YOU ARE LIVING IN 21st CENTURY

Lots of jokes get emailed to me. Being a gadget person, and social networker, this is the funniest, most relatable email I’ve gotten. Either you will know someone like this or you will see yourself here.

Since this was passed on to me, I don’t know the original author but kudos to them for their astute observation and commentary! I’d be glad to link to it…

So enjoy a smile!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 21st CENTURY when…

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven’t played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don’t have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn’t have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You’re reading this and nodding and laughing.

12. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to email this post.

13. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

14. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn’t a #9 on this list.

AND NOW YOU ARE LAUGHING at yourself.

A Sad Day for Plasma TVs – “Seeing and Hearing like you never will” -Pioneer Kuro R.I.P.

. It’s official. Pioneer has killed their plasma division. I got confirmation from my PR connection at Pioneer. Here’s the official lowdown The company that makes the best consumer flat screens, the reference by which all others can be compared –with the sharpest picture, blackest blacks and richest colors—has decided to get out of flat panel TV manufacturing.

I will be sporting a black armband to show my grief.

In my blog archives you will find my blog on the Kuro project. A TV so magnificent it made the hairs stand up on the back of our necks when we it first previewed. The TV picture was so realistic, the blacks so black, objects floated in mid air. It was enough to make a room full of cynical techhies gasp. But we’ll never see that in production now.

When I participated in Home Theater’s HDTV Face Off, we compared 4 flat screen HDTVs. While the brands had been covered up, none of the judges had any doubt which was the Pioneer. The Pioneer was superb and then in a distant second there were all others.

Don’t get me wrong. There are excellent TVs out there that perform well. The $7,000 Sony Bravia XBR (an LCD) has phenomenal blacks–you could tell how dark it was even when it was turned off. But Sony maximizes movies. I like a more vivid color pallet. Samsung has phenomenal contrast (again, I am referring to the LCDs) which results in a wide range of colors.

Increasingly, in the past ten years, TVs have become more expensive to produce and the profit margins have been reduced to the point of hardly being worth being in the TV manufacturing business. Most companies make up the slim TV profits with better profit lines like audio and accessories, so they can continue in the TV business. I wish Pioneer could have made that same decision.

Now what TV will I buy? I challenge the other manufacturers to step up their picture quality and blow me away. My next plasma choice is Panasonic, I recommended it for a friend recently. Hey, Sony! What will technological innovations will you bring next? Can you fix the off-access fade of your LCDs?

I feel much as I did when Ayrton Senna died at the peak of his career in a Formula One race in 1994 (my late husband turned me into a international car racing fan). Yes, there were other great drivers, but it would be years before Formula One would be the same again.

Videos to Help with the DTV transition

Well, today was the day that the analog signals were to be shut off at local TV broadcasters and only digital signals would be sent. This marked the end of an era. The end of the way that TV programs were sent to the antennas in our home. A move toward the inevitable digital domination.

The government’s decision to delay the dtv transition to June 12th made a dent in the way the transition would take place. The over 500 local TV stations across the U.S. that requested early analog signal shutoff adds to the confusion. For the stations granted the right to early shut off, many will continue with their plan to broadcast only digitally after today.

I have been looking at the information around on the internet and I see some holes that add to the confusion, or questions that are not answered in a straightforward manner. I’ve taken to video to help people understand.

The first videos may be a bit rough as I get used to being alone in front of a camera –rather than being interviewed–but I know the tips will ultimately help people understand what they need to do to prepare for the all digital TV future.

If you or anyone you know haven’t taken the steps to prepare for the transition…don’t delay. And share the information with everyone you know. It’s a valuable conversation for anyone who ever watches TV.

Important Info on DTV Transition and Your Local TV Stations

Don't lose your favorite local stations!

This may be the most important information about the DTV transition that you need to know right now. The DTV transition date has been changed from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009. This means that most TV stations will delay turning off the analog TV transmissions until June. If you have an analog TV and use an antenna to get your local stations you may be able to continue to get your local TV programming. BUT YOU MAY NOT!

