Designer TV Frames: http://www.tv-frame.com
Oliver Custom Furniture: http://www.olivercustomfurniture.com
What Is
HDTV?
In a lifetime there comes an
innovation which brings huge benefits to the human species. The tele is
such a invention. Since the TV sets invention the human species have been
on the pursuit for better and better TV sets. Now alas HDTV TVs have
satisfied the urges of many film buffs.
HDTV TVs or
high-definition TV sets are an amazing new technological advancement to
the HD TV. Ever since coming to the consumer market HDTV TVs have created
a craze. Movie film lovers, sport fans, and anyone who wants the screen to
be as real as real life is amazed at what HDTV TVs show on their screens.
We may enquire what is HD TV, particularly when we have not seen
one of these great HDTV TVs in the past? The HDTV basics is that you watch
TV at high-definition. A HD TV has extraordinary resolution and superb
digital surround sound. A HD TV removes the dreadful black bars that a lot
of movie formats come with. Putting it simply - a HD TV is watching wide
screen how it is meant to be! Since HDTV TVs have been released, they have
been in high demand. Anyone who wants the best out of a TV set wants to
get a HDTV and learn about HDTV. As with all untried technologies released
there is a lot to learn about all the new specifications and which HD TV
to buy.
When buying a HD TV for home, you want to make sure that
you are actually getting a HD TV. If you don't want to end up with a
television with ordinary visual and audio, then you need to recognize the
differences between analog and HDTV formats to determine if you really
need an upgrade for your watching enjoyment.
-Features of
HDTV TVs
Technically, a HD TV give a much better and improved
screen resolution. Basically meaning that your HD TV, can easily provide
you with better picture quality whether you are watching a good DVD film
or a documentary it doesn't matter. You simply have amazing picture
quality (though the end result depends on your signal quality). The big
highlight of HDTV TVs is that you can watch wide screen as it is meant to
be, without having parts of the screen cropped. HDTVs simply give a
unprecedented picture quality that is crisper and finer than existing TV
sets.
A great thing with these new HDTV TVs is that they can
easily complement other analog based video equipment, such as your
camcorders, DVD players, gaming consoles. On a gaming console such as the
Sony Playstation range, you can see a new level of experience with a HD
TV.
Buying a HD TV can be the best buy you can make. The picture
quality is simply breathtaking, and will please many whether used for
playing video games on the console or watching a $100 million film, you
will be pleased with a HD TV. One thing to bear in mind with HDTV TVs is
that your HD TV may be great, and offer the best possible picture known to
man! But if your provider of the signal (TV company, etc) can't give a
good signal, it doesn't matter your picture quality will be no good. Also
when you buy a new HD TV to keep in mind to get a flexible HD TV, one that
has features which you may not use now, but might need in future - such as
DVI or HDMI.
Schedule an Honest Install Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
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Flat Panel TVs And
Monitors? The Dilemma Of Choice
Your thin flat panel TV can grace your room by hanging on
the wall like a piece of art, or it can sit on a trendy stand, catching
everyone’s eye when they enter the room, or just rest sedately on a table.
But the technologies that go into flat panel TVs, namely LCD and plasma
have their own pros and cons, depending on the application. Flat panel LCD
TVs and flat panel monitors for computers use the same technology? Liquid
Crystal Display (a.k.a LCD)? Which produces sharp and bright images in
most lighting types.
LCD technology? Popular Choice LCDs shine
light through pixel cells that have a red, green and blue component, but
they cannot turn off certain pixels. Hence, the ability of LCDs to produce
a pure black is less, which in turn has an effect on contrast levels. If
the LCD panel is more than 40 inches wide, they are obviously more
expensive than flat panel plasma TVs and rear projection TVs. But they are
affordable when you look for 15-21 inch-wide screens for smaller rooms.
Major manufacturers who make these are Sharp, Philips, Dell, Samsung,
Sony, etc.
The main advantages of liquid crystal display panels
are that they are lightweight, thin and do not consume much power. CRT or
conventional cathode ray tube monitors are being used lesser and lesser
because of the obvious advantages of flat panel LCDs over them. LCD
displays are mostly TFT panels or thin film transistor LCDs, an active
matrix. They have the property of high quality displays and smaller size,
which is what makes them popular for many uses.
Plasma Flat Panel
TVs The other flat panel option - Plasma TVs - look very elegant and
streamlined. You can choose the best from Sony, Pioneer, Samsung, Philips,
and Hitachi etc. whose wide screens can be anything from 36 inches to
about 70 inches. These are renowned for their color accuracy and can be
viewed from anywhere in the room. They pass an electric charge to cells
filled with gas, which in turn respond with a burst of ultraviolet light
to produce images; hence plasma TVs are said to be prone to the burn in
phenomenon.
