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ninitech.com technology, science, business, family and recreation 2009-06-27T17:59:13Z WordPress http://ninitech.com/?feed=atom omni <![CDATA[What is the Best Samsung HDTV?]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=144 2009-06-27T17:59:13Z 2009-06-27T17:34:46Z

Samsung is one of the leading brands of high definition televisions, whether it’s LCD or Plasma HDTVs. Samsung even makes good rear-projection HDTVs. If you’re thinking about replacing your old television with a great HDTV, then, it is a good idea to consider a Samsung HDTV, like one of these top Samsung HDTV models.

Samsung UN55B8000

UN55B8000

UN55B8000

This LED-lit Samsung HDTV is one of the latest offered by Samsung, as well as one of the slimmest. Indeed, the UN55B8000 is razor-thin at 1.2 inches, although its picture quality is more eye-catching, with popping colors and blacks that are amazingly pure for an LCD television. Unlike many LCD TVs, it offers fluid frame transition, as well, because of its Auto Motion Plus 240Hz technology. It also carries a bunch of cool features, such as a sidebar for internet widgets, DLNA connectivity and an extensive Content Library while offering four HDMI inputs and a USB interface for you to share your digital pictures and videos with ease.

Samsung UN46B7000

Like the UN55B8000, the Samsung UN46B7000 has an LED backlight, which contributes to the fact that it is light,

UN46B7000

UN46B7000

cool and extremely energy-efficient. It also has accurate colors and deep black levels, while its dejudder processing and 120Hz refresh rate combine to create sharp and clear pictures all throughout, even during fast motion sequences. In terms of connectivity, it offers four HDMI inputs, a PC input so you can use the screen as a computer monitor, two USB slots for sharing your photos and an ethernet port to connect to your network.

Samsung LN46A950

samsungln46a950The Samsung LN46A950 is also a good choice for an LCD HDTV. With its LED backlight, it reproduces black levels that are amazingly deep for an LCD television, as well as extremely accurate colors. Other features include solid video processing, a lot of pre-loaded interactive content, four HDMI inputs, a PC input and an ethernet connection to stream photos and videos from your network. It also has a lot of picture controls, which allows you to calibrate the picture quality of this HDTV to perfection.

Samsung LN52B750

The LN52B750 may lack an S-video input and more importantly, an LED backlight but it still is a great choice for an

LN52B750

LN52B750

LCD HDTV. In fact, its black levels are impressively deep for an LCD TV. Its motion sequences are clear, too, due to its very good dejudder processing. Like other Samsung HDTVs, it offers built-in content and Yahoo widgets, and still provides solid connectivity with four HDMI inputs and a PC input.

Samsung PN50B850

PN50B850If you would rather own a Plasma HDTV, this Samsung HDTV is a great choice, with many innovative features of its own. It has a FilterBright panel to minimize glare and reflections, a Real Movie Mode for playing 24p signals and a 600Hz Subfield Motion drive for clear fast-moving scenes. The best thing about the PN50B850, though, is that it is Wi-Fi ready. All you have to do is buy the Samsung Linstick and you’re all set to receive wireless signals. You can also wire it to your network via an ethernet connection or connect your computer to its PC input. It also offers four HDMI inputs and two USB slots.

Samsung PN50A760

This Samsung HDTV is also a good choice for a Plasma HDTV. Like the PN50B850, it also has a FilterBright panel to

PN50A760

PN50A760

reduce distractions, as well as DLNA connectivity for network streaming. It has its own great features, though, such as advanced contour distortion reduction, which delivers sharp images on curvy surfaces even during fast moving scenes; day and night settings for optimal picture quality all the time, and InfoLink feature, which allows you to access the latest news, weather and other important information with the push of a button.

Samsung HL61A750

Finally, if you would rather get a rear-projection HDTV, you might want to keep an eye out for this Samsung HDTV,

HL61A750

HL61A750

which delivers outstandingly accurate color temperatures and infinite black levels for superior picture quality. It has a good range of connectivity options, too, such as three HDMI inputs and a PC input, although it lacks a USB interface, an ethernet port or an SD card slot. It is comparatively inexpensive, too.

