• Fake HD and Cable Satellite Channels: Did you know that a number of HD channels broadcast a lot of "fake HD?" Anyone who has ever watched some of TNT's HD broadcasts can attest to that.
• Dynamic Contrast Ratio Measurement Specification: The contrast ratio number is basically meaningless.
• Line Conditioners: They do nothing to improve the HDTV image.
• Deep Color: No deep color sources makes this a worthless feature.
• x.v.Color: Until Laser TVs and xv Color HD discs appear on the scene, this feature is not truly useful.
• 1080p HDTVs below 42" (diagonal): If you own a HDTV under 42", chances are you won't recognize the quality difference over 720p—unless you are standing really close to the TV.
• Flat LCD HDTVs 26" and Smaller: The image quality of LCD HDTVs in the 26" inch range or lower is generally poor.
• 120Hz HDMI Cables: As mentioned before, expensive HDMI cables are a huge ripoff. Case in point, decent HDMI cable for less than $2. I bought a few myself and they work fine.
• Off Brand Model HDTVs: No-name brands may cost you more down the line.
• HDMI: Horrible connector design can prove problematic. Always pretest your connections.

The rollover switch allows each person to listen to the whole-house iPod, while also allowing any individual to listen to their own iPod through their speakers.

“A rollover,” as I like to call it, essentially is a signal-activated A/B switch with an amplifier on board.

Its purpose in life is to allow homeowners to share speakers with the whole-house audio system and a local television set.

When properly installed, the customer simply turns on the television and uses the TV control to adjust the TV sound through the speakers. When turned off, the speakers work for the whole-house audio signal.

The problem is, unfortunately, many TV manufacturers are taking the variable audio output jacks off of their jack packs, not allowing for ideal installation.

The rollover system can work with a fixed audio output, but it then requires an additional line level attenuator, preferably one that is remote controlled, to achieve the desired results.

The iPod Switch
The iPod has recently sprung up as another product that could be enhanced with a rollover amplifier.

Several manufacturers have developed docks that allow metadata from the iPod to appear on keypads throughout the home.

The problem is, simply, that many of our clients have multiple iPods spread throughout different family members.

What I want to hear is probably different from what my son wants to hear. It is a rare moment when we both want to listen to the same thing at the same time.

However, if I take advantage of rollovers for each resident’s primary listening room, each person can listen to the whole-house iPod, while also allowing any individual to listen to their own iPod through their speakers—a win all the way around.

Click here for entire article, which includes installation directions and considerations.

MINNEAPOLIS — Chief will ship today the first SKU of its new Thinstall series of low-profile flat-panel TV mounts.

The Thinstall PSMT2015 is designed for Hitachi's new line of 1.5-inch Ultra Thin HDTVs. Complementing the ultra-low-profile of the TV line, the PSMT2015 has a depth of 0.49 inches and a weight capacity of 175 pounds.

The Thinstall line features Chief's Glide Lock tool-less latching for faster installation in the field, according to Chief, as well as other installer-friendly features such as lateral shift and an open wall plate design for easy electrical wire runs.

Other Thinstall models will be added to the line to support thin flat-panel TV models as they become available, according to the company.

Thanks to John Laposky -- TWICE, 4/7/2008

IRVINE , Calif. , April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. today announced its new multi-dimensional HDTVs for 2008, which will take sight and sound to new heights for consumers demanding only the best in quality and performance from their HDTVs. New 2008 product highlights include thinner frame and brighter DLP(R) models and Ultra Thin Frame(TM) LCD HDTVs with improved sound capabilities.

Mitsubishi also has named its recently announced Laser TV, which will be branded as LaserVue(TM) and will be available to consumers in the 3 rd Quarter of 2008.  

"Because Mitsubishi has focused on large-format televisions for more than two decades, we have a unique understanding of our customers wants, needs and expectations from their HDTVs," said Frank DeMartin, vice president, marketing, at Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. "Our new 2008 HDTVs are a direct result of listening to our customers, and we have delivered multi-dimensional products that will take their viewing experience to a new level."

