1/28/2009

Television - Get Great Entertainment and Fun

Through the advent of satellite channels the impact of TV has grown multifold. Now they have innumerable channels that are full of entertainment, information & knowledge disseminating programs. The TV is the most commonly used gadget for the purpose of entertainment. It is difficult to find a home without a TV. Every body loves to watch the amazing images of grandeur, love, hatred & other myriad emotions on the small screen. The TV is often referred to as the magic box that showcases the magical & wonderful images that reflect life.

Science & technology have been the biggest reasons behind the advancement & rise in the standards of living of the human beings. With the advancement in technology mankind has been able to enjoy greater level of comfort. With this enhancement, they have got an opportunity to have varied modes of entertainment. three such means of entertainment is the tv. Over the decades TV has given us great fun & enthrallment.

There has been a great development in the arena of these gadgets. The technology has grown tremendously over the course of time. From the cathode ray tube to the advanced flat screen TFT TVs, this electronic gadget has come a long way. there's various brands that have excelled in the manufacturing of the consumer electronics.

Sony, Toshiba, Haier & Panasonic are the brands that have produced the most advanced TV sets for the customers. These days you can find a large variety in these advanced gadgets. You may find the flat screen TVs like the Plasma TV & the LCD TVs. there's different classifications in these televisions like the rear projection TVs, the flat panel TVs etc. The new age digital televisions are absolutely advanced in terms of technology & performance.

These gadgets deliver excellent display with great clarity. The viewers get astounding sharpness & brightness in the images with these low price cheap televisions. The colours & the contrast is superb & thus the viewers get the best experience watching their favourite programs on these electronic devices. The highly advanced electronic devices are manufactured following the highest standards & benchmarks for quality. Televisions have impeccable performance & advanced functionalities. Moreover they look wonderful with their stunning designs & sleek bodies. The highly sophisticated gadgets are awesome with their streamlined body & highly interactive & user friendly functionalities.

1/25/2009

Plasma vs LCD - A Simple Guide to Choose Your Flat Screen TV

Plasma vs LCD

This is a hot topic of debate amongst flat screen TV's, and everyone has an opinion of which is better. This is because there is no true answer - both LCD and Plasma TV's are great, and both offer their advantages and disadvantages. The truth is that as technology progresses, the differences between the technologies are becoming smaller and smaller. Still, you want to make a choice depending on your own circumstances. This brief article is written specifically to help you decide which type of flat screen TV you need.

Why would you buy a Plasma TV?

Their key advantage: Plasma TV's offer the best picture. While LCD's and Plasma's are both very close in this regard, plasma tv's have the best contrast ratio. This means they have a wider range of colors, especially at the darker end, which makes for a much better overall picture.

The other minor advantages of plasma TV's? Well most people are concerned about cost, and inch for inch, plasma TV's are cheaper than LCD TV's. Plasma TV's also offer a wider viewing angle; LCD TV's tend to lose their picture when you watch them at a wider angle. Also Plasma TV's have a near instant response time, or time it takes to draw the picture, where as with LCD TV's you have to make sure the response time is below 8ms or the picture may look blury when displaying fast moving video's.

Why would you buy an LCD TV?

The key advantage LCD TV's offer is the fact they do not run the risk of image burn in. Image burn in means if a part of the picture does not change often enough (for example a network logo, a video game health meter, or a windows task bar), that image may get "burnt" into your flat screen TV so you can see a shadow of it when it is not supposed to be there. Plasma TV's are prone to this. Granted, the latest generation has greatly improved to reduce this problem. However if you spend many hours on your flat panel TV playing video games, or use it as a computer monitor, then an LCD TV is the safer option.

The other minor advantages of LCD TV's is that they generally use 30-40% less power, and they are much lighter which makes it easier if you want to mount your flat screen tv on the wall. For those who live in high altitudes (above 6500 feet) LCD TV's will perform better. As Plasma TV's use gas, they tend to struggle at those kind of heights. Finally, LCD TV's come in sizes below 32 inches, where as plasma TV's are only 32 inches and above.