Flat Panel TV LCD Or Plasma? Which Is Better? Flat
panel TVs have great advantages in terms of being thinner and lighter?
making them a better option in terms of flexibility in placement. The
digital display quality is precisely controlled producing an amazing array
of colors. They are immune to magnetic picture distortions, so you don't
have to worry about putting them close to speakers that are not shielded.
Flat panel TVs give you good image focus making straight lines look
straight. About the only downside is the fact that flat panel TVs are
costlier than conventional TVs. So thin is definitely in with both LCD and
Plasma TVs. Plasma TVs are invariably larger than LCDs and have a wider
viewing angle. In terms of brightness, LCD panels are better when lights
are bright. Plasma TVs produce blacker blacks.
This is the time
prices are getting more and more affordable, since prices for LCD and
Plasma TV are decreasing quite rapidly.
Schedule an Honest Install
Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
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HDTV: An
Introduction
HDTV stands for High Definition
Television, and if you live in the USA, Australia, or Japan you may
already have experienced it. There are three key differences between HDTV
and what's become known as standard definition TV ie regular NTSC, PAL or
SECAM. The three differences are; an increase in picture resolution, 16:9
widescreen as standard, and the ability to support multi-channel audio
such as Dolby Digital.
The most important aspect of HDTV, and the
one which gives it its name is the increased resolution. Standard
definition NTSC broadcasts have 525 horizontal lines, and PAL broadcasts
are slightly better at 625 lines. In both these systems however, the
actual number of lines used to display the picture, known as the active
lines, is fewer than that. In addition, both PAL and NTSC systems are
interlaced, that is, each frame is spit into two fields, one field is the
odd-numbered lines and the other is the even lines. Each frame is
displayed alternately and our brain puts them together to create a
complete image of each frame. This has an adverse affect on picture
quality.
HDTV is broadcast in one of two formats; 720p and 1080i.
The numbers refer to the number of lines of vertical resolution and the
letters refer to whether the signal is progressive scan, 'p', or
interlaced, 'i'. Progressive scan means that each frame is shown in its
entirety, rather than being split into fields. Both systems are
significantly better quality than either PAL or NTSC broadcasts.
HDTV
uses 16:9 widescreen as is its aspect ratio so widescreen pictures are
transmitted properly and not letterboxed or panned and scanned. Dolby
Digital multi-channel sound can be broadcast as part of an HDTV signal, so
if you have a surround sound speaker set-up you can use it to listen to TV
rather than just DVDs.
To receive an HDTV broadcast you need either
a TV with a built-in HDTV tuner or a HDTV receiver which can pick-up off
the air HDTV channels, or cable or satellite HDTV like. You also need to
live in areas where HDTV channels are broadcast or distributed by cable or
satellite.
Currently HDTV is widespread in Japan and is becoming
commonplace in the US, with most major networks distributing HDTV versions
of their popular content. The 2005 SuperBowl led to a large increase in
the demand for Fox Sports HDTV and cable companies scrambled to add it to
their offering in the run up to the game. In Australia, HDTV uptake was
sluggish initially but has increased significantly since 2003.
The
situation in Europe is not so bright. There is only one company
broadcasting HDTV in the whole of Europe, Euro1080, and it has only two
HDTV channels, both in the 1080i format. Euro1080HDe shows major cultural
and sporting events to cinemas and clubs around Europe, while HD1
broadcasts sports, opera, rock music, and lifestyle programs via satellite
to homes in Europe. UK satellite broadcaster, Sky, which is owned by Fox
proprietor Rupert Murdoch, has announced plans to broadcast some HDTV
content in 2006. The BBC has also made noises about broadcasting HDTV
programs (it already films some programs in HD format).
However, it
will be a while before HDTV in Europe catches up with the rest of the
world. The controversy created by the confirmation of plans by the UK
government to start switching off analogue transmitters in 2008 showed how
many people have yet to make the switch to DVB-T. That will be used as an
argument to show that there is no appetite in the UK for another major
change in TV broadcasting - particularly as most people think they already
have 'digital TV' in the form of DVB-T.
Given that television was
invented by a Briton, and Europe led the way with PAL for so long, this is
a rather sorry state of affairs.
Schedule an Honest Install
Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
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DIRECTV HD
Programming Guide - HDTV Channels and Prices
-DirecTV HD Programming
HD (high
definition) broadcasting represents the latest technological advance in
satellite TV. Here's a guide to DirecTV HD programming, prices, and
special offers.
-DirecTV HD TV
DirecTV HD TV (High
Definition TV) is a television format that broadcasts programs in a high
resolution format. This format produces a much sharper and clearer picture
than standard (analog) TV format.
