Chris Pirillo » hdtv

Samsung LED TV Review

Chris Pirillo — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:04:28 +0000

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Some people ask what products I choose to buy myself to use in my home. This television is the latest acquisition of mine, and it’s one that I’m seriously happy with. This gorgeous TV is the Samsung 46″ 1080p LED HDTV. The picture is so much better than what this video will show you. It’s seriously crisp, clear and beautiful. This ultra-slim 46-inch LED HDTV boasts full HD 1080p resolution for the sharpest, smoothest picture possible.

This TV is so much more than just a television. It features Samsung’s new Internet@TV online content service. Developed with Yahoo!, Internet@TV uses either a wired or wireless Ethernet connection to access content onscreen from Yahoo!, Flickr, YouTube and more with the push of a button. The widget-based interface and scrollbar run along the bottom of the screen for easy browsing of the latest programs and content.

Samsung’s 1080p panel uses a new high-speed liquid crystal to cut response time to 4ms. The fast response time dramatically reduces motion blur and shudder. There’s a huge difference between seeing a game, and in seeing every single second of it. That’s where the new Auto Motion Plus 240Hz technology comes into play! All of the action – in every single frame – is analyzed and adjusted… nothing will get past you. This quadruples frame rates from 60 to 240 frames per second. No images are ever repeated to make more frames!

You bet your booty that I bought this little baby for myself, and it’s a purchase I could not regret. The price is actually fairly good, I think. It may seem expensive to you. However, do your research on other televisions of this type. You’re likely going to pay a lot more for them, and I honestly don’t think you’ll get a better experience than you would with this Samsung.

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Evolution of Television

Chris Pirillo — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:00:37 +0000

Have You Met Your Online Friends in Person?

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:01:21 +0000

I meet up with many people on a regular basis, thanks to things like Tweetups and conferences. Not everyone is so lucky, though. Often, deep and lasting friendships are formed online, but the people involved never have a chance to meet face-to-face. Many people maintain that it’s easier to make a strong connection with someone online, since you don’t have the fears and anxieties associated with how you look, or how you come across in person. Also, people tend to be more open about themselves when they are behind a computer screen, instead of hiding who they really are – and what they really think.

Have you ever met any of your online friends? How did it go? Was the friendship and connection as strong in person as it was while you were on the Internet? I’d love to hear your experiences and thoughts on this. I know that we have community members who met online, and later ended up engaged or married. I’m interested in seeing how many real friendships have sprung up, as well!

Be sure you visit our downloads center every day, so that you don’t miss out on great deals!

SSD Video Camera

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:02:07 +0000

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Last week, I uploaded footage of Wicket as I was testing optical image stabilization. That is a feature that is available on most cameras these days. I used the Samsung HMX-H106 to record that video… and will definitely be using it to record others, as well! It’s not as small as some of the cameras that I have, but the superior quality definitely makes up for that!

This baby features a 64GB solid state drive. Of course, it has a slot for you to add your own storage device as well… but why would you need to?! The 1920 x 1080 Full HD video means much greater clarity, brightness and detail than ever before. It also means that your video will be an exact pixel-by-pixel match for today’s very best large screen HDTVs.

It has 10x optical zoom, and shoots some excellent still pictures. I’m happy with the low-light capabilities of this particular video recording device, as well. It’s not often I find a camera that can handle cruddy light conditions well.

You can turn the image stabilization off or on with just the touch of a button. The camera also works perfectly well in extreme temperatures, high or low. Yet another huge plus for the Samsung is that it uses approximately eight times less power than a normal hard drive camera when reading or writing data. This means much MUCH longer battery life.

What type of video camera do you use, and why are you happy with it? What about it makes it the reason for choosing that particular model?

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How to Experience Digital Media on HDTV

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:25:36 +0000

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You have digital images, digital video and even digital audio. What if you want to experience digital quality on your television? It’s not so easy to do, unless you have a specific device such as Hi-Den.

The Hi-Den HDMI Digital Photo Viewer is a small easy-to-use device that allows you to view your photos, watch videos, or listen to music right on your HDTV. Forget crowding around the computer. Sit back and relax on your couch while sharing your fave pics and vides with everyone. Show pictures on HDTV by inserting a memory card or USB drive. Play your favorite MP3 files through your tv, or watch slide shows from the last family reunion.

Assuming you have an HDMI television or a cable, you’ll be able to easily set this up. It has an AC adapter, and a remote control! It allows you to browse, or choose what type of device to watch from. You can even adjust the resolution right from the remote… supporting up to a whopping 1080p!! That’s about as good as it gets these days.

