Samsung FPT5084 50 in Plasma HDTV Review

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The Samsung FPT5084 50 in Plasma HDTV is capable of creating a display that is a true (1080p) high definition picture. The widescreen TV is Samsung's first venture into the 1080 hd market. Typically, plasmas have had issues displaying dark blacks. However, this television does a pretty decent job. In my opinion, the FP-T5084 is definitely on par or better than many of the plasmas being sold today.

Although the picture quality is pretty good right out of the box, some adjustment was needed to achieve the best possible picture. Luckily, the Samsung FPT5084 provides plenty of picture controls that are user friendly. Once adjusted, the Samsung delivers a bright and colorful picture. The HDTV is able to manage a broad color range equally well.

The Samsung FPT5084 HDTV is sleek and visually pleasing. Samsung has placed the speakers (hidden) to the side of the 50 inch screen, as opposed to the bottom. This makes the panel shorter and wider, which, in turn, makes it easier on the eyes. The sides of the TV also consist of chrome colored strips, which curve towards the outside of the TV and conceal the hidden speakers. The top and bottom frame of the Samsung FPT5084 is thin for a plasma of 50 inches. The bottom panel includes Samsung's logo and blue light. However, this particular feature can be turned off.

The Samsung FTP5084 Plasma is a quality television that is recommended to someone who is looking for an affordable 1080p HD set. Samsung has done a lot of things right, even if it is not perfect. I would like to see a screen that better reduces glare and better processing of non-hd programming, but these are in no way a deal breaker.

Hopefully Samsung will address these issues with their next set. Overall, I was extremely pleased with the performance of the Samsung FPT5084 and believe that it is a great buy.

Plasma Vs LCD TV - What is Better?

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So, you have decided to go in for that big high-definition television you always wanted in the living room. But you're still confused about whether to go n or a plasma TV or an LCD TV? Here are a few pointers that might help you decide.

But before we get to the pros and cons of both plasma and LCD TVs, we should understand the technology that goes in behind the screens. While LCD screens are thinner than their plasma cousins, both kinds of TVs are extremely slim, not exceeding four inches in depth. They are also available in similar large screen sizes. A plasma TV screen is made up of a matrix of millions of gas-filled cells which emit light when electricity passes through them. LCD TVs, on the other hand, have liquid-filled crystals for a screen.

One of the major factors we take into account while buying a TV is the image quality. In this department, plasma TVs score over the LCD type, providing sharper, clearer and more colorful images. Plasma TVs are also capable of allowing a far broader viewing angle than LCD TVs, which suffer from image distortion if one sits too far wide of the screen. Also, LCD screens are more liable to develop damaged pixels which can cause an irritation in viewing pleasure.

LCD TVs, on the other hand, are lighter and more portable, which means you can virtually hang them up anywhere in the house you want. LCD screens are also thinner than plasma screens. LCD TVs, which are backlit, are also known to consume a lot less power than plasma screens.

In terms of length of service, LCD screens have also been found to have a longer utility life. LCD screens can ideally last for 60,000 hours of more, while that figure represents the upper limit for plasma variants. Also, LCD TVs are not prone to the problem of image burn in, which continues to be a difficulty in plasma TVs, as it has been in conventional TVs for a long time. LCD screens, however, do suffer from image sticking, which can also render them opaque over long periods of use.

Moreover, LCD TVs are available in a broader range of screen sizes. But while, plasma TVs may have to compromise on the range of sizes they are available in, they are a little in models with screen sizes of over 42 inches. Also, plasma screens rate higher on performance factors like screen image response, which make them more suitable for high end gaming and sports viewing.

So, while these few comparative pointers may only be the tip of the iceberg in your quest for the perfect HDTV, this can stand as a small beginning and an early guide to the right choices.

30 Inch LCD TV Review

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A 30 inch LCD TV is a good sized TV for most households. The inch 30 LCD TV is not so big that it overpowers a room. At the same time it is large enough so you will be able to really get into whatever it is you are watching. If you are just beginning your search for a 30 inch LCD TV then there are a couple things that you should do before making a purchase.

When beginning your search for a 30 inch LCD TV you should start by reading reviews of various 30 inch LCD TV models. This will give you an idea of what features you will be looking for. Consumer Reports is a great place to start looking for a 30 inch LCD TV because they will give you unbiased reports on all major name brands. You can find Consumer Reports on the web at http://www.consumerreports.org.

Once you have an idea of what kind of 30 inch LCD TV that you are looking for, you can begin comparison shopping via the internet. There are so many online stores out there that offer 30 inch LCD TVs that you will have no problem finding a deal. There are, however, a few pointers to take note of before whipping out your credit card to make a purchase of a 30 inch LCD TV online.

