Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Sharp AQUOS DX Series

Sharp has just announced the worlds very first LCD HDTV with a built-in blu-ray player, the Sharp AQUOS DX Series. The new TVs will be made in a wide variety of sizes from the 26inch LC-26DX1, 32inch LC-32DX1, 37inch LC-37DX1, 42inch LC-42DX1, 46inch LC-46DX1, and 52inch LC-52DX1. Each of these new TVs will come with an integrated HDTV tuner, bottom-mounted speaker, and the ability to handle BD flicks sans an external deck. The new devices are supposed to be out in Japan in late November. As for the states, once again we will just have to wait for this one.

Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch LCD HDTV With Red Touch Of Color Review

Manufacturer's Description

Samsung adds a Touch of Color to a blazing-fast 4ms response time and rich connectivity features to redefine the role HDTVs play in the home with its forward-looking Series 6 (A650) and Series 7 (A750) LCD HDTVs. Utilizing the award-winning technologies found in all Samsung HDTVs, Series 6 and 7 HDTVs deliver unparalleled picture quality and enhanced connectivity and networking capabilities that create a true entertainment hub for any home. Series 7 takes networking and multimedia management to a whole new level. Consumers can easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through a side-mounted USB 2.0, turning their LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect their MP3 players for a dynamic audio experience.



Key Features

  • New -- 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio: up from 25,000:1 on 2007 models (Learn more)
  • New -- Blazing 4ms response time: down from 8ms on 2007 models thanks to a new high-speed liquid crystal
  • New -- Transparent and Opaque Color (TOC) bezel with infused color creates an ultra-sleek shape and appearance (Learn more)
  • New -- InfoLink: Get free RSS feeds of news, weather and sports right to your HDTV with a built-in Ethernet port (Learn more)
  • New -- 4 HDMI 1.3 ports: Simplay compliant, and up from 3 on 2007 models (Learn more)
  • New -- Sports and Game modes boost on-screen performance and interaction with the latest gaming systems
  • New -- Side-mounted USB 2.0 port: connect USB devices directly to your HDTV to view JPEG photos or MPEG movies or easily listen to your MP3 player through your HDTV's audio system or your home theater system.
  • New -- Compatible with Samsung's Home Digital Media Adapter (sold separately) for playback and navigation of Internet and stored PC multimedia
  • Full 1080p HD
  • Automotion Plus 120Hz image interpolation technology provides smoother motion
  • 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes with Super Patterned Vertical Alignment
  • Better clear panel technology for deeper blacks and more vibrant colors
  • Hidden speakers with SRS TruSurround XT audio
  • Cold Cathode Flourescent Lamp (CCFL) and Wide Color Enhancer technology offer a wider color range
  • Picture-in-Picture (PIP) enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources
  • V-Chip system1 allows blocking of rated TV and movie programs determined by the parent to contain objectionable content.
  • Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French.
  • Variable sleep timer to turn the TV off in varying time intervals.
  • Auto wall mount compatible: 3-dimensional operation via TV’s remote control; no external IR receiver required.
  • Swivel stand included
  • 1 year parts and 1 year labor warranty (90 days parts and labor for commercial use), with in-home service, backed by Samsung toll-free support.

    Step-Up Features

  • Series 7: Internal flash memory (1GB) with pre-loaded interactive content such as cooking recipes, children's entertainment, HD artwork and more, Integrated woofer for an enhanced audio experience, DLNA-Compatibility for better interopability with electronics, computers and mobile devices from many different manufacturers (Learn more)
  • Series 8: super-slim 1.9-inch thick profile
  • Comparison of Features for various Samsung LCD HDTV models

    Touch of Color

    Samsung’s Series 6 marks the first appearance of TOC (Touch of Color) design in the 2008 LCD HDTV line-up. Inspired by designs from the automotive and fashion industries, Samsung’s unique unique Transparent and Opaque Color molding process creates a clean, smooth finish infused with a hint of a translucent color during the manufacturing process for an ultra-sleek appearance.

    Infolink

    Up-to-the-minute access to weather, news, sports and stock information is just a cable and a click away through the HDTV’s Ethernet port and new InfoLink RSS service. An all-new user interface with digital contents management guide provides intuitive navigation and access to both internal and external content.

