Tn Tv T

Archive for January, 2010

The borderline between the PC and TV becomes greyer these days as the TV Screens becomes of better picture quality, design and functionalities built into them.

At the same time the Pc’s becomes more and more advanced and can utilize better screens as well.

Several of the TV producers offer screens with internet connections and wireless network options. This will provide the consumers with a huge amount of options.

Science Fiction movies from the 80s and 90s showed us the TV as the hub of information all from ordering food to look at the weather and become a knowledge center. This is today maybe not so far from the reality. The TV set has had a very strong position in the homes of the people, and has acted as the entertainment center for the family. Today this position has been challenged by better and better computers with larger and larger screens, and the option to connect to larger TV screens. The TV sets fights back and has become stronger in the home arena again as it can provide entertainment as well as useful information.

Wireless confusion

Terms like medialink, Internet-TV, Wireless and so on are words the producers are using in their marketing campaigns to reach you as a customer. These expressions can confuse even the most informed person and it is not easy to find out what are these functions provided.

There are today mainly two types of “wireless” screens in the market. The most common type is the screens which are using wireless transfer to connect to your home network and get access to internet and other services.

The other type is screens that use wireless technology for video transfer. It is also possible for a TV screen to have both options built in, both wireless network and wireless video transfer between the screen and the video unit.

The most advanced flat screens today have become so thin that there is hardly room for any contacts on them any longer. At the same time our demands for options to connect increases. The solution to this challenge is to move the TV receiver into a separate unit to enable a as thin as possible screen. You only need a signal cable between the unit and the screen and power to get going. Some producers like Phillips transfers the power and signal in the same cable even.

The most advanced screens from Sony and Panasonic use wireless signal transfer.

Wireless video transfer

A connection between the screen and the receiver is made and the screen on the wall is no more than a monitor with one simple video input.

The TV receiver and all control electronics are all in the separate unit. In some cases the screen will have IR (Infrared) receiver so it can transmit the remote control signals to the unit where all the commands are executed.

The purpose of the wireless transfer is first of all to make a visual elegant and discrete TV screen solution. A minimum of cords makes it easier to create an elegant installation in any type of room and setting. The wireless transmission makes it possible to place the TV receiver away from the screen, and you can have the TV receiver in a cabinet with the blue-ray player and other electronics somewhere as the super thin screen can be installed on the wall as an elegant installation.

To transfer wireless HD-video is no simple task as it requires a high bandwidth and transmission capacity. So far the producers have only succeeded in transferring video signals up to 1920 x 1080i (interlaced) resolution. This is good enough for HD resolution transmissions, but will produce a reduction in quality of pictures produced by a blue-ray player. Video signals from the blue-ray player will require a high bit rate and a resolution of 1920 x 1080p (progressive). 

Today’s wireless models must be able to at least in theory to sacrifice some of the picture quality to achieve design and practical advantages.

Sony KDL-ZX1 is one of the first TV screens on the market with wireless video signal transmission in 1080i quality. The new top model from Panasonic in the Z1-series also use wireless transmission of video, so called WirelessHD.

TV with wireless network

The TV use Wi-Fi technology to connect to the local network. From this the TV can log into internet and offer a series of interactive services as news, weather forecasts and YouTube videos.

When the TV becomes part of your home network it can be used to show your photo collection, show home videos and play music which is stored on your computer.

TV sets with built-in internet has so far limited processing speed and can not be used for heavy duty software like computer games and so on. The functionality is also limited by the commands you can perform via the remote control unit, and that is in most cases say simple navigation through menus.

Some TV sets do not have built-in Wi-Fi though and only offers Ethernet cable connection. But these units usually have a separate USB connection which can be used to connect a USB unit that connects them to the wireless network.

The new 7-series LED TV’s from Samsung has apart from superb picture quality functionalities like Medi@2.0 which boosts internet services (widgets) and streaming of photos, video and music over the network.

PC-TV

Some producers have gone even further and integrated a more or less full blooded PC within the TV set itself. While the TV sets with built-in network limits itself to simple and TV oriented media functions, the PC-TV can be used as a regular PC. The TV will have a built-in operating system like a normal PC has like Windows or similar and is controlled by a mouse and keyboard like a normal PC.

A PC-TV is powerful enough to perform the same tasks as a stationary or laptop PC can do. The difference is that you can surf on the internet , perform document handling, gaming and watch video on a much larger and better screen than you can from the normal PC.

Panasonic offers the web function called CAST on several of its latest models. The CAST function gives access to Youtube, news, weather forecast and video services from online partners of Panasonic.

The PC-TV from Crea is one of the first TV sets on the market with an integrated PC in it. Crea Kronos has a built-in Intel Atom Processor, 80 Gb hard disk, 1GB RAM and Windows Vista Operating system which is controlled by mouse and keyboard. To ensure optimal picture quality the PC is connected through one of the HDMI inputs which eases video and movie transmissions. 

Where does the border go?

The border between the PC and TV is not as clear as it was just some few years back. Both units begin to be capable of doing what the other is doing. Lots of the same tasks can be done in either one of them. The difference between the PC and TV is easiest described by the expressions “lean backward”. The PC is most suited to tasks that require you to lean forward like work, word processing, e-mail, and search for information. As when it comes to entertainment like movies and TV shows, you will most likely lean backwards in the coach or a good chair and rater use the remote control to seek the entertainment you wish to indulge yourself into.