-DirecTV HD FEATURES
Here's what you get with DirecTV HDTV:
* Better picture -
With DirecTV HDTV you get a much sharper image than with regular TV,
resulting in a more lifelike picture. * Wide screen - You get a full-width
picture (16:9 aspect ratio) just like you see in the movies, giving you
the impression that you're part of the scene. * Better sound - DirecTV HD
audio programming is broadcast in Dolby Digital format for a
three-dimensional surround-sound experience. DirecTV HD Equipment
When you subscribe to DirecTV you can get a free DirecTV H20 High
Def receiver (after a $99 mail-in rebate). You also get
up to three
free receivers for the other rooms in your home, plus a free satellite TV
dish. Note: You need an HD television to
view DirecTV HDTV.
-DirecTV HD Channels
When you subscribe to DirecTV you get
HBO HD, and Showtime HD as part of your programming package.
For
an additional, small, fee per month you can order the DISH Network HD
package which includes:
* ESPN HD - sports, news, information, and
entertainment, plus games from Major League Baseball, the National
Basketball Association, the National Football League, and the National
Hockey League.
* Universal HD - the latest films and television
series like Battlestar Galactica and Law & Order SVU. You also get
sports such as the US Open and special performances like Cirque du Soleil.
* Discovery HD Theater - programs about science, technology,
nature, travel, and world culture with beautiful images shown in HD
format.
* HDNet - live sporting events like NHL and MLS games,
boxing, TV series, concerts, plus news and documentaries. * HDNet Movies -
movies from all the major studios, independent films, and made-for-TV
movies. * Network Channels - your favorite network channels in high
definition. (Click on the links below to see if network channels are
available in your area.)
Note: DirecTV is currently running a
special offer which gives you the HD package free for the first four
months of your service. Bottom Line If you've decided you want DirecTV
programming, you want the best satellite TV picture and sound available,
and don't mind paying the extra fee per month, then DirecTV HDTV is
what you're looking for.
For more information on HDTV programming
and prices visit http://TheSatelliteTVGuide.com.
Click on the following link for more information on DirecTV HDTV programs,
HD receivers, and ordering information:
http://www.thesatellitetvguide.com/directv-hdtv.htm
Click on this link for DISH Network HDTV information:
http://www.thesatellitetvguide.com/dish-network-hdtv.htm
Schedule an Honest Install Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
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Plasma
HDTV
Plasma HDTV changes
the way you used to watch the television with the new TV on the block that
has made the conventional analog television sets run for their survival.
We are talking about a plasma HDTV. It's a new technology that has
altogether changed the whole scenario. The High Definition Plasma
Television is here, that is what popularly known as Plasma HDTV, that has
given a new dimension to the TV watching experience. But, is the
technology worth of receiving so much of praise. In this case you have to
see it to believe it. As the name itself reflects, the HDTV is a high
definition TV that changes the picture quality by bringing more life to it
and thus has many advantages over the conventional analog TV set.
Let's talk about what you get when you go in for the Plasma HDTV.
Much Higher resolution: this is where the Plasma HDTV can beat any
competition coming its way. Compared to the conventional TV sets, the
Plasma display devices have much higher resolution, and are capable of
displaying full HDTV and DTV signals as well as XGA, SVGA and VGA signals
from a computer.
Elimination of scan lines: Contrary to the Plasma
TV the conventional TV monitors use an electron beam to scan the picture
tube at regular intervals that may produce the scan lines, in a standard
NTSC TV. Plasma displays in this case, include built-in line doubling to
improve image quality when switched to standard analog video sources such
as TV broadcasts and VCR tapes.
Exceptional color accuracy:
Another great advantage is the exceptional color accuracy that is achieved
through displaying 16.77 million colors that can bring any picture to
life.
Wide-screen aspect ratio: To bring back the experience of
watching films in theatre, Plasma display devices have a wide-screen 16:9
aspect ratio, that allows the DVD-Video movies to be viewed in wide-screen
format. Perfect flat screen: is another biggest advantage with Plasma
screens. This helps to eliminate the edge distortion that can occur in
normal displays.
Uniform screen brightness: the realism can be
achieved with this factor that also helps in soothing the eyes with the
plasma displays illuminating every pixels evenly across the screen.
Slim space-saving design: a few inches thin, hag it on any wall
you like and it gives you the installation options as never before. Don’t
bother about the standalone way if you don’t want to keep it like that.
The best part is the can match your decor, and actually increase the style
statement of your home. Wide viewing angles: of 160 degrees allows a
larger number of viewers to enjoy perfect image reproduction irrespective
of their position in the room.
Universal display capability: makes
them include and play a wide video formats. Most of the plasma HDTV ware
compatible with composite video (NTSC, PAL SECAM) (standard RCA jacks),
S-video and component video inputs, plus one or more RGB inputs to accept
the video output from a computer.
