tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67143102701358052202023-10-01T01:53:01.755-07:00The Ultimate guide to the coolest gadgetsPhones | Cameras | Home Theaters | Laptops | Music PlayersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714310270135805220.post-80976857774600286102008-01-07T03:53:00.000-08:002008-01-07T04:00:16.774-08:00An Armani in your hand : Mobile haute couture<span id="intelliTxt">If there's one thing the Samsung Armani phone has in abundance, it most definitely is style. Slim, compact and high-tech, the fully touch-operated Armani phone is not just the final touch to your look - it's the finish with a flourish. Anyway, with us the tech junky tends to get the upper hand over the fashion savvy, and we are eager to find out if there's more to it than what meets the eye. The really promising Samsung Armani phone seems the right mix between technology and looks, but we're more interested in how it fares as a gadget, not an accessory.<br /><br /></span><span id="intelliTxt"><strong><span style="font-size:78%;">Samsung Armani official photos<br /><br /></span></strong></span><span id="intelliTxt"><a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_armani_p520-review-202.php#"><img alt="Samsung Armani phone official photos" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-armani/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic001.jpg" height="140" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_armani_p520-review-202.php#"><img alt="Samsung Armani phone official photos" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-armani/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic002.jpg" height="140" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_armani_p520-review-202.php#"><img alt="Samsung Armani phone official photos" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-armani/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic003.jpg" height="140" /></a><br /><br /></span><p>The model designation that hides behind the Samsung Armani name is actually Samsung P520. That alone may be enough of a hint that the Armani phone is an offshoot of the Samsung P-series. The Samsung Armani has inherited the same form factor and has the same size and weight as the Samsung P310 for example.</p> <p>The Samsung Armani phone comes in two retail packages - standard and extended . The difference between the two is the Bluetooth headset in the bigger one.</p> <p>The standard contents of the retail box are a hard leather case, charger, data cable, memory card, a wired stereo headset, soft pouch as an alternative to the leather case and, finally, a cleaning cloth.</p> <p>All the contents of the box look really classy and are all Giorgio Armani branded. The user guide has the most exquisite covers we've seen</p><br /><br /><b>Key features </b><a href="javascript:togglecomments('samsungarmani')" aiotitle="click to expand">( Click here to read more .. the content will open instantly below )</a><br /><div class="commenthidden" id="samsungarmani"><br /><span id="intelliTxt"><ul><li>Stylish looks and high-quality build </li><li>Small dimensions and compact "card" form factor </li><li>2.6" touchscreen TFT display with QVGA resolution </li><li>Vibrating haptic response </li><li>microSD memory card slot </li><li>Stereo Bluetooth </li><li>3 megapixel camera </li><li>Office documents viewer </li><li>Rich retail accessories </li></ul> <h3>Main disadvantages:</h3> <ul><li>Slow interface response </li><li>Slow memory card reading </li><li>Awkward web browser controls </li><li>No 3G support </li><li>No camera auto focus </li></ul></span><span id="intelliTxt"><strong><span style="font-size:78%;">Armani adds a touch of unique style to the Samsung portfolio<br /><br /></span></strong></span><span id="intelliTxt"><a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_armani_p520-review-202.php#"><img alt="Samsung Armani phone" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-armani/thumb/gsmarena_052.jpg" height="90" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_armani_p520-review-202.php#"><img alt="Samsung Armani phone" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-armani/thumb/gsmarena_055.jpg" height="90" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_armani_p520-review-202.php#"><img alt="Samsung Armani phone" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-armani/thumb/gsmarena_056.jpg" height="90" /></a><br /><br /></span><span id="intelliTxt"><strong><span style="font-size:78%;">The standard box contents are anything but standard<br /><br /></span></strong></span><span id="intelliTxt"><a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_armani_p520-review-202.php#"><img alt="Samsung Armani phone" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-armani/thumb/gsmarena_045.jpg" height="90" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_armani_p520-review-202.php#"><img alt="Samsung Armani phone" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-armani/thumb/gsmarena_046.jpg" height="90" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_armani_p520-review-202.php#"><img alt="Samsung Armani phone" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-armani/thumb/gsmarena_047.jpg" height="90" /></a> </span><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714310270135805220.post-1020034497815243202008-01-03T02:45:00.000-08:002008-01-03T02:54:09.430-08:00Beat this - 22 hours of MacBook battery life; 400 hours of iPod use, 2500 hours of iPhone standby time!!All hail the <span style="font-weight: bold;">nanotech </span>battery!