Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Casual Tech User 7: Soft-serve ice cream, feature phones, smartphones, smart TVs | Vanilla evolves into multitude of features and toppings
(Click play arrow above to listen to audio)
Cell phones, televisions and soft-serve ice cream are paralleled during this discussion highlighting the differences between a feature phone and smartphone, along with the evolution of the smart TV. Today, ice cream, phones and TVs come in many varieties, but that wasn’t always the case considering that it hasn’t been that long ago that “vanilla” was the flavor of necessity for all three.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Casual Tech User 6: (Part 5) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; 10 Criteria to Compare LCD, LED, Plasma TVs
(Click play arrow to listen to this episode)
This episode of the Casual Tech User discusses the differences between LCD and LED technologies and offers a list of 10 criteria you might want to consider before deciding on the perfect plasma, LCD or LED flat-screen for your situation and viewing habits.
Alphabet Soup: LCD vs. LED
This episode begins with a brief explanation of the similarities and differences between the LCD and LED TVs in today’s marketplace. Basically, both are the same type of panel but with different types of light source. LCD uses a form of fluorescent lighting commonly known as CCFL, while LED uses light emitting diodes or LEDs.
Almost all of today’s TVs using this technology are LED rather CCFL LCD, and some companies have stopped making CCFL LCDs all together.
LED Lighting Systems
Edge-lit LEDs have the bulbs placed around the edges of the TV, while backlit LEDs use an array of bulbs place behind the panel. Edge-lit LCD TVs are the most popular, least expensive models. Very few backlit LED TVs are on the market today mainly due to cost and thickness requirements.
Check the following links to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of LCD and LED TVs.
10 Criteria
This Casual Tech User series began in Episode 2 with a discussion about developing criteria to help avoid mistakes when purchasing a new TV. This episode continues the theme with a list of 10 criteria you might want to consider when deciding between LCD, LED or Plasma flat panels.
The criteria include:
Price: LCD typically cheaper then LED or Plasma for same size
Size: LCD and LED available in greater size range with plasma typically found in the 42” to 65” range.
Weight: LCD and LED typically weigh less than Plasma.
Thickness: LCD typically the thickest with LED thinner than plasma.
Ambient light: LCD and LED better in a bright room. Plasma is usually considered better when ambient light can be controlled.
Viewing angle: Plasma has widest viewing angle off optical center. LED is getting better, and LCD is considered to have the smallest viewing angle off center.
Energy savings: LED and LCD require less energy than plasma.
Fast action, sports, etc.: Plasma has the best, most natural refresh rate of fluid motion, while some viewers report seeing motion blur on LED and LCD. You might want to spend some time talking to a TV specialist to learn more about LCD/LED panels and their 60 hz, 120 hz and 240 hz refresh rates.
Image retention: Burned-in image residue is not considered a permanent problem for modern plasma TVs when turned on under normal viewing habits.
Picture Quality: Plasma is considered to have the best overall picture, especially with black levels viewed during darker scenes. LED is considered to have superior black levels over LCD.
“Plasma TV technology is still as viable as ever and generally provides a better picture in darkened rooms, a faster refresh rate, a wider viewing angle and other qualities that LED and LCD TVs generally can't match.”
“Overall, plasma TVs produce greater picture depth, more realistically textured images, and richer colors. ”
Transporting the New TV Home
After purchasing my plasma TV, I was approached by a TV rep who said it was best to keep the panel upright during the trip home. I also found research on the internet suggesting that to avoid damage you should transport plasma and larger LCD and LED panels in the upright position.
Previous episodes in the “Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV” series include:
- CTU Episode 2 (Part 1): Planning Can Help Avoid Unexpected Costs
- CTU Episode 3 (Part 2): Simple TV vs. Home Theater Setup
- CTU Episode 4 (Part 3): Cheap Solution to Improve Sound Quality
- CTU Episode 5 (Part 4): Soundbars, Theater-in-a-Box or Home Theater Surround Sound Experience
Episode Links:
(Click under Guest Appearances, Scott Wilkinson in righthand column)
Flipboard:
I use the Casual Tech User Flipboard magazine I created to collect and share articles of interest for the casual tech consumer. You can read these specially selected articles by accessing the Flipboard app on your iOS or Android devices.