Congress is allowing for some TV stations to go forward with the change to all digital broadcasting on the February 17th date to reduce the cost to the local stations. (Broadcasting both digital and analog signals is costly for those stations who have already invested to make the change.)

Over 500 local stations across the country have asked to make the change early. This means that if you haven’t prepared for the DTV transition, you will lose those local stations that make the early change. I have received the list of those stations that will make the early change. GO HERE to Look through this list by your state and city to find out if you’ll be able to continue to get all of your local TV stations.

If you find TV stations in your area that will make the early switch to Digital, you will want to get prepared NOW. Learn more about what you need to do. To find out about antennas that you will need to use to receive those channels go to www.antennaweb.org and put in your home address.

I will be doing ONE MINUTE Video tips about the DTV transition to help you. Come back to get the link to those videos or go to my website: www.easier.tv

Don’t delay. Be ready today.

CES adds Mac iPod/iPhone lounge

For years I have had to choose between going to MacWorld or CES. Because I mostly cover home theater, of course I chose CES. Looks like the addition of the iPod/iPhone lounge will make it easier because at last it’s included in CES. Here’s the official press release:

2010 CES iLounge Pavilion to Feature Largest Display of iPod, iPhone and Mac Technologies in Show History
Arlington, Va., January 29, 2009 – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today announced that the iLounge® Pavilion, a unified iPod®, Phone® and Mac® exhibition area at the 2010 International CES®, has quadrupled in size since its official launch last week. The iLounge Pavilion, co-sponsored by CEA and iLounge.com, will feature manufacturers and retailers of iPod and iPhone accessories, related products and services, and based on requests from vendors, will now grow to include leading Mac developers and retailers as well. Owned and produced by CEA, the 2010 International CES, the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, is scheduled for January 7-10, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We have received an incredible response from companies interested in exhibiting in the iLounge Pavilion at the 2010 International CES,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, events and conferences, CEA. “In fact, the original space allocated for the pavilion sold out in less than one week – a CES show record – and we’ve quadrupled the space to accommodate the overwhelming demand. This exciting new CES Pavilion brings momentum to the consumer technology industry and reinforces the International CES as the global hub for the latest innovative technologies.”

“Leading Apple developers and retailers are excited to have such an outstanding stage at the 2010 International CES,” said Jeremy Horwitz, editor-in-chief, iLounge. “Whether they’re showing off iPod accessories, iPhone applications, or the latest and coolest new Mac products, they know that they’ll find the world’s largest audience at this great new pavilion.”

The iLounge Pavilion, originally floored with 4,000 net square feet of exhibit space which sold out in the first week following the launch, has increased to 18,000 net square feet. Exhibiting companies in the 2010 CES iLounge Pavilion, which will be housed in the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 2, include Griffin Technology, Mobis Technology, Pro Clip USA, Scosche, Incase Designs, Incipio Technologies, iSkin and GelaSkins.

Cool Technology from CES 09 and Digital Tips

Just returned from CES 09. Rather than blogging to my blog here, I’ve been covering interesting tidbits for Home Theater Magazine online. To see my exciting home theater finds along with the finds of my knowlegeable colleagues go to the Home Theater Magazine Blogs.

Also, I will be posting DTV transition tips, that you haven’t heard or read anywhere else. I will be doing 1 minute video clips and interviews that will show you tips for making converter boxes work in your home, how to install it all and what’s available, and again, tips that you won’t hear elsewhere but need to know.

For now, I’m flying to Mazatlan Mexico for a much much needed vacation. Come back to get more tips and fun gadgets.

Troubleshooting your Technology

Digital Picture Frames were a popular Holiday Gift this season

As you get to know your new gadgets, they may not react the way you expect. Certainly, it would have been easier to read the user manual that you let slip back into the box, but if you didn’t… here’s some ways to get yourself out of trouble if things are working the way you think they should.

