The Samsung Series 8 ultra-slim LED line of HDTVs combine breakthrough picture quality, eco-friendly design and advanced connectivity options that will keep you entertained 24/7. Series 8 includes Internet TV that allows you to receive content via Yahoo!, Flickr, eBay, and other online TV Widgets on screen. USB 2.0 Movie: Multi-Media Center makes it easy to watch movies, browse photos, and listen to music on your TV.

Samsung Series 8 LED TV – 55” (Model No: UN55B8000)

Ultra-Slim Design
Samsung’s most advanced HDTV technology is contained in a razor-thin silhouette — stunning at only 1.2 inches deep. Supported by a unique stand with an elegant, crystal-clear neck, you’ll have no trouble finding a place for one in every room in your home.

Wall Mounting Unit (sold separately)
Thanks to Samsung’s innovative, optional Wall Mount (WMN1000B), the astonishingly slim Series 8 LED TVs can be hung just like a picture frame — less than two inches from the wall.

Breakthrough Picture Quality
The ultra-brilliant Samsung LED TVs have images that are stunningly true to life due to three things: Contrast, Color, and Clarity. With a mega contrast of 5,000,000:1, an incredible range of brightness — pure blacks to pristine whites — can be seen.

Auto Motion Plus 240Hz
There is a big difference between seeing the game and seeing every split second of it. Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus 240Hz analyzes every frame of the action and then adjusts so nothing goes by in a blur. A fast 2ms response time minimizes blurring of fast motion in high-action programs. No matter if you’re a gamer defending off aliens or a sports nut watching your favorite team, the action is always smooth, sharp, and fluid.

Wide Color Enhancer Pro
The challenge of any TV screen is to recreate reality through color and light. Samsung’s Series 8 LED TVs meet this challenge with their Wide Color Enhancer Pro feature. After analyzing each pixel, it stretches them to their three-dimensional limit. What you get is the most lifelike colors you’ve ever seen — on a television anyway. Advanced color processing enables a wider range of natural colors and provides greater depth for a vibrant, captivating picture — even with subtle colors.

Samsung Series 8 LED TV – 55” (Model No: UN55B8000)

WWW … Yahoo!, Flickr & More!
Can’t decide if you’d rather watch TV, see your photos on Flickr, or check your stocks on Yahoo!? With Samsung’s Series 8 LED TVs, you can do all that and more. An easy-to-use widget lets you watch, add, or delete content. View it all on the roomy sidebar or across the incredibly wide screen.

PC-to-TV Communication
Samsung Series 8 LED TVs take the struggle out of sharing your talent with your friends and family. Access your videos, music, and photos from your PC or from your DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) mobile device — wirelessly and effortlessly — and enjoy them on your TV. Samsung’s Series 8 LED TVs can even link to multiple PCs.

Energy Star & Eco-Friendly
Conserving energy is up to all of us and Samsung plays its part by ensuring the Series 8 line of televisions are as easy on the planet as they are on the eyes. Series 8 TVs use 40 percent less power than conventional LCD TVs and are mercury free. So you can put your feet up and relax knowing you’re leaving a smaller carbon footprint by purchasing an Energy Star compliant TV. Not only will planet Earth look better, your utility bills will too.

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No matter if you’re poolside on a hot summer day or feeling a chill in the air while stargazing on a fall night, nothing compares to the great outdoors when entertaining your guests. And the perfect complement to your party is the sounds from your stereo, whether lightly providing discreet background music or some thumpin’ bass for an impromptu dance floor on the lawn.

But, the great outdoors is known for sudden changes in temperature, wind, and other weather-related issues that would raise havoc on expensive home stereo speakers — even one use outside could permanently damage them. So, what a game of lawn darts to do with no tunes? With Dual’s 2-way outdoor rock speakers — problem solved!

LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!
With the LUR66E speaker’s rock-like appearance, it blends into the surrounding environment for an unobtrusive presence. Plus, you can place it virtually anywhere outside that you want to hear music — patio, back yard, second floor deck, etc.

Dual 6.5” 2-Way Rock Speakers (Model No: LUR66E)

Just because the LUR66E has a rugged look of weathered sandstone, doesn’t mean it has to live its entire life outdoors. When the party is over, use the speaker in terrariums, interior gardens, or simply keep them connected to your home stereo system. Plus, with each speaker weighing a measly 6.2 pounds, transporting them will be a breeze.

DESIGN
The LUR66E is extremely versatile and has a weather resistant design using the most durable components, including a fiber-reinforced poly resin composite enclosure. This allows it to resist rain, hail, snow, and coastal environments while still appearing natural and inconspicuous. Even after years of use, the LUR66E will provide a superior level of sun fade resistance and the reduced appearance of water marks. The LUR66E measures 9.63” wide x 8.75” deep x 8.75” tall and has a 10 ounce magnet.

MAINTENANCE & CARE
Although the LUR66E speaker is designed to resist weather and withstand unfriendly environmental conditions, there are precautions you should take to optimize the long-term life and performance. Keep soil and other debris from covering the speaker grille. For easy cleaning, debris can be easily rinsed away with a garden hose using low water pressure sprayed at a 45-degree angle.

Yard care chemicals constitute another element that can prematurely shorten the LUR66E’s life. Lawn fertilizers and weed control sprays, and similar chemicals commonly used in lawn and garden care can potentially cause damage to the rubber and speaker components.

CONNECTIONS
The LUR66E rock speaker has a two-conductor speaker wire surrounded by a cable sleeve exiting the bottom of the speaker. Any speaker cable used to extend the connection should be of a similar size (wire gauge) running from the speaker location to your audio system.

The cable or wire can be run either directly beneath the speaker into the ground, or you can use the notch on the bottom edge of the speaker enclosure to exit the cable out the rear for hard-surface installations. For the best audio results, try to minimize the distance between your speaker and the audio source (optimum run should be no longer than 50 feet). Wire runs longer than 50 feet may require larger gauge wire (e.g., 14 or 12).

SOUND COVERAGE & SPEAKER PLACEMENT
Each LUR66E is sold separately, as many outdoor installations have multiple zones. Most applications will include the installation of two speakers to ensure adequate sound coverage. When reviewing your placement choices, allow for an approximate coverage area of 100 to 450 sq. ft. (per pair).

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The transition from VHS to DVD happened so quickly, your movie collection might not have had time catch up. Virtually overnight, VHS tapes were boxed and stored away and replaced with the digital sights and sounds of DVDs. For those of us that still have literally hundreds of VHS tapes, where can we play them — along with our DVD collection — without buying multiple pieces of equipment? Enter DVD/VCR combo players.

Panasonic DVD Recorder/VCR (Model No: DMREZ48VK)

Not only does purchasing a DVD/VCR combo unit going to save you space and money over buying a DVD player and VCR separately, it also solves the headache of getting them to communicate with each other and your television. Besides eliminating duplicate sets of wiring, a DVD/VCR combo unit can simplify your entertainment life in another way: switching between players easily and instantaneously.

This is accomplished by sending only one signal from one unit to the television. In addition, this also alleviates the frustration of trying to figure out which unit is actually hooked up for televisions with only one device port. This is a real advantage for people trying to wriggle their fingertips behind their TV to swap cable connections to use a different device only to discover something’s wrong. If you’ve ever pressed play and nothing happens, then you know what we’re talking about.

DVD/Combo Unit Features
Like any electronic device, features and functions vary from unit to unit. Below is a list of things to look for when shopping for your DVD/VCR combo unit.

Input/Output + HDMI – Some units not only include an HDMI output port (480i/p, 720p, 1080i/p – DVD priority) but also include the cable itself. The types of input/output ports determine the types of DVD and analog signals that the DVD/VCR combo can read and transmit to the television. Also, some units will have a built-in SD card slot.

Media Compatibility – Although most DVD/VCR combo units can play/record a wide range of media, if you’re concerned about a particular format, check the spec sheet of the unit you’re interested in purchasing.

Front Panel Inputs – Front panel inputs don’t just aid in compatibility, it’s also more convenient because you don’t have to reach your arm around to the back to plug in other media or devices (e.g., camcorder).

In addition to movies that never made it from VHS to DVD and DVD movies that aren’t on the Blu-ray list yet, you probably have wedding shots, high school sporting events, and family trips stored on VHS tapes that are absolutely irreplaceable. How do you get them converted from VHS to DVD before they decay? Problem solved! One of the best features of DVD/VCR combo units is the ability to seamlessly record your old VHS tapes onto a DVD so they can be preserved forever!

JVC DVD and VHS Recorder Combo (Model No: DRMV80B)

The DVD/VCR combo player is the perfect representation of advances in technology and innovation. Not only do you have a lot of money invested in your VHS and DVD collection, but there are a lot of memories in those boxes. A DVD/VCR combo player is a great way to combine the future of entertainment with your current collection in one package. Buying two devices in one is a smart way to ensure you’re getting versatility and quality in a device that is inexpensive to own and easy to use.

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hhgregg proudly carries the JVC, Panasonic, Samsung, and Toshiba lines of DVD/VCR combination players.

The Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition Console features an exclusive design inspired by the game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This limited offer also includes a copy of the game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, two black Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers and a 250GB Hard Drive (the largest available). This is truly a collector’s item for both Xbox 360 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 fans.

Xbox 360 Elite Bundle (Model No: XB360ELITEA)
Featuring: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (included)

The Limited Edition Console made its grand entrance an invite-only preview event in Los Angeles where guests were the first to experience the game’s multiplayer gameplay on Xbox LIVE. “It is thrilling to bring the exclusive Modern Warfare 2-inspired Xbox 360 console to Call of Duty fans. Being able to work so closely with the talented team at Infinity Ward on the design has enabled us to develop a console that will set bragging rights around the world,” said Albert Penello, senior director of global marketing for Xbox 360. “These fans deserve the biggest Xbox 360 console ever, and we’re delivering with more storage space than ever before and freedom to enjoy all their favorite games and downloadable Game Add-ons, including the first two Modern Warfare 2 maps that will be available first on Xbox LIVE.” (The add-ons will be sold separately.)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
The most anticipated game of the year and the sequel to the best-selling, first-person shooter (FPS) action game of all time, Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse. The newest installment in the groundbreaking Call of Duty® series, Modern Warfare 2 features for the first time in video games, the musical soundtrack of legendary Academy Award®, Golden Globe® Award, Grammy® Award, and Tony-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

(Video requires installation of Microsoft Silverlight.)

The title picks up immediately following the historic events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the blockbuster title that earned worldwide critical acclaim, including 14 million copies sold worldwide, “Most Played Online Video Game” in history according to the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records, and more than 50 Game of the Year awards, including the Console Game of the Year and Overall Game of the Year 2007 from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences®

Game Rating:  M (Mature)
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. This game contains intense violence, blood, drug reference, and strong language.

Screen Shots
The four screen shots below can’t compare to actually experiencing the game firsthand, so you’ve got to try your battle skills playing this incredible first-person shooter game in the air, land, and underwater.

