eCoustics.com television articles

TV on the Internet

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:00:00 -0400

Warren Kernaghan asked where on the Internet he can find television programs comparable to what's on cable

LED Behind the LCD: Understanding LED-Backlit HDTVs

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:00:00 -0400

You've heard about LCDs. You've heard about plasmas. Maybe even you even understand all the pros and cons between them. But what are all these "LED televisions" we keep hearing about?With the crop of LED-backlit HDTVs announced at this year's Consumer Electronics Show finally starting to hit the streets in force, it's a question we hear a lot from budding home theater shoppers. Blame the acronyms. While yesterday's consumers had to make a simple choice between CRT and rear-projection television sets, today's consumers are confronted with plasma, LCD, DLP, OLED, and laser televisions. And now, the age-old...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Technology: Getting Too Small for Its Own Good?

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:00:00 -0400

It may seem like a funny question to ask in the age of nanotechnology, but here goes anyway: Can a gadget be too small?Most of you are probably saying “no, the smaller the better” reflexively – and I can’t say I rightly blame you, given that in most cases, it’s the wisest default answer. But I’m getting a little fed up with the notion that, as a rule of thumb, smaller is always better in the technology industry. It’s a trend that seems to be widely accepted, but in many cases requires sacrificing functionality for looks and portability. Don’t get me wrong: I love that you can now buy computers with multiple terabyte hard drives or 50+ inch televisions that are light enough...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Key Features to Look for When Buying an HDTV

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

With technology evolving at such a rapid pace, buying a new TV can be an intimidating proposition. After all, no one wants to invest in a high-definition television that'll be outdated by the time you take it home and plug it into the wall. Complicating matters is all the confusing jargon thrown around, be it 1080p, 16:9, HDMI, ATSC, 120Hz and Blu-ray. Huh? You probably -- and justifiably -- feel like you need a degree in electrical engineering just to understand it all. And then there's the sheer number of choices at retail. Take a stroll into your local retailers and you'll stare at a sea of never-ending television sets. How on earth do you know which one to buy?While manufacturer, screen size and technology (e.g. LCD,...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Gadgets: Great Value For The Money

Thu, 07 May 2009 03:00:00 -0400

From touchscreen-enabled smartphones to high-definition television sets, today’s hottest gadgets and consumer electronics may seem like a ridiculous extravagance. But in reality, they're not. Call it a recession optical illusion: Our economic woes have warped our pricing perception. New gadgets only seem pricier because we no longer have the disposable income to blow on them.Don't believe me? Check out this chart, comparing the cost of some suddenly cheap gear to its average selling price five years ago (stats courtesy of the Consumer Electronics Industry, the folks who put on CES every year). As you can clearly see, price trends are definitely working in our favor, as costs plummet on many of the most popular gizm...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

The Future of Television and HDTV

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0400

Jim Carey's character believed he lived within it in 1996's dark comedy The Cable Guy, and really did live within it in 1998's The Truman Show.Peter Finch as Howard "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" Beale was driven to the brink of madness by it, and ultimately sacrificed for it in 1976's Oscar-winning Network.It has been brilliant, heartbreaking, amusing, informative, and just plain sordid (Jerry Springer, anyone?). And it is inarguably the most powerful medium in modern history.But as much as television programming has reflected the attitudes, opinions and – Sometimes – the lowest common denominators of our society,...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

World's Top 10 Thinnest Televisions

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0500

Though we’ve poked fun at thin televisions in the past, we do have to profess finding a certain appeal to paper-thin screens (as long as we’re not the ones paying for them). There’s something about a TV that seems to disappear when you walk by it that really grabs attention – especially with people who are used to owning 300-pound CRTs. The trophy for “World’s Thinnest” seems to trade hands every other month, but we’ve rounded up a few of the most notable models, from the ones that got things kicking to the ones that took it to the raz...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

World's Thinnest Televisions

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0500

10 Best Streaming Audio and Video Devices

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0500

The television set has to be the most loved device in the house. After all, how many hours do you spend in front of the toaster each day? Despite all of that adoration, though, the boob tube no longer corners the market when it comes to audiovisual excitement. Thanks to advancements in online multimedia delivery, services such as YouTube, Picasa and iTunes also offer a lot of Web-based entertainment to get you through the wee hours of the morning. Still, no matter how much you can contort your body, sitting in an office chair is definitely not a “sweet spot” when it comes to enjoying your favorite film or soap opera. Mercifully, these days, there a...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

How To: Setup an HDMI Home Theater

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

Although today’s high-definition televisions (HDTVs) are more technically advanced than ever, the good news for everyday users is that connecting home theater components keeps getting simpler. Thank the advent of HDMI, an all-in-one digital cable that carries both audio and video signals between individual pieces of equipment. With just one cable connecting each device to your AV receiver or your TV, it’s easy to mix and match parts in minutes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to connecting standard home theater components using the format, including a Bl...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Digital Converters and VCRs

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:22:00 -0500

Gene Janowski wants to know if he'll be able to record programs on his VCR after broadcast television switches to all digital.