Resistance to magnetic fields:
as they do not use the electron beams like the conventional TV sets, they
are unfazed by the effects of magnetic fields. That is why it can be
placed in a close proximity to any device that produces magnetic fields,
for instance, speakers.
Schedule an Honest Install Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
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Efficient Home
Theater Setup
Just because you are looking for a home theater does not
mean you have to spend a small fortune to get it. A home theater can still
work for those of us on tight budgets that still want to make the most of
our viewing pleasure. With more people being interested in television on a
regular basis, a great home theater setup is a must in many homes.
Home theater surrounds can vary from home to home. In many parts
of the country, the homes have the ever popular basement. If you remember
back to when you were a kid, the basement was used for storing things like
the Christmas tree and that old couch that no one has sat on in ten years.
Make sure that the basement is suitable for a living area such as a home
theater with its many electronic devices. If your basement tends to hold
water in heavy rains, you may reconsider placing your 52" plasma screen
television in those conditions. The basement can actually be one of the
best places for a home theater. By placing the theater in the basement,
you are able to utilize two or more walls that are already soundproofed
because they are typically concrete walls with an earthen barrier on the
opposite side. The only need for soundproofing will be in the ceiling and
the fourth wall. By being able to skimp by only having to soundproof those
two areas, you may be able splurge on a better home theater system.
Setting up your home theater to resemble the real theater can add
to the experience of having a home theater. Start by adding the correct
lighting to the room. Don't have big bulky overhead lighting, concentrate
on rope lighting in the floors along with tiered seating and comfortable
chairs for relaxing. Make sure that the seats that you choose are equipped
with cup holders, or that there is a convenient place nearby each seat for
each family member to place their popcorn and soda. Use dark, sound
proofing drapes on the walls for sound absorption as well as appearance.
All of these suggestions for decor can really cost a ton of money. But you
should be frugal when shopping for decor, after all, you want to spend the
bulk of your money on the viewing and listening details of the theater,
right? Here are some suggestions for decorating your home theater on a
budget.
Flea markets are a great source for bargains. You may be
able to find old movie posters, popcorn machines, fabrics for the walls,
etc. Most towns have a regular flea market, but if you are willing to take
some time for travel to other nearby towns, you will likely be able to
find more options for your decor.
The internet has everything.
Auction sites such as www.ebay.com sell
everything you could ever need or want for your home theater. If you know
what you are looking for, type it into a search engine and just sit back
and look at all the results you find. Bargain sites and auction sites
usually offer the best prices on these types of items, but check around
before committing to anything.
Your local classified section is
always a good place to start. Most towns and cities have classified
sections of their newspaper where people are trying to get rid their old
items or items that they just no longer need. You can usually find a great
deal on many items by searching the classified section.
Shopping
at outlet stores can be a great way to find bargains. The problem with
shopping at the outlets is that many people binge shop at these type
places and usually don't come home with what they went for.
In
short, when you actually go to set up your home theater system, check the
prices on items and try to be frugal. Home theaters do not have to be
expensive as long as you understand how to set them up
correctly.
Schedule an Honest Install Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Technology behind the Coolest Flat Panel TVs
Today
It's hard to deny the fact that plasma TVs offer the best
quality picture ever since the tube is introduced to mankind!! The
crystal-clear quality of Plasma TVs makes it popular with consumers even
when the price was really quite ludicrous. But now, with the skyrocketing
demand for Plasma TVs, Plasma TVs has become more affordable. Encouraged
by the receptiveness of consumers, TV manufacturers relies on amazing
technology to come up with super-thin Plasma TV designs that can be
mounted right on the wall! This will definitely satisfy the need of ANY
couch potato.
As a consumer, you probably are not too interested
in the in-depth information about how Plasma TVs are created, designed and
manufactured. But we think you might want to know a little bit more about
the technology of how manufacturers manage to make Plasma TV so thin and
crystal clear. True enough, the picture on the Plasma TV is probably only
thing that matters to the kids when they watch their favorite program on
the brand new Plasma TV in the living room, but don't you feel a tad
curious about how come Plasma TVs can be so slender and yet provide such
amazingly stunning visuals?
Within the thin casing of the Plasma
TV, there are hundreds of thousands of tiny plasma-filled chambers.
Depending on the quality of the Plasma TV, the number of plasma-filled
chambers depends on the quality (and pricing of the Plasma TV). The higher
the number of plasma-filled chambers there are, the better the quality,
the higher the price. Makes sense?
And when you switch the Plasma
TV on, electricity runs through and lights up the Plasma-filled chambers
in the TV and the result is the picture that you see on your TV screen.
We all know that Plasma TVs give the most realistic pictures
compared to the conventional TV. The picture from a Plasma TV is more
focused. Plasma TV manufacturers and designers design Plasma TVs in such a
way that it is so thin that you can literally place it anywhere! They are
sometimes no more than 4" thick. And because Plasma TVs can display up to
68 BILLION colors, you can get nothing less than a realistic picture on
the screen!! On top of that, some Plasma TVs can be mounted on the wall
saving you space in your living room.
