TV / Video: Most Popular Articles

HDMI, DVI, and HDCP
What is HDMI/HDCP and DVI/HDCP, and what do they do? Do I need one on my consumer electronics equipment? I'm thinking about buying a new television, so should I get one with HDMI or DVI?

Watch Free HD Programming
This isn’t much of a secret so there’s no reason to try to stuff the cat back into the bag. Buy an antenna. Get free high definition and digital television programming. There are some stipulations, but really, it’s that simple.

Converter Box Coupon Program
In an effort to help curb the cost impact for analog TV owners, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce developed a converter box program, which allows analog TV owners to request coupons towards the purchase of a digital-to-analog converter box.

Intro: Mounting Flat Panel TVs
Deciding to wall mount a flat panel TV is a big decision. The Tv should rest comfortably on a TV stand, but sometimes greater desires prevail. Before drilling pilot holes, come face to face with some issues you might encounter. (Page 2/2)

Hottest HD Antennas
An off-air antenna for high definition televisions is used to receive over-the-air signals from broadcast TV stations. They are very similar to the antennas many people have mounted on their roof or placed on top of a television. Because the United States is undergoing a transition from analog to digital, people will need a different type of antenna to receive OTA high definition signals. Here is a list of some recommended HD antennas.

Under The Cabinet Televisions
A list of under the cabinet televisions that would be perfect for the kitchen or any small space requiring viewing of the television from all corners of the room.

Buying a TV: HD Tuner
Is it better to buy a television with or without a HD digital tuner?

What is HDTV?
High definition television is the highest form of digital television. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is the same as a movie theater screen. This is possibly HD’s biggest selling point. The other is the resolution. High definition is the best available picture on a television. It comes in three different flavors: 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

All About OTA Antennas
Antennas are considered either indoor or outdoor. There is a difference between the two.

Connect RF Modulator to TV
How do I connect a digital cable box, VCR and DVD player to a TV that does not have AV inputs for the DVD player?

Top Digital External Receivers
ATSC digital set-top receivers are devices that receive and decode digital television signals for output on a high definition TVs (HDTV) that don't have built-in digital tuners.

DLP Lamp Replacement FAQ
Buying a television is like a car – you have to spend a little maintenance to keep it running smooth. Click to read about DLP replacement lamps.

VCRs and DTV Converter Boxes
Is it possible to record TV programming on a VCR when using a Digital (DTV) converter box?

Digital and analog portable TV
Considering that all-digital broadcasting is coming soon, what happens to small portable TVs like 2" LCD Casios? Do they become obsolete? If you need a converter to receive digital on older TVs that just eliminates the portability of the current smaller devices. I also searched the net for new digital ready portable TVs (2"-5") models but can't find any. Yet, there are a lot of analog LCD TVs still being sold? The whole thing just doesn't make any sense!

Pros and Cons: Flat Panel TVs
A list of advantages and disadvantages associated with LCD and plasma flat panel display televisions.

Definition for Contrast Ratio
Definition for contrast ratio.

Digital TV Myths
February 17, 2009, the broadcast television stations will become fully digital. How will this affect you? What impact will it have on cable and satellite?

HD For Free on Analog Cable?
I've heard rumors about getting HD for free on analog cable by using the QAM tuner. Are they true or false? There's only one way to find out.

Best Viewing Distance for TV
How far should a person sit from the TV? I always heard growing up that sitting too close would make a person blind. Is thus true?

Top ENERGY STAR TVs Plasma TVs
I'm pretty environmentally conscientious so I look for ways I can reduce energy. So, it makes sense to look at the ENERGY STAR ratings on televisions, especially plasma HDTVs since they tend to emit a lot of heat. This means the tend to use more energy than other types.

Cable/Satellite TV Comparison
A comparison of common services provided by cable and satellite companies in the United States and Canada.

FAQ - High Definition
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding High Definition television.

Compare DirecTV & DISH Network
Comparison between satellite providers DirecTV and DISH Network.

Before You Buy A Television
What you need to consider before buying a new television like price, type, and where to buy.