Edward McKellen is an electronics expert who writes HDTV reviews. To read the latest Samsung HDTV reviews, go to HdtvReviewLab.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_McKellen

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omni <![CDATA[Samsung LN40B650 LCD TV - Reasons For Spending Money on an Expensive LCD TV]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=137 2009-04-18T09:20:52Z 2009-04-18T09:05:57Z harley-hamilton_1877461Are you in a place where you are thinking about purchasing a Samsung LN40B650 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color? The truth of the matter is that while some people do find themselves going back and forth on the price, other people find that when they go ahead and take the plunge, they have never been happier! Take some time to consider why the Samsung LN40B650 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color is worth every bit of money that you spend on it!

In the first place, you have never seen pictures this clear or this crisp before! You’ll find that this model has the ability to create bright whites that give you a clear contrast with dark, true lacks. When you have contrast that is less crisp, you are losing a lot of contrast and therefore a lot of the clarity of the picture. The HD capability is second to none and you can bet that when you put down cash for this television that you are getting what you pay for.

Another place where this model has high advantages over other, cheaper LCD screens out there is through its faithful ability to capture motion. Your LCD screen is going to let you see every bit of motion on the screen as clearly as if the model were standing still. With many of the previous generation of LCD screens, motion was often blurred, especially if it happened at high speeds. Now, whether you ar watching a sword fight in your favorite fantasy movie, or you are watching the Superbowl kickoff, you will be able to see what is happening in painstaking detail!

Have you ever wanted your television to take care of everything? One way that the Samsung LN40B650 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color takes this on is through their use of InfoLink. Infolink lets you access your weather feeds, your stocks, your RSS news feeds and your sports scores. You do this through the use of your built-in Ethernet port and this service comes free with the purchase of your television.

Don’t forget that the Samsung LN40B650 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color can also add a fair amount to your home decor. Many people are discontent when something as expensive as LCD televisions come in the form of a black screen that takes up space in their homes, but the designers of this television has gone out of their way to make it a tasteful addition to your home. With the sleek lines and the shading to red the bottom, you can see how lovely this model would look in your home.

The money that you spend on the television you choose will tend to predict your enjoyment of it. Take some time and really consider what your options are and what you can do to make sure that you are going to be satisfied with your purchase. Don’t hesitate to spend the money that it takes to give you the results that you are after!

If you’ve enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Samsung LN40B650 LCD TV, you’ll love everything else you find at Samsung40-Inch LCD Samsung LN40B650 LCD TV

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harley_Hamilton

Harley Hamilton - EzineArticles Expert Author

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omni <![CDATA[America’s Health Insurers - Bullies Meet a Bigger Bully]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=134 2009-03-29T14:01:41Z 2009-03-29T14:01:41Z

Think about the depression that we’re entering in America. Millions of people are losing their jobs, and thousands of companies are either laying off workers, closing their doors or dropping employee benefits. Many of those now-unemployed people are also losing their health insurance. There are presently about 48 million uninsured people in the US. This gives Congress the political cover to do what they’ve wanted to do since the Clintons were in the White House…nationalize health care.

I just read an Associated Press report about the health insurance industry. The insurance companies are terrified of the future, which looks like it’s going to include some kind of Federal takeover of health insurance.

America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association (BCBS), two giant health industry interest groups, issued a letter to key senators on March 24th. In the letter, they stated that their member insurance companies were willing for the first time to curb the controversial practice of charging higher premiums to people with a history of medical problems.

Although the proposal left open certain loopholes, it’s a pretty big change of the old policy of “risk rating.” In today’s insurance market, insurers charge higher premiums to people with previous medical problems and who are trying to purchase individual coverage. If such a person even gets an offer of coverage from an insurer, many times they cannot afford the premium. However, in group coverage through employers, past medical history is not usually considered.

Last year, the insurance companies offered to forego the practice of denying coverage to sick people.
The conciliatory offers did not extend to small businesses, though. Small businesses with even one sick worker can see their premiums jump up significantly year to year.