Some myths and common questions

Myth: LCD TV's last longer than plasma TV's. Contrary to popular belief, LCD TV's no longer out live plasma TV's; not the latest generation anyway. It is true the first generation of plasma TV's died and lost their brightness very quickly, but now, both Plasma and LCD TV's have an expected half life of 60,000 hours. That means you can watch the flat screen TV for 6 hours a day for 27 years before the TV will be reduced to half of its brightness!

Myth: Only LCD TV's get dead pixels. A dead pixel is where a dot on your flat screen TV is permanently visible because that "pixel" has stopped working. This can happen to both plasma and LCD TV's, however it is less common for plasma TV's. In either case, it is important to consider the manufacturer's policy with regard to dead pixels.

Summary

In short, when it comes to buying a flat screen TV, plasma TV's offer slightly better value than LCD TV's in terms of picture quality and cost. However if you spend many hours playing video games, or want to use your flat panel TV as a computer monitor and are worried about image burn in, then an LCD TV is the slightly better option.

LCD Flat Screen TV - 7 Reasons Why An LCD Flat Screen TV Is The Perfect Gift For Father's Day

Traditionally the beloved fathers in our lives have received tacky ties, or discounted golf or fishing equipment that seldom make it out of the back corners of the garage. Why not get him something that you know she will love like an LCD flat screen TV.

Fathers day is a great time to thank that special dad in your life. Whether it be your own dad or your husband, whether it be an old dad or a new dad, or whether it be for the dad who has it all, an LCD flat screen TV is the perfect gift for fathers day.

These are 7 reasons why an LCD flat screen is the perfect gift.

1. The price is right - Only a few short years ago an LCD TV was considered a luxury gift that only the rich & famous could afford. Prices have continued to drop so that most somebody can afford a new TV as small to mid sizes can be found for several hundred dollars & a new large screen can be found starting at around $1000.

2. Bigger is better - As prices drop the obtainable sizes continue to get larger & larger. Affordable LCD flat panel TVs can be found at sizes above 50 inches which makes for a great addition to a relatives home theater. If she already has a big screen TV in the relatives room, additional smaller LCDs are becoming more & more common in multiple rooms of the house such as the bedroom or even in traditional man cave areas such as the garage or workshop.

3. Stylish design - Large screen televisions of a few years ago were behemoths that would take up a significant part of the room. While they were able to display a picture that was pleasing to the eye, the sheer size & depth of the set was far from pleasing to the eye. Today's LCDs are ultra thin, able to be mounted on the wall like a piece of art. In addition to a thinner design, manufacturers are continuing to produce sets like the new "Samsung - With a Touch Color" that adds an attractive red bezel that makes the TV almost as attractive when turned off as it is when it is turned on.

5. Sports & movies - Lets face it, the typical dad is not the most complicated person. Give him the latest sporting event or newest blockbuster action movie in high definition & she will be happy. An LCD flat panel TV is perfect for watching the big game with friends, but is also a great solution for experiencing the latest movie with your relatives from the comfort of your own relatives room or home theater.

4. Stunning picture - Of coursework while price, size & design is important, it all means nothing if the TV can not produce a great picture. Today's LCD TVs put the first generation LCDs to shame by offering crisper pics with more vibrant colors without the motion blur or artifacts common in the earlier LCD flat panel TVs. Current models offer much quicker response times, significantly better contrast ratios & are capable of producing a stunning full hd 1080p picture.

6. Video gaming glory - Is the dad in your life a young dad who grew up playing video games? (Or maybe you're interested in benefiting from a great TV for video games even if your dad couldn't care less.) An LCD is perfect for gaming. With a full 1080p picture & dynamic display video games look & play incredibly and there is no risk of screen burn in which is possible in other technologies. An LCD flat panel TV along with six of the new generation video game consoles is a perfect solution for starting a fun relatives game night tradition.

7. Fastest way to a man's heart - While a diamond is a girl's best friend, a high definition TV may well be a man's best friend. Now i am not trying to suggest that you be manipulative, but what better way for a wife to get the diamonds that she was hoping for then to set the bar high for gift giving & surprise him with a new LCD flat panel TV.

