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If you’ve got the Plasma TV in the living room……
It’s now time to update to hi-definition in the bedroom.
The latest crop of small, well smallish, screen TV’s are superb and here we choose three of our favorites.
Samsungs 26in LCD looks fantastic on or off, and will also double as a decent PC monitor. The picture quality is brilliant and on-screen menus make it an absolute breeze to use.
Looks decent, although a bit retro, and features like the FM radio give this 23in screen an advantage over rivals. Looks great with HD signals but pretty average with standard TV
One of the most expensive sets in this size range, but it does look great. The concealed speakers sound excellent and the HD pictures look stunning – it’s a great all rounder.
Aquavison 17” Bathroom TV
Now there’s literally nowhere in the home you can’t watch TV!
The Aquavision 17” Bathroom TV is a completely independent waterproof television you can install in the wettest of places – not just the bathroom, but anywhere in the house or garden.
It’s really slim (just 65mm thick) and can easily be fitted into any wall, making it an integrated part of the room.
The screen is heated to prevent misting in humid conditions and IPS (In Plane Switching) allows an amazing 176 degree viewing angle.
The TV comes in a choice of 5 different glass finishes, including MirrorVision, which allows the screen to function as a near perfect mirror when not in use.
An integrated FM tuner and floating remote control comes as standard, and a remote switch panel is available as an optional extra.
Aquavision Bathroom TVs also come in a range of sizes and other models are specifically designed to fit towel rails and kitchen cabinets.
Go on, you now you want one in time for Christmas.Microsoft Launch Xbox HD DVD micro-site
Showcasing their new HD DVD drive addition to the Xbox Console.
The micro-site features several images of this latest add on and Microsoft describes the HD DVD a 'killer app' for HDTV capabilities of the Xbox.
“You've experienced next-gen gaming on Xbox 360 … now experience next-gen DVD movies with HD DVD. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player is the most affordable way to jump into the next generation of DVD technology, along with the flexibility to enter when you are ready. Just plug Xbox 360 HD DVD Player into Xbox 360 and enjoy the ultimate home theater experience with more clarity and detail than broadcast, cable or satellite HD. Feed your HDTV the high definition content it craves with HD DVD on Xbox 360!”
It goes on to explain why Microsoft chose the format over Blu-ray, including reasons such as manufacturing issues, less easy to damage, and reduced copy protection, better compression, hybrid disc capability, and the in-movie experience.
As we have reported before both Blu-ray and HD DVD have quite convincing arguments, but whether the Xbox HD DVD proves to be a ‘killer app’ will remains to be seen when its released later this year………
TV for people on the move
Archos AV700 the first handheld video recorder with digital TV receiver
The Archos portable video recorder has got a huge 7” screen and a freeview digital receiver in an envelope slightly bigger than a PSP.
To watch freeview channels, you simply connect the antenna to the handheld unit. The unit can also be used as a freeview tuner to your normal telly – just plug it in your fixed TV set.
Its 40GB of memory will store up to 35 hours of television and the battery life will allow you to watch 3.5hours of video playback. It’s also got the ability to store and play photos and music files.
It’s not the smallest of the media players on the market but its big screen makes it a more enjoyable experience and you can watch TV on the move rather than just recorded programs. Which is where we come to the downside of having to use the bulky external antenna while on the move … in a car it would not be a problem but it may be more embarrassing on a train!
Find and price the best handeld video recorder at text4price, the
What is an MDVR
Acrhcos would like it to be a Mobile Digital Video Recorder
Having recently released the AV 700, Archos has just released a new version. This is an MDVR - a mobile digital video recorder and to the best of our knowledge, it's the first of its kind.
The trouble is it still looks exactly like the AV700. In fact, it's exactly the same as the AV700 on the outside but if you could see the electronics beneath the plastic facade, you would think otherwise.
Just like a vanilla AV700 this device plays the video, music and prohun games files on the same vast 7in screen. This all-new AV700 tv also has two - yes this is not a typo - two digital tv tuners.
Why would you need an AV700 with two digital tv tuners?
Because you can record directly from external video sources via the composite input without the need to be linked up to anything else to record - it can do the business from its internal digital tuners and aerial, which pick up the various Freeview channels.
So if it has two tuners- does that mean I can record one programme whilst watching another?
Sadly no, but you can take this device and use it on the train or an area with poorer reception. The two digital tuners work in unison to provide the best TV reception anywhere.
As a bonus, you can schedule TV recordings from the EPG and store up to 35 hours of footage on the 40GB HD. And if you don't have a Freeview set-top box, you can link the av700tv to your telly and record from that too.