<br />Imagine… what if you could watch 70 hours of iPod video on a single charge. (OK, wait, that actually, might be a <em>bad thing</em>). <p>Instead, imagine something more useful, like getting 22+ hours of MacBook use. Or 2500 hours of iPhone standby time. Such is the promise of <strong>Stanford University </strong>researchers who claim to have found a way to use silicon nanowires to improve the way lithium-ion batteries store energy, delivering a reported 10x boost in capacity. <strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong>Creating a nano-powered iPod nano</strong><b> </b><a href="javascript:togglecomments('nanoipod')" aiotitle="click to expand">( Click here to read more .. the content will open instantly below )</a></p><div class="commenthidden" id="nanoipod"><p>As everyone knows, nano technology will eventually cure every disease and solve every problem known to man, and then create a race of super robots that will enslave us all. But before it does, it looks like we’ll be able to benefit from extended periods of all sorts of mobile gadget use. </p> <p>According to lead Stanford researcher Yi Cui, this increased storage capacity could also make Li-ion batteries an attractive option to electric car manufacturers and solar power aficionados. “It’s not a small improvement, it’s a revolutionary development.” </p> <p>You bet it is. Imagine, we may finally be able to listen to all 40,000 songs Apple says the iPod can hold on a single charge! Not to mention the 100 hours+ battery life we’ll get from Apple’s super-secret, not-yet-announced, ultra-portable, ultra-hyphenated, flash-based MacBook!</p> <p>From <a set="yes" linkindex="105" href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219103105.htm">ScienceDaily</a>.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714310270135805220.post-43117085853766700752008-01-02T21:15:00.000-08:002008-01-03T02:54:49.165-08:00Is it really George of the iPod jungle !!?I've been a great fan of good home iPod speaker systems which boost the quality of music played by my iPod however, if you've been using one, you would know that one of the major drawbacks of most of them is that the remote control that comes with the unit offers only limited control of your iPod. You stick the iPod in the speaker's dock and you can do little more than skip forward and back through tracks (and possibly playlists), raise and lower the volume, and pause and play audio.<br /><br />If you're lucky, the speaker has a display that's big enough for you to be able see what track is playing from more than a few feet away. Most don't, as they rely on the iPod's screen to display the relevant track and navigation info. Which brings me to George, the high-end iPod music system from start-up Chestnut Hill Sound. The George solves the interface problem in much the same way that Sonos does for media-streaming devices: it builds a remote into the system that essentially mirrors the display of the iPod. But the smart usability solution will cost you a pretty penny--the George retails for $500.<br /><br />Cosmetically speaking, George's appearance is pretty polished. Weighing 10 pounds and measuring 4.5x14.1x8.6 inches (HWD), it's slightly bigger than your average table-top radio and features removable speaker grilles, as well as interchangeable side panels that allow you to customize the look of your unit. The company says it will offer different "skins" (in cherry, walnut, or black oak) for around $99 each. Colorful speaker grilles will also be available for $29. Like many iPod music systems, there's a dock built into the top of the unit that recharges your iPod when it's inserted (and George is plugged in). The system comes with the typical assortment of plastic sleeves or universal adapters that are designed to make your particular iPod model fit snugly in the dock. But what's unusual about the George is that the dock module itself is removable, and Chestnut Hill has said that it will eventually offer an optional HD Radio module that includes a new iPod dock and a small accessory that will clip onto the back of the unit.<br /><img style="width: 424px; height: 318px;" alt="http://www.news.com/i/bto/20070825/GEORGE_1_540x405.jpg" src="http://www.news.com/i/bto/20070825/GEORGE_1_540x405.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><b>The Good, The bad, the Bottom line and the Price </b><a href="javascript:togglecomments('chestnutipod')" aiotitle="click to expand">( Click here to read more .. the content will open instantly below )</a><div class="commenthidden" id="chestnutipod"><p> <b>The good: </b> High-end iPod speaker system/radio; detachable front panel that doubles as an advanced iPod remote; remote has a range of 25 feet; RF Zigbee transmission eliminates line-of-sight limitations; rich, detailed sound; relatively sleek design; upgradeable firmware; AM/FM clock radio with dual alarms and 24 presets; interchangeable side panels and speaker grilles; includes separate remote charger. </p> <p> <b>The bad: </b> It's expensive, there's no video output, and it doesn't handle heavy bass all that well. </p> <b>The bottom line: </b> In addition to its upgradeablility and customizable colors, the George sets itself apart from other upscale iPod tabletop radios with a unique and useful visual wireless remote. <p> </p> <p class="summaryPriceRange"> <span>Price range:</span> <a> $499.00 - $499.99</a> </p> <img style="width: 371px; height: 199px;" alt="http://z.about.com/d/hometheater/1/0/0/M/georgespkrs500.jpg" src="http://z.about.com/d/hometheater/1/0/0/M/georgespkrs500.jpg" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714310270135805220.post-43435384094497406622008-01-02T05:02:00.000-08:002008-01-02T22:53:26.793-08:00Samsung G800<span id="intelliTxt">Hey ma look - The Phone with a 5 MP camera !!