Plasma TV Vs. LCD TV

Who doesn't dream of owning a big screen TV for the ultimate in home entertainment? But if you're planning to supersize your TV set, which technology should you choose: Plasma or LCD?

With Plasma and LCD TV's becoming more popular over the years, prices are dropping down to the point where cost is no longer as crucial a factor in choosing one over the other. Since buying one of these babies is going to entail a considerable investment, you want to make sure that you're getting a big-screen TV that offers great picture quality and years of longevity.

Of course, size isn't the only concern among videophiles nowadays, because what we want are big flat panel TV's that enhance our viewing experience while eliminating the bulk of the conventional CRT (cathode ray tube) TV. Plasma and LCD both have legitimate claims to being the best technology for these flat panel TV's, so let's take a closer look at what each has to offer.

PLASMA TV:

What is Plasma, anyway? It's actually the gas inside a fluorescent light, made up of ions and electrons----you remember them from your high school science classes, don't you? A Plasma display forms images through thousands of tiny fluorescent lights with gas burning inside them. Pictures are created by combining pixels, with each pixel consisting of three fluorescent lights: red, green and blue.Those are the building blocks for reproducing a wide range of colors on your Plasma TV----and displaying Halle Berry in all her glory.

Meanwhile......

LCD TV's are powered by the same Liquid Crystal Displays that we see all around us in different devices, including laptop screens, microwave ovens, digital watches, calculators and DVD players. Unlike CRT's, LCD's are thinner, lighter and require less power, which is why they're so popular for miniature gadgets. You might think it's a contradiction to call it a Liquid Crystal when obviously it's a solid, but the molecules in an LCD share the characteristic of a liquid in that they move around, which accounts for the materials flexibility.

Videophiles generally maintain that PLASMA TV offers better picture quality for home entertainment. This is mainly because LCD TV's can't display black as well as PLASMA TV. Blacks tend to come out as dark gray. As a result, you don't have as much detail in shadows, giving PLASMA TV the advantage in brightness and contrast.

On the other hand, LCD offers sharper and more accurate images----compared to an LCD display, images on a PLASMA screen might look blurry. Also since, phosphors can wear out over time, old PLASMA TV's could end up with duller images.

Thanks to advances in technology, PLASMA and LCD now basically have the same lifespan. But PLASMA is more energy-efficient because each phosphor cell is illuminated only as needed, unlike the LCD bulbs that require full power all the time.

PLASMA TV is still cheaper than LCD TV on a price-per-inch basis. Since they don't require a backlight, PLASMA TV's are also thinner than LCD's.

However, the biggest issue facing PLASMA is the risk of burn-in, which occurs when a static image is displayed on your TV for hours on end. For example, if you spend lots of time playing games on your XBOX360, Playstation3 or Nintendo Wii, and you're using a PLASMA TV, you could end up with images burned on your screen......say, the life meter or heads up display in a game, which are usually present all throughout a session.

To be fair, experts will tell you that you would have to display that image for hours nonstop before the risk of burn-in becomes real. Besides, you can take steps to prevent it by not leaving them on in the first place and by reducing the contrast to 50% or less. PLASMA TV manufacturers have also come up with screensavers and other measures to minimize the burn-in risk. Still, this is one issue that does not crop up at all when you buy an LCD TV.

In the end, you can't really pick a clear winner, because each technology has the edge in certain areas.

Ipod Touch

The new flagship iPod has the "same size screen as the iPhone, but it's even thinner" (eight-millimeters, for those taking notes), and it also touts the "same multi-touch interface" found on the firm's handset. Additionally, it boasts a 3.5-inch widescreen display, the ability to "flick through your photos," and you even get the "slide to unlock" feature, too. And yes, this thing actually has WiFi. It means that we can surf the web (YouTube included) and buy tunes on our iPod. As for battery life, the touch is said to last 22-hours when playing back audio and 5-hours when watching video, but only time will tell how draining web surfing will be. The iPod Touch will be arriving in 8GB and 16GB.

It looks like you'll be able to do plenty more than browse YouTube and Facebook with the new iPod touch's built-in WiFi, with jobs also taking the opportunity today to announce the iTunes WiFi Music Store. It will let you search for anything in the iTunes Store, preview it, and download it directly to your iPod touch. That then gets synced to your main iTunes library for safe-keeping and, if the download isn't quite done, it will even finish things up for you. Those less certain of what they're looking for can also make use of the buttons for featured music and top tens. Unlike the ringtones for the iPhone, songs bought on the iTunes WiFi store cost the same as they do in the regular store and it will be available in all 22 countries Apple operates in.