My Links:
In addition to Casual Tech User.com, you can find me and/or subscribe to:
Thanks for listening.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Casual Tech User 5: (Part 4) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; Soundbars, Theater-in-a-Box, or Home Theater Surround Sound Experience
(Click play arrow to listen to episode)
Casual Tech User 5: (Part 4) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; Soundbars, Theater-in-a-Box, or Home Theater Surround Sound Experience
Many of today’s flat screen TVs don’t offer the type of sound quality you will be expecting from that new purchase. After bringing home that new TV, you may realize your system’s quality is only as good as the weakest link. And, for many of today’s TVs the weakest link will be the sound quality.
In this episode Ron continues his discussion on purchasing that new TV with a review of three methods to improve the sound quality.
Topics include:
- Soundbars
- Theater-in-a-Box
- Home Theater Surround Sound Experience
Previous episodes in the “Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV” series include:
- CTU Episode 2 (Part 1): Planning Can Help Avoid Unexpected Costs
- CTU Episode 3 (Part 2): Simple TV vs. Home Theater Setup
- CTU Episode 4 (Part 3): Cheap Solution to Improve Sound Quality
View the show notes at Casual Tech User, Episode 5
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Casual Tech User 4: (Part 3) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; Cheap Solution to Improve Sound Quality
Bringing home that new TV can be an exciting experience, but the setup will only be as good as the weakest link. While the video quality may be excellent, the sound quality may not be sufficient to meet your expectations.
In this episode Ron discusses one way he solved a sound quality and clarity deficiencies he and his wife were experiencing by adding a pair of simple, cheap external speakers to a plasma TV.
Topics include:
- Internal speakers on today’s TVs
- Check to determine the type of audio out on the TV
- Headphone jack
- R and L channel RCA jacks
- Digital audio
- Optical audio
- How to add a pair of computer speakers to a TV
- Sound check of the internal and external speakers
View the show notes at Casual Tech User, Episode 4
Friday, May 31, 2013
Casual Tech User 3: (Part 2) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; Simple TV vs. Home Theater Setup
This is the second episode in a series discussing many of the unexpected problems that might develop throughout the process of purchasing a new TV. Taking the time to understand your needs vs. wants and developing criteria any purchase must meet will help to save frustration and unexpected, budget-busting surprises.
Topics in this episode include:
- Simple TV setup vs. home theater environment
- Terrestrial antennae for local channels
- Basic cable/satellite service
- Additional cable/satellite costs;
- HD channel package
- DVR equipment
- Premium movie package
- Internet service
- Wired connection
- Wi-Fi equipment
- Additional equipment
- Blu-ray DVD
- Cable/Satellite box
- Gaming console
- Apple TV or Roku
View the show notes at Casual Tech User, Episode 3
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Casual Tech User 2: Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV
This is the first episode in a Casual Tech User podcast series discussing many of the unexpected problems that might develop throughout the process of purchasing a new TV.
In this episode of the Casual Tech User, I begin to discuss how planning can help you avoid unexpected costs.
Taking the time to understand your needs vs. wants and developing criteria any purchase must meet will help to save frustration and unexpected, budget-busting surprises.
Cost factors included in this episode include:
- Delivery and setup charges
- Installation, electrical and cabling charges
- Furniture issues and added expenses
- Ambient light problems
- Recycling the old TV
(Click the arrow to start listening to the episode)
Flipboard
The Flipboard app on my iPad and iPhone is one of my favorites I access almost everyday, if not several times during the day. A new feature is Flipboard magazine. The new magazine feature allows the user to create a content-sharing format which can be private or shared publicly with other readers.
I’m using the Casual Tech User Flipboard magazine I created to collect and share articles of interest for the casual tech consumer. Flipboard.com offers insight into the various features.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)