Tee Vee

It was a couple of weeks ago that I decided it was time for me to go for a new TV - an LCD, HDTV - to change the way I look at life? Well, the next thing I know I was spending hours trying to figure out what to buy, where to buy it and how to make it an effective purchase. Before I delve into that, I will try to explain what types of TVs I looked at to make my choice -
Analog TV An Analog TV is a TV which can show only standard definition cable or satellite TV
Digital TV A digital TV is a TV which can air progressive-scan DVD and mostly HDTV too.
ED TV An Enhanced Definition TV is a TV which can air HDTV, but is not able to display them as it should be, mostly due to its resolution.
HD TV A High definition TV, as the name suggests, can display standard, progressive-scan as well as high definition programing at very high resolutions (upto 1080 lines of detail)

Once I had settled on the HDTV thing, I came across the next hurdle! What is the difference between HD-ready and HD integrated TVs? As I learnt, HDTVs with built in tuners had digital or ATSC tuners, which enabled receiving HD broadcasts over the air! External HDTV tuners, I found, cost about $150. ATSC or high-def tuners are different from NTSC or standard def tuners.

Some new HDTVs are also DCR (digital cable ready), which means that they can tune digital cable channels, including HDTV, without requiring an external cable box. To use a DCR television, you'll need to get a special access card from your cable provider, called a CableCard.
HDTV comes in three different resolutions - 1080i, 1080p and 720p. The 1080i has more lines and pixels, but 720p is a progressive-scan format that delivers a smoother image that stays sharper during motion. The 1080p tries to combine the superior resolution of the 1080i with the smoothness of 720p, although the high bandwidth needed is a serious deterrent! In simple words, 1080i refers to a 1080-by-1920-pixel image produced by interlaced scanning, while 720p denotes a 720-by-1280-pixel image produced by progressive scanning. As the name suggests, with progressive scanning, the scanner progressively creates a set of lines to air the display. In interlaced scanning, the scanner creates the odd numbered lines first followed by the even numbered ones. CBS and NBC broadcast at 1080i, whereas ABC and Fox at 720p. EDTV is broadcast at 480p.

Finally, coming to HDMI. The High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface, which provides a single interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top receiver or DVD player, with an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable! In other words, no wires hanging all around your TV set anymore. HDMI provides a superior, uncompressed digital video and audio quality, simple connectors, integrated remote control and a popular interface enabling the transmission of high-definition content.

Well now was the tough part - going through various websites and malls to figure out the best TV of them all, and make sure its affordable! Till date, after going through various reviews and comments on websites and people I met, the Samsung LNS3251D 32" Wide LCD HDTV with "Integrated ATSC Tuner" is something which looks like the most likely to make it into my home. All I'll have to figure out now is if the Integrated ATSC Tuner is a requirement or will be superceded by the dish receiever for HD programs. Once I figure that out, I am done!

Head to the Butt!!

Ok, Italy won the World Cup, and left fans of Brazil, Argentina, France and Germany very disappointed indeed! However the entire final was eclipsed by the one incident we are all talking about - yes, the head butt of Zidane. It was kinda like he was making a declaration to the rest of the world that he was not going to come back again, and to remind everyone what a great player he was! No, really, I am not being sarcastic. I think, before Ronaldinho came onto the World stage, Zizou was the exponent of the cute step-overs and over-the-shoulder chips. All we could exclaim before he messed up his last 10 minutes was - "Joga Bonito"!!

The Best Team Does Not Always Win!

Ever wondered ahy the best team doesn't always win? The Argentinian soccer team, for example? No doubt, with players like Ayala, Messi, Riquelme, Maxi and Tevez, it was the favorite to win the World cup this year. Well, I guess it takes more than just strength to win something. Hard work, perseverance, determination and a wee bit of luck. No wonder we have Portugal and Germany in the semi finals of the cup

United in new deal!

Damn, everytime you buy a string of shirts for your favorite team, they redesign the color or texture of their shirts! Recently, I bought a blue (soccer) Manchester United shirt to add to my collection of red and black, and am really angry to find out that they changed the sponsors from Vodafone to AIG. The new logo, although it looks promotional before the new season begins, is ragged compared to the Vodafone logo, which added a different style and radiance to the ManU shirts.

There are a few weeks before the season draws to a close and I do hope they manage to edge as close to Chelsea as possible. Nothing better than edging Chelsea out for the title - just like United did it to Arsenal a few years ago!

Java Button Groups

I discovered an interesting fact about ButtongGroups in Java. If one groups a set of radio buttons using a ButtonGroup, there is no way programatically to clear all the radio buttons in the group! The workaround is to add an "invisible" radio button and select it programatically to create the desired effect.

Who Are You?!

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