If you know of other cool devices I need to check out and review, drop me a line. I’m always looking for the latest and greatest gadgets!

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What’s the Best HDTV to Buy?

Chris Pirillo — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:28:27 +0000

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Stealing it is not the way to get an HDTV. If you don’t know where to start, we have some tips sent in by DellMan94 to help you know what to look for when buying a new HDTV. HD is here to stay, that’s for sure. I know you cannot go back once you’ve used an HDTV.

See it for yourself. If you have the opportunity to walk into a showroom and watch the television in action – and play with the remote – take it! The more you research by actually experiencing one, the better off you’ll be.
Buy for your needs. In other words, buy the TV that is most suited for how and where you’ll be using it. Keep in mind, if you’ll be in an environment with controlled lighting, you can get whatever you want. If you’ll have low lighting, be aware of the type of screen on the TV you purchase.
Don’t forget about the sound! Check out the speakers, and see how it sounds. You may even want to consider buying external speakers.
Use the best connections. Use quality cable – even Fiberoptic if possible! Don’t skimp on the cables. The better quality you buy, the better your viewing experience will be.
NEVER take advice from a salesperson. Don’t listen to what they tell you. They are trying to make a sale, even if it doesn’t match your needs. Do your research first. Know what you want, and what you can spend.

Remember that you can always head over to Geeks to do some research by getting the opinions of others. Also, before buying online always check out what coupons we have available.

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Top Five Things to Look for when Buying an HDTV

Chris Pirillo — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:29:57 +0000

Matt writes: “I’ve been watching your videos on YouTube for a couple months and decided to share a “Top 5” related to HDTVs. I know there’s a lot of people out there buying new TVs, and I thought I might be able to help with the purchasing process. High definition is not going away. It’s here to stay, like it or not. I received a TV for Christmas this past year and thought I’d share a top 5 list of things to keep in mind when purchasing a HDTV.”

Size. While this may seem obvious, it’s important to keep in mind where your TV is going to be placed – and how much room you have. There is a huge difference between standing in the store looking at a wall of TVs and actually seeing it in your house. So, bottom line – make sure you measure before you buy.
Type. There are two major types of high definition TVs – LCDs and plasma. An LCD TV is based off of the same technology that most modern computer monitors use. However, a plasma works by vibrating gas particles inside the TV. Traditionally, plasmas have been able to achieve higher contrast ratios (although LCDs are starting to catch up now). The best way to decide is based on what size TV you’re considering. For smaller sets, LCD is usually the way to go, and for larger sets, plasma would be the better choice. But – if the TV is going to be used in the mountains, or anywhere at a high altitude, get an LCD. Plasmas installed at high altitudes will not produce a good picture because the gas particles will have to work harder in order to form an image.
Supported Formats. HD video generally falls into two categories – 720p and 1080p/1080i. In order to get the maximum experience from your TV (and especially your Blu-Ray player/gaming console), 1080p is the way to go. Even though most (if not all) HD broadcasts are currently in 720p or 1080i, you never know what the future will hold.
Contrast Ratio. For those of you who do not know, the contrast ratio on a TV is a ratio of the brightest color to the darkest color that the set is capable of producing. Simply put, a higher contrast ratio will result in a richer picture. The brights will look brighter, and the darks will look darker. Always shoot for the highest possible contrast ratio in order to maximize your viewing experience. My Samsung 32″ has a 7000:1 – and believe me, the difference is there!
Sources. Nothing is worse than connecting a brand-new HDTV to an analog cable signal (That’s what I had to do for a couple months before getting HD programming). Make sure you remember to stop by your local cable company, pick up an HD set-top box, and sign up for the service. Also, if you want to watch movies in HD, a Blu-Ray player is a nice addition to a new TV.

Coupons for HDTVs:

Boscovs - HDTV WebBusters (Posted on 12/11/09 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Dell Canada - HDTV of the Week & More Deals on HDTVs (Posted on 1/23/10 and Expires on 12/31/15)
WalMart - Free Shipping on all HDTVs w/ Site to Store (Posted on 2/22/08 and Expires on 12/31/15)

Should you buy an LCD or Plasma HDTV?

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:16:22 +0000

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It’s really a matter of personal preference when choosing one of these over the other. I personally prefer the Plasma screens, but I know many people who like the LCD more. Let’s take a look at some of the differences between the two.

With an LCD screen television, it has a much thinner screen and a smaller footprint. This means that it takes up less space generally on a tabletop or in an entertainment center. The Plasma screen tv’s tend to be much bigger. Be sure to keep the size of the space available in mind when shopping.