Ipod Nano Video

It is the new small iPod nano with one very big idea: Video! Now the world’s most popular music player lets you enjoy TV shows, movies, video podcasts, and more. The larger, brighter display means amazing picture quality. In five eye-catching colors, iPod nano is stunning all around. And with 4GB and 8GB models, little speaks volumes.

iPod nano sports a larger, 320-by-240-resolution display that’s 65 percent brighter than before. It is in anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel, iPod nano is now 6.5 mm thin and even more beautiful.

You can watch up to 5 hours of TV shows, music videos, movies, and podcasts. Browse your music by album artwork with Cover Flow. View everything on your iPod nano in a whole new way.

Ipod Speakers

Find out just which Ipod speakers are best for you to bust a move with.

If you live in a studio apartment........

Nyko Speaker Dock 2......is best for you!!!

Compact, high- powered stereo speakers with charge and data sync cradle for iPod, iPod video, iPod nano & iPod mini.

The Speaker Dock 2 is a stylish, compact speaker system that lets users listen to their favorite tunes in crisp, clear stereo sound while charging their iPod at the same time. The design features two powerful amplified stereo speakers and supports 2 power options: a battery compartment that runs off of 4 AA batteries or an included AC adapter. The speaker system is skillfully designed to match the aesthetic of the iPod, and is small enough to fit on your nightstand, bathroom or kitchen counter, shelf, desk, or anywhere space is limited. Now you can enjoy your music while cooking, taking a shower, getting ready, at work, or just hanging out. The back of the unit is also equipped with a pass through dock connector that allows simultaneous file transfer while charging.

If you miss your old-school boom box…

Altec Lansing in Motion IM7.........is best for you!!!

Ushering in a whole new era of out-loud audio for iPod, the in Motion iM7 delivers full-bodied sound that rivals traditional home stereo systems. Its sleek, compact design goes where you go. Mobility is encouraged via the iM7’s long lasting battery mode. Or plug into a nearby outlet for AC power. The iPod recharges while you listen. Your dockable iPod is secured within a patent pending universal cradle that gracefully opens and recesses with the touch of a finger. The iM7’s impressive sound comes from highly advanced neodymium drivers and tweeters, plus a powerful, built-in subwoofer. A wireless remote provides across-the-room command of both the iM7 and iPod, allowing perfect adjustment of your music. Now, your iPod has an ideal traveling companion, the inMotion iM7. Just give it a listen and you’ll know why!

If you're a total audiophile…

Boss SoundDock.......is best for you!!!

Our place doesn't have enough space for a huge stereo system, so we truly appreciate the SoundDock's ability to fill a room with sound instead of plastic or silicon. While we're pretty sure a ninth-grade physics student would understand the science behind it far better than we do, this system provides the best balance of sound, capitalizing on the iPod's superior sound quality. The extra features, such as wireless remote and dock connection, are gravy to our ears. And this time, it doesn't burn.

If you're into modern art and have trouble waking up…

JBL on Time......is best for you!!!

JBL On Time is a high-performance sound center that lets you wake up to music stored on your iPod. Just connect your iPod, MP3 player or other music source to JBL On Time and experience clean, powerful and dynamic sound. The upward-firing tweeter and horizontal low and midrange transducers provide a 360-degree sound field. JBL On Time includes a radio, clock and dual alarm, and is the world’s first time machine to include a menu-driven, intuitive user interface.

JBL On Time incorporates the Apple iPod Universal Dock adapter, and is compatible with most docking versions of the iPod, including nano and 5G versions. A stereo mini jack connection allows you to enjoy high-quality audio from a variety of other devices, including the iPod shuffle, MP3 and CD players, desktop and laptop computers (all platforms), and satellite radio.

Just a touch increases or decreases the volume; another touch allows you to choose iPod, radio or auxiliary as your source. The five FM and five AM radio channel presents are simple to program. And JBL On Time remembers your source and the last volume setting, even after your music source is turned off.

If you're into extreme sports…

Sonic Impact I-Fusion2.......is best for you!!!

The i-F2 portable iPod speaker system uses our premium Class-T amplifier and neodymium speakers to provide the fullest, and most accurate sound quality possible. Class T Amplifier Technology allows us to fit our most powerful, high efficiency amplifier into this portable iPod speaker system. The added power and clarity of the i-F2 iPod system make it great for using both indoors and outside.

The i-F2 comes with a revolutionary 3-phase rechargeable lithium ion battery, which can be used for up to 15 hours on a single charge. Since battery life is so important, the i-F2 will switch to power-saver mode after 3 minutes of inactivity. The i-F2 can be powered using the included 15 hour battery , or with the included AC wall Outlet adapter. While connected to an outlet, the i-F2 is capable of playing the iPod, charging the iPod, and charging the i-F2 battery all at the same time.

