Introduction The old saying is true: There’s no such thing as a free lunch … or a free DVR. Okay, maybe I added that last part, but it’s worth mentioning. In one way or another, you will pay for the wonderful convenience of time-shifting, be it a lump sum for an external box, a monthly service fee from your cable or satellite provider, or both. A few television manufacturers have decided to try a new approach: build the DVR into the TV itself. It lessens the number of boxes and cables in your equipment rack, and – if said TV is an HDTV – it allows you to record high-definition content without confronting copy-protection issues. LG Electronics is one such manufacturer; their 2006 TV line includes six models with internal DVRs (four plasmas and two LCD HDTVs). Screen sizes range from 42 to 60 inches, and each model uses the free TV Guide On ...

Introduction When most people think of Dell, they picture the dorky blond guy, Stephen, pitching $399 computers on TV with his catchphrase, “Dude, you’re getting a Dell!” Since the media phenomenon, Stephen has been busted for possession of pot and Dell has moved their marketing focus from selling PCs to expanding their product base to include a complete line of flat panel LCD and Plasma TVs. Their entry-level model is the 19-inch W1900 that retails for $599 at Dell.com. This TV has a stylish black finish and measures 23.8 inches wide, 12.2 inches tall, a mere 3.75 inches deep and weighs 22 pounds with the integrated speakers and stand attached. The included stand is for mounting the monitor on a desk. However, if you wish to wall-mount the TV, several types of Chief brand mounts can be purchased directly from Dell’s website. Most universal LCD mounts for 13- to 19-inch TVs should work ...

Introduction There was a time in many of our youths that the concept of a television hanging on the wall like a picture was about as distant as civilian space travel. Although space tourism is still a few years away (though now in sight, thanks to recent advances by Richard Branson’s enterprises), flat televisions are here today and are living up to their long-awaited expectations. Initially, these flat televisions were immensely expensive and were surrounded by concerns about reliability and longevity. Today, they’re in every AV retail store and are becoming affordable to the average consumer. There is still much debate over which technology is best (LCD vs. plasma), but both come with the ability to hang on your wall, thus freeing up ultra-valuable floor space and adding endless options for integrating AV into your living spaces. The Panasonic TC-32LX20 is a HD-compatible, 32-inch LCD-based flatscreen display that boasts skinny five-and one-half-inch thickness and retails for $3,499, ...

Introduction Purchasing a television in this day and time is a challenge that leaves most consumers in a quandary. A decade ago, you simply entered an electronics retailer and gazed down an aisle of televisions that looked very much the same as one another, with the exception of size and price. You were confronted with few decisions and your risks were minimal. Today, you need to do your research and the risks can be high with technology that’s moving even faster than the changing seasons. There are several television display categories to choose from. There are television projectors for those looking for dramatically large images, commanding price tags from $4,000 to $60,000. There are basic CRT sets that range from a 20-inch 4:3 that can be had for a mere $100 to state-of-the-art HD-ready sets that range in sizes up to ...