<br /><br />It seems Samsung are really stepping on it in the 5 megapixel cameraphone race. In a stark display of audacity, the G800 is pitched as a digicam that can make calls. We usually deal with gadgets that are the other way around but we've been eager to test the Samsung G800 ever since its official launch back in late October. As you may recall, we were lucky to be there, but rubbing shoulders is nothing like getting our hands on the handset sporting the first 5 megapixel camera with optical zoom.<br /><br />So sit back and get ready for Samsung G800, one of the most hyped handsets lately.<br /><br /></span><span id="intelliTxt"><strong><span style="font-size:78%;">Samsung G800 official pics</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span id="intelliTxt"><a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-london/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic032.jpg" height="120" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-london/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic033.jpg" height="120" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-london/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic034.jpg" height="120" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-london/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic035.jpg" height="120" /></a><br /><br /></span><span id="intelliTxt"><strong><span style="font-size:78%;">Samsung G800 lifestyle photos<br /><br /></span></strong></span><span id="intelliTxt"><a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-london/thumb/gsmarena_life001.jpg" height="120" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-london/thumb/gsmarena_life002.jpg" height="120" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-london/thumb/gsmarena_life003.jpg" height="120" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-london/thumb/gsmarena_life004.jpg" height="120" /></a><br /><br /><br /></span><b>Key features </b><a href="javascript:togglecomments('samsungg800')" aiotitle="click to expand">( Click here to read more .. the content will open instantly below )</a><br /><div class="commenthidden" id="samsungg800"><span id="intelliTxt"><ul><li> megapixel auto focus camera with 3x optical zoom and xenon flash</li><li>Large 2.4" QVGA 256K color display</li><li>EDGE and 3G (with HSDPA) </li><li>Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP support</li><li>Comfortable keypad</li><li>Stereo FM radio with RDS</li><li>Stylish design</li></ul> <h3>Main disadvantages:</h3> <ul><li>Bad display processing</li><li>Weak sunlight legibility</li><li>Very slow memory card reading</li><li>No standard 3.5 mm audio jack</li><li>Volume/Zoom key is very hard to press</li><li>Quite chubby</li></ul></span><span id="intelliTxt"><a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-g800/thumb/gsmarena_030.jpg" height="90" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-g800/thumb/gsmarena_031.jpg" height="90" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-g800/thumb/gsmarena_032.jpg" height="90" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_g800-review-197.php#"><img alt="Samsung G800" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-g800/thumb/gsmarena_033.jpg" height="90" /></a> </span><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714310270135805220.post-25435109671093087512008-01-02T04:14:00.000-08:002008-01-02T22:54:59.622-08:00Nokia 5610 XpressMusic - Solid beauty at its purest<span id="intelliTxt"><p>This phone is solid beauty at its purest ! We are having the pleasure of a handset that has been designed to meet the highest expectations of music fans. Its other features however are pretty interesting too and will surely appeal to a wider audience.</p> <p>It seems phone manufacturers are head over heels about music in phones. Well, it seems reasonable that many users would prefer their music on their handsets instead of carrying an additional dedicated device of similar features. The first music centered phones by Nokia were labeled 5200 and 5300, and the latter is a direct forerunner of the one we're testing today - Nokia 5610.<br /></p><p>It is a great value for money and the features it boasts can make u grab it right after the first demo ! Here is a sneek peak.