What’s in the Box?

• Limited Edition Xbox 360 Console with Exclusive Design

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Standard Edition (Rated “M” for Mature.)
• 250GB Hard Drive
• Two Xbox 360 Black, Wireless Controllers
• Xbox 360 Black, Wired Headset
• Ethernet Cable
• Xbox 360 Composite A/V Input Cable

How Do I Get One?
This item may be available for an in-store purchase only. Click here to locate a retail store or call 1-866-WSGREGG to verify availability at the retail store nearest to you.

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The addition of home theater systems to home television viewing has transformed how we see and hear entertainment. As the name “home theater” implies, the cinema experience can be brought to virtually any room in your home.

A typical home-theater-in-a-box (aka HTiB) system consists of several integrated components that are specifically “bundled” together by the manufacturer for compatibility and functionality. This takes all the guesswork out of selecting the right equipment, one piece at a time, and hoping they work together. All you need to do from here is provide your own TV—and you’re good to go!

LG 1,000 Watt 5.1 Channel (Model No: LHT854)

Several components make an HTiB system complete and functional. Beyond the components included in the box, most systems include speaker wires, connection cables, and a remote control. There’s nothing to additional buy, everything is included. Let’s take a look at the anatomy of an HTiB system:

Audio/Video (A/V) Receiver
The receiver is the heart of your home theater system. Besides being the preamplifier and amplifier, a receiver is the general control center where everything is plugged into. The brains part of the receiver decodes the surround sound tracks on any multichannel (e.g., 5.1, 7.1) audio source (e.g., DVD and Blu-ray).

Some receivers include AM/FM tuners, multi-disc DVD/Blu-ray/CD changer, and a dock for your iPod®. This provides a great way to enjoy music when you’re not watching movies.

Onkyo 1,200 Watt 7.1 Channel (Model No: HTS6200)

The back of the receiver should have both composite and component video outputs along with at least two HDMI outputs. There should also be an optical digital input and analog auxiliary input.

For more information on home theater receivers, please read the Receivers – Brains & Brawn behind Home Theater article located in our Learning Center.

Center-Channel Speaker
This speaker is the unsung hero of your HTiB system. When you watch a DVD or Blu-ray movie, the center channel delivers more than 50 percent of the soundtrack, including virtually all of the dialogue, and many of the sound effects. Since the speaker’s purpose is to keep sound anchored to the on-screen action, a good center channel speaker is crucial for a well-balanced home theater package.

Subwoofer
The subwoofer plays a crucial role in the surround sound effects you hear by reproducing low-frequency sounds in the 25 to 180Hz range. When the thunderous boom from an on-screen lightening and rainstorm makes you check the window to see if it is raining outside—then the subwoofer has done its job.

Front Speakers
The two front speakers (one left, one right) are for playing background music and the realistic sound effects of action scenes involving an increased amount of noise. These speakers can be small enough to be displayed on a bookshelf or large enough to be on mounted on floor stands.

Satellite Surround Sound Speakers
These speakers complement the front left/right speakers by working to immerse the listener in sound effects and music. You’ll experience the whipping of a helicopter’s blades overhead right in your living room.

More Information
For information on how to set up your HTiB, including the distance you should be sitting away from your television, read the Home Theater Installation Tips article located in our Learning Center.

Still have questions? Feel free to speak to an expert hhgregg sales associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

hhgregg proudly carries Bose, Curtis, JVC, Klipsch, LG, Onkyo, Panasonic, Sony, and Yamaha HTiB systems.

As bragging rights have grown right along with the screen size and weight of many HDTVs, whatever happened to the one-on-one portable televisions of the past? You know what we’re talking about—those versatile TVs that you could carry with you everywhere you go. Not only are they still around, they’ve brought along with them the technology enhancements from their big brothers.

SuperSonic 7” LCD TV (Model No: SC491)

This mini-sized TV is a classic example of good things coming in small packages. Basically, if your wall-mounted 60” TV had shrunk in the wash, you’d end up the SuperSonic 7” SC-491 portable LCD TV. And if you thought the SC-491 was short on features because it stands a measly 8.43 inches tall, you’d be wrong. Possibly the best feature of the SC-491 is its portability and that is accomplished by its barely-tipping-the-scale weight of 2.43 pounds.

Portability
That portability feature means that entertainment can now be anywhere you are—including outdoors! This little workhorse is perfect for taking along on wilderness road trips with the motor home, spending the day out on the lake, or watching a late night movie at a campground that isn’t even listed on the map. And of course, the SC-491 is great for use at home, too. Anywhere there’s a good movie to watch and it’s just you and a bowl of popcorn!

Power Sources
Because you never know where or what kind of power source you’ll have available when travelling, there are three ways to power your SC-491: standard wall socket (AC), 12V accessory outlet (DC), or the built-in Lithium rechargeable battery.

Front-Loading DVD/CD
For playing DVDs or CDs, gently press the word PUSH located at the bottom of the screen’s fascia. The entire screen assembly will move toward you and is hinged at the top (see photo below). To close the screen, gently press on the word PUSH again until the screen clicks into place. Only one DVD/CD can be stored inside the unit at any time.

16:9 & 4:3
Beyond the small size, the next feature to take your breath away is the razor sharp detail of the screen. All images/text can be viewed using the impressive 1440 x 234 screen resolution. Plus, the SC-491 can handle both widescreen (16:9) and standard (4:3) aspect ratios.

DVD, USB, SD/MMC, MP3
With 17 different modes, this television pulls double duty as a picture frame for watching slide shows of your favorite photos. With the built-in SD/MMC slot and USB port, you can watch movies and view photos directly from a memory card or MP3 player. For private viewing of DVD movies or watching your favorite TV shows, use the earphone jack to not disturb others in the room with you.

SC-491 Spec Sheet
Let’s take a closer look at the features of the SC-491:

7″ Digital TFT Color LCD Screen 1440 x 234 Resolution 16:9 & 4:3 Screen Modes Compatible: SD/MMC/MS & USB Supports: DVD/CD-R/CD-RW AV Input/Output Jack Digital Volume Control Digital Up/Down Tuning AC/DC Operation Auto-Channel Programming Full-Function Remote Control Integrated Built-in Speakers ATSC/NTSC Tuner Rotary Rod Antenna External Antenna Jack Earphone Jack

What’s In the Box?

• TV/DVD Combo Unit

• Stylish Up/Down Stand (removable)
• Full-Function Remote Control
• 12V DC Adapter
• 100-240V AC Adapter
• AV Cables
• Li-ion Battery
• Antenna Adapter

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The LED (light-emitting diode) panel has been typically used outdoors in billboards and store signs, and in recent years they have also become commonplace in destination signs on mass transit vehicles. LED panels can be a small display or a component of a much larger display. LED panels are sometimes deployed for the purpose of illumination—as is the case of LCD televisions (which are backlit with LEDs).

With all the jargon and acronyms being tossed about with flat-panel televisions, it can be confusing to understand what type of HDTV you’re viewing. Is an LG 47″ 1080p 240Hz HDTV (Model 47LH90) an LCD or LED television? Actually, both! The LCDs do one job while the LEDs do another job.

LCD or LED? Actually, both!

Simply put, the LED designation on a television strictly refers to the form of backlighting used in newer LCD televisions. LCD chips and pixels do not produce their own light—only the image content. Therefore, the LCD’s pixels must be backlit using LEDs to display a visible image on your screen.

DEEP BLACKS ARE BACK!

In recent years, LCD televisions have been backlit with cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL). Because fluorescent lamps are always illuminated, some light continually leaks through to the front of the television—even when a part of the image is supposed to be a deep black.

As a result, this reduces the viewer’s perceived sharpness of the image. The deep blacks are still there but the fluorescent lamps dull the true color. Also, fluorescent lamps lack a wide range of colors so color saturation is limited. Problem solved!—enter LED backlighting on LCD televisions.

TWO WAYS TO BACKLIGHT

There are two different ways LEDs are used to backlight a LCD television: edge and full-array.

Edge – Light is disbursed using a series of LEDs placed along the outside of all four edges of the screen. The key benefit to this form of backlighting is the television can be very thin—we’re talking razor thin (25mm).

Full-array – Several rows of LEDS are placed behind the entire surface area of the display. The key benefit to this form of backlighting is the ability for localized dimming, which means each LED, or a specific group, can be turned off and back on again independently (within selected areas of the screen). This provides more precise control of the darkness and brightness for those selected areas, depending on the video source being displayed at the time.

GREEN & ECO-FRIENDLY

LCD televisions which are backlit with LEDs are better for the environment than LCDs backlit with fluorescent tubes because LCDs and LEDs work together by lowering power consumption to the point of being ENERGY STAR® qualified.

The Sharp AQUOS 32” HDTV (Model LC32LE700UN) consumes a mere 55 watts and exceeds the ENERGY STAR guidelines by 52%. Unlike fluorescent lamps, LEDs do not contain mercury which can pollute the environment by ending up in a landfill.

FINAL THOUGHTS

You might have asked yourself, “Why not just use LEDs to make a television?” Well, LEDs in their current form are much too large to be deployed as individual pixels on a flat-panel television. LED-only displays are still reserved for much larger screens used in commercial situations.

Sharp AQUOS 32” HDTV (Model LC32LE700UN)

The cost of an LCD/LED television is comparable to its plasma counterparts and will keep you within your budget. In fact, hhgregg carries six LCD/LED televisions for under $2,000 (with screen sizes ranging from 32”–47”).

Still have questions? Feel free to speak to an expert hhgregg sales associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

hhgregg proudly carries LG, Samsung, Sharp, and Toshiba LCD/LED televisions.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a Blu-ray Disc (BD) player, your wait might be over. Since the inception of the Blu-ray Disc, the market has been steadily expanding with many advances in performance and the addition of several new features than what was available just a year ago. Like most new technologies, it takes time for the price to come down enough before the product can become affordable for everyone to own.

LG Blu-ray Disc Player – Model: BD370

Such is the case of Blu-ray Disc players—the next generation format for optical disc storage. Now you won’t need to borrow your kids’ Playstation 3 just to watch your collection of Blu-ray Discs. Not to mention that as of June 2009, there are now more than 2,500 titles available. You already have an HDTV and cables that can support HD images, add the perfect complement to your ultimate entertainment Mecca—a Blu-ray Disc player.

COOL FEATURES

One of the best features of Blu-ray Disc players is their capability to also play DVDs, CDs, MP3 files, and even display JPEG images. Nearly all Blu-ray Disc players house a dual-laser optical pickup mechanism. One laser will be blue (hence the name “Blu-ray”) for playing HD discs and one laser will be red for playing/displaying other media. Just to be certain your BD player has both lasers, read the product packaging or literature provided with the player.

Panasonic Blu-ray Disc Player – Model: DMPBD60

Some of the newest BD players have begun to incorporate multimedia features such as the ability to stream movies, TV shows, and vides directly to your HDTV using Netfix® and YouTube™. If your BD player has this capability, simply connect it to your broadband home network through the built-in 802.11 WiFi connection, Ethernet (wired) port, or USB (wired) port.