I feel that the image colors are much sharper and natural on the Plasma screens. With the LCD, they seem to be just not as realistic. They are either too saturated, or not saturated enough. I could never seem to find a balance that I liked.

Budget is a huge concern for most people. Always stick with what you can afford. Try to never go with “payment plans” for these items. Wait until you have enough money saved up to just go out and purchase one.

Most importantly, do your research. If you primarily watch sports, try watching a bit of sports on one of each of these televisions before deciding yourself which one is better. What’s best to your eyes, may not be best to mine, and vice versa. Never take my word for it, or anyone else’s. Make up your own mind, based on your likes, needs and budget.

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Onecall Coupons

Chris Pirillo — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 07:39:15 +0000

Onecall has some amazing deals on HDTVs right now.

Onecall - Clearance Deals (Posted on 8/27/10 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Onecall - Free Shipping on Bose Speaker, Headphones and Home Theater Systems (Posted on 7/24/10 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Onecall - Free Shipping on Bose Speaker, Headphones and Home Theater Systems (Posted on 7/24/10 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Onecall - Deal of the Day (Posted on 10/7/09 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Onecall - Clearance Store (Posted on 10/5/09 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Onecall - Save more with Instant Rebates (Posted on 7/26/09 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Onecall - Home Theater Closeouts (Posted on 4/16/08 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Onecall - Open Box Savings (Posted on 12/17/07 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Onecall - Free Shipping on more than 2000 items (Posted on 12/17/07 and Expires on 12/31/15)

Using HDTV as PC Monitor

Chris Pirillo — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 23:24:53 +0000

I have my HDTV (a plasma screen) set up as the monitor for my Mac Mini in my home office and it works quite well. “Velislide” contacted me this afternoon with issues related to his LCD HDTV connected to his PC, however:

I recently bought a 32″ LCD HDTV (Panasonic Viera Black) to replace my 17″ Dell LCD that I’ve been using. This beast has 2x HDMI In so Im using one with a DVI to HDMI cable that connects to my Geforce XFX 8600GT. Now if I look at text @ 720p resolution, with Sharpness at the middle point or turned up, the text looks VERY pixelated, and VERY hard to read, almost unreadable. I can also see like 3 or 4 mouse “shadows” around the mouse, overlapping each other. Basicly I have to turn down the Sharpness to -30 and it kinda of cleans up the pixelated crap, and makes it readable but not near what my friends 32″ LCD HDTV looks, and his is a VERY cheap one.

From what I understand from lots of reading and research, it has something to do with my Horizontal and Vertical refresh rates, and setting the Video card to match up to my TVs to get a HD quality picture. My xbox 360 looks about 100x better hooked up with Component, but sadly my video card doesnt have the Component out feature. I’ll take a high resolution picture of my screen sometime and see if I can get what the stuff looks like in the picture to give you a better Idea.

Also I read that the current drivers from Nvidia for the Geforce 8 series cards dont allow you to change the Vert/Horiz refresh rates w/ software? Not sure if this is true, but I’m all out of Ideas and have been trying steady for 3 days now to get this thing to come in clear.

I’m hoping I can get my 900$ 32″ LCD to looks at good as my friends 500$ LCD, otherwise I’m going to go insane.

Jake (Ludington) suggests: “Turn off any noise reduction built into the TV. Noise reduction does nasty things to text and is meant for use with video content only (if at all). Make sure the video card and television are both set to 1366×768, which is the recommended resolution from the manufacturer. Having either or both set incorrectly will result in nasty image quality.”

HDTV Deals:

Boscovs - HDTV WebBusters (Posted on 12/11/09 and Expires on 12/31/15)
Dell Canada - HDTV of the Week & More Deals on HDTVs (Posted on 1/23/10 and Expires on 12/31/15)
WalMart - Free Shipping on all HDTVs w/ Site to Store (Posted on 2/22/08 and Expires on 12/31/15)

HDTV Showdown: 1080i and 720p

Chris Pirillo — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:45:45 +0000

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http://live.pirillo.com/ – 480i,. 480p, 720p, 1080i, 180p, hdtv: it’s maddening! Simon just wants to know the difference between 720p and 1080i when it comes to HDTV so he can make an informed decision when he purchases an HSTV set.

First, what do the ‘p’ and ‘i’ at the end of the numbers mean?

"i" means interlaced. The image is shown in two sequences: the even lines and the odd lines. These two images are shown so fast that your eyes are tricked into seeing one solid image. This method lets the screen effectively show 30 frames per second (30 solid images per second).