Top LCD Manufacturers
A list of five leading Liquid Crystal Display manufacturers in the television industry.

What is Digital Television?
A guide to help beginners understand television's newest advancement, DTV. This article features a perspective on what to expect in the coming years from DTV, and introduces HDTV.

Buying An Extended Warranty
A look at extended warranties and items to consider before buying.

Pros and Cons: CRT Tube TV
A list of advantages and disadvantages associated with rear projection televisions when comparing them to CRT direct view and flat panel models.

Digital Cable, VCR, DVD Player
Connecting a Digital Cable Box or Satellite Receiver, VCR and DVD Player to a TV

Types of Televisions
Buying a television can be frustrating if you don’t know what you’re looking for. From tubes to plasma, there are more models on store shelves than covers of magazines. Before exploring analog versus digital, SDTV, HDTV, and EDTV, take a look at the basic styles of televisions in today’s consumer market.

FAQ: LCD Rear Projection
A list of questions comprised to help consumers understand the basics of LCD or Liquid Crystal Display rear projection televisions.

37" LCD TVs under \$1000
A list featuring LCD TVs for under $1000.

Terk Wireless Transmitter
Product review of Terk Leapfrog wireless A/V transmitter/receiver model LF-30S.

Sharp spokesmodel Alisha Jones
Sharp spokesmodel Alisha Jones standing in front of a Sharp 108" LCD TV, which is the world's largest LCD TV according to Sharp.

Connect Video Switcher to TV
Connecting a Digital Cable Box or Satellite Receiver, VCR, DVD Player and Video Game Console to a TV with only one AV input by using a Video Switcher

Wireless Transmitter/Receiver
I have cable service in my living room only. The apartment manager won't let me run a cable to my bedroom. Is there a device that will let me remotely have TV in my bedroom without running a cable?

40-49" LCD Flat Panel TVs
A list of the top LCD flat panel televisions.

Types of VCRs
A look at the types of video cassette recorders available to the consumer, including VHS, S-VHS, DV, and Digital.

The Best 1080P Televisions
sssIn 2006, many manufacturers unveiled a line of high definition televisions (HDTV) with a maximum resolution of 1080P. This is digital television's highest resolution.

Review: Pioneer PRO-950HD
Review of the Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-950HD 42" Plasma High Definition Television (HDTV) by About.com Guide to TV/Video, Matthew Torres. Created on December 26, 2007.

What Do I Need To Get HDTV?
In order to watch high definition (HD) programming you will need a television capable of displaying HD images and a source of programming.

Vantage Point EVO system
Vantage Point spokesmodels Chy Huang and Ann Poll (left to right) standing in front of the EVO Home Theater System Kit.

Comparison: Service Providers
Since I like to save a buck when I can, comparing digital television packages offered by cable, satellite and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) providers in my area just makes sense to me.

How Much Does HD Cost?
The price of a new HDTV is variable. It is a mixture of how much you are willing to spend versus how much your taste wants you to spend.

Review: Olevia 537H LCD TV
The 537H is a 37” flat panel LCD TV capable of displaying 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i video signals. It has a built-in ATSC/NTSC tuner - meaning it can receive and decode over-the-air (OTA) analog and digital broadcast signals. The panel has a native resolution of 1366x768; it utilizes MediaTek’s MDDI technology.

Audio/Video Wiring Basics
A short tutorial on how to connect any device to a television.

Pros and Cons: CRT Tube TV
A list of advantages and disadvantages associated with CRT direct view televisions when comparing them to rear projection and flat panel models.

Samsung 30" HDTV Monitor
Product Review: Samsung 30" DynaFlat™ Widescreen HDTV Monitor, model TX-P3064W.

Wall Mounting Kit for Dummies
The TV Wall Mounting Kit for Dummies by Bell’O is one of those rare products that aims at removing the stress associated with house projects. The instructions are easy to read. The pieces are easy to handle. Leveling the bracket was a piece of cake.

FAQ: DLP Televisions
A collection of answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about DLP or Digital Light Processing televisions.