UP-TO-DATE

Because the technologies involved with Blu-ray improve and change virtually by the month, it is important to keep your player as up-to-date as your Blu-ray Discs. It’s a good idea to regularly check for firmware updates to ensure the latest BDs continue to be compatible with your player.

Samsung Blu-ray Player – Model: BDP1600

Most manufactures—LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony—are making these necessary updates easy to locate and install, and many Internet-connected BD players feature both manual and automatic updating functions.

IS MY DVD COLLECTION OBSOLETE?

Another reason why some people have not stepped up to BD is the fear of their DVD collection becoming a victim of planned obsolescence. Not a problem with BD! There is no need to sell your DVD collection on eBay or head to the nearest pawn shop. Your DVD collection, which has been the envy of the neighborhood, won’t need to hit the auction block.

Sharp Blu-ray Player – Model: BDHP22U

It was never the intention of the Blu-ray developers to create an optical disc format that was totally proprietary. In fact, their development was exactly the opposite as they were looking for a format for everyone to be able to store and play HD. But, manufacturers of Blu-ray Disc players are not obligated to ensure their players are backward or reverse compatible for playing standard DVDs.

Sony Blu-ray Player – Model: BDPS360

If a Blu-ray Disc player is reverse compatible, your DVD collection will look and sound even better. That’s because most Blu-ray players will support upscaling the images of traditional DVDs (480p) to 1080p and 1080i.

Still have questions? Feel free to speak to an expert hhgregg sales associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

hhgregg proudly carries LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, and Sony Blu-ray Disc players.

Buying an HDTV does not guarantee the best experience; the TV is just one part of the entertainment chain. Quality equals the sum of the parts including devices and programming or source. But faster or bigger isn’t always better. Understand what really makes a difference you can see, and what you need to get it.

New HDTV buyers experience varying levels of satisfaction once their TV is set up and going. But it is possible to get the most out of an HDTV whether you’re viewing cable or satellite programming in HD, Blu-ray movies, DVDs, or streaming HD movies from a service like Netflix.

In each of these cases, getting the best picture depends on each element in the entertainment chain. The TV is the common variable. The best TV will have a 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of 120hz or 240hz.

The next element in our chain, and one that is often overlooked, is the type of cable connecting the TV with the program source. The best connection is an HDMI cable. Both the TV and the source must have the HDMI connection to use HDMI cables. HDMI is better because it only requires a single cable for audio and video as well as can manage the bandwidth required for high definition sources.  Other cable types may convert digital signals to analog signals. Whenever a signal, audio or video, is converted from one type to another, there is some quality loss.

If you have the HDTV and the HDMI cable connecting the TV with your cable box, you will see a noticeable difference when watching HD programming whether it comes from your cable company or from an on-demand streaming movie service like Netflix. Remember, the broadcast must be in high definition to see a noticeably better picture. I can’t tell you how many times new TV owners are disappointed in their picture. It’s not because of the TV, but because the broadcast itself is not in high definition.

Today, networks broadcast some of their shows in 720p or 1080i high definition. Note the p (progressive) vs. i (interlaced). TV enthusiasts arguably prefer 720p over 1080i, but for most of us there is no perceptible difference. As mentioned earlier, the best HDTVs support 1080p resolutions but in order to get a 1080p source you must have a Blu-ray Disc player and Blu-ray Disc media or a paid subscription service.  Even many cable and satellite networks only broadcast their HD content in 720p or 1080i, not 1080p.

Additionally, 1080p is only noticeable on larger screen sizes, generally above the 50” range.  Therefore smaller TVs do not warrant the extra expense and only a few manufacturers offer 1080p solutions below 42” and even 37” screen sizes.

If you have the HDTV, HDMI cable and add a Blu-ray player to watch a Blu-ray movie, you may notice a difference. You will have to be familiar with the scene and focus on the details. Recently, I watched a science fiction movie with the equipment I’ve just described. The walls of the spaceship were corrugated metal. If I had been watching a DVD, the walls would have looked textured, but not clearly corrugated. Would I have known the difference had it not been pointed out? Probably not. It’s back to those side-by-side comparisons, which rarely occur in the living room.

The same goes for on-demand movies. If broadcast in HD, they’ll just look better. Netflix offers some high definition titles on their Watch Instantly service, but the complaint I’ve heard is that you don’t know whether it’s true HD or not until you start the movie. Surprise!

You are far better off watching a Blu-ray source than streaming HD content from a paid service. With the hard copy, you’ll get surround sound, which is not available through Netflix and similar services, as well as eliminate the buffering delays, i.e. waiting and waiting for the movie to start. Not all Blu-ray players are created equal.  Sony’s Playstation 3 continues to be one of the highest rated Blu-ray players, not to mention the ability to play incredibly detailed video games if you’re into that sort of thing.

So our best entertainment chain looks like this:

HDTV 1080p  >  HDMI cables  >  cable box/Blu-ray player  >  HD programming/Blu-ray media

And of course, don’t forget the sound system. Good speakers can make a tremendous impact on viewing experience. I’d go so far as to say adding a sound system, even a simple sound bar, will make a bigger impact than a step up in screen size, and it can be significantly less costly.  We’ll save that for another article, however.

Should you have additional HDTV or high definition questions, feel free to speak to an expert hhgregg sales associate.  We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple.  Price and Advice Guaranteed.

A new television is no small purchase and may be the biggest you’ll make this year.  Most shoppers begin by comparing screen sizes to their budget, but beyond that, what should you look for?

With so much money being spent, you’ll want something that lasts.  The average life of an LCD HDTV is 60,000 hours.  Running all day, every day, that’s nearly 7 years!  Considering the average hours of television watched per day in a U.S. household is 6.75, that LCD TV would last more than 24 years!  With this lifespan, you’ll be buying a new television well-before the lights go out on an LCD.

Besides longevity, here some other features to consider when shopping for an LCD TV.

Style: Televisions are no longer considered a piece of furniture.  Today’s flat-panel TVs have become more decorative, like art, than bulky, obtrusive furniture – some LCD TVs are less than an inch thick!  Whether you hang it on a wall, hide it in a media center or leave it on display for all to see, a television’s bevel should be clean and simple as to not distract from what’s being presented on the canvas… err, screen.  Speakers are often built-in and can either be hidden from view or appear as unsightly appendages, we prefer the unseen speaker because you can easily upgrade to a home theater speaker package no matter your budget.

Picture: Three primary technologies make up an LCD’s picture: resolution, refresh rate and lighting source. Many shoppers are concerned about contrast ratio, but truth is, there is no standard and therefore cannot be compared across manufacturers.  Basing your decision on the three features discussed, you won’t go wrong.

• Resolution is typically expressed by the number of horizontal lines making up the picture; the higher the better. 480i is standard definition and provides a decent picture. 720p is still considered high definition and is what most over-the-air broadcasts use for their HD content.  1080p is the best resolution available today and is most often found in Blu-ray Disc formats and video game consoles. Please note that HD may not be discernable on smaller televisions, but you’ll see big improvements in picture on screen sizes 46” and larger.

• Refresh rate comes in three speeds currently: 60Hz, 120Hz, and 240Hz.  As refresh rates are increased, the motion on the picture is rendered more smoothly, giving a very life-like viewing experience. Because you’re not used to viewing 120Hz and 240Hz video, at first glance you may find the picture, and more specifically the motion, of the image to be awkward.  This feature can be disabled on most LCD TVs should it be a bother to you.

• LED backlights help provide a bright and vivid picture, even in daylight sun.  Standard LCD lit TVs are good, but LED backlit LCDs offer better color and the best in energy efficiency, up to 40% less energy consumption.

Sound: If you’re looking for a theater-style experience, sound is as important as picture quality. Unfortunately, most flat-panel TVs leave a lot to be desired in their audio capabilities.  The great thing about audio is you can always add this component to your TV later.

Expansion Potential: Inputs provide access to new mediums and uses for your television. HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) are the best source to use when connecting any high definition sources to your set.  Depending on what components you already have, you might consider adding a Blu-ray Disc or DVD player, gaming console, audio system, or media center PC to your new LCD television.

Toshiba likes to say their TVs are just as pretty on the inside as they are on the outside. Based in Tokyo, Toshiba likes to brand their names as leaders in innovation. It’s not just about having the next greatest product, it’s about finding ways to make technology help us have a safer, more comfortable and more productive life.  It shows in all the products, including their TV lines.

While Toshiba may be well-known in the computer and consumer electronics industry, they have a wide industry. From high end-electronics to communications equipment and information systems, they cover the whole gamut of technology.

Lines

Toshiba’s latest line of Regza TVs, jumps on the LED bandwagon joining big-name companies like Sony and Samsung to provide the latest technology in TVs. With 240Hz and 1080p the Regza SV line has all the latest features at significantly less than the high-end Sony and Samsung.

Other than the latest offering, the Regza has other lines behind it:

ZV650: Features 1080p with Toshiba’s own ClearScan 240 (240Hz refresh rate) raises the bar with fast moving picture detail to give you the smoothest, clearest picture. We like this model because the “Deep Lagoon” chassis is well-designed and is a nice complement to the images on the screen.

XV645:  All screen sizes in this line come standard with the PixelPure 5G processor – with other technology, gives you more realistic images on the screen. Tack on ClearFrame 120hz with 1080p and you’ve got the full package in HDTV viewing.

RV525: The full name of this line includes 1080p Full HD, but we thought that was a little long. And it has more features, like a high-end PC input – so you can hook your PC up to your TV for the ultimate gaming experience.

AV502: These are the mid-size 720p HD models. But don’t worry, they don’t really skimp on the features. They come standard with Gaming Mode and CineSpeed – Toshiba’s name for its panel with smooth motion technology.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

Early in 2008 LG, a company name short for Lucky Goldstar, launched a major marketing stunt creating trailers for a supposedly new TV show coming out called “Scarlet”. They pulled out all the stops to get everyone thinking about this new show, but in the end revealed that it was just a stunt to market their new line of TVs by the same name. Maybe they thought they were “Lucky” enough that people would buy into the idea.

While they may not have been entirely up front about what Scarlet was about to begin with, the Korean-based LG has been quick to share the benefits of Scarlet’s top-of-the-line features that are competing with the likes of Samsung, Sharp and Sony.

Lines

2009 is shaping up to be even better than before. Sure there are no crazy marketing stunts, but LG is wowing the crowd with some impressive features.

The only line you really need to care about from LG, at least on the LCD end, is anything that has an “LH” in the name. From the LH20 line to the high-end, feature-packed LH90, it’s by far LG’s best line to date.

While LG keeps up with Sony and Samsung  with features like 240Hz, 1080p and LED backlighting on the LH90 line, they haven’t reached the name brand power in TVs that those two have. It means you have a cheaper price, but you can also lose a little when you get down into the lower brands. The LH20 line only has 720p and 60Hz refresh rate. But like we said before, you’ll see a difference on the price tag.