"p" means progressive scan: the entire image is shown to you at once. Since we’re shown the entire image at once we’ve effectively doubled the frame rate to 60 frames per second. Some people argue that this gives the moving images a much smoother motion.

The numbers "720" and "1080" refer to the number of horizontal lines of resolution.

So, 720p means 720 lines of resolution with a progressive image. 1080i means 1080 lines of resolution with an interlaced image.

Which one is better? Personally, Chris can’t tell the difference between the two.

Some people argue that anything that requires fast movement of the camera (like sports) look better on a 1080i display than on a 720p display. But if you’re just the average user, there’s a good chance you’re not going to notice the difference between the two.

If you’re in the market to purchase a High Definition Television try visiting some of your friends that have an HDTV set, and looking at the sets displayed in stores. Find the one that’s most pleasing to your eyes (and your budget) and buy it.

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26, 32, 37, 40, 42, 50… HDTV hike!

Chris Pirillo — Fri, 18 May 2007 10:15:53 +0000

Christie West sent me an email earlier, with really smart links pertaining to HDTV, and how the world is preparing itself for the eventual demise of standard televisions.

From the National Telecommunications and Information Administration:

Households using analog televisions will not be able to receive digital broadcasts after February 17, 2009, unless the analog television is connected to a box that converts the digital signal to an analog format, or the analog television is connected to cable or satellite service. While converters may be important to connect some TVs, other viewers may not need or want converters, such as those who have digital televisions or pay TV service.

From DTV Answers :

DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. The switch to digital broadcasting will enable television stations to offer dramatically clearer pictures, better sound quality and more programming choices. Under legislation passed by Congress – the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 – over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on February 17, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format.

From DTVTransition.org:

On February 28th 2007 the Digital Television Transition Coalition began fulfilling its mission to inform consumers of the February 17, 2009 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting. The coalition is comprised of business, trade and industry groups as well as grass roots and membership organizations that share an interest in a smooth transition. The core mission of the Digital Television Transition Coalition is to ensure no consumer is left without broadcast television due to a lack of information about the transition.

Guess I’m glad I’ve already made the HDTV leap. The only tube we have in this place is the one sitting in our exercise room, and the only reason it’s there is because it has a built-in VHS player (VCR, for those of you who can’t remember what VHS tapes needed for playback). I can’t even remember the last time I… hey, do y’all remember tape rewinders?

Recommendations for Formatting Video Podcasts

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 04:47:08 +0000

Apple’s iTunes Podcasting Team (nameless, faceless people) sent me the following tips for getting along with Apple TV:

If you’re encoding your video podcast at 320×240, please increase the resolution to either 640×480 or 640×360 (depending on the aspect ratio of your source files). Why? Because video podcasts at this resolution look great on Apple TV and still port to video iPods. Lower resolution podcasts might also work on both platforms, but they don’t look nearly as good on a widescreen TV. As always, make sure to test any encoding changes you make to ensure device compatibility. QuickTime 7.1′s “Export to iPod” function will ensure that a video file is encoded at a width of 640 and is iPod-compatible.

It’s best not to create two different podcast feeds for different resolutions. By doing so, you dilute the popularity of your podcast and reduce exposure in our charts. It’s better to have one feed high in the charts than two that are lower.

If your source files are 16:9, stick with that aspect ratio. Don’t add letterboxing to make them 4:3. By doing so, you prevent the video from expanding to fill a 16:9 widescreen TV and instead end up with black space on all four sides. Also, your original source files should be at least 640 pixels wide.

Of course these are just recommendations. We understand that there are good reasons for 320×240 (bandwidth bills) and 720p (looks fantastic). Do whatever makes the most sense for your show. For more information on formatting video, see the recently updated spec.

The Lab Launches with Leo Laporte

Chris Pirillo — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:12:12 +0000

Leo and his crew invited Ponzi and me up to Vancouver today to help them kick off his new show, “The Lab with Leo Laporte.” We drove in late last night, and will be returning home before tomorrow morning (likely, taking off this evening). Cat Schwartz is up here, too! It’s just like old times – almost. We’re on a real, “live” television set – but the energy is different. Then again, it would be impossible to match the spirit we once had at together at TechTV. Still, this is the next bestest thing – if only momentarily.

Ponzi will be doing a segment on online dating (alhtough she’s hoping to get started with an online video series demystifying mortgage loan documents soon). Cat’s doing “high-tech mommy” products and Skype demonstrations. I’m running through the current beta of UndoTV (even though there’s a much more amazing version that will be unleashed before UndoTV even goes live). We’re all backstage right now, enjoying the company.

Here’s my “live” webcam, uploading images from behind the scenes (refreshes once every minute):