It’s somewhat comical to see what the insurance companies will do to save their own skin. For decades, they have been sticking it to individuals on health insurance premiums. But now that it looks like Washington is going to set up national health care that will either be in direct competition with them, or might just put them out of business, they have had a “come to Jesus” experience.

Please don’t misunderstand the tenor of this article. I believe that the free market should dictate health care policy, not government. I believe that nationalizing health care is an unconstitutional usurpation of power. I’m just amused to observe that the bullies in the health insurance industry have met a bigger bully, and instead of fighting, they’re cowering.

If the insurance companies wanted to play hardball with Washington, they could win. All they would have to do is to begin systematically selling off their government securities, such as Treasury Bills and other Federal debt instruments. A small sell-off would shake the very foundations of the Federal Government and threaten to crash the entire financial system.

That would put Congress and the President on the defensive, and stop health care nationalization.

Now, I’d like to offer you two special reports at no cost. One is “5 Things To Do When Shopping For Car Insurance,” and the other is “5 Things To Avoid When Shopping For Car Insurance.” Each one is a $9.95 value, but free to you when you sign up for my newsletter at the website address below.

P.S. WARNING!! Do Not Buy Insurance, or Submit an Insurance Claim Without Visiting This Website!

check out: http://www.insurance-claim-secrets.com

My Book is NUMBER ONE at Amazon.com in its category! Buy it Today!

Nominated for Georgia Author of the Year Award 2008

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My blog is at: http://insurance-claim-secrets.blogspot.com/

Russell Longcore - EzineArticles Expert Author
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omni <![CDATA[Satellite TV Keeps Your Business at the Top]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=131 2009-03-21T19:20:44Z 2009-03-21T19:20:44Z

Satellite TV keeps your office on top of the latest developments in the business and industrial sector with intelligent programming and the choices you want for news, financial updates, weather, healthcare, and sports. All of the must-have network channels including: C-SPAN, BBC America News, The Discovery Times Channel, CNN, Headline News, MSNBC, Bloomberg Television, FOX News Channel, The Weather Channel, plus your local channels are included with the available programming packages. Accurate analyst research regarding the latest global trends in currencies, commodities, and consumer goods are at your disposal on satellite TV.

This is a great perk to offer clients and staff members for the occasional gathering and holiday celebration. Seasonal parties for events like the Super Bowl are always a great hit and only the leading satellite TV company brings you the NFL SUNDAY TICKET. For the alumni members of your clientèle or partnership, break out the MEGA MARCH MADNESS sports package, for the best in college basketball. Catch ESPNEWS, the Regional Sports Networks, and your local sports news programs to keep up with all of the top sports highlights, fixtures and results.

Every office needs great music in the background, for phones on hold, and to set the tone of the work day. Get up to 88 channels of XM Satellite Radio, with 15 exclusively for businesses, all brought to you free of commercial interruption. The best musical artists of every genre and culture are broadcast nonstop, 24 hours a day on included Satellite Radio channels.

Your business won’t need expensive art work when you have flat screen TVs throughout the office suite broadcasting Hi-def television. This great service will keep your accountant happy with more money saving opportunities, as there are no charges for setting up standard receivers on multiple TVs throughout the office.

Everything your business needs to stay on top is available through business programming packages.

Direct TV business services help you entertain your visiting customers, keep your employees up-to-date on the news, and allow them to have fun on their lunch breaks. Direct TV for offices is the way to go

Whitney Alen - EzineArticles Expert Author
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omni <![CDATA[Does Satellite TV Really Beat Cable?]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=129 2009-03-21T19:16:33Z 2009-03-21T19:16:33Z

The debate seems to have been going on now for more almost an entire generation, and many people are still no closer to the answer than when it all started. What really is the low down on the classic cable vs. satellite TV duel? With both technologies commanding significant followings, how can the average (but demanding) customer figure out which really will meet their expectations and exceed them? A thorough comparison of the two kinds of service is in need to evince a convincing answer in this respect, which is precisely what we will try to do here.

