Welcome to the MediaLight FAQ. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact us. Chances are someone else has asked the same thing, and we’ll probably add it next time. Let’s jump in.

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Setup & Installation

Do the lights turn on and off with the display?

This depends entirely on your TV’s USB port behavior — not the lights. If the USB port turns off with the TV, the lights will turn off too. If it stays powered, the lights will stay on.

For most TVs, that’s automatic. However, Sony Bravia models are a bit unpredictable — their USB ports can act erratically. We recommend using a MediaLight MAESTRO trigger cable or a remote control (included with the Mk2 Flex) for consistent performance.

Some Samsung and LG models delay power-down for a few minutes — that’s normal and part of their panel protection process. And yes, every dimmer we sell has nonvolatile (persistent) memory, so your preferred brightness and power state returns automatically when power is restored.

How should I install the lights on a TV with uneven surfaces?

If your TV has ridges, ports, vents, or odd steps on the back, don’t slavishly trace every contour. That’s how you end up with LEDs pointing sideways or down instead of toward the wall. Instead, span across indentations and corners with small air gaps to keep the LEDs facing the wall for even illumination.

Our MediaLight Mk2 kits include clips and mounting hardware to handle tricky panel designs. Keep the run straight, generally keep the strip facing the wall, and your reflection will look cleaner and more uniform.

Is my TV too close or too far from the wall for bias lighting?

Not usually! We’ve seen excellent installations with as little as 0.75 inches (2 cm) and as much as 10 feet (3 m) of distance from the wall. However, there are a few considerations.

If your TV is mounted very close to a flat, flush wall, a higher-density strip (like the Mk2) is often ideal — it produces a more uniform glow at short distances. When the TV is farther from the wall, brighter or higher-density strips help account for increased light falloff across the background.

For larger offsets — say, more than a 6-7 feet — our 24 V MediaLight Mk2 options may be better suited. Their higher output compensates for the greater distance, ensuring consistent brightness without visible falloff.

In most setups, bias lighting works very well across a wide range of mounting depths — the key is simply ensuring there’s enough room for the light to integrate smoothly and that the wall surface behind the display is suitable for reflection.

Can I use one long strip for two monitors side by side?

Usually, no — it’s almost always a bad idea. You’ll get uneven coverage, and moving one monitor later becomes a pain. It’s better to use two separate strips, one per monitor, so you can reposition things freely in the future.

There are rare exceptions, like large multi-display video walls, but for desk setups, stick with individual bias lights. You’ll thank yourself when it’s time to reconfigure your workspace.

Do the lights remember the previous brightness level when turned off?

Yes. Every dimmer and remote we include has nonvolatile/persistent memory, so the lights power back on exactly as you left them.

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Product & Performance

Do your lights change colors? Are they warm white or cool white?

No, and that’s by design. We make reference-quality, ISF-certified D65 (6500K) bias lights — not rainbow wall decor. Our lights are engineered to make your display look correct, not your wall.

Warm, cool, or color-changing lights alter your visual adaptation and shift how you perceive on-screen color. In other words, they “uncalibrate” your display from your eyes’ perspective. If you care about accuracy — or just want your picture to look right — stick to D65 white.

Are the MediaLight Bias Lights exact D65?

Every MediaLight product is factory-calibrated to closely match the CIE Standard Illuminant D65 (x=0.3127, y=0.329). That’s the professional reference white point used in video production and mastering, ensuring your display appears as intended by the creator — within the same tight tolerances expected in studio environments.

Will I really see a difference compared to cheaper lights?

Absolutely. Low-CRI, off-white, or color-changing LEDs skew your color perception. Skin tones look odd, whites drift warm or green, and your “calibrated” display no longer looks calibrated.

MediaLight uses custom ColorGrade SMD LEDs with CRI ≥98 Ra and TLCI 99–100 — exceptional accuracy even compared to high-end reference fixtures. In short, your picture looks natural, and your eyes stay comfortable for longer sessions.

Why does MediaLight cost more than cheap lights on Amazon, Temu, etc.?

