Have you ever purchased a consumer electronic device, plugged it in and used it without ever adjusting any of the factory settings? Or do you even realize that your device has settings that can be adjusted? Configuring basic settings on your components is essential for getting the desired result and performance from your device. In many cases, the device may even be inoperable until the correct selections are made. In order to change these settings, it is necessary to understand how the devices' set up menu works.
Nearly all home theater components as well as electronic devices contain a setup menu. With the numerous features and options available on components, setup menus are essential for setting up a device to function the way you want. For example, DVD players have different settings for the kind of TV you connect to it and portable audio players have different settings for the way it outputs sound.
Regardless of how easy a manufacturer claims their device is to use, setup menus are not always easy to navigate. In many cases, a menu can display options that are foreign to you, which can be very intimidating for a novice gadget owner. Nearly all devices have a different menu system, and the features and options within them are all different. However, the navigation within setup menus usually always follow the same structure.
Once you find your way into a device menu, navigation is usually pretty simple once you have the basics down. Below are some general guidelines to follow when navigating a menu system.
Layers - Nearly all devices use a layered menu structure. This means that functions and options are usually grouped into categories for selection, getting more specific as you get deeper into the menu. There is no preset number of layers a menu can have, but the bottom-most layer of any group is a specific option for adjustment.
Selecting - When you highlight a group, there is a command on your remote control to enter the group. The command varies, but is usually 'enter', 'ok', or a left/right arrow on a directional pad.
Navigating back up the menu - Most menus allow you to return to the previous layer by the use of a return key, back key, or left/right press on a direction pad. In some cases, you must completely exit the menu and start from the beginning to adjust a different option.
Adjusting options - The last layer of a group will allow you to toggle different settings for features. Often if you press enter on a feature, it will display a list of possible settings. Selecting one usually involves highlighting your choice and pressing 'enter' or 'ok'. Sometimes you need to flip through the choices using a directional pad.
Unknown features - Most device menus do not give any indication of what the particular settings do when selected. It is recommended that you have your product manual close by for information regarding specific features.
Getting lost - If you get lost in a menu and do not know how to return, you can usually do so by pressing the key that enabled the menu, or by pressing a dedicated exit key. Once you are out of the menu, you can either resume operation or return to the beginning of the menu.
The logic of many menus can be confusing, but proper operation is critical for using and maintaining the device. Once you learn the basic operation of one device, the same thought process usually applies to the majority of your electronic devices. In other words, the hardest electronic device to learn is your first one.
Not every option in a menu will require adjustment, but it's usually a good idea to learn about each setting and determine if it needs adjustment for your situation. If the setting involves a personal preference, like "bass boost", it can always be readjusted later if you are unhappy with the effect.
Write down any settings before you change them. This way, you can return to those settings if necessary. Once you have the proper settings, write those down as well. If the device ever resets due to a power outage or battery removal, it'll save you time when you go back re-enter your selections in the menu.
With these tips, hopefully you won't be afraid to navigate that device menu and improve your watching and listening pleasure. You might be surprised at what features and improvements you can make with a little tweaking.