The Gadget Blog - New Gadgets & Tech Talk » Digital TV

Digital Upgrade Delay Means More Time to Tackle TV Accessories

Jennifer — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:14:25 +0000

(ARA) – Have you been glued to the TV this year, watching the economic crisis evolve, much as your great-grandparents huddled around the radio during the Great Depression? Keeping up with the news is more important than ever when times are tough, and today many Americans turn to TV as their primary source of news.

And while many people are cutting back on unnecessary expenses like vacations and luxury items, most of us still view television as an essential source of current news and cheap entertainment. With Congress’ recent decision to delay the switch to digital until June 12, Americans will have more time to upgrade to digital technology if they still have an analog set. And many with digital TVs may view upgrading their home entertainment as a cost-effective alternative to spending on entertainment outside the home.

If you decide to invest in a new TV, you have more options than simply setting it on top of a TV stand or cabinet. And if your $3,000 high-definition, wide-screen plasma TV is perched atop a $15 plastic crate, it may be a good time to upgrade your accessories.

“The possibilities are really endless thanks to innovations in the technology available to support these TVs,” says Jim Wohlford, vice president and general manager of Sanus Systems, a manufacturer of audio video furnishings, mounts and accessories.

Prefer a more traditional look? Rather than just setting your new TV on a dresser or TV stand, dress up your living space with a piece from the Sanus Component AV Foundations line. Sanus furniture looks fantastic and is designed specifically for audio/video equipment.

The features of Sanus’ furniture make it easier to store AV components in the cabinets, and a convection cooling system upholds the quality of the components so they don’t overheat and become damaged. The furniture is also constructed to improve audio quality by virtually eliminating resonance from audio systems. The cabinets have flexibility built into them such as deep adjustable shelves to accommodate the varying sizes of AV components. Every component in your system will have multiple cables. Generous cable management channels in the Foundations furniture hide all cables for a clean appearance.

If you prefer a contemporary look, the Sanus VisionMount line offers a variety of wall mounting options for flat-panel TVs, including many full-motion mounts that tilt, swivel and extend away from the wall for limitless viewing angle options. Some of the company’s most popular models include the VisionMount MF215 for medium TVs and the VisionMount VMAA26 for large TVs. People looking for an advanced, even more high-tech option might like Sanus’ VisionMount LA112 automated wall mount, which lets the viewer adjust the TV angle with a remote control and preset favorite angles for frequent use.

Not sure how you want to put your TV on display? Go to www.sanus.com for even more ideas. Sanus Systems products are available at thousands of retail locations nationwide. A store locator is available on the Web site.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

What is the Digital Television Transition and How Will it Affect You?

Jennifer — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:42:31 +0000

An important change is coming in the way television works and it could affect you. It’s called the “digital television transition” and it will be a seismic shift in the American television broadcasting system, as local TV stations meet a government requirement to transmit their signals in a digital format, starting in February 2009.

What does that mean for the average viewer? Well, it’s more than a behind-the-scenes technical adjustment. Once the new requirement kicks in, most older TV sets that aren’t connected to cable, satellite or a special converter box, will not display programs from local broadcast stations.

More simply put, an old “analog” TV that still relies on rabbit ears for a picture will go black. The good news is that cable customers can relax. Every TV set connected to cable will continue to display local stations, even after TV broadcasters launch the new transmission format.

Why the Change?

Here’s what’s happening: Under a federal mandate, after Feb. 17, 2009, TV stations must cease their analog transmissions and broadcast only in digital. Since their inception more than 60 years ago, stations have sent out signals in analog format, but as the world is becoming digital, so is broadcast TV.

The federal government is requiring the change for two reasons. First, by converting to digital from analog, a valuable communications spectrum will be made available to emergency responders, such as police and fire departments. Second, digital technology renders improvements in over-the-air TV, including clearer pictures, more channels and high-definition TV images.

The catch? Many television sets in use today — particularly those purchased more than five years ago — were built to receive the original analog signals over-the-air, not the new digital signals. Those sets must be connected to a cable or satellite service, or to a special converter that will be sold in electronics stores.

The converters are expected to cost around $50 to $70, and to help households pay for them, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is managing a nationwide coupon program that will provide up to two $40 coupons to each household that requests them. You’ll be seeing more information on that program after January 2008.

Good News

Although the digital transition could cause some confusion, there’s good news on two fronts. The first is that most new TV sets, especially digital and HDTV sets manufactured since 2004, feature built-in digital tuners that will accommodate the new digital broadcasts.

Also, the transition will be relatively seamless for consumers who have their TVs hooked up to cable, because cable companies will take care of the technical translation for them. There’s really only one thing cable customers need to know: After Feb.17, 2009, any TV set connected to cable will continue to display local TV signals, and won’t require the purchase of a new converter to continue receiving favorite broadcast TV programs.

For more information, go to www.dtvtransition.org or call (888) DTV-2009.

Courtesy of ARAcontent