A LCD flat screen TV is the perfect gift for fathers of all ages & a great way to thank dad for all she's done over the years.

1/23/2009

LCD Or Plasma – Which Is Best For Your Digital Signage Display?

In the world of digital signage there's a debate about which display option is best – LCD or plasma.

there's plenty of factors summarized here, including performance and cost, that will determine whether you select LCD or plasma for your digital signage display.

The Mechanics

A January, 2007 article on selfserviceworld.com described the differences between LCD and plasma in layperson’s terms. In summary:

• LCD consists of one sheets of transparent, polarized material, one of which is treated with a polymer containing liquid crystals. The crystals interpret the electric current and control the light that passes through. Fluorescent tubes behind the crystals produce the light that passes out to the viewer. The crystals do not emit light so LCD screens use less electricity than other displays.

• Plasma displays use glass coated with bubbles that contain ionized gas in red, blue, and green subcompartments. A phosphorescent coating is applied to the glass and when electricity passes through the plasma it emits ultraviolet rays that show the appropriate color.

An oft-cited concern with plasma screens is burn-in. Depending on what you read, burn-in is either a serious problem or a minor one that can be easily remedied.

Performance

Burn-in is a term used to explain static images that become permanently visible after being displayed for long periods of time. Burn-in isn't an issue with LCD displays but can become a problem with plasma. Burn-in is becoming less of an issue as digital signage display firms employ some simple techniques for avoiding it: ensuring images are frequently rotated, using more motion, and lowering contrast and brightness levels.

Lifecycle is another concern. At twice LCD had a longer life, but the life expectancy of LCD and plasma are now roughly equivalent, lasting about 50,000 hours each.

LCD units are lighter and use less power, factors which may affect your decision.

Contrast ratios (the difference between black and white) are much higher on plasma, which results in a clearer and brighter picture. Plasma displays video images and fast motion better than LCD and offers a wider viewing angle, which can be important in retail environments.

Cost and Size

The deciding factor between LCD and plasma has often been cost. With the prices of large-format LCD displays dropping, cost is becoming less of an issue.

How Can You Decide on a Digital Signage Display Format?

Size is an issue that ties in with cost since it is your budget that may ultimately determine the size of screen you pick. Plasma is generally obtainable in larger sizes, although this is changing as LCD displays get bigger. Plasma does still tend to win out for larger displays - digital signage display designers tend to prefer it for displays over 50 inches.

Both LCD and plasma offer some benefits, depending on your needs. When making a decision about your digital signage display, you require to take a good look at your budget and factor in the size of the display required

1/21/2009

Samsung LN46A750 46-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color

Samsung

Samsung LN46A750 46-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color
From Samsung

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description--March 24, 2008
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 7 LCD HDTVs. Utilizing the award-winning technologies found in all Samsung HDTVs, Series 7 HDTVs deliver unparalleled picture quality and enhanced connectivity and networking capabilities that create a true entertainment hub for any home, and take networking and multimedia management to a whole new level. 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 MP3 players for a dynamic audio experience.

lifestyleKey Features

  • New -- Internal flash memory (1GB) with pre-loaded interactive content such as cooking recipes, children's entertainment, HD artwork and more
  • New -- Integrated woofer for an enhanced audio experience
  • New -- DLNA-Compatible: for better interopability with electronics, computers and mobile devices from many different manufacturers (Learn more)
  • 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)
  • Full 1080p HD (Learn more)
  • Automotion Plus 120 Hz image interpolation technology provides smoother motion (Learn more)
  • 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes with Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (Learn more)
  • Ultra Clear Panel technology for deeper blacks and more vibrant colors (Learn more)
  • 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.
  • Sports and Game modes boost on-screen performance and interaction with the latest gaming systems
  • Compatible with Samsung's Home Digital Media Adapter (sold separately) for playback and navigation of Internet and stored PC multimedia
  • Hidden, downward-firing speakers with SRS TruSurround XT audio (Learn more)
  • Cold Cathode Flourescent Lamp and Wide Color Enhancer technology offer a wider color range (Learn more)
  • Picture-in-Picture enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources
  • V-Chip system 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.
  • 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.

