David Katzmaier and I have gotten e-mails asking a seemingly odd question: how high can plasma TVs go? These e-mails, from videophiles living in high-altitude places such as Denver and Santa Fe, are concerned plasmas either won’t work for them, or will have a loud buzzing. Turns out, they’re sort of right. A cutaway diagram …
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What are Quantum Dots, and how could they help your next TV?
At CES in January, Sony announced several LCD TVs with “Triluminos,” a new backlighting method that they promise offered “rich, authentic color, and excellent red and green reproduction.” Digging deeper, it turns out Triluminos includes an optical component produced by QD Vision, Inc. called “Color IQ” which uses quantum dots to help create light. OK, so what are quantum dots? …
Read More »Getting your settings right for the big game
New TV? Old TV? New gear? Old gear? Are you sure all your settings are correct? Even if you’re not planning on watching the big game, it’s worth taking a moment to ensure you’re getting the most out of your TV and assorted A/V gear. Think of it like getting the oil changed on your car, or a visit to …
Read More »Building the ultimate high
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Let’s say you want to throw the ultimate football-watching party for the last game of the year. (Alas, using the name of said game is fraught with copyright challenges, so we’re playing it safe.) Will a single big-screen TV suffice? Maybe. But what if you want to go really hard core, and have a few dozen people over. …
Read More »Buy a TV now or wait?
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Most new TV models are announced at the Consumer Electronics Show, held every January. It’s usually a few months before they ship, arriving in stores sometime in the spring. So with new models imminent, should you wait to buy a new TV? We break down what we expect to see, and figure out when is the best time …
Read More »Five lies your TV salesperson will tell you
Don’t be fooled by the jargon, spin and outright lies. Make sure you get the best TV at the best price. (Credit: Geoffrey Morrison/CNET) Using the time-honoured tactics of obfuscation, misdirection and a little bit of fear, the people who try to sell you TVs can hit you with some heavy-duty lies. Now, this isn’t to say that all TV …
Read More »What is ‘Game mode’?
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET If you’ve bought a TV in the last few years, it’s likely that TV has a “Game mode.” As you’ve discovered (or will discover, now that you’re looking for it), this is not some supersecret hiding place for Angry Birds. That’s a different section. If you’re a gamer, Game mode might improve your gaming experience, but it comes …
Read More »Five lies your TV salesperson will tell you
Don’t be fooled by the jargon, spin and outright lies. Make sure you get the best TV at the best price. (Credit: Geoffrey Morrison/CNET) Using the time-honoured tactics of obfuscation, misdirection and a little bit of fear, the people who try to sell you TVs can hit you with some heavy-duty lies. Now, this isn’t to say that all TV …
Read More »TV tech explainer: Every HDTV technology decoded
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Shopping for a TV can seem like a nonstop flood of numbers and jargon: contrast, 1080p, 240Hz, HDMI, 3D, and more. While some of these terms are descriptive, others are designed to fool you into thinking one TV is better than another, when actually it isn’t. Compiled here is a directory of every term you’ll need to navigate …
Read More »What to look for when buying a new TV
Confused about what TV to buy? Please allow me to de-confusify you. From technology (LED, LCD, plasma?) to size, to features, there are a lot of choices to make when deciding on the right TV. Narrowing down the options isn’t as hard as it seems, though, and that’s what this article is all about. First, we’ll start with what to …
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