First, you need to take shipping of your 30 inch LCD TV into account. Shipping for an item of this size and weight can be well over a hundred dollars, which is going to increase the total price you pay. You also need to make sure that you are buying your 30 inch LCD TV from a reputable dealer online. Read their customer reviews and make sure other people have been satisfied with their customer service. Also, make sure they offer things like warranties and everything else that you would be offered when purchasing a 30 inch LCD TV from a reputable bricks and mortar retail store such as Best Buy or Circuit City.

That being said, here is a review of a 30 inch LCD TV as well as the cheapest price found on the web to get you started on your search for the perfect model.

Dude! You're getting a Dell! The Dell W3000 is a wonderful 30 inch LCD TV for the multimedia customer. This 30 inch LCD TV model has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a resolution of 1280 x 768. This means that you will have a widescreen crisp picture no matter what you are watching. Because this 30 inch LCD TV is brought to you by Dell, of course you are able to hook the screen up to your computer and use it as a high resolution computer monitor. Although it does not come with a built-in HDTV tuner, this 30 inch LCD TV is HDTV compatible. The cheapest price found online for this 30 inch LCD TV new is $1,538.90 from http://www.compudirect.com.

Satellite TV To PC Reviews - Review By Internet Users

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This is a satellite TV to PC reviews summarized collection from internet users who write about them. It is hoped that you would have made an informed decision and based on your judgement decide whether to invest in the software.

Satellite TV to PC is a good software to watch satellite TV from your laptop or computer. The price is unbeatable if you compare to the prices set by satellite TV providers as not only do they cost less upfront, there are absolutely no other charges required such as monthly fees.

There are 2 types of satellite TV to PC packages worth considering. The Elite Edition package and the Titanium Edition package. You can receive more than 3000 worldwide satellite TV channels for a small investment of slightly less than fifty dollars for the software. The Titanium Edition costs slightly more and you stand a chance to download some bonus softwares as well.

There are other PC satellite TV softwares in the market as well but they either cost more or do not seem as reliable.

If you are a fan of LIVE sports around the world, you can receive satellite TV feeds on such programs as well. Movies, music, kids programs, weather and documentaries are some the channels you can receive via satellite on your PC. You may be spoiled for choice on this one.

Upon purchase you will receive a download link and in 2 minutes you can actually download and install it on your PC, run the application and start watching satellite TV on your PC.

The only drawback so far is when you do not have broadband internet access. To watch the TV streams with clarity and without interruption, the minimum speed required on your PC is 512MB with at least a Pentium III PC.

This is a summarized satellite TV to PC review from some internet users and if you need to find more information, do visit the website at the end of the article.

Semi-Pro Movie Review

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BOTTOM LINE: For a comedy there are hardly any laughs, and despite some great production design, visuals and a strong performance by Woody Harrelson, this film is a waste of time, especially with Will Ferrel's unfunny and stupid lead character.

THE GOOD: I wasn't quite sure what to expect when going in to this film. The previews seemed to suggest a stupid Will Ferrel comedy and surprisingly, there's an actual story in here about an ex-70's pop-star turned manager of the Flint Michigan Tropics Basketball team and his attempt to keep his team alive during the merger between the NBA and ABA. The production design and visuals are very good, having a glossy, authentic feel to them. Woody Harrelson is excellent as the new addition to the team who becomes the coach of the Tropics. He's the only sane man in the team and he does a very good job of carrying the film when Ferrel doesn't (see below!). This is a decent period piece film, and the story is sustainable enough for you to sit through it and not got bored.

THE BAD: The film is billed as a comedy but there are no laughs. That might be a problem... Okay, I'm being harsh. I think I suppressed a chuckle once or twice during the running time. Considering the way the film is built around Will Ferrel as a star vehicle, he doesn't really deliver anything comedic and in fact, it looks as if putting on this performance for him was akin to pulling teeth. He is endearing, but he's also stupid, and gets up to stupid antics. Wrestling a bear? The Disco-Stu hair cut and outfit? Being the heart and soul of the Tropics team but single-handedly also ruins their chances at every turn? Flapping your arms around and making silly noises will only make a baby laugh and unfortunately you have to sit through 90 minutes of it. To be fair it's the script; Ferrel just doesn't have anything to work with except for silly scenarios which given the structure of the story seem completely out of place. Even the two Tropics radio announcers, who are akin to the two old men in the Muppets, are a wasted opportunity for laughs given their unfunny banter. I really hated the final sequence where Ferrel is in heaven talking to his momma... Not good. It's moments like that that kill the rest of the film, whatever there is that's good. I don't know if this film could have been funny, but perhaps if it had been moved towards the more light-hearted drama genre it would have worked better.