The California Energy Commission has delayed an expected vote on regulations that would ban the sale of some flat-screen televisions in the state. The regulations, which have been debated for some time, are designed to get energy-hogging TVs off the market in California. The San Jose Mercury News ran an excellent online article about the delayed vote Wednesday.

If you're anything like me, you love your DVR. The only problem is, the internal hard drives on these fantastic little machines have a tendency to fill up quickly, especially when you record a lot of high definition programming. The good news is, many DVRs allow you to expand their recording capacity by adding an external hard drive.

Since every DVR is different, you'll want to check your manual to see if your model can accommodate an add-on hard drive. If it can, you'll find the connection process extremely easy. In most cases, it requires nothing more than running a cable from the drive to your DVR.

Some television service providers, including DirecTV and Dish Network, even have information about adding external drives on their Web sites.

Photo © Dish Network

BusinessWeek just ran an interesting article about California's push to ban energy-hungry big-screen televisions. State regulators have been talking about a ban for some time, but the issue is apparently coming to a head, as BusinessWeek reported that the state could put new guidelines in place as early as today. If this happens, retailers and television manufacturers would have until 2011 to respond.

The California standards, as proposed, would not apply to televisions larger than 58 inches, meaning manufacturers could sell really big sets with no worries. California is not proposing the elimination of existing televisions.

The state's argument is that many sets already meet the power consumption guidelines that it plans to implement and that consumers would not pay more for energy-efficient televisions. The state estimates the new guidelines will save $912.1 million per year in avoided electrical bills.

The Consumer Electronics Association, predictably, has a differing viewpoint. It argues that the proposed guidelines will result in the loss of 4,600 retail jobs in California because consumers will go out of state or online to buy models that are not available in California. The CEA also argues that those who buy energy-efficient televisions pay an average of $167 more than those who don't.

While I'm a proponent of green technology and preserving the environment, I'm torn on this issue. It is true that guidelines like these will encourage manufacturers to produce an abundance of energy-efficient sets in short order, but the decision to ignore televisions larger than 58 inches seems arbitrary and counterproductive. Also, considering the energy worries that our nation has, televisions seem like relatively minor offenders. BusinessWeek reports that a 42-inch plasma running an average of four and a half hours per day uses only $54 in energy every year. If those numbers are correct, one wonders what the television industry did to invite California's wrath, as the state is still loaded with people driving gas-guzzling SUVs to and from work.

This seems like one of those topics that could generate a great discussion, so be sure to post your thoughts below.

I'm currently in the process of reviewing Panasonic's TC-P46G10, one of the company's Internet-enabled plasma televisions. When I review a TV, I don't just check out the image quality and see how well the stock speakers perform. Whenever possible, I try to live with the set for a few weeks, so I get a sense of what it would be like to "own" the TV. I do this because I believe it better enables me to provide the type of information the average buyer is looking for.

In living with this Panasonic plasma, I've been taking particular advantage of its Internet functionality by accessing free content on YouTube. I've never been the sort of guy who sits at his desk streaming online videos all day, but I've become more of a YouTube fan thanks to the instant access on this television. When I'm relaxing at night and I can't find anything that I want to watch on my favorite channels, I now find myself drifting to YouTube and searching through the content there. Doing so, I've enjoyed everything from "Star Wars" fan movies to music videos. I even discovered some short German lessons to help me with my quest to learn a new language.

The best part is that the content doesn't really feel like online video anymore. When the quality is high - and that depends on the video uploaded to YouTube - it feels a lot like watching regular television.

I'm wondering if anyone else with an Internet-enabled TV or set-top device is becoming addicted to this sort of alternative programming. I'm also wondering if you are being enticed to buy an Internet-enabled set or Blu-ray player because of their ability to stream content from sites like YouTube. Respond to this post and let me know what you're thinking.

This week, I'm kicking off a new feature for the TV/Video Blog. Each Monday, I'll highlight a different television, laying out some of the key specs along with the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). I will also link to a full review if I've written one.

The main purpose of this feature is to give you an idea of what is available in the marketplace. I'll be considering all different sizes and types of televisions from a variety of manufacturers, and I'll throw in my thoughts where appropriate. Hopefully, this feature will give those of you in the market for a new TV a good overview. I also hope it's fun for those of you who like to window shop and stay abreast of the latest technology.

Without further delay, our first TV ...

TV of the Week: 47LH50 by LG

Screen Size: 47" diagonal

Actual Dimensions: 46.2" x 31.1" x 13.3" with stand

Television Type: LCD

Native Resolution: 1920 x 1080p

Contrast Ratio: 70,000:1

Manufacturer Estimated Lifespan: 60,000 hours

Internet Enabled: Yes.

MSRP:$1,499.99

Official Web Site: http://www.lge.com/us/tv-audio-video/televisions/LG-lcd-tv-47LH50.jsp

HDMI Inputs: 4 (three on the rear and one on the side)

Component Video Inputs: 2 in the rear with L/R audio

Composite Video Inputs: 2 (one rear and one side, both with L/R audio)

Digital Audio Out (Optical): 1 in the rear

RGB In: 1

PC Audio Input: 1

LAN: 1

RS-232c In (Control/Service): 1

Audio Output Power (Watts): 10W + 10W

Speakers: 2-way hidden

Built-in Decoding: Dolby Digital

Photo © LG

It seems that everyone is getting into the streaming video market. Early this week, it was announced that Sony has partnered with Netflix so that PlayStation 3 owners who are also Netflix subscribers will be able stream video to their televisions using the gaming system. That announcement was followed by the debut of two new Roku streaming video units.