Westinghouse SK-32H240 32" LCD
Product Review of Westinghouse model SK-32H240S, a 32" 720p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV.

RCA spokesmodel JennyLee Berns
RCA spokesmodel JennyLee Berns sitting on a LA motorcycle in front of the RCA booth.

Buying Online vs Stores
A comparison between online and retail with respect to convenience, price, availability, customer service, returns/exchanges/refunds, and warranty.

Easy TV Terminology
Definitions of terms associated with the purchase of a television.

Audio-Video Wiring Solutions
Do you have to rewire equipment everytime you want to watch a movie, record a show, or play a video game because you don't have enough inputs on your television? Take a look at five products designed to help solve home electronics audio/video wiring problems.

Zenith Indoor HD Antenna
A quick look at the benefits of an indoor HDTV antenna like the Zenith ZHDTV1.

Connect Camcorder To TV
Learn how to connect your digital camcorder to your television by reading this article - comes complete with pictures.

Sennheiser Headphones RS-120
Sennheiser's model RS-120 wireless headphones give consumers an easy-to-use wireless alternative to open-air speakers and headphones with cords. Read more in the product review.

Pros and Cons: DVD-Recorder
A comparison of good and bad features associated with DVD-recorders, video cassette recorders and digital video recorders.

Is High Definition Over-Rated?
A look at the top-level digital television category, High Definition, and its relevance in the consumer world.

Westinghouse 1080P LCD TV
Westinghouse's LVM-42w2 is a 42" flat panel LCD TV that has a maximum resolution of 1080P, which is the highest resolution of digital high definition content. At 42", the screen is big enough to fill a large room, but at only 4.5" thick this widescreen beauty is thin enough to fit in a tight space.

Difference between TV-Monitor
I am shopping on the computer for a television. I see items listed as televisions and others listed as monitors. What is the difference?

Definition: Response Time
Definition for the TV-Video term 'response time', which is a term associated with LCD monitors and televisions.

Vizio 52" LCD HDTV, GV52LF
Vizio announced the release of four 1080P LCD HDTVs in August 2007. The cream of the new models is the GV52LF, a 52-inch giant that anchors Vizio’s Gallevia line.

Preview: Philips MiraVision TV
European companies with a focus on home decorating like IKEA and Eurway are making an impression with the American consumer. Therefore, the Philips introduction of the European-released MiraVision Mirror TV to American soil is not a surprise.

RF modulator & Video Switcher
What is the difference between a RF modulator and video switcher?

Connect a Video Switcher
Step 2: A step by step list of instructions with pictures detailing how to connect a video switcher (and appropriate devices) to a television.

Review: ZAT-600HD Set-Top Box
Review of Zinwell's ZAT-600HD atsc digital terrestrial HDTV set-top box - a high definition television receiver.

Dorm Room Space Savers
A list of TV/Video products for students living in a dorm or small apartment.

Cool Universal Remote Controls
Maybe we wouldn't lose the remote if it included some features (not to mention a price) that made us feel more “attached” to it. This list features some advanced remotes that carry a lot of features you might need now or grow to love later.

User Review: Dynex DX-R27TV
User Review: Dynex 27" Direct View, Model DX-R27TV. Submitted on October 17, 2007, by George McNair.

Replace A Lost Remote Control
One of the most frantic of times for people can come when they learn that their remote control is lost or broken. How it got that way is unimportant. The moral of the story is that the remote control is gone. No longer will it serve its master. So, how do we fix this situation?

Samsung DLP Televisions
A look at the current models of Samsung DLP televisions.

NFL and NCAA Football on TV
A list of where to watch NFL and NCAA football for the 2007 season.

Review: Dell W2600 26" LCD-TV
A review of Dell's 26" LCD-TV model W2600.

Olevia spokesmodel Jodi Wojdak
Olevia spokesmodel Jodi Wojdak standing in front of an Olevia 1080p LCD TV, model 747i. Wojdak is also the manager at one of the California-based Amadeus Salons and Spas.

Vector Storm Tracker TV/Radio
The Storm Tracker by Vector is a weather radio television combo that is a perfect product for those living in areas susceptible to severe storms.