    Full HD 1080P

    Full HD, or 1080p, contains 1.5 times more scanning lines than conventional HD TVs. More scanning lines mean more pixels, more details and a better picture. The new Samsung LCD TV with resolution that is approximately 2 times greater than conventional HDTVs, creating the most perfect picture imaginable.

    Samsung’s 1080p panel uses a new high-speed liquid crystal to cut response time to 4ms. The fast response time, coupled with Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus 120Hz motion blur reduction technology dramatically reduces motion blur and judder.

    Connectivity


    To make the Series 6 a true entertainment hub for any home, Samsung has incorporated advanced HD connectivity and networking capabilities that expand the HDTV’s functionality. A wide variety of multimedia devices can be connected to the set through any one of the four Simplay compliant HDMI 1.3 inputs (including one on the side), and the handy HDMICEC feature lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one remote.

    Connect HD digital devices like disc players, game consoles, and satellite dish components into the 2 rear connections and use the side-mounted input for cameras, camcorders, and laptops. HDMI is the best performing interface for displaying an HD source on an HDTV.

    Once connected, users can easily access device menus and manage and display content through the newly redesigned Wheel Key Remote control and the HDTV’s sophisticated content management interface.

    All Connections

  • HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface version 1.3): 4 (3 rear/1 side)
  • Ethernet port
  • Component video: 2 (Y, Pb, Pr)
  • S-Video input: 1 side/1 rear
  • A/V inputs: 1 side/1 rear
  • PC Inpuy (D-Sub): 1
  • RF antenna inputs: 2
  • HDMI-CEC
  • Premium audio: Improved sound quality with dedicated low-range speaker system
  • Headphone jack

    Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)

    You already know something about digital living. There’s the TV and digital video recorder in your family room. (And another set in your bedroom.) You have a PC and digital printer in your office, along with a network attached storage device. And you’ve copied all your music onto your portable music player and haven’t had to open a CD case for years. But getting them to talk to each other can be pretty tough. Why is it still so difficult to send digital content from one device to another?

    Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a collaboration of the world’s leading consumer electronics, PC and mobile companies that has created design guidelines for a new generation of products that can work together — no matter the brand.

    Think for a moment about all of the photos "locked away" on your home PC that you wish you could access while entertaining your friends and family. Now, thanks to DLNA enabled devices, a DLNA-enabled PC can be accessed from the comfort of your living room or family room via a DLNA-enabled HDTV, where you can enjoy your memories with friends and family, without having to deal with the hassle and non-intuitive "PCexperience".

    Or, say you recently downloaded your daughter’s birthday party video from your digital camcorder to your PC. Now you want to share it with your parents who are visiting. Without DLNA, you probably have to burn a DVD of the video or hook up the camcorder to the TV. With DLNA, you can just use your TV’s remote to call up the video on your TV. That’s it.

    Audio Features

    TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two-speaker playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels. High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the two hidden, downward-firing side-mounted 2.2-channel dome speakers built into the TV.

    SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass.

    TruSurround XT audio also adds three audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.

  • Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
  • TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
  • The SRS WOW feature widens the soundstage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

    Stereo broadcast reception is offered for MTS and SAP with 181-channel capacity. A sound leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.

    Customer Rating

    Customers rated this product 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

    Fore more information on the Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

  • Monday, December 1, 2008

    What is Digital TV and Why Do I Need It?

    What Is Digital Television?



    Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting, and interactive capabilities.

    Converting to DTV also will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services.

    The Transition to Digital TV



    TV stations serving all markets in the United States are airing digital television programming today, although most will continue to provide analog programming through February 17, 2009. At that point, full-power TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed and put to other uses.

    The Commission's digital tuner rule specifies that as of March 1, 2007, all new TVs must include digital tuners. This rule prohibits the manufacture, import, or interstate shipment of any device containing an analog tuner, unless it also contains a digital tuner. Despite this prohibition on manufacture and shipment, retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory. As a result, at the point of sale, many consumers may not be aware that this equipment will not be able to receive over-the-air-television signals after February 17, 2009.

    To address this issue, the FCC has adopted a rule requiring sellers to display text if they are selling TV equipment with only an analog broadcast tuner.

    Analog TVs Will Need Additional Equipment to Receive Over-the-air Television When the DTV Transition Ends



    Consumers who rely on antennas (including outside antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive over-the-air broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes to watch over-the-air TV. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.

    For a review on Digital Converter Boxes and how to obtain a $40 off coupon, visit the Digital Converter Box Review.