For a use anywhere Price comparison service use http://www.Text4Price.com
So what is DVB-H and when are we going to be able to use it
Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld or DVB-H is essentially broadcast TV designed for mobile devices
The TV information is digitised and then broadcast in high concentration short bursts (one second of TV in one tenth of a second).
This means that that the receiver can be switched off 90% of the time and thus save battery power making it useable for devices, like mobiles, which have limited battery reserves.
Unlike TV broadcast over a 3G network, DVB-H shows can be received by an unlimited number of people once it has been broadcast. DVB-H also has some clever technology built into the software to compensate fo the fact that mobile devices with small aerials that may have varying quality of reception levels.
As we said in our previous article DVB-H is a technology still in its infancy, and it is unlikely there will be a commercially launched network before summer.
However Nokia are using the N92 to showcase DVB-H technology and there is something undeniably cool about convergence devices and one that has TV built in definitely packs that extra wow, but the device has plenty to offer besides mobile TV.
The N92 offers a new design form factor – a flip and fold – with a total of four usage modes. In closed mode there is a small secondary screen that displays a limited amount of information (time, message, battery and signal notifications). In flip-open mode the phone operates as a traditional flip phone and it fits snugly in the hand.
In TV mode, the screen is rotated a further 90 degrees so that it becomes flush with the long side of the keypad. This gives the impression of a clamshell device. It is this mode that is used for watching TV. The stereo speakers are located on the back of the unit (away from the person watching TV), which is not ideal, but was probably dictated by space constraints.
It is clear the device is optimised for watching TV in
this mode. You can sit the N92 on a desk in front of you and adjust the viewing angle, or it will sit just as easily in the palm of the hand.
The TV picture is displayed full screen and the quality of the picture is excellent, and channel changing is near instantaneous. It is difficult to get across how good it looks without seeing it for yourself, but between the high resolution screen and the DVB-H technology, the N92 offers an unsurpassed mobile television experience
The screen on the N92 is mid resolution (240 x 320), high colour (16 M colours) and has an anti-glare feature, all of which add up to one excellent screen.
However, the design may not be to everyone's tastes, with the general feel of the device, a not quite good enough camera and the keypad being low points; and there is no getting away from the fact that it is large and heavy.
When DVB-H is launched then you should consider the N92, otherwise you
should look at the smaller and perhaps even more desirable N80.
When its released you will be able to compare the best deals for the N92 online at www.text4price.com.
Looking for the best TV to buy to watch the world cup 2007 we help you compare
You may have heard that Germanys hosting a little tournament called the World Cup this summer
You have? Well, there are plenty of gadgets to help you savour the experience.
With most games being played during the day you may be Worried that your work might get in the way? So you might be tempted to pull a sickie?! Well, it doesn't have to come to that - not if you buy a portable TV.
The Roadstar LCD4004SIL Handheld Television has a crisp 4" display and a rod antenna to improve reception. You can plug in headphones to the Mini TV, so you don't disturb your colleagues and it uses batteries.
With the first match starting on 9th June, many companies have been trying to cash in on World Cup fever.
So you've probably seen England-branded speakers for no real reason. However, T-Mobile has launched an official England team handset. You can get a branded Samsung E270 handset preloaded with a video of Geoff Hurst's 1966 winning goal for inspiration, as well as other classic video clips and exclusive content.
The phone, which has a 1.3 megapixel camera for all those pictures of the winning goals, will have the Three Lions, on its slider.
T-Mobile has also teamed up with the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) to deliver crucial advice and info direct to your mobile, whatever your network, So why not sign up here for FREE.
Of course, there will only be one way to see the World Cup this year and that's in Hi-Def. These 32-inch TVs are the reason why.
Panasonic TX-32LXD60
The Panasonic looks more Rooney than Lampard but it does deliver smooth, natural images.
Sony KDL32V3200
Sony, like England, has a reputation to live up to and with this telly, it doesn't disappoint. But its lack of connectivity could be its metatarsal.
JVC LT-32DX7
It's the JVC that lifts the cup here. Not only does it look good but it's compact and delivers a fantastic picture with sound output and lots of external connections to boot(no pun intended). If it came down to penalities, you would want the JVC on your side.
Finally, instead of kicking an empty beer can round your back garden, become David Beckham on screen. Ok, with the the Xbox you don't get Posh, which may or may not be a good thing, but it's coming bundled with 2006 FIFA world cup and an official face plate.
What more could you want? What do you mean a holiday?!
How to compare HDTVs and find the best buy
HDTV a buyers Guide
What you really know about High Definition TV
Trying to hold out until the summer when HDTV or High-Definition broadcasts should be available in the UK, but just can’t resist it? The purpose of this guide is to let you know how you can be ready for the next television revolution and what you need to consider if you’re investing in HDTV.