Schedule an Honest
Install Today!
972-470-FLAT
(3528)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Purchase a Flat Panel
TV
When purchasing a flat panel TV, there are a few things to
keep in mind. Here, we've listed a number of considerations for you to
evaluate.
-High Definition Upgradeable or
HDTV-Ready
If you see either of these terms used when deciding
to purchase a flat screen TV, it means that the TV is capable of producing
the highest resolutions possible for digital television today.
"Upgradeable" means that you'll need to first add a separate HDTV receiver
before you can view the pictures in high definition mode (1080i or 720p).
But, even if you don't upgrade, the picture will still look fantastic.
When watching regular DVDs or TV broadcasts, the picture will be almost as
good as real HDTV because most have line-doublers to improve the
picture.
-16:9 Aspect Ratio
Unlike conventional
televisions, new plasma, LCD and rear-projection televisions most likely
have a wide, rectangular screen that is very similar to the shape of a
movie screen. This is known as 16:9 aspect ratio—for every 16 inches wide,
the screen is 9 inches high. Compared to conventional TVs, which are 4:3
in aspect ratio, the field of vision is wider for a new flat screen
TV.
When watching DVDs at home on a 16:9 wide-screen television,
you will be able to enjoy the full screen effect of the movie the way it
was intended. On the other hand, when watching regular, standard
definition television (like a news broadcast or talk show), you will need
to either set the television to fill the screen entirely or watch with
vertical black bars on either side of the picture.
Finally,
remember that even though most television broadcasts are in 4:3 format,
16:9 widescreen format is the way of the future. Many events are shot in
HDTV format (for example, the Olympics, special sporting events, nature
documentaries, etc.) and as more and more people purchase high definition
television, all broadcasts will be in high definition within the next few
years.
-Reverse 3:2 PullDown
Television shows are
usually shot on film at 24 frames per second. When transferred to video
running at 30 frames per second, the picture quality is distorted in the
translation. New televisions are able to correct those distortions through
a series of re-conversion techniques which reverse the distortions. The
result is a smoother and cleaner picture.
When looking to buy a new
plasma, LCD or rear-projection television, look for this
feature.
-3-D Y/C Digital Comb Filter
The 3D Y/C
digital comb filter's job is to take the cable signal coming from the wall
and separate the color, sound, brightness information into useable
information. New plasma, LCD and rear-projection televisions have digital
3D Y/C comb filters that do a pretty good job of this so as to avoid what
is know as "dot crawl" where the edges of objects appear rough. In
addition, a good digital comb filter will also counter the effects of
moiré, where still objects appear to move and ripple.
Most high end
plasma, LCD and rear-projection televisions also have component inputs
from video sources (such as a DVD player) that separate the signal before
reaching the TV and bypass the digital comb filter. This results in an
even clearer and brighter
picture.
-Picture-in-Picture
Picture-in-Picture (or
PIP) allows you to watch two shows at once, with the second show in a box
in a part of the screen. PIP is fairly common these days to all sorts of
televisions. However, consider getting a dual tuner PIP plasma, LCD or
projection television since that allows you to watch the second channel
without needing an external tuner (for example, from a VCR). In addition,
there are also TVs that will show different channels side by side—these
are called twin view PIP TVs.
-Inputs
"Inputs"
refer to how related audio/visual components connect to your plasma, LCD
or rear-projection television. The highest video quality input is known as
"component video". With component video inputs, the color and brightness
information from the cable is separated into useable data before entering
the television. The next best input is S-video input which give a picture
almost as good as component video—whereas component video separates
brightness, blue signal and red signal from each other, S-video just
separates brightness from blue and red signals.
All new plasma, LCD
and rear-projection televisions will also have inputs for various
multimedia devices such as DVD players. In addition, some will allow you
to connect a computer.
Schedule an Honest Install Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
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HGTV Pro
Makes Building Media Rooms Simple
The media room or home theater system
remains one of the most popular and exciting home remodeling projects.
HGTV Pro (http://hgtvpro.com), the first
video-rich online network for homebuilders, leads builders and consumers
down the path to audiovisual nirvana with the launch of its a new
information section, "The Fourth Trade: Audio, Video and Home Control (http://301url.com/c72)," a series of
how-to articles, best practices and informative video clips covering every
aspect of creating user-friendly media rooms and home automation
systems.
The video-driven section begins with a simple introduction
to media rooms (http://301url.com/c73)
for builders and knowledgeable consumers that includes information on how
to help a home stand out by including integrated electronics such as
structured wiring, distributed audio and a home theater system.