<br /></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Official photos of Nokia 5610 XpressMusic</b></span><br /></p></span><span id="intelliTxt"><p> <a set="yes" linkindex="35" onclick="javascript:ShowArticleImage(27686,750,500,'IMG_1530.jpg'); return false" href="http://www.mobilmania.cz/Getfile.aspx?id_file=27686"><img title="Nokia 5610" style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" alt="Nokia 5610" src="http://www.mobilmania.cz/GetThumbNail.aspx?id_file=27686&width=5000&height=90&q=100" align="absmiddle" /></a> <a set="yes" linkindex="36" onclick="javascript:ShowArticleImage(27688,750,500,'IMG_1571.jpg'); return false" href="http://www.mobilmania.cz/Getfile.aspx?id_file=27688"><img title="Nokia 5610" style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" alt="Nokia 5610" src="http://www.mobilmania.cz/GetThumbNail.aspx?id_file=27688&width=5000&height=90&q=100" align="absmiddle" /></a> <a set="yes" linkindex="37" onclick="javascript:ShowArticleImage(27673,750,500,'IMG_1546.jpg'); return false" href="http://www.mobilmania.cz/Getfile.aspx?id_file=27673"><img title="Nokia 5610" style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" alt="Nokia 5610" src="http://www.mobilmania.cz/GetThumbNail.aspx?id_file=27673&width=5000&height=90&q=100" align="absmiddle" /></a> <a set="yes" linkindex="38" onclick="javascript:ShowArticleImage(27671,750,500,'IMG_1548.jpg'); return false" href="http://www.mobilmania.cz/Getfile.aspx?id_file=27671"><img title="Nokia 5610" style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" alt="Nokia 5610" src="http://www.mobilmania.cz/GetThumbNail.aspx?id_file=27671&width=5000&height=90&q=100" align="absmiddle" /></a> <a set="yes" linkindex="39" onclick="javascript:ShowArticleImage(27670,750,500,'IMG_1549.jpg'); return false" href="http://www.mobilmania.cz/Getfile.aspx?id_file=27670"><img title="Nokia 5610" style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" alt="Nokia 5610" src="http://www.mobilmania.cz/GetThumbNail.aspx?id_file=27670&width=5000&height=90&q=100" align="absmiddle" /></a> <br /><strong><span style="font-size:78%;">5610 XpressMusic in its red variety compared to N95 8GB</span></strong></p></span><b>Key features </b><a href="javascript:togglecomments('nokia5610')" aiotitle="click to expand">( Click here to read more .. the content will open instantly below )</a><a aiotitle="click to expand" href="javascript:togglecomments('NAMEITHERE')"><br /></a><div class="commenthidden" id="nokia5610"><br /><span id="intelliTxt"><ul><li>High-quality construction, steel highlights</li><li>3G support with video calls</li><li>2.2" TFT QVGA display</li><li>3 megapixel camera with autofocus </li><li>UMTS, EDGE, GPRS</li><li>Advanced music functions, radio with RDS</li><li>Stereo Bluetooth</li><li>Good keypad</li><li>microSD memory card slot</li></ul> <h3>Main disadvantages</h3> <ul><li>Front panel susceptible to fingerprints</li><li>Camera LED unusable as a flashlight</li><li>Charging through USB not possible</li><li>Easy to scratch lens glass protector</li><li>microUSB port is not that popular</li></ul></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714310270135805220.post-61874390560608393992008-01-01T23:13:00.000-08:002008-01-02T22:55:27.521-08:00Sony Ericsson W890 - The thin Walkman phone<span style="font-size:85%;">Thin is in ! With 2008 around the corner, hopes are high for the coming year but the devoted fans of Sony Ericsson W880 have yet another reason to eagerly look forward. The expected release of Sony Ericsson W890 should be enough to keep them wide awake and ready for what seems a highly promising successor.<br /><br />With its super slim styling and clean-cut lines, massive 2GB storage add-on and 3.2 megapixel camera, the W890 Walkman phone can hit the right notes with music lovers and design connoisseurs alike. Sony Ericsson W890 speaks the language of the young, fashion-savvy music fans, putting some of the latest Walkman features to good use.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Official photos of Sony Ericsson W890 </b></span><br /><br /><span id="intelliTxt"><a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_w890-review-201.php#"><img alt="Official photos of Sony Ericsson W890" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/se-w890/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic001.jpg" height="130" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_w890-review-201.php#"><img alt="Official photos of Sony Ericsson W890" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/se-w890/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic002.jpg" height="130" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_w890-review-201.php#"><img alt="Official photos of Sony Ericsson W890" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/se-w890/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic003.jpg" height="130" /></a> <a onclick="'javascript:ShowImg(" href="http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_w890-review-201.php#"><img alt="Official photos of Sony Ericsson W890" src="http://img.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/se-w890/ofic/thumb/gsmarena_ofic004.jpg" height="130" /></a></span><br /> <br /><br /><b>Key features </b><a aiotitle="click to expand" href="javascript:togglecomments('sonyw890')">( Click here to read more .. the content will open instantly below )</a><br /><div class="commenthidden" id="sonyw890"><br /> * Extra slim body with solid construction<br /> * Quad-band GSM<br /> * HSDPA, EDGE, HSCSD, Bluetooth (with A2DP)<br /> * Location services, Smart search, Manage messages<br /> * Media center, Walkman 3.0, SensMe tempo and mood detector, TrackID<br /> * Access NetFront 3.4 with mouse pointer and in-page search<br /> * 3.2 megapixel camera with Cyber-shot SE v2.0 UI<br /> * Fast photo browser<br /> * FM radio with RDS<br /> * 2GB M2 card included<br /> * New improved battery cover release mechanism<br /> * Finger print resistant body panels<br /><br />Main disadvantages<br /><br /> * Only 26 MB of user available internal memory<br /> * No camera autofocus, no flash<br /> * Video recording in QVGA resolution at 15fps<br /> * No skins for the Walkman player<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714310270135805220.post-91351107582741660302007-12-26T04:18:00.000-08:002008-01-01T23:13:17.269-08:00Plasma or LCD - Which TV to buy !