If your love for Apple knows no bounds…

Ipod Hi-Fi.......is best for you!!!

Fill your home with sound, not stereo components. Keep your music collection at your fingertips, not in countless CD cases. Change the way you experience digital music. iPod Hi-Fi delivers crystal-clear, high-quality sound in a clean, compact design.

Just slide your iPod into the built-in Universal Dock to turn on and tune in to digital music as you’ve never heard it before. From pumping bass to bright treble, iPod Hi-Fi delivers natural, room-filling sound. Close your eyes and you’d think you were listening to a huge stack of speakers. But iPod Hi-Fi measures just 17.0" x 6.6" x 6.9."

As versatile as it is compact, iPod Hi-Fi incorporates thoughtful touches that make playing your music pure pleasure. Use the included Apple Remote to control music playback from anywhere in the room. Charge your iPod through the iPod Hi-Fi dock while you play music. Or take your show on the road courtesy of D-cell battery power. All that makes iPod Hi-Fi pretty extraordinary. Just like iPod.

Intel Inside

The all-new, all-in-one iMac packs a complete, high-performance computer into a beautifully thin design. Available in 20 and 24-inch widescreen models, it includes built-in wireless, Mac OS X, and the new iLife ’08. So within minutes of opening the box, you’ll be doing everything from sharing photos to creating movies to building websites.

More than ever before, iMac allows you to live a digital life. Loaded with iLife, the new iMac makes it easy to turn your photos, movies, and music into blogs, podcasts, books, and calendars. All the other essentials are built in as well, including an iSight camera, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Just plug it in, turn it on, and you’re ready to create something great.

On the outside, the new Intel iMac looks like the G5 variety. Running the present slew of G4 and G5 software like Photoshop, Microsoft Office, the iMac is at least as fast as our Powerbook G4. The iLife applications, which are optimized for the new processor, ran much faster than they used to.

Wait, there's more. The iMac's widescreen let's you comfortably open two text documents side-by-side. Still not enough horizontal real estate for you? Buy yourself a VGA adapter from your Apple supplier and connect another monitor to the iMac. Use the iMac screen for your Photoshop and stuff your iTunes, Photoshop palettes, webcam screen, Internet browser on the external monitor and what a mean set-up you'll have. Pure fun, don't you think?

Sanyo Xacti HD1000

The new Sanyo Xacti HD1000 weighs only 9.5 ounces and has a total volume of only 16.6 cubic inches, making it the world’s smallest and lightest Full HD recording digital camcorder. It records video in the full high definition resolution of 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels. It incorporates advanced MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video compression, enabling up to approximately 85 minutes of Full HD (1920 x 1080) video recording or up to five hours, 14 minutes of TV-quality (640 x 480) video recording onto an 8GB SDHC Memory Card.

Sanyo developed a new high-speed image processing engine to handle the high capacity demands of Full HD data. This engine utilizes Sanyo’s proprietary codec, enabling Full HD compatibility with the AVC/H.264 format, and makes it possible to do with one simple yet powerful chip the complex processing which previously required two separate chips.

It is new ergonomic designed for easy, one-handed operation with all key conveniently functions thumb-operable, the HD1000 is comfortable to hold, even for extended periods. As part of its stylish and thoughtful new design, the HD1000 also adds a distinctly useful feature frequently requested by users of previous Xacti camcorders — the ability to have the lens level with the ground when the device is used with a tripod.

Incorporating the latest high-definition CMOS sensor, the Sanyo Xacti HD1000 camcorder captures full 1080i high-definition video (1920×1080) at 60 frames-per-second. Designed to record the rich and vibrant colors of real life, the HD1000 also captures the subtle tones to provide a natural-looking result. The HD1000’s CMOS sensor provides the quick responsiveness needed to capture fast moving subjects and Sanyo’s noise reduction technology helps obtain the cleanest signal from each pixel.

The HD1000’s new “Xacti Library” feature makes it exceptionally easy to save video and image files by simply connecting the included USB cable from the docking station to an external hard disk drive. After connecting the docking station to an external hard drive and to a television (via an HDMI cable), the user places the camera into the docking station and — using the menu that appears on the television screen — can search through the thumbnails and choose either to play the file or save it to the external hard disk.

At the front of the HD1000 is a commanding 10x all-glass HD lens. The HD1000’s fast f/1.8-2.5 lens is capable of allowing almost four times more light through to assist in lower light venues. Consisting of eight groups and eleven total lenses with a built-in neutral density filter, the HD1000’s lens provides a spectacular field-of-view with a 38-380 mm range (35 mm equivalent). Combined with the 10x digital zoom, the HD1000 provides up to 100x total zooming capability.