Technology Dictionary: Common Terms Defined

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

Listen to two tech-savvy people chat away and your head will spin: It’s all gigahertz this and megapixel that. Thankfully for those who can’t tell the difference between Blu-ray and Bluetooth, HDMI and HDTV, we’re happy to provide a handy glossary to several common acronyms, phrases and other industry jargon relating to televisions, computers, mobile phones and other consumer electronics:1080p: This term refers to the maximum resolution of some high-definition televisions (HDTVs). A 1080p-compatible television means all 1,080 lines on the...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

What Do I Need to Know About TV Converter Boxes

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:24:00 -0500

With the conversion to all digital broadcast television only weeks away, MrGumby59 asked the Answer Line forum what he needs to know about converter boxes.

Overview CES 2009: Hottest New Technologies

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

OLED TVsThough not new for 2009, OLED televisions continued to steal the show this year with stunning brightness, contrast, pixel clarity, and viewing angle, all packed into panels that are literally paper thin. LG’s OLED display was a particular favorite among the Digital Trends crew, but as expected, Sony and Samsung also made impressive showings. Even Kodak has gotten into the game with...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Dream Screens: Top Luxury TVs

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0500

From gigantic HDTVs big enough to fill the side of a building to super-skinny models so slim you could cut bread with them, the future looks big and bright for digital television indeed. Here are just a few of the world’s most luxurious sets to lust after and trends to look out for in the following months. Much to the delight of technophiles and home theater buffs alike, all will be coming to stores near you someday. We just don’t know when and (yipes!) given the price on some of these puppies, hopefully not with cable bills to match.In Living ColorBizarre as it seems to be saying in 2008, 3D is making a comeback. And while you could excuse the trend as a marketing gi...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

LCD or Plasma HDTVs: Which to Choose?

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0400

The war between plasma and LCD flat-panel TVs rages on, and no doubt you’ve heard the propaganda from both camps. While LCD has traditionally been more expensive than plasma at the larger sizes, that gap is diminishing—making other factors such as performance and features more significant. Here, we’ll take you through the pros and cons of each technology to help you make the important decision: To buy a plasma or LCD television?PLASMA FLAT-PANELSBenefits:• Better contrast and deeper blacks—Plasma displays are known for their deep, inky black levels, which result in better contrast and...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Holiday Preview: HDTV Buying Guide

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0400

With prices on high-definition television sets at rock-bottom lows, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy great home entertainment for the holidays. Enter the hottest HDTVs around for hardcore gamers, movie buffs and people who can’t tear themselves away from Mad Men or the latest Giants game alike. Buy now, thank us later when (talk about a seasonal miracle) the entire clan’s willingly gathered quietly in the living room for a little quality time in front of Eight Crazy Nights or, better still, It’s a Wonderful Life. ...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

HDTV Tune-up Guide: Improving Picture Quality

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0400

You’ve made the investment in a new HDTV, but ask yourself: Are you really getting the most for your money? Something many new HDTV owners might not realize is that they likely aren’t enjoying the best possible picture quality right out of the box. In fact, unbeknownst to certain users, some may not even be viewing programs in high-definition! In this short guide, we’ll help you make sure that you’re not only enjoying a high-def image, but also provide essential tips on eking every last bit of performance out of your HD television set. Connect Your TV ProperlyThe very first thing you will do when you get your HDTV home is hook it up to your home theater syst...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Digital TV Transition Survival Guide

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0400

For most of today’s primetime audience, the questions are simple. For example: Which HDTV to buy? Whether to catch tonight’s episodes of The Office and Grey’s Anatomy or record them to DVR instead? And, of course, our personal favorite: Why the heck am I paying $60 a month again for basic cable when ABC, CBS, NBC and ESPN are all offering dozens of videos for free download off their websites? But according to the FCC and Nielsen, for nearly one in five of America’s 114.5 million television viewing households, there could potentially be another bi...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Review of the EyeTV 250 Plus From Elgato

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:00:06 -0400

If you're looking for a svelte, effective, and fun solution for recording and watching television on your Mac, the Elgato EyeTV 250 is just the ticket.