<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">If you're in the market for a flat screen television for a home theater, then you<br />probably have one million dollar question you want answered: Plasma OR LCD, which<br />TV is right for me?</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The two different camps of flat panel display standard will, of<br />course, gladly spruik the advantages of their own standard and the<br />deficiencies of the other. But which type of display, plasma or LCD, is<br />better? And which will give you more bang for your buck?</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">1. Ok Lets check whats the difference between Plasma and LCD first?<br /><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Plasma and LCD panels may look similar, but the flat screen and<br />thin profile is where the similarities end. Plasma screens, as its name<br />suggests, uses a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells charged by precise<br />electrical voltages to create a picture. LCD screens (liquid crystal<br />display) are in layman's terms sandwiches made up of liquid crystal<br />pushed in the space between two glass plates. Images are created by<br />varying the amount electrical charge applied to the crystals. Each<br />technology has its strengths and weaknesses, as you'll read below.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">2. Now, how do plasma and LCD screens give a different picture quality than normal CRT TVs?<br /><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">It's not what's happening behind the screen that's important - it's<br />how the screen performs as a television that matters the most. In that<br />regard, both plasma and LCD sets produce excellent pictures, although<br />many home entertainment specialists and gamers still say CRTs produce<br />the best overall images (although the latest plasmas are particularly good, and LCD sets are quickly catching up in terms of quality).</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Those same home entertainment specialists will tell you that for<br />basic home theatre-like usage, plasma screens have a slight edge over<br />LCDs. This is because plasma screens can display blacks more accurately<br />than LCDs can, which means better contrast and detail in dark-coloured<br />television or movie scenes. The nature of LCD technology, where a<br />backlight shines through the LCD layer, means it's hard for it to<br />achieve true blacks because there's always some light leakage from<br />between pixels. This is steadily improving with every new generation of<br />LCD, however.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a name="2"></a><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">3. Advantages of plasma over LCD<br /><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Apart from better contrast due to its ability to show deeper<br />blacks, plasma screens typically have better viewing angles than LCD.<br />Viewing angles are how far you can sit on either side of a screen<br />before the picture's quality is affected. You tend to see some<br />brightness and colour shift when you're on too far of an angle with<br />LCDs, while a plasma's picture remains fairly solid. This is steadily<br />changing, however, with more and more LCDs entering the market with<br />viewing angles equal to or greater than some plasmas. Plasmas can also<br />produce a brighter colour, once again due to light leakage on an LCD<br />affecting its colour saturation.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The contrast is equivalent to the best CRT TVs. The main<br />reason for that is the high quality of the blacks: A pixel that's<br />switched off emits no light at all, contrary to the way an LCD pixel<br />works. Plasma TVs also have better brightness performance than CRT<br />monitors, achieving values of 900 to 1000 nits.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Also note that plasma displays can have very large diagonal<br />measurements (32 to 50 inches) with minimal thickness. That's a<br />decisive advantage over CRTs, which as you know get very bulky in<br />larger sizes.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a name="3"></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Plasma gurus will also tell you that some LCD screens<br />have a tendency to blur images, particularly during fast moving scenes<br />in movies or in sports. While that was true for older generation LCD<br />screens, newer models have improved significantly -- so much so that<br />the differences in performance between LCDs and plasmas in this regard<br />is almost negligible (here's a tip -- if you're shopping for LCDs,<br />check the pixel response time, measured in ms. The lower it is, the<br />better the image quality in fast moving scenes).</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Traditionally, the biggest advantage plasmas have had over their LCD<br />cousins is price, particularly in the large screen end of the market.<br />In the past 12 months, this has changed, with LCDs matching or even<br />beating plasmas in both resolution and price.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">LCDs, on the other hand, generally top out around the 52-inch mark but are incredibly competitive with similar-sized plasmas.