As far as plasma goes, LG keeps up with the big guys. The top of the ladder, the LG plasma PS line, LG has full 1080p and THX Display certification.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

Panasonic is all about giving you ideas for how to live your life. However, rather than coming off sounding like your mother, Panasonic has come up with a whole line of electronics products from cameras and hair dryers to video cameras and TVs designed to help you get more out of your life. Panasonic has tried to take the approach of helping you make your life better with all their products.

From award-winning flashlights to washing machines, Panasonic covers the whole spectrum of home electronics. They’ve built up to provide some of the best mid-grade electronics out there and their TVs are no different.

Lines
In the 1990s Panasonic went with the idea that picture and sound are the most important things on a TV. They designed their new TVs so the focus was on the screen and worked to come up with new technologies to help improve those functions.

Panasonic’s Viera line came out in 2003 and has been renowned for its continued development of new models with leading-edge technology and unique design. Panasonic started out developing plasmas for the Viera line, going with newer and updated sound and picture quality. Eventually they brought LCD TVs into the line as well.

The 2009 line of Viera TVs keep their naming simple. We like that. One letter and one or two numbers. Samsung could take a page out of their book.

X1: 720p with Viera link, allowing multiple devices to be “linked” to your remote. That way you only have to keep track of one for everything.

X14: A higher refresh rate provides smoother pictures and gives you crisper, focused images during fast moving parts. But, it still only has 720p. While you may not notice a difference on regular TV, if you opt for Blu-ray, you’re going to want to go with 1080p.

S1: HD to the max, Panasonic combines their Motion Focus Technology with 1080p for the smoothest and clearest hi-def TV.

S14, U1, V10, G10 and G15: No we’re not being lazy by combining all these TVs. At this point you wouldn’t really be able to tell a difference between these except in price. These are only plasma TVs. They’re good quality as far as plasmas go, but Panasonic is one of the few manufacturers still making them. Go with plasma if deeper truer blacks are important to you, but stick with LCD otherwise because that’s where all the innovation is going.

U12, C12 and G1: Same as before, only these two TVs are LCD. They come with a built-in SD slot so you can just plug your memory card right into your TV to view your homemade photos and videos in HD.

Z1: Ok, Panasonic did pull out all the plugs on their high-end plasma model. The thinnest around at only 1” thick, it also has wireless HD connectivity (making it a lot easier to install) and View Cast so you can get the internet right on your TV screen with no extra equipment.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

In the TV world, Samsung has gone from David to Goliath, giving Sony a run for its money in the “king of the mountain” spot for LCD TVs. Its latest product lines bring quality and style to the table.

When other manufacturers like Sharp or Sony were already producing color TVs, Samsung was just getting started late in 1969 making black and white CRT televisions. However, despite their late start in the TV world, Samsung has grown to make a name for itself among the top electronics manufacturers in the world.  From televisions, cell phones, computers, printers and major appliances, Samsung is a household name.

LINES

Series 3: The cheapest HDTV of Samsung’s lines. The Series 3 line features 720p and RGB inputs that make it easy to connect it to your computer.

Series 4: The only difference, besides some minor aesthetic ones, between the Series 4 and the Series 3 lines is that Samsung upped the ante on contrast ratios. You get 50,000:1 contrast. It’s supposed to make the blacks blacker and the all the colors more true. Odds are, the average TV consumer probably won’t notice a difference.

Series 5: The Series 5 offers full HD with 1080p – the most accurate picture colors available on an LCD. Samsung also threw in a 70,000:1 contrast ratio more for bragging rights than anything else.

Series 6: Samsung has a line of LCD TVs and a line of LED TVs that both carry the Series 6 name. On the LCD side, the Series 6 TVs have the buzzwords of 2008: 1080p and 120hz refresh rate.  Add in the Touch of Color on the design side, and the Series 6 LCD TVs are some of the most eye-catching TVs in quality and design.

The Series 6 LED TVs, among the greenest on the market, are the thinnest TVs from Samsung. These LED TVs use 40% less energy than similar LCD TVs and they have a better picture quality. However, they are more affordable than their LCD counterparts.

Series 7: The Series 7 LCD lines are the first to offer the Medi@2.0 internet capabilities. Samsung says it turns your TV into an interactive multi-media center, but it only offers access to a few websites like Flickr and Yahoo!.

For the Series 7 LED line, Samsung focuses on touting the internet connectivity. It has the same high quality picture and slim overall frame that Samsung’s LED line is known for, but sticks with the 120hz refresh rate and has a slightly cheaper priced than the more expensive 8 series.

Series 8: The Series 8 LED TV has the highest technology TVs can offer. From the best in picture quality, 240hz refresh rate to Samsung’s smooth Auto Motion Plus and Medi@2.0 capabilities, you’re getting the best TVs have to offer to date. But you also pay for it. The 55” screen of this model rolls in around $4,000.

On the LCD end, similar to its LED counterpart, the Series 8 LCD TVs slim down to pack more features into a smaller screen. Only 1.9” deep, the TV is thinner than a remote control. So it’s pretty slim. This line has all the features you need in an LCD TV with the internet capabilities, 1080p and 240hz refresh rate coupled with a contrast ratio of 50,000:1 make this line about as good as you can get in and LCD TV.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

From the small handheld PSP to the big screen TVs, Sony has made a mark of excellence across the electronics industry. Long a leader in consumer electronics products, Sony made a name for itself after WWII with consumer-based transistor radios and continues to create its own in-house standards for new technologies for the last five decades. In the wake of the Bravia line of LCD televisions, Sony has also emerged as one of the top LCD TV manufacturers, combining the latest in picture quality with the latest in design to put high-end LCD and OLED TVs out in the market.

Lines
Sony, one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, has continued to take the top tier of LCD TVs even higher with its 2008-2009 Bravia line. Featuring a range of TVs from the high-end XBR models to the more affordable W5100, Z5100 and V5100 series, Sony has taken your home entertainment into their hands—or TVs.

Bravia XBR series: Featuring the latest features in LCD technology, the XBR models challenge plasmas in picture quality and definition. The 120hz and 1080p were new features at the beginning of 2008 when Sony first debuted the XBR line, but they have quickly set the new standard for high-end televisions with many other manufacturers following suit. Now the XBR8 has LED backlighting and the XBR9 series has a 240hz refresh rate. However, you pay the price for these stylish Sony TVs. Sure they’ve got the latest refresh rates and style, but they’re also among the most expensive LCD TVs on the market.

Bravia Z series: This line is similar to the XBR, the only real difference is price and outside design. 2009 models feature the 240hz refresh rate and 1080p picture quality. Essentially these TVs offer the high-end features found in XBR models, but without the XBR moniker, you can shave a couple hundred dollars off the price.

Bravia S series: 1080p and 120hz refresh rate put this line in the running with top TVs out there. You probably won’t be able to notice a difference between these features and the high-end XBR models.

Bravia V series: The cheapest of the Bravia line, the V series plays catch up a little. It has features from last year’s XBR models, so it still has quality features. However, up next to this year’s XBR9, you can see the difference.

VE5 series: Sony’s latest line of 2009 is the VE5 Eco series of LCD TVs. This TV uses the latest technology to cut down on energy use while the TV is on and off.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

Now that the digital transition has come and gone, you may still find yourself in need of a little help. If you find that while surfing through your channel lineup you can still see the remnants of the analog channels, you need to have your digital tuner re-scanned for available channels.

Scanning for available channels will not only find all the available digital channels, but will automatically delete the analog channels from your channel list. This will allow the tuner to only land on channels that actually have programming on it and spare you from having to skip over channels full of static and snow.

To scan for all available channels you will need to access your TV’s menu. Once you have the menu screen you will need to look for a setup or channels option. Once you have found this there will be a channel scan, or an auto-program option that you can select. Once you have selected the auto-scan function, let your TV complete the entire process. Once complete, your TV should be all set to provide you with only the digital channels and none of the now antiquated analog channels.

It is also a good idea to run the channel scan function periodically to make sure you have all the available channels available to you. Many stations have the ability to broadcast more channels than they currently do. Scanning for new channels periodically will ensure that you are able to receive new channels as they are added. Much like the analog channels, this will eliminate channels that no longer broadcast signals.

If you currently subscribe to digital cable or satellite you shouldn’t need to worry about scanning for new channels with your television since your cable box or satellite box will bypass your TV’s digital tuner.
Keeping your TV’s channel lineup current will ensure that you always have the most available entertainment options available to you.

HDTV WALL MOUNT BRACKET INSTALLATION – TIPS & TRICKS

You finally bought your dream flat-panel digital television and you’ve got the perfect place to mount it on the wall. You’re just itching to plug it in and watch it! But, how do you get your TV from the box on the floor to hanging on the wall? It’s simple: be prepared and plan ahead.

Essentially, being prepared and taking your time on this project will help prevent making mistakes in mounting your television to the wall. Being in a hurry or having a wanton game plan can cause structural damage to your home, electrical fires, and your TV could end up falling straight down to the floor—possibly destroying it and anything in its path (e.g., your foot). Not the pretty picture you were hoping for!

TYPES OF MOUNTS

Your choice of wall mounts isn’t as vast as your choices of DTVs, but there are two main types—standard (fixed movement) and titled (articulated arm)—both of which have a wide range of specifications and features to choose from.

You might not think a bracket would have so many options but when it comes to holding your DTV onto the wall, they don’t disappoint. Here are some mounting bracket specifications and features to look for:

• Ensure the mount can handle the screen width of the TV you plan to hang onto it. If you have a 60-inch TV and your mount is designed for a maximum of 55 inches, only trouble will result.
• If leaning way back in a recliner is your idea of relaxing, look for a bracket that can tilt towards you. Most brackets are capable of tilting as much as +15 degrees and some can tilt the other direction (upwards) as much as -5 degrees. Tilting can also defend against glare from a window.
• Because you don’t always sit in the same chair when watching TV, look for a bracket which has a sliding lateral adjustment without removing the unit from the wall.
• Check for anti-theft and locking systems to ensure you remain the owner of your DTV.
• Measure the depth of your mounting profile is especially important if you plan on adding hardware in the future or frequently switch out hardware. Some mounts come with kickstand-style arms to allow for easy access to all your wiring connections. Having to remove your TV from the wall just to plug in your Blu-ray Disc player can be inconvenient when there are options available.
• A feature that might top your can’t-live-without list is a motorized mount which allows you to pan, tilt, and swivel your TV with a remote control. All you have to move is one finger.
• The load bearing capacity rating is the absolute weight limit your wall mounting bracket is capable of withstanding under normal conditions. If the owner’s manual or other paperwork associated with your wall mount states the limit is 125 pounds—that’s exactly what it means.
• Look for an adjustable cantilever mount which can give you a wider range of viewing areas and angles to choose from. You can turn the TV towards the breakfast table in the morning and then rotate it back to watch a movie at night in the living room.