Replacing Convergence IC's on a Mitsubshi TV Set

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:45:11 -0400

This is for model numbers WS55859, WS65869, WS55909, WS65909, WS63909. You can get a free copy of the service manual at TechLore's Technician's Corner located in the resources tab on the home page or click HERE . This will give you an idea on what needs to be done for the other models as the tools and procedture is the same. The different models do have different IC's to see what IC each model has go to this TechLore Forum Discussion . First, it is very important that you have some soldering experience working on solid state printed circuit boards, and that you know too much heat from the soldering iron will most likely ruin the PC (printed circuit) board. If this happens, it can be a very difficult repair. The boards are no longer available for these sets from Mitsubishi, so I cannot stress enough - if you have no soldering experience, let a pro assist you in this repair. One more very important thing to remember and NOT DO!! If the convergence is way out or cannot be adjusted by the customer controls, do not go into the service menu and try to adjust the convergence. It will...

Clean your TV Vents!

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:09 -0400

Have you ever been watching your DLP TV and see this message come accros the screen? “TV will shut down in a few seconds. Please check if the air flow is blocked ” Not only is this a scary thing to see your TV say, but it can be confusing and sometimes hard to determine why this is happening. The reason you are getting this notice is because for some reason the lamp is getting too hot. This can cause a lot of damage if the TV does not shut down and will lead to early and costly replacemnt of your lamp. If you ever see this message the first thing to do is make sure something has not been placed in front of the air vents on your TV. On a Mitsubishi DLP TV the vents are on the lower left side of the TV. It basically looks like a screen on the side of your TV. Other models may have the air vents elsewhere. Make sure there is nothing blocking that area. If something is remove it and see if you see thiscome up again. If nothing is, then you may have a problem with dust build up...

Circuits of the Basic TV and What They Do - Part 3

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:30:05 -0400

In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, we discussed many things: the standby power supply, main power supply, horizontal and vertical deflection circuits, degaussing, and tuners. In Part 3 of this series, we will discuss the IF (Intermediate Frequency), AGC (Automatic Gain Control), sound IF, sound amplification, and the remote control circuits of the basic television set. IF (Intermediate Frequency) Circuits The most important feature of the IF amplifier is selectivity. Selectivity is the process of allowing only the desired frequencies to pass, while rejecting all others. There will be about three or four separate amplifier stages in a color TV IF circuit. By amplifying the signal in stages, the amounts of distortion in the IF signal waveform are reduced. The IF stages of a color TV set are fixed-tuned to a single IF frequency. Both the video and audio IF signals travel together through the IF amplifiers. The IF amplifiers need to have a bandwidth of at least 4.5 MHz, if amplification stages range from 41 MHz to 46 MHz. Traps through the circuits are used to attenuate transmission of the video carrier of the next higher channel, sound carrier of the current channel, and the sound carrier...

How To: The Perfect TV for Your Room

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:49:48 -0400

Finding the right size TV for your room is easier than you might think. But picking the right resolution is just as important. Written by Dennis Burger - Maybe it’s due to my job, maybe it’s fate, or maybe I’m just being punished for something my karma did in a last life—or however that works—but when my friends are in the market for a new TV, I’m always the first one they call. And the conversation invariably plays out the same way every time: “I just want to make sure I’m getting my money’s worth.” OK. “I want the best TV I can afford.” I love to hear it. “I don’t need anything as monstrous as yours, though!” Insert the sound of a phonograph needle being dragged quickly across vinyl right here and you’ll get the gist of how this scene will play when they film my life story. My 56-in. Samsung DLP TV, I explain, falls right in the middle of THX’s acceptable range for my room size and eight-foot seating distance. In fact, it could actually stand to be a teensy bit bigger or I could benefit from sitting just a smidge closer. “I don’t care,” I hear...

So Your LCD Monitor Went Black?

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:45:06 -0400

Do you have a LCD monitor that turns on but has no picture? Does it display for only a few seconds than go blank, or maybe it just turns off completely? I've been seeing this problem more and more and I find myself doing the same repair over and over again. Thats right, I'm talking about the power inverter. The power inverter is a power supply that takes the low voltage that runs all the logic and steps it up to around 600 to 800 volts with an even higher initial start voltage. It does that in order to run a cold cathode flourescent lamp (CCFL) that illuminates the LCD panel itself. These inverters seem to be a weak point in LCD screens and my experience is that they fail most of the time because the electrolytic capacitors failed, or filter caps. There are usually 2 or 4 caps that range in value between 220uf to 1000uf and I've just made a habit of changing them. If you're failry proficient with electronics you might save yourself a lot of grief by changing these first. They're usually pretty easy to spot because they'll be around the input side of the inverter...