Electronics recommendation — Proscan LCD HDTV

If you’re in the market for an LCD HDTV don’t overlook Proscan’s models. Proscan doesn’t have the brand recognition of a lot of LCDs out there, but they are a great value for the price point. My household has been using a Proscan LCD as the primary television since last fall and the TV has been great. No problems, great picture, more than adequate sound when I don’t feel like firing the entire home theater system up, and being an LCD it’s not an insane electricity hog.

For more information and specs here’s a 32-inch model for $420.00 , a 40-inch model for $450.00 and a 55-inch model for $1070.00 at Amazon.

For price and performance in an LCD HDTV, make Proscan part of the comparison process.

“iSpecs” patent application from Apple …

… is already giving me a headache.

The conceit behind the patent app is a pair of glasses you attach an iPhone, iPod or similar Apple device to watch video in high-def equivalent 3D. Just imagine the neck strain of having the weight of an iPhone resting on the bridge of your nose for an extended period of time, not to mention the eyestrain.

I wonder if this patent application entered the system on April 1, or maybe Navin Johnson is now an Apple engineer.

(All blockquotes are from the first link.)

Here’s a look at an illustration of the concept:

And here’s a little more detail:

Apple has filed a patent application for electronic video spectacles that will allow wearers to watch films in 3D on the inside of the glasses. Fans have already nicknamed the gadget iSpecs.

Users would attach their iPhone, iPod, or other device to the spectacles, which have a special lens that can split the image into two frames — one for each eye — and then project the image onto the spectacles. The two images would create a stereoscopic effect since they would appear to have been taken from slightly different angles, and this would simulate 3D.

According to the patent application (number 20100079356) the images would be equivalent to high definition in quality, and sensors inside the spectacles would detect the precise location of the wearer’s eyes to ensure the image is projected at exactly the right place and is comfortable to watch.

YouTube goes full high-def

High-def as in a full HD 1080p resolution.

From the link:

At the NewTeeVee Live conference on Thursday, YouTube director of product management Hunter Walk announced that the video-streaming service is getting a new high-quality streaming option: full HD, or “1080p” resolution. The current “high-quality” option, when available on YouTube videos, is 720p, referring to the number of horizontal scan lines that make up the image.

Walk said the new resolution, as well as a new full-screen player, will roll out to all users within days.

YouTube co-founder Steve Chen announced high-quality YouTube viewing at NewTeeVee 2007. He also said, then, that YouTube stores all video it receives at the resolution it’s uploaded at. So when YouTube ads a resolution option, as it did then and is doing now, it simply needs to re-encode videos for the new player, not get new raw content.

HDNet to broadcast nighttime shuttle launch

If you get HDNet and have a kickin’ high-def setup, this press release is absolutely correct — this broadcast ought to be spectacular.

The release from today:

HDNet to Provide Live Coverage of Spectacular Nighttime Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery

Live coverage from the Kennedy Space Center begins at 9:00 p.m. ET tomorrow evening, Wednesday, March 11

DALLAS, March 10 /PRNewswire/ — WHAT:  As part of the network’s continuing partnership with NASA, HDNet correspondent Greg Dobbs will be on hand for a LIVE broadcast of the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-119.  STS-119 will be the 28th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The flight will deliver the Starboard 6 truss segment, giving the station its fourth and final set of power-generating solar wings.  The S6 truss, with its set of large U.S.-constructed solar arrays, will complete the backbone of the station and provide one-fourth of the total power needed to support a crew of six.

WHEN:  Wednesday, March 11.  Coverage begins at 9:00 p.m. ET on HDNet with the launch planned for 9:20 p.m. ET.

About HDNet

HDNet (www.hd.net) is a network that is original, thinks independently and delivers unique content and provocative, authentic programming that appeals to men of all ages, delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report,” and the Emmy Award winning “Dan Rather Reports,” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather.  Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world.  HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant  – telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts through HDNet Fights.  HDNet Fights partners with leading MMA promoters including Affliction, DREAM, Sengoku, XFC, M1, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC, Adrenaline and more.  HDNet produces more live mixed martial arts events than any other network and HDNet’s “Inside MMA” is the hottest mixed martial arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA.

HDNet also delivers the world’s largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series.  The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more.  HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring “Art Mann Presents,” “Vegas Confessions,” “Deadline” and “Get Out!”  HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series.  “NASA on HDNet” presents all live shuttle launches through 2010.

Only HDNet Movies delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters.  The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow and Eric Bana.

Upcoming Sneak Previews include “The Great Buck Howard,” starring Colin Hanks, John Malkovich and Tom Hanks, and “Harlem Aria,” starring Damon Wayans.

In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies presents viewers with over one hundred films and an average of twenty-five  “HD Premieres” each month.  HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films.

HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies.  For more information visit www.hd.net.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO)

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: HDNet
 
Web Site:  http://www.hd.net/