
Two blink code.

Solution: One of the fans
had stopped running, replaced with 23125910.
By News, Tech Tips 0 Comments Read more...
14 Jul

Building Brand Equity by ‘Owning the Home’

The importance of diversification has been an ongoing mantra
in our industry and a common theme in my previous blogs.  Innovative manufacturers such as Samsung and
LG have taken aggressive steps to diversify and ultimately own the home – from
TVs in the living room to refrigerators in the kitchen to washer/dryer units in
the laundry room to tablets and cell phones everywhere else.  In doing so, they have extended their brand
equity across multiple product categories, are thriving and are less
susceptible to market downturns.
Robert Coolidge
President & CEO

In addition, both Samsung and LG were able to successfully
penetrate the major appliance market because consumers were already familiar
with their electronics. This is a perfect example of how a manufacturer used its
existing brand equity to catapult new products into the marketplace with the
same customer base.  Some manufacturers –
most notably in the major appliance space – remain inextricably linked to a
single product focus, which remains risky. 
If they continue on this path, they will find it challenging to keep up with
those companies that are seeking to own the home. 
Businesses need to think far beyond their current
capabilities and maybe explore product ideas that are not inundated with
competition. To get to the next level, they should also consider strategic
partnerships where they can mutually leverage capabilities.  Will we one day see your typical major
appliance company working with a consumer electronics brand to strengthen their
own brand awareness together?
Interestingly, some manufacturers that have been first to
market with revolutionary products have failed to effectively market these
products due primarily to slow initial consumer adaptation rate that ultimately
led them to abandon production which can be seen across multiple verticals.   Others
have capitalized on these same ideas and excelled in the market – even it’s a
lost leader for a period of time – because they know that consumers are always seeking
innovation.  Those manufacturers that
fail to challenge themselves will most certainly be at a disadvantage.

Manufacturers looking to own the home today have
a range of options –  pool supplies,
security, smart features and more with the TV at the center of the family. Those
who do not can continue to improve their value proposition by expanding their existing
product lines into new verticals, but they will continue to face challenges.

By News 0 Comments Read more...
30 Jun

Tech Tips — July 2014

CE Professional Tech Tip Sharing
July 2014
**NOTICE**
Due the danger and complexity of electronics repair, the following shared
technical tips are intended for professional reference only. Please refer to
manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy,
reliability or safety of this information.
GE TV, Chassis TX81G
Reason for Service:  Dead, no high voltage.
Solution: Check
all and replace as necessary: CF09, DF04, DP18, TP15.
Hitachi TV, 43FWX20B
Reason for Service:  Freezing or any weird eeprom or micro
suspected problem
Solution: Add a
jumper from 1007 pin 1 to cathode of D019.
Hitachi TV, 46UX12B
Reason for Service: Loss
of audio
Solution: Replaced
shorted Q403 and Q404.
Mitsubishi TV, WS-655515
Reason for Service: No
power, LED blinks slow at plug in and does not stop blinking
Solution: Check
pin 3 of PC9A21for 12V; if low or missing, replace PC9A21 on main board.  #268P058020
Philips TV, 32MF605W/17
Reason for Service: Good
picture but no sound
Solution: VCC
for audio processor was missing. Replacing the supply regulator 7006, fixed the
set.  L78L08ACZ
RCA TV, CTC169
Reason for Service:  Vertical loss from top and bottom 3
inches of screen.
Solution:  Replaced 2 caps in vertical
circuit.  0.47uF/100V and 33uF/50v.  Check for bad solder in the same area.
Sanyo TV, DS31590
Reason for Service: 
Dead, fuse blown (lightning?)
Solution:  Replaced the following
parts:  Q601, Q604, Q605, D612 and the 4A
fuse.
Samsung DLP HLR4266WXXAA
Reason for Service: Picture
flickers
Solution: Replacing
the ballast fixed the set.
Samsung LNT4069FX/XAA
Reason for Service:  Picture flashes off and on, (backlight
problem)
Solution: Replace
ICM804 on power/inverter board, BN44-00167C.
Sony TV, KDFE50A10
Reason for Service:  Shutsdown and 6 blinks and relay
clicks.
Solution: Found
a bad cap in the power supply, C6049, 200uF/16V.
Sony LCD,  KDL40V4100
Reason for Service: Pic
too dark and color too rich.

Solution:  T-Con is bad, but before replacing, try
replacing just the AS15-F chip on it.  Do
a Google search to find the chip.
By News, Tech Tips 0 Comments Read more...