Sizes

  • Series 7 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch sizes
What size TV should you get?

Learn More


Touch of Color

Touch of Color 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

Touch of Color 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.


Auto Motion Plus 120Hz

auto motion plus 120Hz This technology doubles the frame rate from 60 to 120 frames per second (120Hz LCD panel) without repeating the same image to make more frames. Instead, the TV intelligently calculates the ‘middle’ image between frame A and frame B and inserts it in between (Auto Motion Plus 120Hz processor), making a fluid transition from one frame to the next.
automotion graph


Super Clear Panel

clear panel chart
super clear panel
Samsung enhances the clarity of select LCD HDTVs by replacing the light-diffusing plastic face of traditional LCD HDTVs with a  natural black panel with a clear anti-glare shield. Reduced reflection of external light creates a new dimension in image clarity, highlighting black and darkened areas, enabling vibrant, more compelling colors and a brighter, clearer picture.  Black will never again appear grayish. Black details will show in vivid black even in dark scenes.

The latest version of Samsung’s breakthrough super clear panel technology makes colors appear more vibrant and blacks even deeper than ever. Enhanced films reduce glare and optimize off-angle viewing.



50,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio/500 nit Brightness

25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio 50,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio will give you a picture better than you ever thought possible, with whiter whites, blacker blacks and a nearly infinite subtlety of gradations in between. As two of the most important determining factors in overall picture quality, contrast and brightness levels achieve new heights in this latest generation LCD panel. Samsung’s new LCD TV’s give the most stunning realistic picture quality ever.


Full HD 1080P

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.
1080p


Digital Natural Image Engine

DNIe image DNIe™ The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine. This exclusive Samsung technology dramatically improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, white balance and reduces.
dnie chart


Wide Color Enhancer/Cold Cathode Flourescent Lamp

The NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) has established the color standards all TVs in America try to meet. And typical LCD TVs only meet about 72% of this standard. Samsung LCD HDTVs use Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp backlights to give you 92% coverage of the NTSC standard, ensuring truer, more breathlessly vivid colors.

Samsung’s exclusive Wide Color Enhancer technology delivers more brilliant colors, even in bright areas of the picture where blues and greens are washed out on conventional screens. The system displays wider color reproduction, showing you truer colors – the fresh green of spring foliage, the intense blue of the summer sky.
wide color enhancer wide color enhancer wide color enhancer wide color enhancer


Connectivity

wiselink
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)

DLNA logo

dlna daisy chain
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.



Super Patterned Vertical Alignment

wide angle
Samsung’s Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (SPVA) panel provides a 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes


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.


Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

HDTV Size chart
With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience.
If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get.
  • Minimum size = Viewing distance/3
  • Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5

Customer Reviews

TV is okay but CEVA sucks1
CEVA is the Logistics company doing tracking and delivery of the TV. They are pathetic. No coordination. They said TV will be delivered ONLY between 2pm -6pm any weekday and had limited availability . SO I confirm 20th Jan and they call me at 2pm saying it is a mistake and my TV went to some other location of CEVA Logistics. So far havent heard back and no Sorry or apologies.

Called their main number in Dallas. Gets to VM, but unable to leave a message!!!

STAY AWAY FROM AMAZON because of people like CEVA ....

LN46A750 Amazing picture!!! TOC, a problem for some.4
THE GOOD: (I have this TV connected with a Direct TV HD receiver) Simply an Amazing awesome picture!!!! Best color black on any flat panel LCD TV I have seen! Ok sound. The 750 has a subwoofer that the 650 does not so claims Samsungs web site. The tv's EQ menue settings do help you adjust the sound to something acceptable but nothing is better than turning on the 7.1 audio system. The remote takes some getting used to but is ok and is not a universal remote. Infolink is a cool feature. News, weather and stock quotes at the push of a button. Auto motion plus 120HZ makes watching sporting events broadcasted in HD just amazing!!! The price from Amazon was a steal. $1461 back on Jan 12th with free shipping and no sales tax. Cheaper than the 650 on sale that day with a few more features!!! Fast shipping with Pilot and they unboxed the TV, set it on the stand and made sure it worked. This TV was in a Samsung box and due to the way it was packaged had to be new. THE ISSUE with substitute cheap lower quality Chinease panels in Samsung sets seams only related to the series 5 sets and lower. Every 650 and 750 I looked at had the Samsung panel in it. I did see 550 sets with the Chinease panels. You can check your TV by looking just behind the right side of the bezel. The last line that says "version" should start with an "S" for Samsung.

