Derek Whitfield
Derek Whitfield is the setup & repair editor at Tech Junctions. He's the byline on every "how to mount", "how to connect", "won't turn on", and "no signal" article on the site, because he does this work for real - fourteen years installing residential A/V equipment across the US Mid-Atlantic, certified by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET), and currently maintaining an active residential-installation business that gives him a steady stream of real customer problems to test his troubleshooting steps against. When a power board fails on a Samsung TV, Derek's article describes the actual fix he'd run, including the multimeter test he'd do before recommending a $200 part. He owns the HDMI/ARC/eARC pillar because cable confusion is the single most common reason readers email a corrections request. He lives in the US Mid-Atlantic.
Published work
Articles by Derek Whitfield
Setup, Mounting & PlacementConnect an LG soundbar to your TV fast: how to connect LG soundbar to TV via HDMI ARC, optical or Bluetooth, plus fixes for no sound.
Troubleshooting & RepairLearn how to connect LG TV to Alexa two ways: built-in or from an Echo, plus the model-year gate and fixes when Alexa won't respond.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementSet up YouTube on Samsung TV in minutes: install by model year, sign in with the on-screen code, and fix black screen or missing-app errors fast.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementNo, a HomePod can't connect to a Samsung TV directly. Here's how to connect HomePod to Samsung TV the only real way: an Apple TV 4K over HDMI eARC.
Troubleshooting & RepairFix Insignia TV horizontal lines on screen in minutes: a hard reset and one built-in menu test show instantly if it's a cheap cable or a dead panel.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementRemove screw-in or clip-on stand legs safely: this how to remove legs from LG TV guide forks the two mechanisms, with screw sizes and OLED-safe steps.
Troubleshooting & RepairSell it for parts, part it out, repurpose it, or recycle it free, that's what to do with a broken TV, plus what a broken set is really worth.
Troubleshooting & RepairCompare TV repair cost by problem, type, and size in 2026: typical fixes run $100-$300, cracked screens $400+. See what's fair and when to replace.
Troubleshooting & RepairGet the honest answer to 'does TV warranty cover cracked screen': usually no, but 5 plans (ADH, insurance, credit card) can. Plus how to claim.
Troubleshooting & RepairSometimes, and here's how to know. Is it worth repairing a TV? Use the fault-and-age matrix, 2026 costs and a 5-minute self-check.
Troubleshooting & RepairNo: a cracked panel costs 70–90% of a new TV. But is it worth repairing a TV screen when a cheap board is faking it? Run the 5-minute test.
Troubleshooting & RepairReplacing a cracked panel? A TV screen replacement usually runs 70-90% of a new set. See real prices by size, DIY vs pro, and where to find the panel.
Troubleshooting & RepairReplace your TV when the screen cracks, apps die, or a repair tops 40% of a new set - when should I replace my TV, in a 7-sign checklist.
Troubleshooting & RepairSee the full TV power supply repair cost ladder: $5-15 caps DIY, a $20-100 board swap, or $100-350 at a shop, plus how to confirm the PSU.