Let’s start on the more technological side of things: digital signals. At this point, many cable customers are still receiving an analog signal as part of their service. Many cable companies are slowly digging up their networks and changing out old cable technology for new fiber optics capable of relaying digital communications, but this process is slow and somewhat painful, causing frequent service interruptions for many, many customers. On the other hand, just about every major satellite provider has already fully converted their service into the digital realm, a process which was more or less overnight (and hence painless) for the satellite industry and its customers. No digging up endless miles of cable, but rather a few uplink satellite dishes modified or changed. Therefore, when it comes to the digital question (really a barometer for the modernity of each industry), satellite seems to have the clear edge.

Staying in the vein of signal quality, next there is HD programming to consider. Here, again, satellite simply stands head and shoulders above cable. Whereas cable providers will usually offer somewhere between 15 and 50 high def channels (and that at a significant additional price), with satellite it is possible to get over 130 high def channels in total. Obviously, many of the high def channels on satellite don’t even exist yet on cable, which really is an important factor to bear in mind in balancing both sides of this equation. To put it shortly, satellite wins the high def battle, too.

Then, there is the main preoccupation of many TV viewers: sporting options. Cable offers some decent packages, but none of them are all that worthy of mention, mostly because cable customers have their options severely limited by regional affiliations that may not represent their own allegiances or tastes. Satellite customers, on the other hand, have some of the most exclusive programming packages at their disposal (like the NFL Sunday Ticket), and do not have to fuss about having their viewing options restricted by regional limitations. Hence, if you love games and teams from all over the country and the world, you really are better off getting a satellite subscription.

Finally, there is one place to look to get the kind of resounding pronouncement of judgment on this issue that the average customer needs, and that is in the customer satisfaction ratings. Satellite has been, for several years running now, the reigning champion of customer satisfaction ratings, and there really can be no arguing with the voice of the people itself. The winner is, then, pretty easy to identify after all.

DIRECTV is the nation’s leading provider of satellite television services. They offer the widest variety in programming packages for every taste, from sports to movies to family and educational television. Check out the many great satellite TV deals and packages available from DIRECTV. Why settle for less when you can go with the best?

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omni <![CDATA[Getting All the Best Out of Satellite TV]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=127 2009-03-22T05:57:33Z 2009-03-21T01:51:45Z

When trying to optimize one’s home entertainment system, there are many things that can be done to maximize the entire family’s enjoyment of the central component: the television. No matter what your particular tastes are, the best choice for everybody looking for the best possible TV service is to switch to satellite TV, since there are practically innumerable entertainment (as well as educational) options, and the service is just better all around, including the customer service side of things. But, once in possession of a satellite connection, there are still a few minor modifications and augmentations that can really deliver a potent punch of enthusiasm and entertainment into your home system.

Of course, there are tons of phenomenal benefits that come with even the most basic, untweaked satellite package. There’s more to be had in a standard satellite package than in many custom cable packages, in fact. Yet some of the optional features of satellite TV really help take the experience to the next level. For example, optional with a satellite connection come the most possible HD channels to be had from any kind of provider, at over 130 in total. That means tons of movies, shows, nature programs, and even sports in stunning resolution and clarity. Now, of course it is necessary to already own a high def screen in order to actually enjoy this tremendous benefit of satellite television. Many people don’t realize that until they have already ordered their satellite subscription, shortly after which they go out and right their wrong, because it is simply intolerable to be teased with so much great high def programming and not be able to enjoy any of it.

And regarding sports, there are some truly spectacular and exclusive packages to be ordered that will have real lovers of many different games absolutely head over heels for the little dish on their roof. Consider the NFL Sunday Ticket, for example, which pumps more football action into your living room on a weekly basis than any other possible source, with plenty of cool interactive features like player updates, stats, and even the ability to watch multiple (up to eight) live games at once on a single screen. Truly unbeatable.

But what is really necessary to send a satellite subscription through the roof (in terms of quality of service) is to include a DVR in the entertainment lineup. With this little gadget, your whole TV experience will be simply beyond comparison. All the nuisances that previously accompanied watching the tube will vanish, such as having to tolerate the minutes and minutes of nagging commercials, missing a crucial moment of a movie, show, or game because you were distracted or had to get up to do something, or not being able to replay something that you particularly liked and want to see over again. The DVR is the solution to all these problems, and any satellite customer can buy one along with the service (as opposed to cable customers, who are obliged to rent them if they want one).