THE BAD: The TOC. (Touch of Color Bezel) The only reason I can't give this wonderful set 5 stars!!! Though the bezel looks great it does cause problems depending on the TV's surroundings. When checking out and comparing the set at Best Buy in a low lit area things appear ok but the reflective face of the bezel reflects any light sourse in the area infront of the set. The TOC bezel also has another design flaw that reflects light from the screen itself to the outer 1/4" edge of the bezel. A real noticable problem in a dark room. THE FIX: I went to the Samsung web site and had an online chat with a rep who in the end told me my TV needed service. I filled out the online service request and a local Samsung authorized tech called me within the hour to confirm the problem. He told me he would order a newly designed bezel from Samsung and come out to my home and change it out for free. Seems Samsung knows of the issue, has a newly designed bezel and will change out the Bezel for anyone who requests service within the warranty. The set was maufacuted in August 2008. The set arrived with firmware version 1009.1 so I updgraded to 1012.2 from the Samsung web site just to be up to date. In the end I will keep the TV for its stunning picture quality is unmatched and I'm so far happy with the service from Samsung in fixing the Bezel issue.

On/Off Problem...5
Bought few days ago... updated firmware.. but started getting the ON/OFF problem. I still have one more week to return.

Earlier, I gave five star.. can't edit that now.

M. Kumar

Price: Too low to display
Samsung LN46A750 46-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color

1/20/2009

TV Theft

Due to demand on the black market and the price of televisions they are still the most likely item to be stolen during a house burglary. This is even more apparent from a technique we have found thief's using to target people with large flat panel LCD TV and plasma TV's.

The method they are using is searching houses for sale on property websites such as rightmove, here they view the images of the properties looking for televisions to steal (take a quick look on rightmove and you will see what I mean with peoples flat panel TV's on display for everyone to see). Once they have found the target they either just look at the location on the map link, or phone the estate agents and ask which address it is.

It actually gets even easier for would be TV thief's than being able to see what flat panel TV's people have and where they are located as many adverts on the likes of rightmove also show floor plans letting them plan the TV theft with even more ease.

This happened to one of my neighbors who is selling his house a few months back, saying that the thief wasn't all that clever when stealing the LCD TV he had on his wall as they ripped his LCD TV off the wall bracket. The wall bracket snapped and they left a foot print on his wall where they was trying to get some leverage. We had a laugh about this as all they had to do was lift it up and it would have come off the bracket holding the LCD TV against the wall lol.

Unfortunately its hard to think of a way apart from asking the estate agent not to photograph your TV to protect yourself from being targeted in this way, if you are selling your house/flat as you do want to show your property in the best possible light. Also if you are being offered a seriously cheap LCD TV or any type of electrical goods that are unusually cheap you might want to think about where they have come from in the first place as there is unfortunately a large amount of stolen TV's currently on the market.

1/18/2009

LCD Vs. Plasma Buying Guide

Flat Panel Televisions have forever changed the way we experience video at home. From the space you can save with their sleek designs to the excellent picture quality they deliver, Flat Panel TVs offer great benefits compared to the traditional tube televisions.

Flat Panels can be mounted to your wall because of their thin and lightweight design. They can also give you a more consistent picture across the screen from top to bottom because of their perfectly flat screens. You can get a much more accurate picture on a flat panel compare to a tube television because they are digital displays, so they work by illuminating a grid of pixels. These pixels are made up of three sub pixels, which are for the color red, blue, and green. Because of this, you can have millions, or even billions of possible colors that can be displayed. The biggest drawback of buying a flat panel TV is the price associated with it, though as with almost all electronics the price is rapidly falling.

