Pros and Cons of a Plasma Television

Have you been watching the price of large screen televisions as they have been falling for the last couple of years? You may be ready to purchase a new one, but you would really appreciate some advice on which type of television to purchase.

You have looked at a sixty inch rear projection television, but you do not think that you really want that type of advanced technology. Instead, you are more interested in the flat screen LCD and plasma screens, but you are unaware of which one is better. You are absolutely right that large screen television prices have dropped significantly in the last two years. Additionally, technology changes have addressed some of the earlier drawbacks in both plasma and LCD formats, so that you are getting a better television for less money.

However, determining which display is right for you is somewhat subjective. It is encouraged that you look at the same size display produced by both technologies to determine which you prefer. Television screens have gotten larger with each new generation since the inception of the first commercially marketed television in the 1930s. As screen sizes have increased, so too has television energy usage.

Modern flat panel display LCD and plasma televisions are no exception. Plasma and LCD televisions use more electricity than their cathode ray tube ancestors. According to a 2005 National Resources Defense Council report on television energy consumption, televisions in the United States used over forty six billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2004. With the expected increase, in not only the number, but size of televisions in this country, energy use is expected to almost double by 2009, reaching seventy billion kilowatt hours per year.

There is currently no standard measure of the efficiency of televisions. Televisions are not currently required by law to wear the yellow Energy Guide labels that are found on other appliances that enable consumers to do a side by side comparison of the energy efficiency of comparable models. One method being considered is one that compares television energy use in watts per inch of display screen. It may be in use in the near future and will should allow to better understand the energy implications of their purchase.

Both plasma and LCD technology produce a stunningly clear picture, but there are subtle differences. LCD screens, because they are back light, use more cells than plasma to produce the same clear images. This makes them brighter than plasma screen televisions and is better suited for rooms with higher light levels. However, this greater number of cells also lets more of the back light show around the edge of each cell, making it hard for LCD screens to produce the same vivid blacks as plasma televisions. LCD's produce dark grays rather than sharp blacks, while plasma televisions, being not as bright, are better suited for normal to low light level rooms.

LCD displays, like computer monitors, are ideally suited for static display of slow moving images. Early versions of LCD televisions had problems reproducing fast moving images like sporting events or action sequences in movies because of the on off nature of their liquid crystal cells. This slight delay associated with crystal realignment resulted in slightly blurry images or image trails. By increasing the speed or refresh rate of the cells, manufacturers have succeeded in eliminating much of this problem. When shopping for LCD's, remember that the lower the refresh rate is, the better the image quality will be for fast moving scenes.

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8 Advantages You Should Know Before Buying A Television Online

The way people shop for electronics is changing. Many buyers buy televisions and other electronics online. The World Wide Web is fast becoming the preferred marketplace as customers are able to buy products of their choice at the best prices. If you are careful you could buy a television online and not get duped. You just need to buy the television from a reputed online store and not from little known or unknown websites.

According to experts buying a television online will get you the best deal. Most online prices are lower than retail even after considering shipping and say insurance costs.

The advantages of buying a television online are:

1. You can choose from a wide range of brands. While retail stores stock only running brands online stores offer a huge selection of televisions.

2. You can compare product features online by using online tools and take a decision after weighing the pros and cons.

3. Most online television retailers will have user friendly systems that offer at least three quotes for each customer. This means you can compare prices and costs before choosing a television.

4. Most websites have attractive seasonal promotions and often you can get a great bargain on a high-end television.

5. Online television stores that follow "fair" business practices display return policies, guarantees, and shipping costs clearly. So when you buy a television all terms and conditions are clearly defined.

6. Take advantage of specials like online saving codes, deals for credit card owners, free shipping offers, and daily specials.

7. Look for huge discount seasons. Often you can get as much as 50-75% off during the discount sales.

8. You can use a credit card to make the payment and the television will be delivered at your door step. Just be sure to check that the payment gateways are of the highest security.

Buying on the internet means you can be an informed shopper. There are websites that guide you on how to choose a television, and how to get a great bargain. Then there are unbiased reviews on televisions and websites that continuously update which television brands are on the top ten listing. You can study the market and get answers to any questions you may have before making a final choice.

Protect yourself by buying from an authorized dealer and ask about after sales service and warranties. Always check about how they will ship the television to you and how they will ensure that there is no damage whatsoever. Ask whether they will replace a defective unit and what the return policy is, most online stores have a thirty day return policy.

Always buy a brand that has a wide network of service centers in operation. Find out what service and parts cost would be over time. Even if you buy a television manufactured abroad, find out every detail like performance, clarity, longevity and so on. Read online television buying tips written by experts before you actually make a purchase.

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TV Tuner For Laptop Computer

There are 2 types of tv tuners for laptop computer, one is a hardware based solution and the other a software. Both will work just fine on laptops but they vary in terms of costs, number of channels offered and portability. These will be discussed in this article.

The first solution is to get an external PCTV card for your laptop. External PCTV cards come in the form of USB device. This tv tuner for laptop computer typically comes with its own proprietary software that enables you to stream hundreds of live television channels through wired broadband connection. A device like that costs a few hundred dollars and can be found at any major PC hardware stores.

The other tv tuner is a software known commonly as satellite tv software. This software when installed, gives you access to thousands of channels worldwide in different languages. It streams live satellite channels through internet and works on both wired and wireless broadband connections.

Both solutions only require a one-time cost which is for the purchase of hardware/software. However, it is interesting to note that a good satellite tv software will cost you no more than $50. Furthermore, it can offer more than 3000 channels on a standard package.

In terms of portability, majority of PCTV cards require a wired connection whereas wireless connections work just fine with satellite television software. That means you can be watching a football match or favorite tv serial in a cafe or anywhere in the world with a WIFI connection. Personally, satellite television software is, to me, a preferred tv tuner due to its portability.

Before you purchase a PCTV card or satellite television software, it is good to make sure they are supported by the operating system of your laptop. Windows Vista or Windows XP should be fine but if you are running Mac, it is good to check with the product merchant or read the FAQs before making a purchase.