DIRECTV is the nation’s leading provider of satellite television services. They offer the widest variety in programming packages for every taste, from sports to movies to family and educational television. Check out the many great satellite TV deals and packages available from DIRECTV. Why settle for less when you can go with the best?

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omni <![CDATA[Introductory Rates For Satellite Television Too Good to Pass Up]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=124 2009-03-21T01:46:38Z 2009-03-21T01:41:38Z Tired of being limited by broadcast television programming? Sick of rising cable rates with poor service? If this describes you, you are not alone. Many people wish they had a diverse range of programming at an affordable price with service they can count on. People who have held out and not subscribed to either cable or satellite are now looking into a pay service as a result of the digital switchover. Plus, many cable subscribers have become very dissatisfied with their service and the rising rates of cable. There is a solution. Satellite television provides hundreds of channels of educational and informative programming at rates that are affordable and accessible to anyone and many providers are offering special introductory rates to encourage more people to subscribe.

Satellite television opens up a whole new world of entertainment and information from a diverse range of programmers. With literally hundreds of channels to watch, there is bound to be something to watch even for the most discriminate viewer. Satellite providers committed themselves to providing the best service possible at prices people can afford. Satellite television offers people a number of flexible subscription plans so people can choose what they get and how much they are going to pay for monthly service. No matter what level of plan you get, you will get more programming options than with broadcast or cable at a very competitive price.

The satellite television industry made a commitment many years ago to put service first and to invest in quality programming that their viewers would love. They invested in new technologies such as high definition television programming to make this available when it became in demand. They offer exclusive programming like season ticket channels so sports fans can catch up on the latest in their favorite sport and see more games than they would with cable or broadcast. Satellite has made multiple premium movie channels available so movie lovers will be satisfied with the offerings that satellite provides. In short, satellite television has gone out of its way to provide the best service with the most diverse range of programming at prices that people can afford.

With so many people dissatisfied with their current television service, now is the time to take advantage of special introductory rates offered by satellite providers for first time subscribers. These rates include a low fee for 12 months and flexible viewing plans that are affordable for any budget. Satellite providers are also throwing in free installation and equipment as part of the introductory offers. They also include free upgrades to a high definition receiver and a digital video recorder. You can also have the option of getting three free months of premium movie channels like HBO, Showtime and Starz. Satellite providers are truly providing and incentive for viewers to switch to the dish and discover the diverse range of programming they have been missing out on at a price that they can agree with. Many people are finding these introductory rates and offers too good to pass up and are switching to satellite so they can enjoy more programming options for a competitive price.

Satellite TV from DIRECTV brings you some of the most exciting programming available on TV, with more HD than any other cable or satellite company. Whether you enjoy movies, sports or TV shows, there are DIRECTV packages to suit your needs and budget

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K._McPherson

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omni <![CDATA[Building Affiliate Marketing Websites The Easy Way]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=120 2009-03-09T15:35:29Z 2009-03-09T15:35:29Z There are some myths in affiliate marketing, which attract a lot of people to it believing they are true. First is they think managing an online business is easy and second, they think that one can make a fortune through online marketing in an instant. Probably not even 10% of those who are into affiliate marketing became rich overnight. There may be some who fortunately achieved overwhelming success in just a short span of time after setting up an affiliate program, but not a majority of them can confidently say they only had luck. Anyone who is successful in this kind of business would say he worked hard to get to where he is right now. Success in affiliate marketing takes time and hard work, but it’s worth it.

If you are planning to start an affiliate program, one of the things you have to consider is having your own website, not just an ordinary website but a professional looking one. How do you build an affiliate marketing website? What are the easy steps to build one? First, you must have already decided on the theme or niche of your website. It would be better if you already have an idea what products or services to promote as this would help you plan the design and lay-out of your web pages. The next thing to do is to choose a domain name and get it hosted. The domain name is a unique name used to label the actual address of your website on the Internet. In deciding what domain name to register, look into the type of products you are endorsing and the theme of your site. Having the right keywords in your domain name would give you better chances of drawing more visitors to your website. Also, choose a top level domain or extension, such as .com because it is more popular. In selecting your web host, consider the security of servers and up time guarantees.