A
section on "future proofing" the home helps builders assure homeowners
that today's remodeling project will remain tomorrow's vital component of
a well-built home.
Other topics covered include best practices for
retrofitting older homes for modern technology, how to attack challenges
relating to sound and lighting, and a series of video clips showing
examples of how homeowners undertake their own media room renovations
using simple plans and supplies.
HGTV Pro visitors can also check
out Home Smart Home (http://301url.com/c74), an informative
section that walks builders and consumers through steps to create
automation systems in homes where electronics close blinds, dim lights and
warn when the water heater is leaking.
A June 2007 study by the
research firm Acclaro Growth Partners found that spending on audiovisial
products and services reached $25 billion in 2006, and is growing at about
12 percent per year.
About Scripps Networks Interactive:
The dynamic Web sites created and supported by Scripps Networks
Interactive attracted an average of more than 13.5 million unique visitors
per month in 2006. The Scripps Networks Interactive properties -- Web
sites HGTV.com, FoodNetwork.com, DIYnetwork.com, FineLiving.com,
GACTV.com, Recipezaar.com, along with broadband channels HGTV Pro, HGTV
KitchenDesign, HGTV BathDesign, HGTV Simply Quilts, DIY Automotive, DIY
Crafts, DIY Gardening, DIY Home Improvement, DIY Woodworking and GAC Still
Rollin'-- are not only extensions of Scripps Networks leading lifestyle
brands, providing users programming information and additional
instructional content, but also exciting destinations for original
content, engaging video and powerful interactive
tools.
Schedule an Honest Install Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite TV
Installation Guide
Satellite TV Installation: Why do it
yourself when you can do it for free?
After you've ordered your
new satellite TV system your next step is to install it. Here you have the
option of installing your satellite TV system yourself, or letting a
professional do it for you. Here's what's involved ...
-Do-It-Yourself Satellite TV Installation
Here's
a step-by-step guide to satellite TV installation:
1.) First, you
need to mount your satellite dish on your roof or on a south-facing wall.
Pick a location where there are no trees or tall buildings nearby.
2.) If you live in a condo or an apartment complex where you
aren't allowed to mount your dish outside, you can mount it inside or on
your balcony using a portable stand which can be ordered from your
satellite TV dealer.
3.) After installing your dish, you need to
connect your cable to your dish then feed the cable through your house
walls to the rooms where you have your TVs.
4.) Next, connect your
TVs to your satellite TV receivers, connect the cables from your dish to
your receivers, then connect your receivers to the nearest telephone jacks
with telephone wire.
5.) Now turn on your TV and your receiver and
have someone monitor the satellite TV provider's signal strength menu on
your TV while you use a compass to aim your dish by setting the correct
azimuth (direction). Then move your dish up, down, and sideways to obtain
the correct elevation (angle), and skew (dish rotation).
6.)
Finally, you'll need to contact your satellite TV provider to activate
your system.
Note: If you're going to do your own satellite TV
installation, I recommend purchasing a satellite TV installation kit from
your dealer that comes with an installation guide and all the necessary
hardware.
-Professional Satellite TV Installation
Installation fees vary from dealer to dealer and can cost $100 to
$200 dollars or more, depending on how many receivers you want installed
and how complicated it will be to run the cable through your house walls.
The good news is the two major satellite TV providers -- DISH
Network and DIRECTV -- are currently promoting their services by offering
a free satellite TV system that includes free installation. The only catch
is you must sign up for their service, but with prices starting at around
twenty dollars a month for service, that's a bargain.
After
you order your satellite TV service, your dealer will call you to schedule
an installation time that's convenient for you. This will be anywhere from
one to five days after you place your order.
After your installer
installs your system, he or she will show you how to operate it and will
answer any questions you may have.
-Bottom Line
Unless you're handy with tools and enjoy tinkering with
electronics, I recommend having a professional do your satellite TV
installation for you. With the free satellite TV system and free
installation package from DISH Network and DIRECTV, it's a deal that's
hard to beat.
Schedule an Honest Install Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
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Home Theater - Your
Personal Silver Screen
-Home Theater Projector Screens and
Surfaces
The recent increased popularity of home video
projectors and the large, clear images they can produce has led many new
arrivals to the Home Theater realm to choose a video projector as their
display device of choice. Video projector images look best when projected
onto a properly matched screen surface. Although some anxious new owners
may prematurely start by aiming their new projector on a white wall - they
soon will want to get a projection screen for best results. Video
projection screens come in many varieties - from the simple Do-It-Yourself
(DIY) homemade screen to the most elaborate, manufactured remote control
electric models and those various models in between. Video projector
screens also come in a variety of surface finishes and reflectivity
ratios. All of these factors should be considered when selecting a screen
for your Home Theater.
