http://www.ecoustics.com/latest/articles Latest articles, updated every five minutes http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/168175 The right connections can make all the difference to your picture, but that doesn't mean you have to break the bank for really expensive cables. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/168169 If you were planning to mount your new set over the fireplace, stop right now. Our tips will make sure you get the best possible view of your new set. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/168174 Even the best TV can look lousy if it's not getting a great HD signal. These tips will help you make sure that you're getting the best possible picture, whatever your signal source or service. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/168878 Between the Internet and over-the-air broadcasts, you can save big bucks on TV entertainment. Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/22606/ These days, TiVo has become a generic term for any DVR on the market, and for good reason. They paved the way for the rest of the industry, innovating unique features like trick play and pausing live TV. Similar to other innovators and leaders in their respective industries such as Xerox or Kleenex, TiVo has been adopted into the American lexicon. But just because someone may call any DVR a TiVo, it doesn't mean that there isn't a long way to go before it could even come close to the real thing. You see, while cable and satellite providers have been satisfied to only provide their customers with the rudimentary features that TiVo perfected eight years ago, TiVo themselves have never stopped innovating. Aside from simply recording programs you want to watch --which, as far as I'm concerned, TiVo does better than anybody using Wishlists, Swivel Search and Suggestions-- there are many other features on a TiVo that generic DVRs simply don't have, and probably never will. Sure, you can watch Pay-Per-View on a cable DVR, but how many allow you to rent movies from the extensive Amazon Unbox library? None. Or how about: playing your MP3 collection, browsing through... Tue, 27 May 2008 16:29:10 -0400 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/375741.html Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:59:00 -0400 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/365562.html Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:29:00 -0400 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/359116.html Wed, 30 May 2007 16:18:00 -0400 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/314444.html Wed, 17 Jan 2007 01:26:00 -0500 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/308697.html Mon, 01 Jan 2007 10:54:00 -0500 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/103099.html Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:17:00 -0400 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/108285.html Fri, 15 Jul 2005 16:22:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/11455/ I recently finished watching the latest season of 24 and it occurred to me that that show would not have really been possible without the use of cell phones. I bet if I went back and watched it again, every episode would have at least one cell-phone conversation, if not every major scene.The villains used them to keep their deteriorating evil schemes on track, the heroes used them to coordinate offensives - and even to exchange intimate moments. I think Motorola should have been listed in the credits. Perhaps even a new Oscar category will open up someday - best gadget in a supporting role.One thing that did stand out for me was how unrealistic many of the scenes in these shows are. I know that I sound like most geeks who jump at every opportunity to discredit the use of technology on-screen - "There's no way he can realign a satellite with his PDA!" - but seriously, are we supposed to believe that these special agents can get cell phone reception below the surface of the earth? And who has a cell phone that makes a call in less than a second? There was not one single voicemail during ... Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:08:07 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/10839/ I have DirecTV (satellite). I want to record shows on my computer. Do I need a TV tuner with more than 125 channels? If so can you give info? Sat, 12 Mar 2005 15:43:07 -0500 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/107849.html Sun, 13 Feb 2005 22:13:00 -0500 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/108283.html Thu, 06 Jan 2005 12:07:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/10226/ Many new TiVo owners have little difficulty making the initial connections, getting the cable or satellite signal into their unit, and then connecting it to the TV and/or stereo for viewing. Oftentimes, this simple setup is sufficient for months of enjoyment as the new user gradually becomes oriented to the new television viewing experience. But then it inevitably happens. There is either too many programs taking up valuable space on the internal disk, or the owner wants to share a program with someone outside of the home. In both cases, the solution is the same -- and one that the TiVo folks have encouraged the use of by including it in the on-screen menu. "Save to VCR" This option is available in the menu for every program that TiVo records. There is nothing special about clicking on this option as opposed to Play except that TiVo will display an introductory screen for about 10 seconds prior to starting the program. This screen provides useful information about the show, which includes the title, description, channel, duration, etc. When the actual program does start, it is important to remember that it will behave like any other show you playback through the device, ... Tue, 14 Dec 2004 10:13:16 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/10072/ Thinking about HDTV If you have been contemplating buying a new high-definition TV, you have ultimately wondered when is the right time to make a move. Although you can certainly buy a new HDTV at anytime, there are a few things to consider before you make the plunge. There are many aspects to the digital TV revolution that can make the transition difficult. To make it even more confusing, it can also be difficult to get reliable information. Retailers and manufacturers have differing opinions, knowledge and motivations for explaining HDTVs. While most of it may be true, they might not give you a realistic idea of what to expect once you purchase all of the necessary equipment to receive HD. For all you know, once you get the TV in your living room, everything you watch is supposed to be like looking out a window. Lets look at some of the things to consider before buying a new HDTV. The 2 major types of HDTVs HDTV sets come in two major flavors. Although there are a lot of different technologies to pick from, they all fall into one of these two categories. HD-Ready TVs (HDTV Monitors) ... Tue, 14 Dec 2004 10:13:14 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/10021/ In the same way a broadcast signal is needed for receiving a normal (analog) television program, a high-definition signal is required in order to watch programs broadcast in HD. HDTV programming can be delivered through one of two ways: (1) a pay-TV service such as cable or satellite, or (2) a local broadcast signal. Most people across the United States have access to HDTV programming through one or both of these signal ... Tue, 14 Dec 2004 10:13:14 -0500 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/108281.html Tue, 09 Nov 2004 02:08:00 -0500