 

The Sony KDL40Z5800 offers everything that an avid TV viewer would want. It has a full 1080p high definition 40-inch widescreen display found in its sleek and slim black bezel. Watch movies in HD or watch SD and HD TV shows with freesat, offering over 140 radio and television channels without needing additional subscriptions and contracts.

The Sony KDL40Z5800 also comes with MotionFlow 200Hz refresh rate with IB reduction. This technology effectively eliminates blur found in most fast-moving and high-action scenes, and ensures that you get the smoothest pictures ever. Pair its Live Colour Creation with the Bravia Engine 3 and you get to see pictures on this 40-inch Bravia with more vibrant and real colours than ever.

A high dynamic contrast ratio of 100,000:1 displays deeper shades of black, making sure that they are never washed out. Its 10-bit panel gives natural-looking pictures with life-like colours. Moreover, there are 4 HDMI inputs which allows you to connect your high-definition electronics to the Sony KDL40Z5800. Watch movies in full high definition and see details like you’ve never seen them before – even in your favourite games.

Link up your USB devices such as flash drives and MP3 players with the Sony KDL40Z5800 and see pictures on its 40″ widescreen display. Put on the Picture Frame Mode and let it serve as a huge photo frame to display special memories.

The Sony KDL40Z5800′s Eco Settings help you save energy, keeping its friendliness to the environment, while the Energy Saving Switch makes sure that the TV doesn’t consume power on standby.

Network applications are also installed in your Sony KDL40Z5800, and is accessible when you connect your TV to the internet. RSS feeds and others keep you connected. Moreover, Bravia SYNC lets you connect all your compatible devices with just a click, doing away from all settings and hassles.

Besides the built-in freesat tuner, the Sony KDL40Z5800 has an MPEG-2 and Cable tuners, all built-in, to let you connect just about any cable provider with your 40-inch Bravia LCD TV.

The two 10-watt speakers of this 40-inch Sony KDL40Z5800 lets you experience great audio without having to connect it to an external audio system. Moreover, the S Force Front Surround technology virtually makes sounds as if they come from around the TV – even with 2 front speakers. Voice Zoom and Dolby Digital Plus makes audio even clearer and exceptional. Connect the optional speaker bar or an extra home theatre system and take your audio to the next level.

Its slim frame brings out the beauty of this Sony KDL40Z5800′s display without calling too much attention to its frame. Other LCD TVs exert effort on their exteriors but the Bravia puts effort on their displays.

Use this 40-inch Sony KDL40Z5800 with your desktop or laptop through its PC input D-sub 15-pin and use it as an extra large monitor. Connect your 3. 5mm earphones or headphones and watch or play games in privacy – without disturbing other people.

Reality TV is not all that modern a phenomenon. The very first reality TV show was Candid Camera by Allen Funt which was telecast in 1948. The show caught people in embarrassing, funny and light hearted moments. The unknowing participants also seemed to be amused as it was revealed that they were on Candid Camera.

Amusing reality shows like Candid Camera of old days and the present day shows are like chalk and cheese. What remains common is that reality TV has grown with television and has amused millions of television viewers throughout the years.

But even the concepts of catching ordinary people in embarrassing situations are sometimes taken to the extremes. Shows like MTV Bakra remain humorous to the people who are watching it, but social experts often challenge whether the emotional trauma that a participant goes through is justified in the name of entertainment. Modern day reality shows resemble Roman arenas where gladiators fight each other to the death while the crowd cheered on. The creature comforts of the modern world do not seemed to have dulled our bloodlust.

The participants of Candid Camera were caught in embarrassing moments, but their privacy and dignity were protected. No one was hurt. The show was aired when Americans wanted uncomplicated, simple, non-controversial and entertaining programs to be broadcasted into their homes.

The revolution in personal freedom, and the total disdain for the morally superior, virtuous airs was the hallmark of 1960’s. Drug use, the sexual revolution and the anti war movement gained momentum and the mantra was to ‘tell it like it is’. Personal expression to the extent that nothing was held back was the defining characteristic of this time. This was also reflected in TV shows which became more explicit, violent and unforgiving.

The early 1970s saw the reality show “An American Family,” where the public watched an average American family go about their daily lives. The closest that we have come to in India where the personal life of a family or individual is followed, is Rakhee Sawant’s Swayamvar. But the show was quite evidently staged and exaggerated beyond belief just for TRP ratings.

Reality TV changed again to contestants competing against each other to win money or love. They were also eating worms and beetles, being caged with snakes and rats and travelling around the world in an attempt to win big bucks. Competitiveness, materialism and extreme aggressiveness now define the reality TV shows of today.

There are several shows like the Indian Idol, modeled on American Idol, which have a huge fan base. The participants are seemingly given a great chance to have a shot at fame and fortune.

What really goes on during such reality shows is a closely kept secret. Well, it has been a closely kept secret. But not anymore. Australian author Vaughn Alaine-Marshall, in his novel Überstar talks about what happens behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest reality shows. Many contestants broke the confidentiality agreement to tell their story and Alaine-Marshall has done justice to the trust that they have placed in him in this revealing novel.

What the author learnt during the interviews was that the bullying and taunting that happens onstage is just a small glimpse of what really goes on. Überstar is an account of the experiences of several reality show contestants from whom he interviewed after a close family friend who participated in a reality show poured out her heart to him.

Alaine-Marshall’s debut novel provides a new perspective on reality TV. Read this book if you are a reality show fan or you can’t stand the airwaves they travel through…