What is HDTV?
High-Definition Television (HDTV) already popular in the US and Japan, is set to make the true ‘home cinema’ experience a reality for all of us during 2006.
HDTV delivers a breathtaking quality of image and sound that is, quite simply, incomparable to anything you’ve ever experienced.
Programmes take on a brilliance and definition that needs to be seen to be believed. Imagine being able to see every blade of grass on the centre court at Wimbledon or the texture of the food in your favourite cookery programme.
How to buy a HDTV
Regardless of whether a digital television set is LCD or Plasma screen, it may not offer true high definition picture quality. Even some of those referred to as ‘HD-compatible’, which may be capable of displaying standard definition pictures from HDTV broadcasts via an additional set top box, won’t provide anything like the stunning quality of a truly HD ready set.
For the very best results, you need a true HDTV ready Plasma screen or (LCD). A European body known as ECITA (European Industry Association for Information Systems, Communication Technologies & Consumer Electronics Industries) has set out the minimum standards that today’s display equipment must conform to, if it is to be considered ‘HD Ready’. So before you part with your hard earned cash, make sure the TV set you are buying carries the HD ready logo.
However you also need to remember that for true HDTV, your TV set must have HDMI or a DVI input that that is compliant with HDCP content protection. High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection means that the digital signal is encrypted between the source and the television. It’s also likely that, in the future, certain devices will refuse to send the signal to your television without HDCP.
So which screen is best for you?
Plasma tvs can generate quite a bit of heat inside, enough to warrant most manufacturers making use of a fan to cool them down as they run. This is not a noticeable problem unless the fan makes noise that can be distracting. So when you are looking at the plasma see if the fan noise is a problem.
Whilst LCD TVs may not produce the richness of contrast in images like plasma screens, they can be a better choice for brightly lit rooms since their display is not as susceptible to ambient light influences. However, for the really big screens, above 40 inches in size, they do start to get a bit more pricey.
All in all though, either type of TV screen technology will do a great job for you. The best recommendation is before you buy, visit a local electronics retailer and compare the screens side by side. Bring along your own DVD movie that you are familiar with and look for the differences. Then you can choose the one that makes the most sense to you.
By doing your homework you can make a more informed buying decision and protect your investment in this new technology. So now you have no need to wait and you can get ready for the HDTV revolution
Looking for a HDTV check out the best UK prices at text4price.com
High definition satellite receivers
From black and white to satellite receivers and HDTV UK telly will never be the same
Buying a television used to be a relatively simple task.
You could have a black and white or colour, a big screen or tiny portable, and a posh looking wooden cabinet to disguise it when the vicar came calling. There were 4 channels and no such thing as digital and satellite receivers.
How times have changed. You can now choose from LCD, Plasma and HDTV, satellite, free-view, terrestrial or cable and there are enough channels to keep even the worst telly addict distracted, if not entertained and informed – more quantity usually means less quality, but that’s another story.
HDTV by satellite receiver is the latest innovation on offer. So what is it and why should you consider buying it? To answer this we first need to understand the difference between the old analogue standard and the new digital TV.
Analogue TVs usually show 25 images per second by writing image lines horizontally, 625 lines in one image on the screen. The number of pixels on one line is about 500. This would be a definition of 500 pixels per line by 625 lines. Compared to modern computer monitors this is pretty poor. Even the lowest resolutions monitors have higher resolutions (640 x 480) than an analogue TV.
HDTV or High Definition television is high resolution Digital Television combined with Dolby Digital Surround Sound (AC-3). There are 18 digital television formats of which 6 can be categorised as HDTV. You need a satellite receiver to view HDTV.
Within these six formats there are two technologies, Progressive and Interlaced which build the image in different ways. Interlaced technology is, arguably, inferior because it effectively splits the image every 1/60th of a second. It shows the odd lines first and then the even lines. So every 1/60 of a second you see a half image which can cause a discernible flickering. Progressive technology shows a complete image every 1/60 of a second, resulting in a smoother picture and less eye strain.
Where HDTV really makes a difference is in the quality of the image. Standard TV has a resolution of about 210,000 pixels while an HDTV screen has nearly 10 times more at a resolution of up to 2,000,000 pixels.
Standard TV normally comes with an aspect ratio where the width is 4/3 the height or 4x3. HDTV screens have an aspect ratio of 16 x 9, otherwise known as wide screen.
So, if picture quality is your paramount priority, not to mention the dolby stereo that accompanies it, HDTV is the way forward. You can research the best UK deals online and compare prices here at text4price.
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