The HD1000 features a large 2.7 inch widescreen Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The display flips out from the camera and rotates up to 285 degrees on axis, allowing you to take great video or still images even from difficult-to-view positions, which is especially useful when shooting in large crowds or in small rooms.

High-definition can’t hide shaky or erratic camera movement. That’s why Sanyo’s HD1000 comes with a sophisticated image stabilizer for both stills and video. This handy feature operates in both wide-angle and telephoto modes, giving every shot a solid, professional-looking feel. For video-compatible anti-shake correction, Sanyo further developed the digital stabilizer based on previous proprietary image stabilizer technology, and advanced the technology to be more accurate in its correction, increasing the image area detection function. Also, Sanyo newly developed its proprietary “Superposition function” for higher still image quality. This function allows for clear pictures of the subject even when moving or rotation occurs.

The HD1000 includes a new “Face Chaser” function that automatically detects and isolates faces to assist the camera’s exposure and auto-focus. The HD1000 is capable of detecting up to 12 independent faces at a time.

Horn To Be Wild

Here's an ipod speaker set-up that will kick your ears in. The iGroove SXT from the audio master Klipsch uses horn technology for more efficient and natural sound reproduction. It is most compact and affordable ipod speaker to date. The iGroove SXT may be small but it delivers larger-than-life performances. Works with all ipods.

This high-style, high-performance system uncovers all the power, detail and emotion of your digital music library. Taking advantage of refined industrial design, high-end materials and innovative technology, the iGroove SXT delivers classic Klipsch sound like never before.

A true two-way system, the iGroove SXT achieves accurate, detailed sound by way of dual 2.5-inch woofers in a ported enclosure, premium crossovers and dual 3/4-inch MicroTractrix Horn-loaded tweeters. Klipsch is the only company in the iPod speaker category to utilize horn technology, a design that delivers lifelike sound as well as produces more output using less energy. The iGroove SXT accepts and charges any iPod with a 30-pin connector. Universal well inserts are included to securely dock assorted iPod models. The shuffle and other audio devices connect via a rear auxiliary input, while an S-video output lets you view videos on external monitors. Available in a sleek black finish that fits comfortably into any office or living environment, the system comes with an IR remote and is ready to perform as soon as you plug it in and dock an iPod.

Be Cool

After the all-singing, all-dancing, all-swiveling Sony Ericsson w900i walkman phone, it was only a matter of time before Sony Ericsson hit us with another form factor. This time, its the Sony Ericsson w850i slider. It shares most of the features of the w900i, including tri-band GSM/UMTS functionality, a 256k-color QVGA LCD and MS Duo Pro support.

Feel the vibe come alive, whatever your taste in music. Storage for a thousand songs. Fast Web connection to download more. Make calls, take pictures and videos, play and download music, even identify unknown tracks. Take mobile music a step further. This sleek, triple-purpose phone feels as if it’s come from the future to show you the way ahead.

Curiously, its 2-megapixel snapper doesn't have autofocus-unlike the w900i. The Sony Ericsson w850i, however, has Sony's Walkman 2.0 music player, which can correct via 3G to the online Gracenote CD Database and download track details. This Track ID function can also identify partial songs, or music you've recorded from the w850i FM Radio.....as long as the DJ isn't singing along, that is!!

Portable Storage

Are you constantly on the move, need to transfer files between two computers, or are constantly trying to remember which versions of your documents are the most current? Then the Maxtor One Touch III Mini Edition External Hard Drive is the solution for you. A portable, feature-rich yet easy to use backup and storage hard drive that fits in the palm of your hand. Weighing approximately 7 ounce.

Designed for mobility, The Maxtor One Touch III Mini Edition can be carried in your pocket, briefcase, or backpack while holding up to 100GB of your data.

The Maxtor One Touch III Mini Edition also gives you one of the most feature-rich portables available. It makes it simple for you to back up all your files or selected files on your PC's drive, automatically or with one touch of a button. It plugs into your PC via a USB 2.0 port for both data transfer and power so no additional power cords are needed. It also lets you effortlessly synchronise data between two or more computers on the same operating system, so that your most up-to-date files are secure and always at hand. And the Maxtor One Touch III Mini Edition also comes with two levels of security, Maxtor Drivelock and Encryption to safeguard against unauthorized use. The System Rollback feature can roll back your system to a point in time, such as before a virus attack, while keeping your data current. Optimal performance, anytime!