VESA STANDARDS

Founded in February 1989, VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) is the source for supporting and setting industry-wide interface standards for the display and display interface consumer market. What does that mean to you? If you’ve ever wondered why the bracket you bought didn’t seem to line up with any of the mounting holes, then you know why VESA exists—to ensure product compatibility. You don’t want to go through the hassle of measuring, aligning, and drilling new holes to accommodate a one-size-fits-all wall mount. Look for the VESA compliance logo when purchasing a wall mount.

PREPARATION

Gather the following items and locate them in a central location where you won’t have to look for them in the middle of the project. After you’ve collected everything in one place, do a second inventory to ensure you’ve have the checklist covered.

Time – Ensure you’ve got some time on your hands to get the job done completely. This would include cleaning up the mess. Don’t attempt this project if you need to head to work in two hours, if grandma is coming over for dinner this afternoon, or you need to pick up the kids from soccer practice. Glances at your watch will only hasten your work and encourage shortcuts—give yourself plenty of time.

Buddy System – Recruit a friend to assist you every step of the way. If you’re not good with using basic hand tools, ensure you friend has some renovation projects on their resume. Even if you’re the one with the tool belt, an HDTV can tip the scales at 140 pounds or more—that leaves your half at 70 pounds when trying to balance and lift all that weight.

Tools – No special tools are needed and even the average household should have most if not all of them on hand. Ensure they are in working order and as stated earlier, round them up now and instead of searching the house later.

Tape Measure Drywall Saw Utility Knife Level (less than 3 feet long) Electric Drill (with bits)

Electrical Tape Stud Finder Pencil or Marking Pen Ratchet (with socket to fit lag bolts) Ladders

Don’t forget to all read all instructions and owner’s manuals beforehand. Doing so will ensure you fully understand what you’ve gotten yourself into and ensure you’re not missing any tools or equipment.

INSTALLTION STEPS

Because routing cables and cords through walls requires advanced skills, especially when running cables through brick walls and other masonry, the following steps will only entail installing a standard (fixed movement) wall mounting bracket with the cables and cords exposed.

Step 1 = Inventory

Ensure you take a moment and compare all the parts and pieces in the box to the parts list for the wall mounting bracket. If anything is missing, ensure they are replaced before continuing. This will give you the chance to familiarize yourself with the fasteners and the structure of the bracket itself. Also, take one last look at your tools to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Step 2 = Finding the Studs

Using your stud finder, locate the two vertical studs which will be used to secure the bracket to the wall. In most homes, studs are 16 inches (center to center) apart. Using your level as a straightedge, mark a vertical line to show the dead center of each stud.

Step 3 = Marking the Drill Holes

Using the template provided with the wall mounting bracket, carefully mark the exact spot where the four holes will be drilled. Don’t eyeball it! Use your level alongside the horizontal edge of the template to ensure it is not tilted. Align the vertical edge of the template along the dead center line you marked in Step 2. Now mark you drill holes with an X or a + so you have a sort of crosshairs marking for drilling.

Step 4 = Drill the Pilot Holes

Now it is time to drill all four pilot holes. If you haven’t already, insert the 9/32” drill bit into the chuck of the electric drill. The required depth of the holes is 3½” deep (including the thickness of the drywall). How do you know when you’ve drilled 3½” deep? When you install the bit into the drill’s chuck, use your tape measure and slide the bit in until only 3½“ of the bit is showing. When you’re actually drilling the hole, you’ll know the hole is complete when the chuck meets up with the drywall.

Step 5 = Mount the Wall Plate

Using the ratchet and socket, mount the wall plate to the wall using the four lag bolts and four washers. Install all four lag bolts about 90 percent of the way each. Do your final adjustments and then tighten all four bolts. Do not use the drill with a socket attachment to tighten the lag bolts. This will avoid over tightening the lag bolts which can crush the surface of the drywall.

Step 6 = Install the Vertical Rails

Now it’s time to install the vertical rails onto the back of your television. Ensure you use the correct spacers, screws, and washers. The spacers (if needed) provide space for recessed mounting holes or to access A/V inputs.

Step 7 = Plug in the Cables

Plug all your cables into the back of your TV so you won’t have to snake your hand back there afterwards. With this type of wall mount (standard), you have to remove the television from the wall to plug in or swap out the A/V cables. You might even do a test run of your TV and peripherals before you set the TV on the wall just to ensure everything is OK (and then leave the A/V cables plugged in).

Step 8 = Hang the TV on the Wall Mount

You’re almost done! Place the TV onto the wall mount. Ensure the vertical rails on the back of the TV are resting properly onto both the top and bottom horizontal bars of the wall mount. Physically release the TV only when you are sure it is properly secured to the wall mount. Check and tighten all four locking bar screws one last time now that there is weight and pressure on them.

Step 9 = Clean Up

Just like mom you used to tell you, clean up your mess after you’re done! This includes putting your tools and other equipment away. Now you can take a step back and say, “I did it!”

FINAL THOUGHTS

One of the awesome features of a flat-panel TV is hanging them on the wall. These steps are the easiest and simplest way to accomplish this. If you want to hide you’re A/V cables and power cord behind the wall for a clean look, either hire a professional or ensure you’re really up to the job. This would be especially important if you’re trying to set up a home theater operation along with your new TV. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask for help.

hhgregg sells VESA compliant ceiling and wall mounts from OmniMount.

Still have questions?—feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

When shopping for a DTV, you can easily be overwhelmed by all the facts and figures surrounding today’s televisions. Two of the most misunderstood features of DTVs are screen (video) refresh rates and frame rates (film). How they work together to provide smooth as glass movement on the screen, even during fast-moving action and horizontal panning, is one of the awesome specifications of DTV.

Similar to still photography, studio movies are shot using film which consists of individual frames vertically connected together. When those frames are displayed before the human eye in succession and at a specific speed (e.g., 24 frames per second), it gives the appearance of uninterrupted movement-hence the name motion picture. The viewer cannot detect the change from frame to frame due to an effect known as persistence of vision. The eye temporarily retains a visual image of each frame for a fraction of a second after it has been removed. The illusion of motion from frame to frame is caused by a psychological effect known as the phi phenomenon.

Another way to look at frame rates and refresh rates is to think of frame rates as film and refresh rates as video (screen). When the movie for a DVD is made, it is filmed. When you watch a DVD, you enjoy it on a video display (your TV screen). Confused? Keep reading; you’ll figure it out!

But first, let’s understand some definitions and then we’ll compare refresh rates and frame rates.

DEFINITIONS
Frame Rates
As new and improved as DTVs are, they still had to bring a little of the old school along with them-namely 24fps (frames per second). This is the rate at which cameras used by movie studios, even today, film movies. When sound was introduced to the film industry in the late 1920s, the sound head on the camera required a consistent and constant speed. While 16fps were used to record silent films, 24fps was chosen for talkies because it was the slowest speed that would still provide sufficient sound quality.

Refresh Rates
The number of times per second an image is refreshed (a new image is displayed) on the screen is called the refresh rate. The value of the refresh rate is expressed in hertz (Hz), which is the basic unit of frequency for the International System of Units (SI). If a DTV has a refresh rate of 60Hz, it means the frequency of the screen refreshing is 60 times per second. Newer DTVs can have refresh rates at high as 120Hz or 240Hz.

Judder
As long as the refresh rate of your DTV is 60Hz or higher, the refreshing of the screen happens so quickly your eyes won’t even notice it unless there is very fast action on the screen. This might cause the motion around the action to appear to shake, wobble, or vibrate-aka judder.

Judder is only an issue for film and is not apparent when video is used. For movie theaters film is still required but many of today’s television shows are videotaped which is easier to work with. Video frame rates for videotaped programs can be 30fps or 60fps. Since 30 and 60 divide evenly into 60, there is no judder at all and quick movements on the screen appear very smooth.

REFRESH RATES & FRAME RATES – Numbers Don’t Match
Let’s do the math. DVDs and Blu-ray Discs are filmed at 24fps but the standard refresh rate for DTVs is 60Hz. The numbers don’t match up at all-24 per second and 60 per second. There is a solution to help them co-exist using 3:2 pulldown (converting film to video). The first frame of the 24fps will be repeated 3 times, the second frame of 24fps will be repeated 2 times and so on.

60Hz Refresh Rate
The following is a chart showing one second’s worth of film frame made compatible with one second’s worth of video using the 3:2, 3:3, and 5:5 pulldown methods.

72Hz Refresh Rate
The following is a chart showing one second’s worth of film frame made compatible with one second’s worth of video using the 3:3 pulldown method.

A feature of the 72Hz refresh rate is the ability to switch back and forth between 60Hz and 72Hz depending on the incoming source signal. Unlike the 60Hz refresh rate, 72Hz is evenly divisible by the frame rate (72Hz / 3 = 24fps). When the refresh rate is evenly divisible from the frame rate, it is referred to as the native playback. The movement of action appears smoother in native playback because every frame of the film is duplicated the same amount of times-in this case 3 times per frame.

120Hz Refresh Rate
The following is a chart showing one second’s worth of film frame made compatible with one second’s worth of video using the 5:5 pulldown method.

Right now, 120Hz is the crème de la crème of refresh rates. The 120Hz refresh rate can display all video in native playback.

24fps x 5 = 120

30fps x 4 = 120

60fps x 2 = 120

FINAL THOUGHTS
The frames per second of frame rates and the cycles (frequency) per second of refresh rates work together to help give you the best image the human eye can discern. The interactions between the two work together so your eyes see seamless and continuous movement although the film is made up of individual still frames.

The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the image on the screen will appear to you. Smooth movement with no judder will keep action movies and sports looking incredible.

Still have questions?-feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

ENERGY STAR was created in 1992 and is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The program is considered an international standard for identifying and promoting energy-efficient products that reduce consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Although the program was created in the United States, many other countries-Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, and the European Union-have also adopted the program as their standard.

Participation in the program is considered voluntary for manufacturers and individual products in a company’s catalog can be qualified as ENERGY STAR. The first products to pass the stringent qualifications and proudly wear the blue label were computers and monitors. The label is now affixed to over 60 product categories (and thousands of models) including:

• Major Appliances
• Home Electronics
• Office Equipment
• Lighting
• Buildings

HOW MUCH CAN I SAVE?
The typical American household spends nearly $2,000 a year on energy bills to power appliances and electronics. When using qualified products, savings can reach 30 percent or more and return $700 back into your bank account. These savings also show a marked reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the fears of going “green” with consumer products is they won’t perform as well as their energy-burning counterparts. Not true. Qualified products deliver the same or even better performance as comparable models while using less energy to operate. With energy bills being a hot news topic on the minds of consumers, conservation can also come in the form of what to do when you’re not using a product.

You might be surprised to learn that products-even ENERGY STAR qualified products-use electricity whether they are on or off. It doesn’t matter if the appliance is off but plugged directly into the wall or if your cell phone charger is plugged into the wall but your phone is in your pocket-they both use waste electricity. If you’re working online but want to run to the refrigerator for a snack, put your computer to sleep. The five minutes you just spent eating your sandwich and chips just conserved some energy.