Today, I ran across a report by Dan Rayburn of BusinessOfVideo.com stating that Nintendo is in tests to bring Netflix streaming to its Wii gaming console. Rayburn doesn't reveal the name of his source, and I'm always skeptical about things like this until somebody goes on the record. If it is true, however, we're looking at one more development that could help video streaming someday replace physical DVD and Blu-ray libraries.

Personally, I enjoy having a physical library of movies lining my walls, but I'm a film critic as well as the guide for this site, so I may be the exception. I'd love to hear what you have to say. Are you hopeful that video streaming will come to the Wii? Now that video streamers are becoming plentiful and cheaper, are you likely to get rid of your DVDs and Blu-ray discs?

Photo © Nintendo.

Roku announced this week that it has added two new set-top boxes to its line of video streaming products. One, the Roku SD, is an entry-level model featuring only standard-definition output. The main selling point on the SD is it's relatively low $79.99 price. The second new model, the Roku HD-XR, sells for $129.99 but can output high-definition signals at a resolution of 720p.

Both players are equipped with Wi-Fi or can connect to a wired network with an Ethernet cable. The HD-XR goes a step further as the first Roku player to offer 802.11n dual-band wireless connectivity.

Roku players allow viewers to stream video content over the internet to a television, and consumers currently have access to programming from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand and MLB.TV. It's important to note, however, that each of those outlets charges for content. The Roku itself is just a delivery system.

At $79.99, the SD is $20 cheaper than Roku's standard player, the HD, and the company is clearly hoping to win more consumers over with the lower price point. The HD-XR, on the other hand, is targeting a higher-tech crowd with its high-definition capabilities and improved Wi-Fi.

Photo © Roku.

Sony and Netflix announced Monday that they are teaming to provide free streaming of movies and television shows to all Netflix subscribers who own a PlayStation 3. Technically, the content isn't free because a Netflix subscription of $8.99 per month or more is required but, if you have a subscription, you won't pay more to stream content through your PS3.

Press releases from Sony and Netflix did not give a firm start date for the service, but they said it will kick off next month. To watch movies or TV shows on demand, PS3 owners will have to slip a Blu-ray disc (provided by Netflix) into their players. The disc will then allow users to stream content using BD-Live technology. Consumers who want to prepare, can reserve one of the streaming discs online at www.netflix.com/ps3. The discs will be shipped free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

I was already a big PS3 fan, and this development adds one more notch to the entertainment system's belt. When the base price for the system dropped to $300, I wrote that it was once again a fine choice for anyone looking to buy a Blu-ray player . This ups its value. I'd love to hear any thoughts you have.

Photo © Netflix.

According to the market research company the NPD Group, about 25 percent of consumers say they're going to buy a television in the next six months. Of those people, NPD says, screen size and picture quality are the two factors most likely to drive their purchase decision. According to NPD, 77 percent of consumers who said they plan on buying a TV also said screen size will be very important or extremely important to their decision making. Seventy-one percent of the potential buyers said the same thing about resolution.

Those latter statistics don't surprise me because -- as a guy who loves big TVs -- screen size has always been one of my biggest concerns. And, of course, there's no point in having a big screen if the picture quality is poor. What does surprise me is NPD's finding that one out of every four consumers is in the market for a TV. Clearly, the high-definition television revolution has convinced a lot of people to upgrade, but the economy is still shaky, and televisions are relatively high-end pieces of equipment.

NPD reported that the average price of 40- to 42-inch flat panels selling during the first nine months of 2009 was $838, and that's the size range most of the potential consumers polled for the NPD study are considering. For more on NPD's research, check out the company's press release on its 2009 TV Inventory Study.

What do you think about the findings? Do you think 25 percent of consumers are actually going to make such a large purchase during the next six months? Leave your comments and let's get a discussion started.

I was reading articles by some other technology journalists this week, and they reminded me of one of the most basic facts to keep in mind when purchasing a new television: You have to trust your own eyes.

I certainly hope the television reviews I post here are a valuable resource, but you should never forget that different people have different viewing preferences. In one of the articles I read this week, a journalist noted that he has never noticed a problem with the representation of motion on LCD televisions. I have to say that I'm not particularly bothered by this either, yet people consistently knock LCDs for their rendering of fast-motion scenes.

In another article, a writer noted that he hates the faster refresh rates available on some of today's TVs . He thinks the faster rates cause every source, including DVD and Blu-ray movies, to look more like video than film.

Certainly, you or anyone else can argue that the points these writers make are wrong, but the bottom line is different people have different likes and dislikes. For that reason, I suggest that you try to spend some time with a TV in the store before making a big purchase. If possible, it's a good idea to watch programming from a few different sources, so you can see the difference between, say, cable and a Blu-ray movie. If you're ordering online, that won't be an option, but you could try to find the same model or a similar model in a local store and just get a feel for the presentation. Also, be sure to check on the return policy of the store you are buying from. Some have excellent, no-questions-asked policies and others are much stricter.

Today's technology is so good that the majority of televisions are capable of producing a great picture, but subtle differences could make the difference between your loving a set and a constant annoyance. I'm reminded of the "rainbow effect" that some people are plagued by with DLP televisions. That phenomenon causes certain people to see annoying flashes of color while watching DLP sets. It doesn't happen to everyone and some people who do see it are bothered rarely. But, if you're one of the folks who is regularly plagued by the rainbow effect, it would be good to know that before plopping down a couple grand on a new TV.

So, if you're considering the purchase of a new television, do keep visiting this site and reading my reviews. But when you find a set that sounds perfect, be sure to take a little time putting it through your own personal final exam. You don't need me to tell you that rational adults often see the same thing in an entirely different light.

Have any other great tips for buying a new TV? Be sure to comment below.