TVs

December 30, 2008--LG Display announced today that it has developed the world’s first “Trumotion 480Hz” LCD TV panel, which has an impressive 480 refresh rate per second, accelerating the advent of ultra high-speed images, without sacrificing picture quality. LG Display’s ‘scanning backlight’ is the technology that enables a backlight to be repeatedly turned on and off to reduce motion blur. When combined with the company’s 240 Hz technology, the display can refresh 480 images per second.

In addition, LG Display’s “Trumotion 480Hz” display boasts an lower motion picture response time (MPRT) of 4ms, eliminating motion blurring for fast moving images and enabling a realistic, crystal clear picture. The display also makes dark images even darker and bright images far brighter — providing unparalleled, vivid picture quality. Moreover, it can reduce energy consumption by adjusting the backlight brightness.

The world’s first Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV panel is planned to hit the market in the second half of 2009. Read more

Sony just announced that for a limited time (Oct. 28 – Nov. 10) BRAVIA Internet Video Link owners will have the opportunity to watch the Sony Pictures hit, Hancock, prior to retail DVD and Blu-ray Disc availability.

The movie, which can be rented for $9.99, will stream directly to BRAVIA televisions equipped with Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Link for 24-hours. This offer will be available to BRAVIA Internet Video Link owners beginning on October 28 and running through November 10.

As a bonus, if you purchase the rental stream and register online, a free Blu-ray copy of Hancock will be mailed to you after the Hancock Blu-ray street date, November 25. This combo package is valued at nearly $70 ($29.99 for the stream and $39.95 for the Blu-ray Disc). Read more

Buying a new piece of electronics can be exciting – it’s an opportunity to explore new features and update your home. But sometimes it's daunting, particularly when there is a wide range of options. And now for those who don’t already have TV sets that can show digital broadcasts, we have to convert or buy new ones. As of February 17, 2009, all analog signals will cease from television stations across the nation, so we all have to get on board with digital technology (either via a converter or a new TV) in order to keep watching our favorite network TV shows.

Buying a new TV should be easy, right?

Yes, buying a new TV is easy if you know what equipment you need. A typical electronics store will offer four types: flat panel, projection, tube and front projection/screen systems. Most people will want one of the first three. Projection TVs look like flat panel displays, but they are deeper in back, so for people who already have cases for their televisions or who are not mounting their sets to the wall, these are a better deal. If you need a set that's as thin as possible, flat panel is the only option. Read more

If you are one of the millions of Americans who receives television signals via an antenna, rather than through cable or satellite service, you need to prepare for the dawn of the digital age.

Beginning February 17, 2009, all full-power broadcast stations will cease analog broadcasts and only be viewable through a digital tuner.

How do I know if my television has a digital tuner?

If you purchased your television after May 2007, your set is likely equipped with a digital tuner or your provider would have been required to let you know you would need a converter box.

If you are unsure if your set is equipped with a digital tuner, you can check the owner's manual or your manufacturer's Web site. You can also look for an input connection labeled "digital input" or "ATSC." Read more

A new survey released from Hitachi reveals that the high-definition television (HDTV) market is set to explode, with 78 percent of consumers saying their next TV will be an HDTV. Entering the back-to-school, football and holiday shopping seasons, Americans are clearly on the prowl for HDTVs, while also reporting that women are driving more purchases, bigger screens are better (especially for households with kids) and flat panels are favored.

The HDTV market’s growth potential is substantial, with strong interest in buying HDTV spanning all household incomes – 85 percent making more than $35,000 are interested in HDTV and nearly 70 percent making below $35,000 are interested. This deep desire for HDTV continues to skyrocket despite ongoing consumer confusion. Nearly two-thirds of consumers said they would not be comfortable explaining the various HDTV options in the market (e.g., DLP, LCD and Plasma), revealing the need for continuing consumer education as they select the HDTV that best fits their viewing, design and lifestyle needs. Read more

If you don’t already have one, this spring would be a great time to invest in a flat screen TV. Prices have come down dramatically on these high-tech wonders, and if you watch a lot of television, you’re sure to appreciate the crisper picture, better color and sound.

But those aren’t the only options that are appealing about them. With flat screen TVs, you no longer have to sacrifice a lot of square footage to put a big set on display. Read more

Dish viP622 DVR
If you really want to win the family over this holiday season, give them the gift of HDTV. One of the best buys in HDDVD is small Dish satellite provider DishNET. Always on the cutting edge, the company's new DishHD DVR Receiver (Model no. ViP622 DVR) not only supports two TV's instead of one, it allows you to playback and record HDTV in its highest resolution. It even has on screen Caller ID when your phone rings so you can pause, answer and come back without missing a minute of the action. Read more

I can’t seem to get that through to you. I’m not just talking about one person. I’m talking about everybody. I’m talking about form. I’m talking about content. I’m talking bout interrelationships. I’m talking about God, the devil, Heaven, Hell. Do you understand… -- Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Trying to second guess consumer buying habits can put you in the funny farm. We were positive that the World Cup would get people crowding stores to grab up new LCD, plasma and projection HDTV sets.

If it weren’t for the retailers and manufacturers we would have sworn the games had been cancelled.

How could we have underestimated the draw? Let’s look beyond “conventional” wisdom… Read more

Here's a TV that you can take along with you virtually anywhere - at home or in your office. The TV screen has no wires...it's sort of like a wireless telephone. There's a transmitter that's plugged into a wall that has a built-in TV tuner, and also has inputs for various auxiliary sources, such as a DVD player. The TV is the wireless receiver of these signals. With its 15" LCD screen, image resolutions appear at up to 1024x768. It may be held on your lap or mounted on a table/desk with its (included) stand. Read more