WHAT CAN I DO?
The first thing a consumer can do when shopping for a new appliance or electronic item is place ENERGY STAR at the top of their checklist. Even if you already own qualified products, there are other things you can do to ensure you’re conserving energy.

Washers – Don’t run your washer until you have a full load and always wash in cold water, if possible. An ENERGY STAR qualified washer will save 75,000 gallons of water over its lifetime and save you $550 at the same time.

Televisions – An ENERGY STAR qualified model is 30 percent more energy-efficient. Simply turning off the TV when you’re not in the room will save a lot of energy.

Computers – If you really need to leave your desktop or laptop computer on when you leave the room, let it take a nap while you’re gone by putting it to sleep.

Light Bulbs – When the light bulbs in your home burn out, replace them with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). They are 75 percent more energy efficient than a traditional incandescent bulb, last as much as 10 times longer, and produce 75 percent less heat.

Ceiling Fans – An ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fan is 50 percent more energy efficient and spins quieter and faster. To ensure your ceiling fan is operating at its optimum, set the fan to spin clockwise in winter and counterclockwise in summer.

ENERGY SPENT – Where did it all go?
If you were to take inventory of every single item in your home that consumes electricity, the number would probably surprise you. Additional items-multiple TVs, gaming systems, and the freezer in the garage-all affect your family’s annual utility bill even more. Let’s look at a typical household’s annual utility bill and see where the money went and how much you can save:

Heating Cooling Water Heater Other Lighting Washer/Dryer Refrigerator Dishwasher TV, VCR, DVD Computer/Monitor	$688 $257 $245 $239 $184 $107 $87 $47 $35 $22
TOTAL	$1,900

If all 10 items listed were using ENERGY STAR qualified products, your family could save 30 percent off your utility bill which equates to $600 annually. That amounts to more money than your water heater, lighting, washer/dryer, TV, and computer combined!

The average house is responsible for 22,000 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions per year-twice as much as the average car. An ENERGY STAR qualified home can prevent 4,500 lbs of greenhouse gasses from entering the atmosphere each year.

QUALIFICATIONS
Manufacturers go the extra mile when preparing and submitting their products for qualification testing. Their research and development teams specifically design products with the ENERGY STAR qualification in mind. Each product category has different qualifications that must be met.

Dishwashers – Must use at least 41 percent less energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption.

Refrigerators – Must use at least 20 percent less energy than required by current federal standards and use 40 percent less energy than conventional models sold in 2001.

Freezers – Must use at least 10 percent less energy than required by current federal standards.

Computer Monitors – Must use from 25-60 percent less electricity than standard models, depending on how they are used.

Televisions – Must use approximately 30 percent less energy than standard units.

Home Audio – Must use approximately 6 percent less energy than standard models.

FINAL THOUGHTS
In 2008, Americans-with the help of ENERGY STAR-saved $19 billion on their energy bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 29 million cars. Since the program’s inception, Americans have purchased more than 2.5 billion ENERGY STAR qualified products. And it doesn’t stop there-qualification has branched out to businesses, street lights, vending machines, and more.

Through its partnership with more than 15,000 public and private sector organizations, ENERGY STAR will continue to provide the tools and technical information to both consumers and businesses so they can make informed, energy-efficient decisions.

Still have questions?-feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

When purchasing a new appliance or television, you might not have thought of what to do with the old one until the new one is in your home, ready to be installed. Now what? There’s always the option of putting your old TV in your bedroom and the old refrigerator in the garage. But then again, you replaced them because they were old, not working right, and didn’t match the new colors of your kitchen remodel.

Most waste management programs consider preventing waste even before it happens as the most viable option-even above recycling. This means if your appliance or electronic items are still in working condition, consider selling them or donating them to a charity or other donation center for reselling. The benefit for this is twofold: when the charity sells the item, the proceeds go to medical research or other worthwhile causes and some items end up in the homes of needy families to be used again.

If your appliance has seen better days and is in dire need of repair, skip the charities and donation centers and just recycle the item so that someone else doesn’t end up with your problems. In most cases, recycling doesn’t cost you anything but a small amount of your time and you just might end up with a few dollars in your wallet in the form of cash or a tax deduction on your annual return.

WHY RECYCLE?
There are a multitude of reasons to recycle your appliances and electronics-the most important of which is pollution-or rather the prevention of pollution. When you see a TV sitting quietly curbside waiting for the weekly trash pickup service, you can be sure there are toxic chemicals inside the unit that can pollute our earth and waterways. Other forms of pollution are the efforts needed to mine new resources-such as aluminum, gold, and steel-instead of reusing what’s already been dug up and processed.

The best thing to do is find a local recycling center to donate your items. If they have free, local pickup, your end of the deal could be no more than placing a phone call and setting the item outside in an area accessible to their crew. The recycling center will disassemble the unit to retrieve metals and other items that are used again-recycled-to create new TVs and other products.

CRT Processing Corporation (Janesville, WI)
They specialize in the proper recycling of used or obsolete
computer monitors, televisions, and other electronic equipment.
HAUL IT AWAY
One option you’ve got that won’t cost you time or money is to have hhgregg haul your old unit away-for free-on a one-for-one exchange basis. This means our delivery team will haul away your old refrigerator when they arrive to deliver your new refrigerator. Now that’s service! Here’s a list of items that hhgregg will haul away when they arrive to deliver a like item:

Refrigerators Washers/Dryers Ranges

Microwave Ovens Dishwashers Televisions

If you have any questions about this policy, please review our “Home Delivery Do’s and Don’ts” or contact the hhgregg store nearest your home.

OPTIONS & CHOICES
You can be sure that every single appliance and home electronics piece of equipment in your home-including video consoles/games and cell phones-has a recycling center that wants your stuff. Here are some resources to find an organization to handle your unwanted items:

Samsung – Launched on October 1, 2008, Samsung Recycling Direct^SM is a national program which enables consumers to conveniently and responsibly recycle their old electronics. Samsung Recycling Direct^SM provides more than 170 fixed drop off locations spread out over all 50 states. To find the location nearest you, click here.

myGreenElectronics – Learn about the 4 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink) and find recycling centers in your neighborhood by ZIP Code.

AT&T Reuse and Recycle – They offer the option to bring unwanted cell phones, Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) and other accessories (regardless of the manufacturer or carrier) to an AT&T operated store or participating authorized dealer store near you. Use the store locator to find a participating store near you.

Earth 911 – Earth 911 is a comprehensive communication medium for the environment. Earth 911 has taken environmental hotlines, web sites and other information sources nationwide, and consolidated them into one network. Once you contact the Earth 911 network, you will find community-specific information on eCycling and much more.

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) – If it’s rechargeable, it’s recyclable! RBRC can help you recycle portable rechargeable batteries commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. Search for collection sites by Zip Code.

Sony – Has a recycling program that makes it easy to dispose of electronics in an environmentally-safe way. Bring your unwanted electronic products to any participating drop off center and recycle it for free.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) – Their recycling program includes hardware, LaserJet supplies, and Inkjet supplies. They also have a trade-in program.

LG Electronics – Offers consumers-free of charge-recycling of any product such as televisions, monitors, audio equipment, video cassette players and recorders, DVD players and recorders, combination TV/VCR and TV/DVD units, set top boxes and accessories associated with those products that have the LG, Zenith, or Goldstar brands. Consumers can drop off up to five items at any one time for free at any of these locations.

Toshiba – With the Toshiba Free Electronic Program you can recycle your old electronics regardless of the brand and at no cost to you. They also provide a trade-in option should you want to trade in your used products for cash.

Motorola – Consumers can visit Motorola’s website to print out postage-paid mailing labels (PDF) and send in any unused phones or accessories. They accept any mobile phone or accessory-not just Motorola products.

1-800-Got-Junk? – Full-service junk removal company that will remove almost anything-including appliances. Plus, they do all the loading and cleanup-wherever the item is located. This means you don’t have to lift a finger and they’ll retrieve the item out of your basement, garage, kitchen, etc.

FINAL THOUGHTS
The most important thing to remember is that we all have choices in the proper disposing of appliances and electronics that don’t work anymore or have been replaced with the latest and greatest advances in technology. Dumping them in the trash is not an option and could have long-term affects on the environment-where we all live and breathe.

Some states have enacted legislation around disposal of consumer electronics. Since July 20, 2006, all waste computer monitors and televisions generated by households in the state of Maine must be recycled unless shipped out of state for disposal. For information on regulations in your area, contact your local municipality to inquire about private and state-funded recycling programs.

Still have questions?-feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

Just when you thought television viewing had reached its ultimate Mecca with today’s flat panels, a new crowning jewel is arriving-and in a big way. Say hello to OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) television! Did we just say organic? Yes, we did!

It might be hard to fathom that plasma and LCD could soon be yesterday’s news, but it’s true. If the prototypes demonstrated at home electronics shows in Las Vegas and elsewhere are any indication, every television on the planet could soon be old technology.

OLED televisions aren’t just marketing hype; they can do something no television in history has done before them-flex and bend. And that’s while the video is playing on the screen. There are other huge benefits to OLED: 

• Does not require a backlight which equates to a marked reduction in power consumption.
• Screens are just 3mm and very lightweight-weighing ounces instead of pounds.
• Flexible, foldable, and virtually indestructible.
• Higher pixel density and handles fast-moving images better than all current technologies.
• Expected to be manufactured more efficiently resulting in lower production costs.

The transition from the television experience we know now to OLED will probably be short and sweet. Even if you’ve never seen one in person, you know you want one. After the initial shock of flat-panel TVs hitting the market a few years ago, consumers became overwhelmed and excited when the screen of their TV kept getting larger and larger. With flat-panels growing in size, they also started tipping the scales with their growth in dimensions. The next breakthrough had to be a reduction in thickness and weight – mission accomplished … enter OLED.

ACTIVE-MATRIX OLED (AMOLED)
Although store brochures and other sales literature will probably just use the acronym OLED, they are actually talking about AMOLED technology. Just like LCD televisions, OLEDs are categorized into passive-matrix and active-matrix displays. PMOLEDs (Passive-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diodes) consume more power than AMOLEDs because they have external circuitry. AMOLEDs use a thin film transistor (TFT) layer to distribute voltage to the picture elements (pixels) through a matrix.

AMOLEDs are an excellent choice for televisions of all sizes-from the smallest to the largest. As a bonus, they have refresh rates which are almost 1,000 times faster than LCDs and are capable of over 1,000,000:1 contrast ratios. Amazing, isn’t it? Catch your breath and keep reading!

This technology has several layers in a particular order spanning the complete width/length of the screen to create the area where images are displayed. The layers are (from front to back): 

• Optically-clear glass substrate
• Color filter
• Cathode layer (positively charged)
• Organic molecule layers (red, green, blue)
• Anode layer (negatively charged)
• TFT (thin film transistor)
• Opaque or reflective glass substrate

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Now that all the layers are sandwiched tightly together, a controlled flow of electricity can be applied to the two conductors (cathode and anode). The result is a bright, electro-luminescent light being displayed directly from the organic layers.