Skip Doctor Product Review
A review of Digital Innovations SkipDr disc repair system - manual model.

FAQ: Improve Picture on LCD TV
How can I improve the quality of the picture on my Sharp 20” LCD TV? I just got it at Costco for a bedroom TV and I LOVE the size, color, DVD viewing and weight but I do not love the picture from cable. I saw it at Best Buy for $599, Circuit City for $439 and bought it at Costco for $399. I’ve had Sharp TV’s in the past and loved them. Would a “monster cable” help (and what is a monster cable)?"

FAQ - DVD Players
Frequently asked questions regarding types of DVD players, digital and analog, what multi-region and multi-formats mean, and what types of outputs there are. This is a great learning document for all DVD consumers.

Introduction to CableCARDs
An introduction to CableCARD technology, which is also known as Plug and Play. All televisions with a CableCARD slot will have a built-in ATSC digital tuner, which means the TV is digital cable ready. However, not all digital cable ready televisions will feature a CableCARD slot.

EDTVs With Built-In Tuners
Featuring these models: Panasonic TH-42PD50U, Samsung SP-R4232, Sanyo DP42545

Review: JVC High-Speed LCD TV
In August, JVC released the world’s first high speed LCD TV – the 37” LT-37X987, which was priced around $2700 on JVC’s Web site at the time of this review. The LT-32X987 has 120hz Clear Motion Drive panel with GENESSA Picture Processing. JVC will release a 32” version of this television, the LT-32X987, in October 2006.

Over-The-Air
Definition for the TV'Video term - Over-The-Air

Direct View 30" Digital TV
A profile featuring some of the best 30" digital HD-compatible direct view televisions on the market with links to each individual product.

Introduction to IPTV
IPTV stands for internet protocol television. Any person that's watched a clip online has experienced a form of IPTV.

Review: Universal Remote, R7
Universal Remote Control's pre-programmed and learning R7 doesn't have a LCD screen. It doesn't make noises or talk back to you. Exactly what does it do to make is special? It works!

Do I Need A New TV?
Analog broadcasts signals will become extinct on February 17, 2009. After this date all broadcast signals will be digital. You’re the smart consumer that probably wants to make the best purchase. After all, this TV will be part of your home for the next 15-20 years.

Review: Philips Pronto TSU9600
Digital remote controls with LCD screens are becoming more and more in the consumer electronics industry. These thumb-exercisers are now turning into a workout for one, maybe two, hands.

Glossary of Terms - "E-I"
A glossary of television and video terms for the letters "E-I".

Q&A: How TVs Get Resolution
Question: Considering that I've installed all the necessary equipment to display higher resolutions, like progressive scan DVD player, HDTV sets, etc, would my Sony HD television automatically detect and display the highest resolution of the video? Or, would it display something lower?

LG Electronics 102" plasma TV
Image Gallery: LG Electronics 102" plasma display at 2006 International CES

User Review: Vizio VU42L
User Review of Vizio 42" LCD Flat Panel, Model VU42L. Submitted on September 20, 2007, by Rich and Dee.

Budget 30" and 32" LCD TVs
Buying a good LCD TV at a good price is easy if you know what you want and where to look. This list should help as it consists of LCD TVs featuring manufacturer-listed specifications comparable to units priced at $2000 and up - but priced $800 to $1500.

Wiring Solution Model, Stage 2
Wiring Solution Flat Panel Television Mount by Superb Home Theater. Created by Anthony Lozano.

Wiring Solution Model, Stage 3
Wiring Solution Flat Panel Television Mount by Superb Home Theater. Created by Anthony Lozano.

Mitsubishi DLP Televisions
A brief review and an itemized look at each of Mitsubishi's four lines of DLP televisions.

Profile of the evo system
Vantage Point’s latest innovation, the evo system is a modular designed wall-mounted entertainment center that blends practicality with room décor.

Buy Which - 720p, 1080i, 1080p
Which high definition television (HDTV) resolution is better - 720p, 1080i or 1080p? This is a question many people want to know. Marketing literature would suggest 1080p is the way to go but I'm not convinced.