The Big Picture -- New 1080p DLP HDTVs

Mitsubishi continues to lead the competition with the largest DLP HDTV available at 73". The new 2008 product line will include three new 73" 1080p DLP HDTV models along with 60" and 65" sizes -- all featuring thinner frames, increased brightness and 3D-ready capability. These new models also will leverage Mitsubishi's exclusive 6-Color Processor(TM) for extraordinarily vivid color reproduction.

Click here for the entire article

“The use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today, but such oils may become in the course of time as important as petroleum and coal tar products of the present time.”
–Rudolf Diesel, 1912

This is the quotation that Eric Glose keeps at his desk as an inspiration when working on his car. It’s a thought that would influence the car he bought, the home he chose, and the restaurant he frequents. This year, Glose converted a Volkswagen Jetta 2000 to run on used vegetable oil that would otherwise be wasted. By the mere flick of a switch, his car will convert from running on diesel fuel to running on vegetable oil. Glose says, “The process is to heat the oil enough to reduce its viscosity to the point where it will run through the engine.” He maintains a separate tank in the car that stores the vegetable oil as well as a series of heat exchangers that warm the oil sufficiently enough to run the car. A lot of work on the car was necessary, but very little processing of the oil is needed to use it. Where does he get all the oil from? He won’t say definitively—only that it comes from a local Asian restaurant. The source of the used vegetable oil is an important point as well. Glose compares his converted car engine to the human heart—vegetable oil that has few impurities will not clog up the engine, just as it will not clog up your arteries.

Click here for entire article and photos…

Today in New York, Panasonic showed off the Viera flat-panel TVs it launched at CES, including its badass flagship PZ800 and PZ850 plasma sets and its premiere LZ800 LCD, all coming this summer at prices to be announced. During the meeting, Panasonic also confirmed officially that it was no longer in the rear-projection business, owing to a price crunch in flat panels that basically drove any discount value out of the chunkier projection sets. Bottom line: people would rather pay $3K for a smaller and thinner set than a larger but fatter one. Panasonic also addressed the issue of OpenCable (aka OCAP aka Tru2way) two-way CableCards.

Two-way CableCards basically mean that the cable box, with all its features including VOD and PPV, is built into the TV. Right now, the CableCard in a TiVo or Media Center PC will only get you video. Panasonic will integrate OCAP into its mid-level PZ80 line, in 50" and 42" models this summer. Though the list prices for the TVs without OCAP are $2499 and $1599 respectively, the price of OCAP itself will be quite noticeable. Though there are some shared-chip advantages to integrating the set-top box, Panasonic still says "it'll be the cost of a cable box built into a TV," so like, not cheap.

Thanks to gizmodo.com, published 3/11/08.  Click here for entire article.

Other links: Panasonic 2008 Viera Lineup, CableLabs

Some call it begging -- we prefer the term "bargain shopping."

No need to wear a goofy game-show outfit; deals can be had easily at your local electronics store.
Store prices may be high, but guess what? Price ain’t nothing but a number, baby.
There’s a new trend in tech town, my friends: the time-honored art of haggling. That’s right; the same skills that you show off to get souvenirs on your summer vacation can be applied to your electronics shopping.
It’s not only happening, it’s actually widely accepted—sort of. Sure it’s easy to believe that places like a mom-and-pop might float you a few bucks, when they have that penny dish so prominently displayed on the counter. However, the collared shirts of the big-box stores are apparently also cutting deals.
The New York Times says that places like Best Buy, Circuit City, and Home Depot are all allowing floor deals to be made. This is fact, not fictional—and frankly, you don’t even have to be very good at it.
Case in point: My husband, who has zero phone or haggling skills (he can’t even handle placing a takeout order), scored me a killer video camera for $100 cheaper than the price tag. How? There was no method to his madness. It was a bit more than he wanted to spend, and he just started to leave.
The Times, however, says there is a much more educated clan out there, armed with cheaper web prices, using that info as a bargaining chip. A former Best Buy salesman says that one-quarter of the customers would haggle. It pays off—one person cited got almost $1,000 off a purchase.
Published March 24, 2008 | by Rachel Cericola – ElectronicHouse.com | Click here for entire article