Ambient light is normally an issue when it comes to current technologies in flat-panel televisions. Not so with OLED. That’s because each individual pixel is set in a micro-cavity designed to dramatically reduce ambient light interference.

The organic layer’s thickness of red, green, and blue can be adjusted to produce the strongest light for each individual color. The colors are purified and refined, sans the need for a polarizer, using a color filter. The color filter is located between the top glass substrate and the cathode layer.

HOW ARE THEY MADE?
For starters, let’s get rid of the backlighting that is required for LCD televisions. You’ve just reduced thickness, weight, and power consumption. The lighting is now coming from the pixels themselves as they emit their own light after receiving electrical activation. The liquid crystals for LCD screens have been replaced with carbon-based (organic) layers for RGB. 

Currently, the screens themselves are hard to mass produce in terms of quantity and quality. The largest leap forward for the mass production of OLEDs is the development of roll-to-roll technology. In March 2008, GE announced it had successfully demonstrated a roll-to-roll manufacturing process to create multiple OLED screens quickly and efficiently. This is a key step in the process to bringing OLED televisions to the consumer. 

BUY ONE TODAY
OLED screens have already been in use for smaller devices such as cell phones, digital camera screens, and digital picture frames. As for televisions though, Sony introduced the prototype XEL-1 at the 2007 CES in Las Vegas which has an 11-inch screen and a screen resolution of 940 x 540.

Just one year later, the XEL-1 went from prototype to reality but has a heart attack of a price tag set around $2,500.00. Don’t expect that price to drop much anytime soon as all the R&D and marketing hoopla involved needs to be paid in full. Plus, when you’re the first one on the block to have a product on a store shelf, it is easy and understandable to attach any price you want.

Can you run to the store and buy one today? Yes, you can! Sony’s XEL-1 is available at various online retailers and selected neighborhood brick and mortar stores. Although Sony was first, other manufacturers are sure to follow suit as several of them have already been working on their own signature version of the future of television.

DRAWBACKS
One of the few drawbacks to OLEDs is the shelf life of the screen itself. In particular, the blue OLED has an expected expiration of around 14,000 hours (eight hours a day, seven days a week for five years). If you use your TV more than an average of eight hours a day, it would last less than five years which isn’t acceptable by today’s standards.

Another reason why the OLEDS might not last as long as your LCD or plasma is because of the RGB (red, green blue) organic layer inside the screen being sensitive to moisture. Even the metallic calcium portion of the cathode layer is sensitive to any exposure to moisture. The TFT is easily attached to plastic, which is lightweight and inexpensive. But, plastic easily allows air and moisture to pass through.

OLED displays made on a glass substrate and then sealed using a second glass panel should extend the life of the screen considerably. The life of the screen can be extended even further if the edges are hermetically sealed to keep air and moisture out. Development in manufacturing and production will probably alleviate the air and moisture issues over time.

FUTURE OF OLED
While you’re trying to grasp a screen that is just 3mm thin (about the thickness of three credit cards), OLED has another surprise in store. How about thinner glass (and plastic) substrates, higher native resolutions, and larger screen sizes? Sony has also developed a method to print an organic TFT onto flexible plastic. This in turn allows the screen to display full-color moving images-even while the screen is curved and bent. Imagine the possibilities!

FINAL THOUGHTS
Manufacturers are very proud of their OLED lines and be rest assured, no matter what the rest of the competition is doing, each individual brand won’t release their line until it is ready. For now, the Sony XEL-1 is the only OLED television a consumer can actually purchase. But, the 11-inch screen will be quite the shock after enjoying your 60-inch LCD at home. And with usage tags such as kitchen, bedroom, and desk accessory, it might be a while before OLED screen get large enough for you to put a for sale sign on your current flat screen.

Stay tuned to OLED technology, especially the organic TFT, as it develops and unfolds. It will be well worth the wait and the watch.

Still have questions?-feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

Interlaced (i) and progressive (p) scan methods are identified in 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p resolutions. You’ve no doubt seen these numbers plastered on your video equipment, but what do they mean?

Your television’s picture is made up of a series of horizontal lines packed tightly together to create an image.  480, 720 and 1080 refer to how many horizontal lines are used to make up the picture; the more lines, the higher the resolution and sharper the image. Interlaced (i) and progressive (p) refer to the scan technology. When comparing interlaced and progressive scan technologies, each manages these horizontal lines, or pixel rows, differently.

PROGRESSIVE
Progressive signals draw each horizontal line one just below the previous, in chronological order. First line 1, then 2, 3, 4, etc. and onward down the screen. This pattern is repeated 60 times per second, creating a smooth, detailed image that is well-suited for viewing fine details and text, while being less susceptible to interlace flicker.

INTERLACED
Interlaced signals divide the picture into two halves, or sequences. In the first sequence, the odd lines (1, 3, 5, etc.) are drawn and displayed; while the second sequence of even lines (2, 4, 6, etc.) are “woven” into the existing odd lines and refreshed alternately 30 times per second. The millisecond delay between sequences creates a flicker as one sequence keeps up with the moving image while the other waits to be refreshed, reducing the quality of the picture.

SCREEN FLICKER
Interlaced video is designed to be captured, transmitted, and displayed in the same interlaced format it was originally recorded. Because each frame of interlaced video is composed of one odd lines frame and one even lines frame that are captured at slightly different moments in time, the frames will exhibit motion artifacts. These artifacts are created when objects are moving fast enough to be in different positions when each individual frame is captured.

The animation shown below demonstrates the screen flicker effect. The interlaced image on the right uses half the bandwidth of the progressive image.

FINAL THOUGHTS
1080p is currently the best available source for high definition media, and is currently available via Blu-ray Disc player, PlayStation 3* or Xbox 360* game console**. Unfortunately, HD television channels are only broadcast in 720p or 1080i resolutions; and, arguably, 720p is superior to 1080i; especially when watching high speed content such as sports and video games.

If you own, or plan to own a Blu-ray Disc player, PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 game console, you may justify the added costs of a 1080p set. However, if you watch only broadcast television and you have no plans to adopt Blu-ray or HD video games, you can save a few bucks by buying a set supporting 720p and/or 1080i and still experience great-looking, high definition content.

For advice on “Get the Most Out of Your HDTV” for the best picture, click here.

* Not all games and movies support 1080p.  Check box labels to confirm the media’s highest supported resolution.

** Some Web services now offer 1080p content, but require a PC capable of supporting a 1080p output.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

Besides the obvious difference in shape and size, how do today’s flat panels differ from their rear projection counterparts? This article will attempt to bring to light all considerations when making the first of many decisions in the television buying process. Also, because this is one of the first decisions made by television shoppers, it is important to understand the pros and cons of each:

FLAT PANEL – Pros

• Physical Size – Flat panels offer a space-saving design that is capable of being hung using a wall-mount (sold separately).
• Brightness – Generally speaking, the light is evenly distributed throughout the entire screen and the capable of being seen in even well-lit areas.
• Selection – Size can range from handheld to over 100-inches, most falling in the 20 to 58-inch range.
• Viewing Angle – Allows visibility from wide angles, top to bottom and left to right.
• Life – Flat panels offer an average of 60,000 to 100,000 hours use, or 8 hours of television per day for over 20 years.

FLAT PANEL – Cons

• Price – Cheaper SDTV or rear-projection alternatives exist in 12 to 40-inch and 50 to 70-inch models, respectively.
• Installation – If using a wall-mount, be prepared to spend additional time and money setting up your new flat-panel.
• Burn-in – Only plasma flat-panels are susceptible to burn-in, and even so, today’s models include new technologies to reduce its likelihood.
• Dead Pixels – A flat panel can contain a number of dead pixels before a warranty will cover its replacement.
• Power Consumption – Flat-panels consume more power than equally-sized rear-projection sets.

REAR PROJECTION – Pros

• Price – The screen’s cost per square-inch adds up to significantly less than flat-panel models of equal size.
• Power Consumption – Rear-projection televisions consume less power than equally-sized flat-panel sets.
• Replaceable Lamp – Since the lamps can always be replaced when it burns out, it can potentially increase the longevity of the set beyond the 60,000 to 100,000 hour life expectancy of flat-panels.

REAR PROJECTION – Cons

• Physical Size – Because the picture is being projected off a rear mirror, they remain significantly deeper than flat-panels.
• Viewing Angles – The picture looks best from a straight-on, sitting position.
• Selection – Rear-projection televisions range from 37 to 73 inches in size.
• Rainbow Effect – Many DLP’s use color wheels that can expose a flickering of colors on the screen, or rainbow effect. However, 3-chip models avoid the use of color wheels, eliminating any rainbow effects altogether.
• Lamp – An average lamp lasts an average of 6,000 to 8,000 hours use and can need replacing several times over the life of the set. LED lamps however, are rated at 20,000 to 30,000 hours.
• Diminishing Picture – The quality of the picture is only as good as the bulb.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Unless you have your heart set on a particular television style or technology, you should first identify where your new TV will be going in your home. If you’re pressed for space (depth specifically), wish to hang the TV from the wall or looking for a smaller screen, a flat panel is the perfect fit.  However, if you seek a television for a family room or home theater at least 46 inches in size and can manage the added depth, your solution lies with rear-projection technology.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

Before high-definition digital televisions hit the market, the consumer had no reason to concern themselves with screen resolution. That’s because all analog cathode-ray televisions displayed just one single resolution – 525 lines of picture information for each frame. Oddly enough, only 480 lines are even visible by the viewer on the couch.

No tearful goodbyes to the vacuum-tube television. Instead, people have happily traded their old televisions for digital televisions (DTV). Bigger and flatter screens, surround sound, and high-definition signals. What could make DTV even better? Incredible screen resolutions. No more having to deal with just 525 horizontal lines of analog television. How about a DTV with a screen resolution of 1080p? Hooray for DTV!

CLEARING UP CONFUSION
The key ingredient to making HDTV what it is today can be directly related to screen resolution. Screen resolution ratings are tossed about like comparing the cubic inches of muscle cars at the auto show. But, what do the ratings and numbers really mean?

One way to understand screen resolution is to not think of the rating as the resolution the television can display, rather think of the rating more as the maximum resolution the screen is capable of displaying. For example: Let’s say your DTV’s screen resolution is rated at 1280 x 720p. This means 1280 x 720p is the MAXIMUM screen resolution your television is capable of at any setting or incoming video source.

The limits of your screen’s resolution can be defined as the point where a random individual element (such as an individual pixel) is no longer discernable from its surrounding elements. This would expose the limits of the resolution by causing neighboring elements to become indistinguishable between each other. The end result would be a screen that is way too blurry to enjoy

All seven DTV screen resolutions currently available will fall into one of three types of display formats:

NATIVE RESOLUTION
LCD, plasma, and rear projection DTVs all have fixed-pixel (native resolution) displays. Essentially, your native resolution is the absolute maximum of detail you can see. You need to know the limits and capabilities of your fixed-pixel display by understanding two basic rules: 

1. If the incoming source (let’s say 1080p Blu-ray Disc) has more pixels than your display’s native resolution (e.g., 720p), there will be some visible loss of some detail and sharpness.

