All About Plasma Televisions

Plasma televisions have flooded the market, but there are some important facts you should know first. They are a premium price but they offer one of the best combinations of features for a High Definition television today. Plasma screens offer a flat screen of 4” thick that have one of the best pictures available. The newest televisions have resolution capabilities of up to 1080p. This is a huge leap in resolution compared to DVD which only has capabilities of 480i. This means that HD capable plasma televisions can produce more than twice the resolution of a DVD.

The reason that a plasma television can produce such images in a thin layer is the technology that was actually created about 35 years ago. Plasma technology starts with two thin pieces of glass that are filled with xenon and neon gas. The chamber contains all of the pixels which can reach into the millions. This chamber is filled with electric current and it illuminates the pixels that also fill the chamber. This process creates a brilliant picture that is almost unmatched by any other screen. Plasma screens offer very high resolution that is bright and has a wide viewable range. You can view the screen within a 160 degree range with no loss in quality.

To incorporate most of the advantages of a plasma television, you must make sure that it has the features that are most up to date. The most up to date features of plasma televisions is that they have 1080p resolution. You also need multiple HDMI connections because you will be connecting more than just one HD component. DVD players, cable boxes and game consoles all have HDMI capability that makes the best use of your television. Make certain that your plasma television can handle at least two HDMI connections, or it is out of date. Component video is still a great second option, but it will not create as good results. Remember that your plasma television is a center piece for your technology and it should be capable of everything that you own.

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Movies Delivered To Your Door

In today's society, convenience is clearly a driving force for consumers. And now more than ever before, Americans are using the Internet to get what they want, when they want it.

In fact, in 2004 American consumers racked up $117 billion in online spending, with a fair share of that amount spent on entertainment and entertainment news.

One of the latest entertainment options - Blockbuster Online - is a new, easy-to-use online DVD rental service that can bring the movie store right to your door with just a few clicks of a computer mouse. With more than 30,000 titles to choose from, movie lovers can rent all the movies they want, from the hottest new releases to independent, special interest and hard-to-find films.

For less than $15 a month, Blockbuster Online users can rent up to three movies at a time and return them at their convenience with the provided pre-paid postage envelope. After a DVD is returned, the next title from the subscriber's online movie queue is mailed, and will usually arrive within one to two days.

"By combining the power of the Internet, the magic of the movies and the trusted Blockbuster name, we're offering the ultimate in home entertainment convenience at an incredible value," said Shane Evangelist, senior vice president of Blockbuster Inc. and general manager of Blockbuster Online. "And for those times when you can't wait for a movie to arrive in your mailbox, we offer the flexibility to rent movies and games at our stores."

The new online DVD rental service is especially convenient for people who live in rural areas, since online access means there's no need to drive long distances to the rental store. Busy parents and on-the-go professionals - or anyone starved for time - also have easy access to the latest and greatest releases, plus many of the classics.

"We've designed a service that really delivers for our subscribers," said Evangelist. "There are no due dates, no late fees, unlimited DVDs at your disposal, and we're the only online DVD rental service that gives each subscriber two free in-store rentals each month, good for movies or games."

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What Is High Definition Television

If you love visual entertainment on the cutting edge, HDTV – or High Definition Television gives you a preview of the future; images and sound that is so real it takes you into the experience. High-definition television takes digital television or DTV to the next level. Or least that is what we have been promised. When the first HDTV announcement was made in 1998, high-tech fans along with movie buffs anxiously awaited its release. But several years have passed since the introduction of this technology for many people it has failed to live up to their expectations.

Part of the problem is that HDTV, analog and digital terms have a lot of people confused. As the United States broadcasters move closer to the date where their signals must be converted from analog to digital in 2009, consumers should be aware that purchasing an analog television should include DTV or digital television signal capability so that they can continue to receive television programming.

As United States broadcasters work through the conversion period from analog to digital television, the signal transmits the information for the video and sound in binary code instead of a wave; using the UHF portion of the radio spectrum with a 6 MHz bandwidth, the same as analog TV signals. Digital television or DTV provides the viewer with several advantages:

• Smaller sized televisions receive pictures and sound with better quality
• Larger television screens benefit from digital signals ability to deliver higher resolution
• Television stations can broadcast several signals using the same bandwidth
• Interactive content or additional information can be broadcast along with the DTV signa
• Digital TV supports high-definition television broadcasting

When the conversion from analog to digital broadcasting is completed, without a DTV decoder in your analog television set you will need cable or satellite service to be able to watch television programming. HDTV is just one part of the digital conversion from analog broadcasting.