-Screen Surface Types
Home
Theater projector screens come in a multitude of surface finishes. The
variety of surface finish you will need depends upon your projector model.
Screen surfaces vary from matte white, slightly silver or grey-ish, to
reflective glass beaded models. Glass beaded models increase the effective
brightness of your projector's image similar to the way a highway sign
reflects car headlights. Lower lumen-level (lumens=light output)
projectors such as CRT models benefit most from higher reflectivity (or
gain) of a screen's surface. Higher gain surfaces increase the perceived
brightness of the projected image. Conversely - a brighter projector looks
best with a matte white or even a silver/gray surface. That is because the
glass beads on higher gain screens have a tendency to "splatter" the
brighter light waves produced by a high lumen output projector. A
silver/gray surface will also enhance the perceived contrast level of LCD
projectors which do not have the best contrast/black levels. So first you
must decide the type and lumen output of the projector you are purchasing
and that will help determine the surface type of the video projector
screen you will need.
-Model Types
Projection
screens come in three basic styles - manual pull-down, electric and fixed
varieties. Manual pull-down models are operated much like a window shade.
Electric models have a motorized mechanism that does the work for you and
fixed screens are motionless and stay right where you place them. Fixed
screens also provide the flattest of all screen surfaces. Pull-down and
electric screens can be susceptible to a slight waves on their surface.
Although not obtrusive if properly cared for, some may prefer the absolute
flat surface of a fixed screen model. The drawback to fixed screens is
that you must live with them in place whereas retractable models can be
deployed for viewing and afterwards be hidden from sight until next use.
-Aspect Ratio
There is another very important
factor to consider when shopping for a screen - that of the screen's
aspect ratio. The aspect ratio of a projection screen refers to the shape
of the available screen surface. Screens come in two basic aspect ratios
--? 4x3 which is your normal television aspect ratio and 16x9 which is the
normal widescreen or HDTV aspect ratio. The aspect ratio of your screen is
an important decision to make prior to its purchase. That's because of the
fact that once you buy it there's no way to change the aspect ratio -
other than by masking portions of the screen. You can mask the surface
with material or curtains if you want to get creative and that can
temporarily change the aspect ratio of your fixed screen.
You
will, of course, save a lot of time and trouble by thoroughly researching
your screen choice prior to its purchase. Whatever your application and
needs --- rest assured there is a projection screen surface and model
available to fit your particular situation. For further and more detailed
information on video projector screen applications for home theaters
please refer to the section on projector screens which can be accessed
from the navigation bar at
How to Place Home
Theater Speakers
You have your television and home
theater receiver; you just bought your new speakers and subwoofer and are
ready to test things out. It's time to break out the measuring tape
because precision is vital to achieving the full potential of your home
theater system. For this article, we are going to focus on a 5.1 surround
sound system. The term "5.1" refers to the number of speakers and
subwoofers in the system respectively. So for a 5.1 surround sound system,
there are five speakers (the center channel, the two front speakers, and
the two rear speakers) and one subwoofer.
When placing your home
theater speakers, try to use the same amount of speaker wire for each type
of speaker. For example, use the same length of wire for each of the front
speakers. This will allow the signal to reach each speaker in about the
same instant. I say "about" because there are variations in the wire which
could cause the signal to reach one speaker slightly (fractions of a
fraction of a second) before the other. By making the two lengths equal,
you ensure that this delay remains tiny and
unnoticeable.
-Center Channel
The center channel
should always be placed either immediately above or immediately below the
viewing screen. Make sure the speaker is pointed directly at the
audience.
-Front Speakers
The two front speakers
should be the same distance from the audience as the center channel. Doing
this will ensure that the sound will travel from each speaker to the
audience in the same amount of time and reduce the chances of there being
a noticeable delay between what takes place on screen to when you hear it.
Each of the front speakers should also be positioned an equal distance
from the TV on either side. This distance is dependant on your specific
tastes; just make sure that the distances are both equal.
-Rear
Speakers
The rear speakers should be mounted on the walls on
either side of the audience. Their purpose is to provide a sense of
atmosphere, not provide the main sound for your home theater system.
Therefore, they should not be pointed directly at the audience's ears or
you risk over powering the center channel and the two front speakers.
Again, distance is important. Try to have the rear speakers the same
distance from the TV in order to use the same amount of speaker wire and
if possible have them placed equidistance from the
audience.
-Subwoofer
Bass tones by their nature are
more difficult to localize than the midrange and high notes of the other
five speakers. This will give you more freedom as to where to place the
subwoofer. However, the location surrounding the subwoofer can greatly
influence the bass tones you hear. Placing the subwoofer in a corner or
under a table will create a deeper resonating tone as the sound waves
reflect off of the surfaces. The placement of the subwoofer is up to you,
depending on the type of bass you want. Experiment with different
locations and find the one that best suits your taste.