Currently Flat Panel TVs come with either an LCD or a Plasma screen. Choosing the right type of flat panel can make a significant impact on your enjoyment of the TV. It is important to think about how you will be using the flat panel before making a purchasing decision.

Below you will find a few questions our product specialists recommend our customers to think about before purchasing a flat panel television.

How big of a screen size do I want? If you plan on getting a screen less than 40 inches, then LCD is your only flat panel option. This is because Plasma TVs generally are not created in screen sizes under 40 inches.

The screen size you get should depend upon how large the room you plan to place it in is and how far you plan to sit away from it. We recommend that you sit anywhere between 1½ and 2½ times the size of the screen. For example have a 48-inch (4 feet) TV; the optimal viewing distance would be between 6-10 feet away.

How bright is the room I plan on placing the flat panel in? If you plan on putting the flat panel in a bright room that doesn't have blinds, than you should consider getting an LCD flat panel as their screens are less reflective to light giving you less glare.

Will I be viewing things with static (still) images on the screen? Watching programs or playing video games with a static image on the screen (like a news ticker) for long periods of time can leave you vulnerable to burn-in with Plasma televisions. This isn't an issue for LCD TVs. Though, if you plan on mainly watching movies with no static images, you should consider a Plasma TV to get more life-like colors than most LCD TVs can offer.

Do I care about the energy efficiency of the flat panel? LCD Televisions are usually much more energy efficient compare to similar Plasma TVs.

Do I want rich, warm colors displayed on the screen? Plasma TVs give you richer and warmer colors than most LCD TVs do. This makes the colors displayed on the screen more life-like. Plasmas also give you much deeper black levels.

Both types of flat panels give you excellent picture quality, and give you a much better viewing experience than would a traditional tube television. However, as we've discussed above, one type will usually fit a persons needs better than another based upon that persons TV watching/using habits.
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1/16/2009

Samsung LN46A850 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color

Samsung

Samsung LN46A850 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color
From Samsung

Editorial Reviews

From the Manufacturer
At only 1.9 inches thick, Samsung's striking new 850 series offers all of the features of the 750 Series models in an incredibly thin, sleek package. The Series 8 1080p LCD HDTVs have all of the features you'd expect from a top-of-the-line Samsung - superb image, a blazing-fast 4ms response time, 120Hz refresh rate with Automotion plus image interpolation technology for smooth fast motion, and rich interconnectivity, all wrapped in the stylish "TOC" color-infused bezel. 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.

lifestyle


A true entertainment hub for your home.


ultra-thin

Ultra-Thin 1.9-inch depth

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
  • New -- Internal flash memory (1GB) with pre-loaded interactive content such as cooking recipes, children's entertainment, HD artwork and more,
  • New -- DLNA-Compatibility for better interopability with electronics, computers and mobile devices from many different manufacturers (Learn more)
  • New -- Super-Slim 1.9-inch depth
  • Full 1080p HD (Learn more)
  • Automotion Plus 120Hz image interpolation technology provides smoother motion (Learn more)
  • 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes with Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (Learn more)
  • Better clear panel technology for deeper blacks and more vibrant colors (Learn more)
  • Hidden twin downward-firing speakers with SRS TruSurround XT audio (Learn more)
  • Cold Cathode Flourescent Lamp (CCFL) and Wide Color Enhancer technology offer a wider color range (Learn more)
  • 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.
What size TV should you get?

Learn More

Touch of Color Bezel

Touch of Color 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

Touch of Color 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.

Auto Motion Plus 120Hz

auto motion plus 120Hz This technology doubles the frame rate from 60 to 120 frames per second (120Hz LCD panel) without repeating the same image to make more frames. Instead, the TV intelligently calculates the ‘middle’ image between frame A and frame B and inserts it in between (Auto Motion Plus 120Hz processor), making a fluid transition from one frame to the next.
automotion graph

Super Clear Panel

clear panel chart

super clear panel
Samsung enhances the clarity of select LCD HDTVs by replacing the light-diffusing plastic face of traditional LCD HDTVs with a  natural black panel with a clear anti-glare shield. Reduced reflection of external light creates a new dimension in image clarity, highlighting black and darkened areas, enabling vibrant, more compelling colors and a brighter, clearer picture.  Black will never again appear grayish. Black details will show in vivid black even in dark scenes.