But to fully experience HDTV you will need more than just your television; the broadcaster must use a high-definition signal and beside the HDTV set, you will need a receiver and an antenna to receive the signal. DTV uses MPEG-2 encoding, the industry standard for DVDs. As you begin to shop for a high-definition television set you will have several options

An HDTV ready set which is also called an HDTV Monitor. This type of set will not have an HDTV tuner instead they use an NTSC tuner so that you can continue receiving analog television programming.

An integrated HDTV which includes a digital tuner (also known as an ATS tuner) built in to the set itself. You will be able to watch high-definition television broadcasting by attaching an antenna to the set.

HDTV sets have either one or two native resolutions in order to scale the signal to match its resolution capability. It is good idea to consider what type of programming you watch most to select the best native resolution; movie fans should look for television sets with the highest resolution display while sports action fans should choose the highest progression frame rate.

High Definition Television is simply the highest level of digital television available; as more broadcasters convert from analog to digital television, having the right equipment is what will make the difference in your television viewing experience.

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Buying The Best Plasma Television

The Internet the best place to buy the right plasma TV. There one can shop with confidence at the world's leading plasma television dealers. Whether it's needed for home or business, the Internet carries all the major brand names, the best pictures, and at the best prices with the fastest delivery.

But rushing out to buy a brand-new plasma television there are many questions that must be answered first. Here are just a few of the things that need to be considered.

What makes plasma TVs so much better?

Plasma TV offers an enormous, flat, bright, sharp, flicker-free display that projects rich, life-like color. Most plasma screens are only a few inches deep, so they require far less space than a CRT television of the same screen size. In fact, most plasma TVs can even be wall-mounted. Many people use them to display their digital photos as art!

Unlike many other methods of producing large, thin screens, plasma TVs have a wide viewing angle and suffer little glare. The whole family or the entire boardroom will have a great view from wherever they are sitting. There is no need to worry about whether each seat is centered in front of the television.

A plasma TV is also not prone to electromagnetic interference. This means that electronics that produce powerful electromagnetic fields, such as large speaker, will not mar the picture quality in the slightest by being placed nearby to the screen. Plasma televisions even have lower power consumption compared to a conventional CRT television.

What features should a plasma TV have?

Some plasma TVs require a built-in electric fan for cooling purposes, much the same way as a desktop or laptop computer does. If the model of television being considered is like this, make certain the fan is not noisy enough to detract from the viewing experience. An increasing number of modern plasma TVs are being designed without the need for a fan.

Consider whether or not the television has a TV tuner built-in. Some plasma TVs function solely as monitors, and do not a TV tuner. Such a unit would require an external video signal be supplied, such as from an entertainment system.

The ideal plasma TV has a built-in TV tuner or comes with a separate multimedia box that contains the TV tuner. A plasma TV will need to have an analog TV tuner in order for it to receive and display an analog TV signal like the local broadcast networks. Having a digital tuner allows it to receive digital signals such as digital cable or freeview. The plasma TV would not need to have a digital TV tuner included if a converter box is already owned.

New plasma televisions should have a set of speakers attached on both sides of the screen. A good set of quality speakers is required for listening in stereo without poor sound quality making it hard to enjoy the show.

Generally, it will not be important for the plasma TV to have a built in amplifier for sound. If external speakers, such as a surround sound audio system, are to be used with the television an external multi-speaker home cinema system will yield the best results.

How should a plasma TV's picture quality be evaluated?

There are two easy criteria to determine which plasma TV screen quality is the best. First, simply compare the peak panel brightness with other plasma screens. The higher the peak brightness, the better. Then examine the contrast ratio. Having a 1000:1 ratio is highly respectable and again, larger ratios are better than smaller ones.

How long does a plasma TV screen last?

Average plasma TV screen have a life expectancy of approximately ten years. This should provide more than enough years to justify the outlay of money a plasma TV requires.

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Four Easy Steps to Buy a Plasma Flat Screen Television

If you’re looking to purchase your first plasma flat screen television, there are 4 simple steps to insure a pleasant shopping experience.

First, you must decide how much money you want to spend. Take an inventory of your financial situation, and think about what you really want. If you’re on a budget and can’t afford to spend $2,000, you should begin your search with the lower priced models in the 37”- 42” range. Conversely, if you can afford more than $2,000 your screen choice is unlimited.

Second, decide the screen size and manufacturer you like. Plasma monitors are measured diagonally across the screen, as are other television sets and monitors. Plasma screens start at 32" and increase in size up to 103". The most typical sizes are: 37", 42", 43", 50", 61", and 63". The best selling plasma televisions are made by Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony, and Samsung.

Third, you should consider buying a plasma television from an online e-tailer. Here are some reasons to buy online:

• Convenience. No need to stand on line, or spend time talking to a sales person.

• Price savings. You save money by not having to pay sales taxes and we’re priced below big box retailers.

• Exclusives. They have a wider selection of plasma models to choose from all the major manufacturers.