Now, you can start creating your webpages. Don’t be disheartened when you know a little in this field. There are page generation tools and fast launch sites available online; you just have to search for them. Countless online sources could help you build an affiliate marketing website, though you might need time to study and learn the whole process. This is one of the reasons why your site or the products you are going to promote must match your interest. Building your marketing website for the first time would be a lot more fun if you know very well the theme of your site. If you don’t have time to make your own website, you can use templates or purchase readily available websites. The latter, however, is a more expensive option.

Creating an affiliate website on your own would be cheaper and more interesting. In the process of building your website, you may also increase your knowledge in Information Technology and the use of computers, softwares and the Internet. As you educate yourself in these fields, you are increasing your advantage against other affiliate marketers. It helps a lot, though, if you already know the basics in web page development like programming languages and graphics softwares because you can make your site extra corporate-looking, more convenient to use or easier to navigate. Furthermore, if you are knowledgeable and skillful in this area, you can already concentrate more on the content of the page rather than the design.

The key to draw visitors to your website is to have high quality content; thus, the next thing you must pay attention to in building your marketing website is this. There may be several other factors that contribute to the success of your affiliate marketing site, but a good content tops the list. This is precisely the reason why users choose to enter your site. They want to get information and so when they don’t find it, they would definitely go elsewhere. Write interesting articles related to your theme as this would make them frequent your site. If you have already looked for affiliate programs that complement your site, add links to the business sites and other very good informative sites. Links contribute to how well you will be listed in major search engines as well. Also, create pages for the products you are endorsing, but don’t just promote the products by putting hyped-up ads. Keep your readers interested by injecting lots of relevant and useful information. This would make them click the link to the business site and buy the product. Remember that no good content means no frequent visitors, no sales and ultimately, no commission.

Make your site simple yet not without a touch of class in order to make it appear more of a business website rather than a personal website. This would be pleasing to the eyes and more interesting to browse. To help you with the design, you can check some successful online stores to get an idea on how you can make your site look better. Make sure you don’t place too many banner ads since these could distract some site users; and thus, instead of clicking your ad, they might just leave your site and look for other interesting websites. After all, banner ads are not the only means of advertising your products. Now your website is complete, submit its URL to major search engines to increase your traffic.

Grow from where you started. Learn about use of keywords for search engine optimization and apply them in your content. Update your site regularly or add new webpages. Make sure to inform your prospects about the latest updates in your site. You can use newsletters to accomplish this. The Internet offers a huge source of information about just anything, make use of it. Continue to educate yourself on how to improve your website and soon you’ll find yourself successful in affiliate marketing.

* You have permission to re-print this article on your own website, newsletter or blog as long as you leave it intact including the full text and “About the Author” box. Thanks!

To Your Success,

johnFrom: John Elley (more about me)
Owner Free Viral Advertising
Internet Marketing 101 Blog
Co-Owner Classy Clicks 4U
My e-Books
Newbies Guide To Online Fortunes
Affiliate Marketing Success Roadmap
20 Sure-Fire Techniques
Traffic Exchange Secrets

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omni <![CDATA[How to choose DTV converter boxes]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=111 2009-03-09T12:36:05Z 2009-03-09T12:34:45Z So far, every DTV converter box we’ve tested has been able to convert broadcast digital signals pulled in by our rooftop antenna into analog signals that an older TV can accept. We didn’t find huge differences in performance among models. When supplied with a strong signal, all produced picture quality that was at least as good as a typical analog broadcast. Many of the models were better, with some approaching DVD quality. Audio quality was generally fine.

There’s seemingly little relationship between price and picture quality. Some low-priced models were among the best for picture quality, while some higher-priced models produced images a step or two below that. But even boxes deemed to have picture quality that is only acceptable should satisfy many viewers, especially compared to analog broadcasts, which tend to be less crisp than digital broadcasts. With a lower-quality TV set, it might be hard to notice the differences in picture quality.