Plug and Play
A posting of the Federal Communications Commission's plug and play factsheet. Plug and Play is a new feature of digital television that eliminates the need for a set-top box to receive digital cable signals.

Wiring Solution Contents
Wiring Solution Flat Panel Television Mount by Superb Home Theater. Created by Anthony Lozano.

PowerSpec 30" LCD-TV Review
Not to be outdone by rival computer manufacturers Dell and Gateway, WinBook enters the television market with a low-priced, high performance flat panel LCD television that can also double as a personal computer monitor...

Dell W3201C 32" LCD TV
Dell is known for its high-selling PCs, which were made famous by Steve, the guy who said, "Dude, you got a Dell." While it would be easy to think that Dell televisions are a bi-product of their PC monitors, it would be wrong.

Get a Better Satellite Signal
A tip on how satellite subscribers can improve or stop losing reception during a storm.

DVI/HDCP
Definition for the TV'Video term - DVI/HDCP

Wiring Solution Installed
Wiring Solution Flat Panel Television Mount by Superb Home Theater. Created by Anthony Lozano.

EI Icon and Children's TV
What is the meaning of the EI (E-eye) icon appearing on children's Saturday morning television programming?

Review: Kreisen 37" LCD TV
Kreisen may not be a household name, but it uses big-name technology to produce an excellent TV. The KR-370T uses a LG Philips LCD flat panel to display resolutions up to 1080i (external HD tuner required).

Upscaling DVD Players
Upscaling is a technology that digitally improves 480p resolution to high definition proportions. It is a good feature to have if you own a HDTV and don't want to spend the lot on a high definition DVD player.

Toshiba SD-V392 Review
A product review of the Toshiba SD-V392 DVD Video Player & Video Cassette Recorder.

User Review: LG 42PC5D
User Review of LG 42" Plasma, Model 42PC5D. Submitted on September 25, 2007, by John Crawford.

ATSC
ATSC

LPTV, Class A, Translator TV
A short article detailing what low-power, Class A and translator stations are.

Toshiba Unveils Flat Panel TVs
Toshiba introduced a lot of new products and the annual 2005 CEDIA, Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, expo in Indianapolis, Indiana including a new lineup of LCD and plasma flat panel televisions.

User Review: Sony KDL32XBR4
User Review of Sony BRAVIA 32" LCD Flat Panel, Model KDL32XBR4. Submitted on October 20, 2007, by Clint Andison.

RCA spokesmodel Myya Suhl sitt
RCA spokesmodel Myya Suhl sitting on a LA Motorcycle under a RCA 37" LCD TV.

Stretching Picture on HDTV
A stretched picture is when a 4:3 image is pulled on the sides to fill the entire screen. People and images end up looking fatter/wider and shorter. This is an issue with widescreen televisions...

LG Electronics
An overview of Korean-based LG Electronics. Also featuring a list of TV/Video products they offer and an explanation of their television technologies.

Profile: Philips 50" Plasma HD
The 50PF7320A is a 50" widescreen plasma HDTV from Philips that is currently listed as low as $1999 at Pricegrabber.com.

Hitachi Blu-Ray DVD player
Hitachi Blu-Ray DVD Player displayed at 2006 International CES

Wiring Solution Model, Stage 1
Wiring Solution Flat Panel Television Mount by Superb Home Theater. Created by Anthony Lozano.

RCA spokesmodels Natalie Summe
RCA spokesmodels Natalie Summerlin, Robyn Van Dyke and Noelle Haddad (left to right) with RCA's EZ101 Small Wonder Camera.

LG spokesmodel Stacey Stanger
LG spokesmodel Stacey Stanger standing in front of LG's 102" plasma television.

Sky Angel IPTV in Canada
Sky Angel, a United States satellite provider, has partnered with Canada's ShifTV to create an Internet Protocol Television programming package consisting of 33 channels of Christian and family programming.

Review: Norcent LT-3251 LCD TV
Norcent’s slogan of ‘Performance / Design / Value’ is evident in their production of the LT-3251, a 32” flat panel LCD high definition television. The LT-3251 is capable of displaying 16.7 million colors. It has a built-in digital tuner and HDMI with HDCP.