Fourth, decide where to mount the plasma television. One of the major benefits of plasma TV is the flexibility they afford in mounting and installation options. Here are a few you might consider:

Flat Wall Mounts are the most common mounting option for Plasma TVs for home or business use. This option is the least expensive and allows the plasma monitor to remain closest to the wall, adding less than 2 inches to the depth.

Tilt Wall Mount is used when placing the plasma TV higher than the desired eye level. A tilt wall mount typically allows 15 to 20 of tilt, depending upon the brand.

Conclusion, buying a plasma television can be an exciting experience that will bring thousand of hours of entertainment if you follow these four simple steps.

William Coit is an expert on plasma televisions and he makes it easy to find the perfect solution for your home or business at http://www.williamcoit.com

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Is the Sony KDE-50XS955 50 Plasma Wega HDTV Television Worth It

Overall, the Sony KDE-50XS955 50 Plasma Wega HDTV television is one of the more expensive fifty-inch flat TVs on the market, retailing normally between four and five thousand dollars. However, this Sony Plasma HDTV TV backs up that price with enough features that you won't mind the price tag. The large size and high definition capability are just a few of those great features on the Sony KDE-50XS955 59 Plasma Wega HDTV television, with consumers rating it eight or night out of ten stars.

The 100 Watt Total output power combined with the SRS surround sound is much more than you would find on TVs in the same price range. With the high definition function, images are displayed that are more lifelike and much sharper than a standard TV, however, the source has to be high definition for this to hold true. To use this function, however, you will want to purchase a high definition receiver, sold separately.

Also included is a 3:2 pulldown feature. With this, the artifacts that can happen when movies are recorded onto a DVD. You will have a more flicker-free picture when playing the moved back, if you are using a progressive scan DVD in conjunction with this TV.

This Sony plasma HDTV has a screen resolution of 1366 x 768. The widescreen modes include full, zoom, normal and widescreen zoom, with picture-in-picture capability. Additional features include on-screen menu, MP3 playback, JPEG photo playback, MPEG1 movie playback, and digital reality creation multifunction.

Again, you can't do much better for this price and then the Sony KDE-50XS955 50 Plasma Wega HDTV television. With all these features, it more than backs up its price tag.

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Buying a Plasma Television

With televisions getting bigger and bigger Plasma Television technology has become a front runner in the big screen race.

A few years ago a plasma television was well out of the financial reach of the average man with the smaller televisions costing upwards of $8000. But with steady competition from the LCD technology these prices are steadily coming down as time goes by. Now is the chance for the common man to purchase a big screen plasma television.

There are several sizes when it comes to plasma televisions. They range from 25 inch up-to 60 inch. All delivering high quality picture. But what do you look for when purchasing a big screen plasma television?

There are several things to look for. Firstly don’t go for the biggest one there. This will be the most expensive one and dropping a size or two below the biggest will get you the most value for money.

The second thing to look for would be the brand. Go for the most trusted brand. Some well known brands include Panasonic, LG and Sony. Sony plasma televisions tend to be more expensive than the other brands.

Thirdly you will need to look for a plasma television that suits your needs. Meaning one that has a remote and interface that is simple to use, and has all the connections you need for your surround sound system or DVD player.

Picking the right plasma television need not be a difficult task. You can ask friendly staff at any of the major electronics stores for suggestions and recommendations. In the end the choice is yours. The choice of which brand you want to buy, which color, which size etc. It depends on your personal taste and of course your budget. These days a 60 inch plasma television will cost you around $6000. Of course this is for a huge screen that most of us will not need. The more modest 42 inch screens will only set you back around $3000.

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The Future is Definitely Television on the Web

Anyone who has spent anytime in the last year on the web has seen a dramatic rise in Internet video. So much so that it is now a central element of many websites across the net. Web video is no doubt here to stay. 'Television, as we know it, will be unrecognizable in five years', that according to the opinion of Bill Gates. Tim Berners-Lee, who is credited by many with inventing the world wide web, claims that the future of television is 'absolutely on the Internet'. Every major entertainment company from NBC, to Viacom, and ESPN and many more have made a major move to distribute their content via the web. These companies will continue to leverage the vast reach of the Internet, but the question is what about the independent producer and independent filmmaker? The low cost of producing high quality digital video, combined with higher speeds of broadband connected to video friendly computers, and the international open distribution network that is the Internet has created a time of opportunity for the independent producer.

The advent of low cost digital video cameras was the quantum leap for the independent filmmaker. With broadcast quality equipment within reach, the small producer no longer has to spend most of their time trying to find money, and can execute a professional project with only a modest budget. Films are shot on cameras that are than used to transfer the footage to a desktop computer where it can be edited using software that has much the same capability as a professional editing suite. A film can then be submitted, directly from a computer to the marketplace that is the web. Edit a film, and then distribute a film all from the same chair, this is the future of the television industry.