All the boxes we’ve tested also performed comparably in their ability to pull in digital stations to our Yonkers, NY, location and in lab tests designed to see how well they performed with progressively weaker signals. But the number of digital channels that will be available to you depends on several factors: the number of stations broadcasting digitally in your area and your ability to actually receive such channels at home. Reception is affected by the local terrain (mountains, trees, and tall buildings can obstruct signals) and the type of antenna you use. Given those variables, it would be very difficult for any set of lab tests to accurately predict what you’ll experience at home. Some readers have reported difficulty in getting stations, but our tests suggest that it is likely to be more related to their location, antenna, or setup than the specific converter box they’re using.

All things being equal, we suggest that you first choose among models with better-than-acceptable picture quality, and then find one with the features you want at a price you like. While all government-approved DTV converter boxes must have a standard set of basic features, some offer more, which could influence your choice.

When you go shopping, you’ll find that most retailers have only a few models in stock, which limits your choice. You can also use your coupon to shop online at many Web sites. (You can find a list of approved online retailers and consumer electronic stores in your ZIP code at this official Web site: www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx) Note that you won’t get your coupon back if you return a box, although the retailer might allow you to apply it toward another box. Check the retailer’s policy before you make a purchase.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to connect your box to an antenna designed to receive UHF and VHF signals. Rabbit ears with only two “arms” won’t do the job because they’re designed for VHF only, and the majority of digital stations operate in the UHF band. You don’t have to spend a lot for an antenna. Indoor UHF/VHF antennas start at $20 or less. If you have no luck pulling in certain stations, try adjusting the antenna in various directions and moving it closer to a window. Use the signal-strength meter (found on many DTV boxes) to adjust the antenna to the optimal position. You may have to adjust it whenever you change channels if the stations’ transmitters are in different locations. Still no luck? Try an amplified antenna or a signal booster. Last resort: a rooftop antenna. Again, don’t think that you have to spend a bundle for a special “digital” or “HD” antenna. In our tests, we use a standard residential rooftop antenna that we’ve had in place for years.

For the best-quality picture and sound, we recommend that you use the composite-video connection, provided that your TV has one (older sets might not). Our tests indicate that you’ll generally get a slightly better picture than if you use the single-cable antenna RF output. You will also get stereo audio by using the left/right audio jacks. We found that the RF output usually does not provide stereo audio and is slightly less clear then the stereo outputs. Some readers have complained about low volume, and we note a few models on which we found that the volume from the RF output was very muted. (source)

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omni <![CDATA[Windows 7]]> http://ninitech.com/?p=109 2009-03-09T12:22:08Z 2009-03-09T12:22:08Z Microsoft’s List of Improvements to Windows 7

Microsoft has released a lengthy list of 36 improvements it plans to make to the release candidate for Windows 7, though they didn’t provide any details on when that RC might actually be available.

The Windows team separated the updates into nine categories, including the desktop experience, touch, and Windows Media Player. Desktop tweaks received the most attention, with 10 expected changes.

Microsoft has incorporated its “Aero Peek” window transparency tool to the ALT+TAB function to give you a better idea of the items you have open on your desktop.

The RC will also make it easier to open files with a specific program, now allows for 24-39 percent more icons to be displayed before the taskbar scrolls, and makes it easier to see what files are open when items do scroll, among other changes.

The release candidate will also include Internet radio playback that is “more reliable and resilient”. Microsoft will also no longer interrupt content playing via Media Player if the user inserts a USB drive.Full Story

Windows 7 Will Have IE 8 On-Off Switch

Microsoft said the upcoming public release candidate of Windows 7 will include the ability turn off Internet Explorer 8, which is the target of antitrust charges.

The option will be available through a control panel called “Windows Features,” which will allow IE 8 to be turned off. The feature does not uninstall the browser. Instead, it deletes the IE 8 executable file “iexplore.exe.” All other components remain, and the browser can be turned back on through the same panel.

The governing body could require Microsoft to distribute Windows in the European Union without IE, or offer an installation screen that gives consumers a choice of which browser to install. It’s too soon to say whether Microsoft’s latest move will satisfy the EC. Full Story

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