Hitachi spokesmodel Leah Kelly
Hitachi spokesmodel Leah Kelly standing in front of a Hitachi 55" UltraVision plasma TV.

Sony Unveils BRAVIA logo
Sony Electronics unveils a new logo for BRAVIA flat panel LCD TVs. BRAVIA is the official television of the New York Yankees.

Profile: Sharp Aquos LCD TV
A profile of Sharp Aquos model LC-37D7U LCD flat panel television.

Vantage Point Michelle Josette
Vantage Point spokesmodel Michelle Josette standing in front of Vantage Points EVO System, a wall-mounted entertainment decoration with removable panels.

Review: WinBook 32" LCD TV
Product review of the WinBook LC32 32" Wide-Screen LCD TV.

Humax LCD w/ DirecTV Receiver
DirecTV and Humax have teamed up to deliver the world's first LCD TV with a built-in DirecTV receiver. I like the idea of this television, but don't let that statement be the deciding factor in your decision to buy or walk past this television.

Interlaced Scan
Definition for the TV'Video term - Interlaced Scan

Profile of INHD and INHD2
A profile of iN DEMAND Networks high definition cable channels INHD and INHD2.

Comcast and CBS Ink VOD Deal
Comcast inked a deal today with CBS Corporation that will allow the cable giant to offer .99 video-on-demand (VOD) services for 4 CBS programs: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service), Survivor and The Amazing Race.

Accell's UltraAV HDMI Splitter
Accell’s UltraAV is a nice product for those wanting to transmit a single high definition source to two displays. The UltraAV is a HDMI 1-2 Audio/Video Splitter.

LG Electronics 71" plasma TV
Image Gallery: LG Electronics 71" plasma display at 2006 International CES

Four Articles About DLP-TV
A collection of articles educating consumers about DLP technology. Digital Light Processing is one of the fastest growing technologies used in televisions today.

SVA spokesmodel Wendy Ko
SVA spokesmodel Wendy Ko standing in front of SVA 37" and 55" plasma televisions. SVA is a top 3 brand in China.

User Review: Samsung HCM4216W
User Review of Samsung 42" CRT Rear Projection, Model HCM4216W. Submitted on September 19, 2007, by John.

Profile: Loc8tor Homing Device
The Loc8tor is a personal homing device that according to the manufacturer, "Tracks Items From Up to 600 ft Away to Within One Inch."

V-Chip and Parental Controls
The V-Chip, also referred to as Parental Controls, is a feature on a television that gives an administrator the power to block programming based on specific criteria.

CRT Rear Projection
Definition for the TV'Video term - CRT Rear Projection

User Review:Mitsubishi 62" DLP
User Review of the 62" Mitsubishi WD62525 DLP Rear Projection Television. Submitted on September 17, 2007, by Jacqueline.

Review: Tara Labs RSC Cables
Ashland, Oregon audio and video cable manufacturer Tara Labs has a simple slogan, “The Cable Technology Leader.” Recently, I had a chance to put their reputation to the test by using their Rectangular Solid Core (RSC) audio and video cables at my home

Submit a Review of Your Television
Submit a review of your television to be added for consideration to be added to the About TV/Video Web site.

Built-in Tuner
Definition for the TV'Video term - Built-in Tuner

DLP TVs w/ ATSC Tuners
A list of DLP televisions recommended by About TV-Video guide Matthew Torres.

Losing Reception In A Storm
Question - "I live in an area that gets a fair share of bad storms. I subscribe to satellite, and wonder why it loses reception every now and then when these storms hit? My concern is that I might miss an important weather alert. Because I have a contract with this provider, I can't just walk away from it and get cable. What can I do?"

Philips Blu-Ray DVD player
Philips Blu-Ray DVD Player displayed at 2006 International CES

User Review: Samsung LN-T4053H
User Review of Samsung 40" LCD Flat Panel, Model LN-T4053H. Submitted on October 16, 2007, by Larry Jackson.