The increase in broadband and high speed Internet connections is the next piece of the puzzle. This works in conjunction with 'media center' type computers that allow for DVD quality playback of video on the web. As the number of worldwide households that have a high speed Internet connection increases, so does the potential marketplace for Internet video producers. We are now at level of high speed connectivity that has created a vast market for video, and that is only going to increase. Likewise any new computer purchased anywhere in the world is going to have the ability to playback that video, and make it look as good as it does on your television.

The last element that makes this a promising time for the independent filmmaker, is the nature, and the reach of the Internet itself. The web is ideal in many ways for the independent film and television producer. There are already methods to distribute on the web, already ways of syndicating your content across the Internet that allow people who are interested in the type of work that you are doing to find you. And we are only in early days yet, these methods will continue to evolve and along with it the ability for a filmmaker to find an audience.

Everybody knows about Youtube, and the 100 million video plays a day. That's more then the US audience for the Super Bowl every single day. People are watching, and they may not always be satisfied with exploding coke bottles or celebrities doing embarrassing things. There will be a place for the independent filmmaker and television producer that create high quality film and video projects. Your audience awaits.

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A New Meaning To The Way We Perceive Television

TiVo is a consumer video device that allows end users to capture their favorite television programs to an internal hard drive. Since its introduction in 1999, TiVo has attracted an ever-growing number of clients. Although TiVo is, in fact, very similar to video recorders, the technologies it employs are complex and sophisticated, allowing more freedom of choice and better selections to be made by the user. The device not only records the programs that the user specifies but also presents other related material that is of potential interest.

All the information is stored on a non-removable hard drive, which offers plenty of space. You can record up to 140 hours on your TiVo, selecting the exact programs that you are interested in. The box then does its job recording everything you wanted while you are “out living life”, as TiVo makers state. Additional features include the fact that you can pause a live show being recorded and replay it. The user also has the option of “time shifting” a program – viewing it without waiting for the recording to complete. Another useful feature is the slow motion mode, which enables you to watch that favorite sports scene over and over in great detail. You also have the option of searching a show by title, actor, genre or keyword, bringing the TiVo experience closer to the realm of the World Wide Web. And speaking of the Internet, you can set up the recordings on line as well. The device was quickly accepted by viewers in USA and Great Britain, where this service is available. Today the company has around 5 million subscribers in America for its Tivo service.

The TiVo box is easy to set up and works with antenna, cable, digital cable, satellite or any other combinations. You also need to activate the TiVo service, which enables you usage of the box and grants you access to all the device’s features. TiVo’s creators were TiVo Inc., a company started by Time Warner’s Full Service Network and Silicon Graphics. To find out more about TiVo go to their website at www.TiVo.com .

There is no doubt Tivo has expanded the arrey of choice of entertainment in the American living room. It has been a great addition, especially for the busy way of American life as it has given them an added way to organise their living.

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Meet Kate Bosworth: Superman Returns

There are few more iconic characters in American movie history as Lois Lane, Clark Kent’s sidekick at the Daily Planet, and Superman’s romantic interest. But 23 year old Kate Bosworth’s performance has earned her a number of excellent reviews in the role in the latest film in the Superman series – ‘Superman Returns’.

Bosworth admits that she was unsure if any actor could pull of a convincing Superman/Clark Kent combination – she remembers the original film with great excitement. However, she is full of praise for Brandon Routh, the unknown actor who plays the title role. She realized how good Routh was going to be as early as an early screen test, before she had got the role, when she discovered she “had become totally lost in just reading with him, in a white, bare, sparse room with the tri-pod video camera and a couple of people sitting around and watching and that's when I realized he was going to be tremendous in this film”.

Bosworth modelled her Lois Lane performance on Katharine Hepburn. "I watched a lot of Hepburn to prepare for Lois, particularly ‘The Philadelphia Story’ and ‘Guess Who's Coming to Dinner’. Hepburn is a great model for how I see Lois - strong but fragile."

Bosworth spent her early childhood moving around the US, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, then to Connecticut and to Massachusetts. It was around the time of the move to Massachusetts in 1998 that she heard of an open audition for Robert Redford’s film ‘The Horse Whisperer’. A horse-lover, she went along for the experience, and won the role of the female lead's best friend. After “The Horse Whisperer” Bosworth took a break from acting, returning two years later to resume her career which has culminated with her role in ‘Superman Returns’.

Filmography

Superman Returns (2006)
Bee Season (2005)
Beyond the Sea (2004)
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
Advantage Hart (2003)
Wonderland (2003)
The Rules of Attraction (2002)
Blue Crush (2002)
Remember the Titans (2000)
Young Americans (2000) TV Episode
The Newcomers (2000)
The Horse Whisperer (1998)

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