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">4. Advantages of LCD over plasma<br /><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Apart from being price competitive, LCD has the edge over plasma in several other key areas. LCDs tend to have higher native resolution than plasmas of similar size, which means more pixels on a screen.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">LCDs also tend to consume less power than plasma screens, with<br />some estimates ranging that power saving at up to 30 per cent less than<br />plasma. LCDs are also generally lighter than similar sized plasmas,<br />making it easier to move around or wall mount.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">LCD gurus also point to the fact that LCDs have a longer<br />lifespan than plasma screens. This was true of earlier plasma models,<br />which would lose half of their brightness after more than 20,000 hours<br />of viewing. Later plasma generations have bumped that up to anything<br />between 30,000 and 60,000 hours. LCDs, on the other hand, are<br />guaranteed for 60,000 hours.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">You might have also heard that plasmas suffer from screen burn in,<br />an affliction not as commonly associated with LCDs. Screen burn in<br />occurs when an image is left too long on a screen, resulting in a ghost<br />of that image burned in permanently. Newer plasmas are less susceptible<br />to this thanks to improved technology and features such as screen<br />savers, but burn-in is still a problem. But after a few days of use<br />most burnt-in images will fade -- they are no longer permanent.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">In general, LCD-based solutions are less expensive than plasma TVs,<br />but naturally, market factors have to be taken into account. When<br />there's a shortage of panels, even lower-cost technologies can reach<br />exorbitant prices. We saw that happen a little over a year ago.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">In terms of image quality, LCDs offer better brightness than CRT<br />displays. And LCD pixels don't flicker, which means they can be used<br />close up, creating a better immersion experience.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">LCD TVs have exceptional image stability, meaning you can sit close</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">and not experience eye fatigue. In addition, the brightness is</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">excellent and the image is perfectly sharp. Add to that the reasonable</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">production price - barring shortages - and reduced footprint, and you</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">can see that LCD has a lot going for it.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" name="4"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></a><span style=""></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5. The answer to the million dollar question - Which is better value for me right now: plasma or LCD?<br /><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">If you're in the market for a big screen television -- and we're<br />talking 50-inches and above -- then we'd suggest plasma as a safe bet.<br />Plasmas give you more bang for your buck at the big end of town, and<br />while LCDs can give you better resolution, plasma still has the edge in<br />terms of picture quality. One other thing to look for, whether you opt<br />for plasma or LCD, is an integrated tuner -- many TVs still have<br />analogue tuners, which look pretty terrible on a large screen. Try to<br />get a model with an inbuilt HD tuner if you can.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial;"> </div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At the smaller end of things (15" to 42" TVs), LCD is the only way</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">to go if you want something slim and tasteful. And the best thing is</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">that LCDs are getting cheaper all the time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">6. Do I need to buy 1080p?</span></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><a name="6"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></b></a><span style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">If you're a true high-def junkie who's keen to see every pixel of a<br />high-res 1080i/p image reproduced pixel-by-pixel (providing you have a<br />source that high, of course), then LCDs are seemingly the way to go.<br />However, top-of-the line plasmas will also display 1080p content, so<br />the choice isn't as easy as it once was.<br /><br />Despite the current HD Buzz, there is still very little content available in 1080p -- especially<br />compared to the infinite amount of SD content like TV programs and<br />DVDs. Though buying 1080p now may mean you get some degree of<br />futureproofing, you may not be getting the best picture. It's not all<br />about the resolution. For example, one of the best TVs we've seen yet<br />is only 720p (HD) compliant and yet 1080p content still looks better on it than on any LCD you<br />could name. Unless you measure your screen size in metres, 1368 x 768<br />resolution could still be enough for your needs.</span></span><span style=""></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0