2. No matter how low the resolution of the incoming source video (e.g., DVD or HDTV), a fixed-pixel display will scale (upconversion) to fit your native resolution. But, you really won’t get any extra sharpness or brightness from the upconversion to the native resolution of your television.

DISPLAY vs. SOURCE RESOLUTION
For best picture quality, your incoming source and fixed-pixel display resolution need to match. Here’s a chart to help in discerning your television’s native resolution and the incoming source’s resolution from high-definition (720p or higher) sources.

VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL LINES
Now that you’ve got an understanding of screen resolution, let’s get a little more technical. The native resolution of your television is calculated or measured in vertical and horizontal lines (pixels). The television shown below is a Samsung 37-inch 1080p HDTV. But, what resolution is it? The 1080 means the screen is 1,080 pixels tall and 1,920 pixels wide. Notice the measurements were taken parallel to the screen. This is in contrast to the screen’s width which is measured diagonally in inches (in this case, 37-inches).

Another way to understand screen resolution is to compare the four different DTV screen resolution formats. The first number listed will always be the gross amount of horizontal pixels (the width of the screen).

PIXELS PER INCH (PPI)
The amount of PPI is affected by the size and shape of the pixels on your screen. Pixels are either square or rectangular in shape. Only the 704 x 480 screen resolution found in standard definition (SD) and enhanced definition (ED) televisions have rectangular-shaped pixels.

Analog cathode-ray tube televisions have approximately 211,000 pixels. By comparison, an HDTV with 1920 x 1080 screen resolution has over two million pixels. That’s nearly 10 times the screen resolution of analog!

SCAN MODES
There are two methods on which high-definition images are painted onto your screen – progressive and interlaced. The method of interlacing was originally developed for improving picture quality on cathode-ray tube (CRT) televisions to minimize bandwidth consumption.

To clearly identify if a television is using interlaced or progressive scan modes, a small letter will be at the end of the vertical value of the screen resolution. For example:

1920 x 1080p = progressive scan
920 x 1080i = interlaced scan

Progressive – This method displays moving images by drawing each line of the frame in sequence. The drawing of each line is done one at a time, and from top to bottom. The use of progressive scan to display the image on the screen dominates the HDTV market.

Interlaced – This method displays the moving images on your screen by interlacing two fields to create one frame (one full image on your screen). Each frame consists of one field of all the old numbered lines and one field of all the even numbered lines. The odd lines are painted first and then the even lines. This is repeated by the frames per second rating of the resolution. For example, a 1920 x 1808i HDTV is rated at 30 frames per second.

SDTV, EDTV, & HDTV
The screen resolution of a DTV will be in direct comparison to which format your television can display and at what aspect ratio.

All three formats (SDTV, EDTV, and HTDV) can display the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio but only HTDV has both progressive and interlaced as options for screen resolution.

The highest screen resolution possible with broadcast television signals is 1080i. This means a 1080p picture can only be achieved with using a 1080p source such as Blu-ray Discs. Also, when you hear the acronym ‘HDTV,’ it usually refers to 720 (e.g., 1280 x 720p) vertical scan lines of video format resolution or more. Both SDTV and EDTV are 480 vertical scan lines.

Currently, there are 18 picture display formats used in high-definition television. Out of those picture display formats, only four of them are currently used for broadcast television signals (shown in bold).

FINAL THOUGHTS
Purchasing a television used to be an easy task because there weren’t many choices. But DTV has changed everything with options and features that will dazzle your eyes. Now you’ll know what the screen resolution numbers mean when you visit the showroom of an hhgregg store.

To check out hhgregg’s line of digital televisions, click here.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!

Part of the thrill of going to the movies is simply that – going to the cinema to experience the popcorn, the stadium-style seating, the darkened room, viewing the extra-large screen, and being immersed in sound.

But what about watching what you want to watch without waiting in line only to discover the film you had your heart set on has been sold out? Not to mention having to deal with the person next to you providing unwanted narration of every scene and the person sitting in front of you blocking your view. There’s got to be a better way. Enter home theater systems.

A home theater system can be used in just about any room in a house, apartment, office, dorm room, and even outside! Home theater systems provide that extra excitement over just watching a plain, old television. One could say the earliest home theater system was simply being able to rent a VHS or Betamax movie and watching it at home. The next step was big screen, rear projection CRT televisions along with those satellite dishes that could double as UFOs.

Most recently, DVDs viewed on flat-screen HDTVs brought home a similar experience to actually going to the movies – but not close enough. Modern home theater systems can include multi-disc DVD/CD and/or Blu-ray players, an AM/FM receiver, and two to eight speakers providing 7.1 surround sound. Now we’re talking!

WHAT ARE HOME THEATER SYSTEMS?
Several components make a home theater system complete and functional. A typical home-theater-in-a-box (HTiB) system that supports 5.1 channel surround sound consists of a receiver, a center speaker, one pair of left/right speakers, two satellite surround sound speakers, and a subwoofer. Notice there was no video display listed? That’s because you don’t have home theater without an HDTV to enjoy your favorite movie.
 
Audio/Video Receiver
The receiver is the anchor for your home theater system. Its duties include preamplifier, amplifier, and general control center where everything is plugged into. The receiver decodes surround sound tracks on any multichannel audio source, e.g., DVD and Blu-ray.

A receiver might also have AM/FM tuner, multi-disc DVD/CD changer, and a universal dock for your iPod®. This gives you a great new way to enjoy music and videos when you’re not watching movies. Just dock your iPod® into the cradle and you’re listening to music through your HTiB speakers. The dock not only allows you to use the HTiB’s remote to control your iPod®, it charges the battery all the while you’re jammin’ and watching videos.

The back of the A/V receiver will have composite and component video outputs and HDMI outputs (at least two), plus an optical digital input and analog auxiliary input.

Center-Channel Speaker
The center-channel speaker is the unsung hero of the home theater speaker system. When you watch a movie, the center channel delivers more than 50% of the soundtrack, including almost all of the dialogue, and several sound effects. Since its purpose is to keep sound anchored to the on-screen action, a good center channel speaker is crucial for a well-balanced home theater system.

The best place to locate your center-channel speaker is directly above or below your television screen which will then be lined up with the primary listening sweet spot (the center of your seating area).

Subwoofer
If you’ve ever wondered what the .1 means in Dolby 5.1 or 7.1, it represents the subwoofer. The subwoofer plays an important part in the surround sound effect by reproducing low-frequency sounds (25 to 180Hz range). When the thunderous boom from an on-screen lightening and rainstorm makes you check the window to see if it is raining outside – then the subwoofer has done its job.

The best place to locate your subwoofer is … it depends. Especially if you only have one subwoofer, the location can drastically change the sounds you hear. The closer you move the subwoofer to the wall, the stronger the bass output will become. But, you don’t want to move it so far from the wall it literally lands in the middle of the room. Overall, the best place to put your subwoofer is in the corner. But you might consider placing a second subwoofer on the opposite corner from the first one so everyone enjoys the earth-shaking noise.

Left/Right Speakers
The two front speakers (one left, one right) are for playing music and the realistic sound affects of movies such as an action scene involving a lot of noise. These speakers can be small enough to sit on a bookshelf or large enough to be on mounted on floor stands.

The best place to locate your left/right speakers is equidistance on either side of your television. They should be positioned at a 22 to 30-degree angle facing the same primary listening sweet spot (the center of your seating area).

Satellite Surround Sound Speakers
These speakers complement the front left/right speakers by working to immerse the listener in sound effects and music. You’ll experience the whipping of a helicopter’s blades overhead right in your living room.

The best place to locate your satellite surround sound speakers is slightly behind your listening sweet spot and equidistance from the left/right speakers. They should be positioned at a 90 to 110-degree angle facing the same seating area.

Cables
Use the cables that came with your HTiB or change over to an HDMI cable. If your HTiB didn’t come with cables, don’t scrimp when shopping for them since digital signals will get weakened or outright lost using wiring and connectors of lesser quality.

ROOM SIZE REQUIREMENTS
The room where you’re going to set up your home theater is the most important decision to make. Every other decision, such as the size of your television, depends on the square footage of your room (including height) and where you’ll be sitting in relation to the television.

The size and shape of your room can make or break your surround sound audio experience. But, wading through all the science involved in acoustics and the associated jargon can be daunting when it comes to deciding which room in your home to set up shop. Just follow the rule that home theater professionals follow: Choose a room with dimensions that cannot be divided evenly by the same number.

For example, if your living room’s dimensions are 11-feet wide by 13-feet long by 8-feet high, that’s a better spot than your basement’s TV room which measures 16-feet wide by 12-feet long by 8-feet high. The reason is because the dimensions for your basement’s TV room are all evenly divisible by 4. Why is this important? Rooms used for home theater that are too structurally square will experience an audio phenomenon called standing sound waves.

Standing sound waves are created by the distance walls are from one another. The sound waves from your speakers reflecting off the walls and other objects inside the room can cause places where sounds cancel each other out, or even amplify sounds (like bass sounds in a corner). The simple cure is to take the room’s dimensions into account when selecting your home theater location.

AMBIENT LIGHT
Turning out the lights to enhance your enjoyment of the movie takes you back to the movie theater itself – where there are no windows. Theaters turn out the lights when it’s showtime, so should you. Review your ambient lighting situation before deciding on a room for your home theater. General room lighting, including lamps, and outside sunlight shining through windows can diminish the home theater experience. If the room has a lot of windows, opt for blackout shades or curtains which would still allow you to bring in the light when the movie is over.

ENERGY STAR
Not all home theater systems are ENERGY STAR qualified so read the product packaging or literature provided with the unit you’re considering to ensure it conserves energy. An HDTV and HTiB combination can conserve 68 KWh/year in energy savings. You don’t want your energy bill to go up just because your home theater’s sights and sounds are through the roof!

FINAL THOUGHTS
The ability to simulate the viewing and sound experience of the cinema in the privacy of your very own home is something that can be done inexpensively with virtually any room in your house. To see an ocean of colors on your HDTV and to feel sounds moving from front to back and side to side will place you in the middle of the action.

Remember that not all of us can have a room in our home totally dedicated to home theater. Your living room can have a home theater setup but it is also a living room. Ensure the setup of your system is conducive to other uses of the room and that all your speakers are securely mounted and wiring is stowed as to not make them tripping hazards. Then when it’s time, put in that movie and escape to the far corners of the earth.

We offer several different configurations in our Home Theater Systems section. You’ll find the top brands such as Bose, Curtis, JVC, Klipsch, Onkyo, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Yamaha. If you already have a receiver and just need speakers, we’ve got you covered there too. Check out our Multi-Speaker Systems here.

Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!