Realizing
the full potential of your home theater speakers is not a difficult task.
By following these guidelines, you will be ready to enjoy your home
theater the way it was meant to be heard.
Schedule an Honest
Install Today!
972-470-FLAT
(3528)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Select a
Video Display for Your Home Theater
First of all, don't
assume you need a huge video screen in your media room. If your screen is
too large, visual fatigue will detract from your theater experience. A
good, but general rule for screen size is to select a screen width that is
half to one third the distance from the screen to the primary viewing
location. You should keep the viewing cone, formed by a line going from
your eyes to each side of the screen, to about thirty degrees.
You
can use any display device and there advantages and disadvantages to each
type. DLP units tend to have better black levels than LCD units. LCOS
units and variations have the tightest pixel structure.
-Front
Projection (often called DLP)
Advantages:
A front
projection set will produce the largest, most dynamic image. With a good
projector and screen combination the image will be quite stunning,
especially when watching native HDTV content. If you have never seen the
picture produced by a good, front projection set up, you really should see
one before you make any decisions.
Disadvantages:
Needs
ambient light control. You need to control ambient light to get a really
good picture because a front projection system cannot produce black. It
must rely on the absence of light being reflected from the screen to show
black or dark colors.
You have to have a physical projector mounted
somewhere. This problem has improved tremendously in the last few years as
CRT projectors have basically gone away and digital projectors have
improved and shrunk to miniscule proportions.
Video projectors are
noisy. They require cooling fans and these are loud. Some recent units
however, are much quieter.
The larger picture and better detail
reproduction will allow you to really see problems so you need to have
quality video sources or the picture will suffer.
Many of the
projectors on the market are either business presentation units or adapted
from them. Business presentation projectors have much different
requirements than home theater projectors. The most important requirement
for business units is brightness. They sacrifice other performance
parameters to achieve this. Home theater projectors need extremely
accurate color rendition, accurate grey scale tracking, deep blacks, and
freedom from motion
artifacts.
-Plasma
Advantages:
They're thin!
Only 3 to 4 inches thick. They look great when displaying HDTV. (most of
them)
Disadvantages:
They can suffer image burn-in when
displaying static images. Many retailers and manufactures downplay the
dangers, but the phenomenon occurs with many different units. Do not leave
the cable or DSS menu screen up for an hour or two. Be careful when
displaying HTPC or computer game video with static images.
Many of
them look really bad when displaying non HD TV. This problem has lessened
with improved internal video processing and scaling technology. Some
plasmas actually look pretty good with a better quality DVD
feed.
Many plasmas suffer from rather severe image artifacts
although this is also improving greatly due to the better internal
processing.
Some plasma displays have high power consumption. (Can
be three times that of a standard tube TV)
-LCD Flat Panel
(Liquid Crystal Display)
Advantages:
They're thin! Some
are only three inches thick. They have no image burn problems like plasmas
do. Good picture on most newer sets. Long life (50,000 – 60,000 hours).
You can get a true, 1080P native resolution
display.
Disadvantages:
Sizes over 30 inches are priced
above equivalent sized plasma displays. The older units don't have picture
quality as good as plasma displays. Black and dark reproduction is not as
good as plasma yet.
Rear Projection TV can be either digital or
CRT based. The CRT units are going away fast as consumers move to thinner,
lighter digital rear projection TVs. At this point, the better CRT rear
projection sets offer fantastic performance for the money. You can get a
50+" HDTV ready CRT set from good companies such as Panasonic and Sony for
under $1,500. These bargains will be gone soon as production of CRT rear
projection sets stops. Panasonic has indicated the 2005 model year will be
their last for CRT RPTVs.
The disadvantage to CRT rear projection
TVs is size and weight. They too will suffer image burn problems if left
with a static image for too long. They require accurate convergence to
look their best. Most newer units offer multi-point convergence
adjustments to facilitate this.
There are some new types of flat
panel displays that will be released for consumer use soon including
Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) and SED. These promise even better
image quality than either LCD or plasma when fully developed, in addition
to lower cost, thinner profiles and much lower power
consumption.
In a nutshell:
Front Projection – Large image,
can have spectacular picture quality even on a huge screen – More
difficult to set up, need to place the projector in the center of the room
somewhere, noisy(some), must use better quality sources to get the most
benefit.
Plasma – Cool factor, thin, look good for HDTV – Image
burn problems, can sometimes have a mediocre picture for all but HDTV
sources
LCD – Cool factor, thin, look good for HDTV, no Image burn
problems, - Expensive for larger sizes, can sometimes have a mediocre
picture for all but HDTV sources.
There are many display
technologies available today. No one display is best for all situations.
Select the one that best fits your select your specific
requirements.
Schedule an Honest Install Today! 972-470-FLAT
(3528)
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