Chet Davis - Your Technology Tutor

Helpful video from Consumer Report: Fine Tune Your TV settings

If you have a big-screen TV it is possible your display is not giving you the best picture. There are a host of menu options that can be easily set to provide you with optimum colors, etc. Here is a helpful short video (by the folks at Consumer Reports) to help you set your own display.

"When watching the Big Game—or anything else on your TV, for that matter—you'll want to optimize the TV's settings: fix the color, contrast, brightness, and so on, to make your picture as realistic as possible. With today's televisions, that can be an intimidating prospect! In this video, our lab expert Chris Andrade goes through the steps to make it easy for you to set up your TV yourself. Your Super Bowl party guests will thank you."

Want to watch the SuperBowl 2012 via your Computer? Mashable has the details

For those who are fed up with expensive bills from their cable TV provider and choose to view TV and videos from the internet via a PC, her  e is a good article with the info you'll need to view the Super Bowl live at on your computer.

I'll be connecting my PC up to our big screen TV and watching the event myself via the link at NFL.com. You can read the details on the Mashable website: Super Bowl 2012: Everything You Need to Know About Watching It Online

As Mashable pointed out in an earlier article "This is a huge move for major sports... Offering a simulcast online opens up the game to fans who may have decided to cut the cord (or who don’t even have TVs anymore). This is great news for advertisers, who get additional eyeballs as well."

'My Blackberry is Not Working' Techno Humor from the BBC

Ronnie Corbett and Harry Enfield star in this hilarious, fruity sketch from the BBC.This is a sketch from the BBC Program 'The One Ronnie'. I just came across this today - even though it was originally broadcast back in December of last year - but I thought worthy of making sure you got to see it as well! Folks who use technology or are just familiar with technology names are likely to get a kick out of this short clip.  You may hear of your favorite technology -- very clever!

It Might Help You Sleep Better to Watch Letterman Than to Do Facebook

The 2011 Sleep in America® poll released by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) finds pervasive use of communications technology in the hour before bed. It also finds that a significant number of Americans aren't getting the sleep they say they need and are searching for ways to cope.

"This poll explores the association between Americans' use of communication technologies and sleep habits," says David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. "While these technologies are commonplace, it is clear that we have a lot more to learn about the appropriate use and design of this technology to complement good sleep habits."

One of the researchers in the study had an interesting finding: "My research compares how technologies that are ‘passively received such as TVs and music versus those with ‘interactive' properties like video games, cell phones and the Internet may affect the brain differently," says Michael Gradisar, PhD, Flinders University (Australia). "The hypothesis is that the latter devices are more alerting and disrupt the sleep-onset process. If you feel that these activities are alerting or causing you anxiety, try doing something more ‘passive' to help you wind down before bed."

So while it is odd it may be understandable, better to watch some lazy TV program before bed than playing Angry Birds or engaging your friends on Facebook... at least better where a good night's sleep is concerned.

You can read more about the poll on the Sleepfoundation website.

Netflix Deal with CBS Brings Popular New Shows & Classics from the Past

The CBS Corporation and Netflix, Inc. this week announced a two-year licensing agreement that will allow select TV shows from CBS's library, including episodes of "Medium" and "Flashpoint" as well as full seasons of classics such as "Frasier," and "Cheers," to be streamed instantly from Netflix.

These programs will become available to Netflix customers in early April and will be part of a 2-year agreement between the companies (and subject to a 2-year renewal is CBS agrees)

Content covered under the new deal includes the long-running drama, "Medium" and the summer season favorite, "Flashpoint." 

Also covered under the agreement are episodes from some of television's most enduring programs -- in April on Netflix we'll be able to view full seasons of the sitcoms "Frasier," "Family Ties" and "Cheers". And fans of 'Book 'em Dano' will relive episodes from the original "Hawaii Five-0" TV series. 

And some thing I am personally excited about...there will be episodes from  the sci-fi series "Star Trek" and my favorite television fare, Rod Serling's "The Twilight Zone". 

Also coming to Netflix streaming from the CBS Television library are the cult favorite, "Twin Peaks."  Installments of "The Andy Griffith Show," (remember Opie and Aunt Bee?).

