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 & PlacementUse this TV size calculator to enter your distance and get the ideal screen size, or enter a size to see how far to sit. Includes 4K and room presets.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementCompare the best pull down tv mount for fireplace picks: drop distance, TV size, motorized vs manual and price, and lower your TV to eye level.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementYes, a TV above gas fireplace can be safe. See the minimum clearance by type, the 90°F wall rule, and how to protect your screen.
Troubleshooting & RepairCompare Samsung TV repair cost by problem and see how LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, Vizio and Roku stack up, plus when OEM service beats a new TV.
Troubleshooting & RepairSee TV screen replacement cost by size and panel type for 2026: real panel, labor and freight numbers, plus the break-even math on repair vs buying new.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementCenter a bedroom TV 40–50 in. from the floor, tilt 5–15° down for reclined viewing. How high to mount TV in bedroom by size, plus the mistake to avoid.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementMount the center at 42–48 inches for seated eye level. How high to mount a TV by size, with a floor-to-center chart plus bedroom and fireplace fixes.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementMounted your TV above fireplace too high? Learn why mantels push the screen 20+ inches over eye level, plus 4 ranked fixes we tested to lower it.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementMount a 65 inch TV with its center 42–48" off the floor (bottom edge ~26"). How high should a 65 inch tv be mounted, plus a measured 43–85" size chart.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementLearn how high to mount a TV above a fireplace: floor-to-center height by size (55, 65, 75"), the mantel gap, and the heat rule from a 14-install test.
Troubleshooting & RepairYes, it can happen without a hit. Can a TV screen crack on its own? Rarely: from thermal stress, mount pressure, or a defect, plus the flashlight test.
Troubleshooting & RepairSee what an LG TV panel replacement really costs by size, when LG covers OLED defects or replaces a panel free, how to ask, and whether to just buy new.
Troubleshooting & RepairShort a dead LED, reflow a cracked joint, or reglue a fallen lens: how to fix TV backlight without replacing it, plus the honest lifespan catch of each.
Troubleshooting & RepairSony TV repair cost runs $60–$400 for backlight, power, and board faults; a cracked Bravia panel costs more than a new set. See the 2026 by-problem prices.
Troubleshooting & RepairConfirm your Samsung TV backlight replacement with a flashlight test, match the BN96 LED strips to your panel, and swap them for $16–75 in parts.