Because accuracy costs more to build. We use precision-binned, high-CRI LEDs — the kind of components used in grading suites, not garage projects. Those parts cost 30–100× more than the generic ones, but that’s how we hit D65 without guesswork.

We also include everything you actually need: a dimmer, remote, clips, and Velcro ties. It’s the whole package, not just a strip of LEDs. They last years longer, stay consistent, and we warranty them accordingly.

How does MediaLight compare to LX1?

The LX1 uses the same 6500K target but with slightly lower LED density, fewer included accessories, and a shorter warranty. It’s our budget-friendly option — great for most home setups. The MediaLight Mk2 adds even higher accuracy, premium materials, and a 5-year warranty. Think of LX1 as “accurate enough,” and Mk2 as “studio-grade.”

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Warranty & Support

What’s covered under the 5-year warranty?

Everything. We’ve never denied a claim. Whether it’s a chewed remote, a cut cable, or a flood — if it’s a MediaLight, we’ll make it right. We use quality components and back them fully.

If something fails, it’s a chance for us to remind you why you picked us in the first place. We don’t charge extra for the warranty; we include it because the product is designed to last. Desk lamps and bulbs carry a 3-year warranty, but otherwise, it’s five years across the board.

Do I have to pay for replacement shipping?

If you’re outside the USA and prefer something faster than standard first-class international mail, we may ask you to cover that difference. Otherwise, we ship warranty parts at no charge.

What if my remote control doesn’t light up?

That’s normal — it’s an infrared remote, so the LED isn’t visible to the human eye. It’s still working fine. Our original remotes (years ago) were RF and glowed visibly, which is where the confusion comes from. If it’s truly not responding, one of these fixes will almost certainly solve it.

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Ordering & Shipping

Do you sell your lights on Amazon?

No. Some international dealers might list our products on regional Amazon sites or other regional sites, but we don’t sell directly on Amazon.com. We prefer to ship directly to you so we can control inventory, packaging, and quality. You can still check out with Amazon Pay on our website if you like.

Where do you ship from?

All orders ship from the USA. We subsidize international shipping heavily so that customers in regions without a dealer aren’t penalized. 

Can I return my lights?

We don’t offer refunds once the adhesive backing has been removed, but if something’s wrong, we’ll fix it. Our warranty covers everything else, and we’re always happy to help troubleshoot or replace parts.

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Technical Details

Do MediaLight bias lights use a lot of power?

No. Even our longest USB-powered strips draw under 900mA (less than 5W). Shorter ones use about 500mA. They’re efficient enough to run from USB ports without issue.

My TV doesn’t have USB 3.0 — is USB 2.0 enough power for MediaLight?

Yes. All MediaLight strips under 4 meters use less than 500 mA (the USB 2.0 limit) even at full brightness. Our longest 5-7 meter USB-powered models draw under 900 mA (less than 4.5 W), so they remain well within spec for most modern TVs.

While some displays — such as certain Panasonic OLED models — enforce a strict 500 mA (2.5 W) limit per port, most modern LG displays output around 4.5 W or more, even when labeled as USB 2.0. In practice, that means they behave like higher-power USB 3.0 ports and have no trouble powering MediaLight strips.

If your TV’s USB port supplies limited current or you notice flickering, you can always power the lights from an external USB power adapter.

Can I control the lights (on/off) with a smart home system?

Yes — and we recommend doing it through a smart plug that you already know and love. A smart plug keeps performance consistent and automation simple. All of our dimmers have nonvolatile memory, so they will remember their state from before they lost power. 

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About MediaLight

Who uses MediaLight?

Our lights are used by professional colorists, editors, post-production studios, calibration experts, and serious home theater enthusiasts worldwide. If you care about what’s on your screen, you’re in good company.

Why should I trust MediaLight?

We designed our lights to meet the same standards demanded in broadcast and mastering environments — and made them accessible for everyone. Accuracy, longevity, and support are what set us apart. Anyone can sell LEDs; we make bias lights.