Consumer Reports Blog - 10 Tips For Buying a TV for the Super Bowl

With one of television's most watched spectacles coming up this Sunday February 6th - Superbowl 2011 - there are some folks who are using the occasion to shop for a new (big) television to view the 45th Super Bowl as the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Green Bay Packers at 6:30PM Eastern Time on Fox TV.

The Consumer Reports Electronics Blog has some great tips and suggestions for those seeking to buy a new TV before the big game.  

Here are their ten suggestions, if you're in the market for a big new TV I strongly recommend you visit their online article and read the details, and better yet - if you're a subscriber to their website check out the Consumer Reports TV Ratings here

1. Read the fine print. 

2. Look for a store with a price guarantee.

3. Get the TV delivered in time for the game.

4. Don't let a low price be the only reason for purchasing a TV. 

5. Don't try to save money by opting for a smaller screen size. 

6. See if the deal is also available on-line. 

7. Use one—or several—of the online shopping "bots." 

8. Check the store's return policy. 

9. Don't incur financing fees. 

10. Pay with a credit card. 

It's Press Conference Day at CES 2011 - Trend Emerging: Connectivity

Tomorrow the Exhibit Floor of the CES 2011 opens here in Las Vegas, today it's Press Conference city from a number of manufacturers.  I was able to experience products from Lenovo (and play with their new Hybrid Tablet PC/Laptop and All In One (Computer/HD TV system), Netgear (with 8 new products to enhance and enable the connected/wireless home), Pioneer Automotive (with wireless products for our vehicles), and more.  Later today I am expecting other new product announcements and tonight it's a huge press event from Sony.

I would say the trend among many of the new technology tools making their premiere here at CES 2011 is 'Connected Lifestyle'.  

CEA's (Consumer Electronics Association) Shawn DuBravac summarized this well: "Last year it was, 'This is a 3D TV, and it also has Internet connectivity.' This year things will be the reverse -- 'This is an Internet-enabled TV that also does 3D.'"

You can read my latest news, experiences and reviews posted on my special page here: Your Technology Tutor at CES.

 

Returning Electronics Gifts: Suggestions from Consumer Reports

There is a very timely post by Consumer Reports Electronics Blog this morning titled '8 tips for returning electronics gifts'.  I'm sure one of my readers will find this information useful as they go about returning an item they received as a gift and perhaps really don't need... or maybe they were gifted two of the same item!

Here is the list from Consumer Reports Electronics - check out their blog post here for the details.

    • Check the return windows (period of allow-able returns).

    • Check the store return procedures on-line.

    • Know what you can and can't return.

    • Keep all of the packaging.

    • Bring the right documentation.

    • Clear any private info off of your device.

    • Hold the boat on the rebate offers.

    • Watch the restocking fees.

Toshiba shows new 3DTV without special glasses

This past week Toshiba premiered 3DTV that does not require 3D glasses!  The required use of special 3D glasses has been one of the complaints consumers have with this new entertainment technology.

The firm unveiled the sets at the Ceatec electronics show in Tokyo - the two TV sets that were displayed are able to create 3D effects in real time from standard film and television pictures.The televisions use a special sheet to create an array of nine overlapping images.

A viewer sees different images with each eye, creating the illusion of a 3D picture. The system is similar to that used in the Nintendo 3DS handheld console. You can read the rest of the article, with more details on this new form of 3D TV along with the criticism of it here: BBC Technology News

In other 3D TV news this week, CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) released a report indicating that "eight in ten consumers who have seen 3DTV first-hand have a positive experience".   This is based on a polling of the 21% who had a demonstration or 'experience' with 3D TV in a retail setting.

You can read the entire article online here: What do Consumers Actually Think of 3D TV?

 

People want 3DTV -- but here's what they don't want.

A new report released last week by The Nielsen Company and the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing has shown that while the consumer market definitely has an interest in the technology, there are a number of factors, including cost and those 'pesky' 3D glasses, which are turning them away from embracing the products.

The online article published by MYCE (My Consumer Electronics) shares: "Over two-thirds of those polled were unhappy with the current cost of 3D televisions. Additionally, 57% were not pleased with the idea of wearing 3D glasses, while 44% also showed concern over the lack of programming and content available."

The trick there is that creating the technology for a 3D TV that does not require 3D glasses is more expensive than the sets that work with the glasses. It will continue to be an interesting period as this newer technology wrestles with the consumer who will have to adopt and pay for it.