smart home lifestyle
December 1 , 2007
three ways to know you're a "techie" and how to pass off as one even if you're not
I’ve finally done it. I’ve finally gone from trendy to “techie.” The Sharper Image Holiday Catalogue now outranks Neiman’s Christmas Book. When I say “get Sirius” I’m promoting satellite radio, not reverting to my valley girl days. And when I think “fiber” I think “optics,” not the food group that forces my low-carb diet into a frenzy.
Not quite so electronically evolved? Well, if you’re going to talk the hi-tech talk, you might as well walk the hi-tech walk. Here are three ways to stay in stride.
The 411 on the P's and the I's
The HD DVD versus Blu-ray debate will likely come up at your holiday table this season, so make sure you’ve got the basics down before you state your case.
When discussing HDTV, make sure and understand the p’s and the I’s, also known as progressive and interlaced scan. HDTV can have a resolution of 720p (progressive), 1080i (interlaced) or 1080p. Interlaced signals are made up of odd and even horizontal scan lines that make up the picture.
With interlaced, first all the odd scan lines are drawn in from top to bottom, then all the even lines. With progressive, the scan lines are drawn in order, odd then even, rather than alternately with interlaced.
So, which is best? When buying a new HDTV, always look for 1080p. Having 1080 lines compared to 720 produces a better picture. And progressive scan gives a perception of better image quality thanks to its continuous line motion. It’s especially good for sporting events with a lot of motion.
Just remember, owning a high definition television doesn't mean all your programming will be in HD. The television doesn't dictate the resolution; it merely provides the avenue in which HD can be displayed. High definition programming will come from your cable or satellite company or from HD DVD or Blu-ray DVDs.
The dig on digital
So, what about digital TV? How is that different from HDTV? Here’s where it gets a little tricky. All high definition television is digital, but not all digital television is high definition. Currently, there’s no regulation for the broadcasting of HDTV; it's pretty much up to individual networks.
Digital cable, however, is regulated and quickly replacing the analog signals that have been around since the beginning of television viewing. When it will happen- we really don’t know. It could be as soon as 2009. How will it affect us? Not much. Even nowadays, most TVs have a digital tuner already built in which means it’s simply “plug and play.”
Why Blu when you can Vudu?
When it comes to HD DVD or Blu-ray do you really have to pick a side? You could opt for a duel format DVD player from LG or Toshiba at a pretty hefty pricetag, or you could opt for Vudu, a new product that downloads both HD DVD and Blu-ray movies to your TV. All you need is a TV and broadband Internet connection- you don’t even need a computer or cable/satellite TV service.
How does it work? Vudu gives you access to download around 5,000 movies via the Internet to be viewed on your TV. Movie rentals run from 99 cents to $3.99 and if you want to purchase a movie expect to pay between $4.99 and $19.99. Vudu has no activation or subscription fees, just a one time $399 cost. The movie rentals and purchases are dictated by you.
So, why is Vudu better than buying actual HD DVD’s? First is cost, HD DVDs and Blu-ray DVDs run around $30. And if you prefer rentals, Vudu saves that drive to and from the video store. Plus, with a good broadband connection, Vudu downloads are immediate without buffering.
What’s the downside? Purchased and rented movies can’t be burned onto DVDs. But while the movies aren’t portable, the Vudu can be. Vudu can be connected to other TVs in your house, or even taken on the road with you. Since the movies are already downloaded and saved in the box, all you need is a TV for viewing.
Author: Diana Kostigen, Marketing/Public Relations Director, Comtec