The latest version of Samsung’s breakthrough super clear panel technology makes colors appear more vibrant and blacks even deeper than ever. Enhanced films reduce glare and optimize off-angle viewing.


50,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio

25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio 50,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio will give you a picture better than you ever thought possible, with whiter whites, blacker blacks and a nearly infinite subtlety of gradations in between. As two of the most important determining factors in overall picture quality, contrast and brightness levels achieve new heights in this latest generation LCD panel. Samsung’s new LCD TV’s give the most stunning realistic picture quality ever.

Full HD 1080P

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.
1080p

Digital Natural Image Engine

DNIe image DNIe The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine. This exclusive Samsung technology dramatically improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, white balance and reduces.
dnie chart

Wide Color Enhancer/Cold Cathode Flourescent Lamp

The NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) has established the color standards all TVs in America try to meet. And typical LCD TVs only meet about 72% of this standard. Samsung LCD HDTVs use Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp backlights to give you 92% coverage of the NTSC standard, ensuring truer, more breathlessly vivid colors.

Samsung’s exclusive Wide Color Enhancer technology delivers more brilliant colors, even in bright areas of the picture where blues and greens are washed out on conventional screens. The system displays wider color reproduction, showing you truer colors – the fresh green of spring foliage, the intense blue of the summer sky.
wide color enhancer wide color enhancer wide color enhancer wide color enhancer

Connectivity

wiselink
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 rear/1 side
  • 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)

DLNA logo

dlna daisy chain
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.


Super Patterned Vertical Alignment

wide angle
Samsung’s Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (SPVA) panel provides a 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes

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.

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

HDTV Size chart
With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience.
If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get.
  • Minimum size = Viewing distance/3
  • Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5

Customer Reviews

AAMAAZING!!5
Samsung has consistently produced top rated HDTVs. Their LCD HDTVs top the latest (Fall 2008)Consumer Reports list in nearly all sizes. This specific model was not one they tested, but the CR article states that other models within the same brand usually have the same performance results. I purchased this model for several reasons. First of all it tops out at 120 mhz. if you want to watch sports, you need at least 60 mhz and 120 is better. Secondly, it converts movies to match the film standard of 24 frames a second so there is little or no motion blur. Third, Amazon's price and free shipping saved me over $300 when compared with area Department Stores and other online stores. I created an Excel spreadsheet and then studied and compared specs. I then compared store prices on HDTV models for 12 months prior to my purchase. i read everything I could find using consumer Reports as well as Samsung, sony and Toshiba websites (helpful info). This product had the features that I wanted. People who come to my home are amazed at this set and its HD picture. The only problem I note is sound. when I use my home theater with the speakers in the TV there is a slight delay so I have to turn the TVs sound down. The remote is easy to use after one becomes familiar with the features. You can actually click on a button to go between different modes such as watching sports, a movie, or using a gaming system. The set also has built in features such as picture galleries that are stunning. there are alson plenty of HDMI inputs, S-video, & component input/outputs. this may not be the cheapest (nor is it themost expensive)HDTV, but I am finding it to have the features and picture quality that fits my needs.

Great Picture BUT your other remotes may not work2
When the tv is on, there is so much interference that our other remote controls wont work. So, we cant control our cable, or DVR by remote. Samsung hasnt been able to fix it, or authorize an upgrade to the 950 or downgrade to the 750. We will probably have to take the tv back and get another brand. We have lost our confidence in Samsung now, especially because they wont work with us to get a different model instead of the 850. We would even pay to upgrade to the 950, or take the 750 and some cash back, but they havent authorized that yet.

Like magic5
The image, the desing, the sound, the friendly of the instruction it like magic in this product

List Price: $2,599.99
Price: $1,890.40
Samsung LN46A850 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color