1. PRESS EXIT, or CANCEL, or RETURN or BACK or press the MENU button again (whether it’s on a remote, or on the product).
2. PRESS the power key for several seconds. It will (hopefully) turn off the product. It may be better once you’ve turned it back on.
3. If it doesn’t shut off, UNPLUG IT. Again, wait 30 seconds or so, before plugging it back in.
4. If you’ve made changes you don’t like but can’t get it to go back to the way it was originally, or if you can’t make the changes you want in the menu (like setting the time and date, or picture quality options, etc.)—
4a. Find “RESET” or “Reset to Factory Settings” or “Reset to Defaults” in the menu (usually in a Setup or Option menu). Choose it. Remember, this will change all the settings back to before you ever started messing with it which means you’ll have to start over and set up the settings that you liked as well as the one that was messed up.

These are just a couple of ways. Will write more as time and inspiration permit!

Black and Blu–Black Friday is the time to Buy Blu-ray Disc players

How to choose a Blu-ray Disc player

Samsung's BD-P2550 with Netflix and Pandora

The time has come for the rest of us to get Blu-ray Disc players. To see gorgeous movies on our HDTVs, to take advantage of all that high definition picture on those big flat panel plasma and LCD TVs that we’ve invested in.

Prices have come down on Blu-ray Disc players. Sony, Samsung and Panasonic Blu-ray Disc players will reduce prices to the mid-$200 range. Some models will break $200, at $199 and below. Check out www.bestbuy.com, www.circuitcity.com or your favorite electronics store. They all have deals. For the true bargain hunter, Walmart has slashed the price on the Magnavox Blu-ray Disc player to $128!

What do you need to look at in buying a Blu-ray Disc player (often referred to as “BD player”)? Will you miss out by buying the least expensive model? Will the picture look as good on your 58 inch plasma?

The answer depends on if you are a videophile, a video connoisseur that can see the small artifacts, jagged edges and looks for shadow detail and smooth colors. If you are a casual movie watcher, the budget players will be fine. Sony’s BDP-S350 (sale below $299), Samsung’s BDP-1500 (sale below $249) and Panasonics DMP-35 (sales below $200), are good for those with a more discerning eye. For those who are picky, videophile enthusiasts, the Denon 1800 just dropped it’s price below $500! Look at sites like buy.com or amazon.com or pricegrabber.com, etc. or check out the turkey day ads for the best Black Friday deals (yes, I do get up at 4am to get in line…I love the thrill of the hunt!)

Still, it’s not all about quality features. There are other features you might want too…
1) Bonus View and BD-Live. click here and click on “BD Live” to learn more . But here’s what you need to know…

IMPORTANT TIP Some BD players are BD-Live compatible, others have BD-Live. The difference is memory. Many features like games and movie previews and more, require memory so they can be saved at the player. Some players have internal memory, more have a USB connection where you can add a USB flash drive (you know those thumb drives with gigabytes of memory). Typically they require a 1 GB flash drive (which you can buy for under $10).

2) Quick Start Blu-ray Disc playes are notorious for taking several minutes to start up or for menu to respond–Enough time to pop your popcorn and sit down. Quick Start will start the disc and bring up menus before you have time to sit on the couch and reach for the remote.

NOTE Using the Quick Start option on some BD players will use more energy and the fan will run when the unit is in standby. It’s a good idea to turn off the surge protector (check out Monster Cables Green Power for easy ways to do that.)

3) NETFLIX and More The LG BD300 was the first BD player that uses its Ethernet connection to connect to Netflix downloads. Like the Roku Netflix download player, LG’s BD300 can stream movies, tv shows, anything available for streaming on Netflix. You must have a Netflix subscription (prices for unlimited downloads start at $8.99 per month and includes a single rental home delivery plan to get the Blu-ray Discs you want to rent).

TIP To stream Netflix videos, you need a minimum of 1.5 Mbps Internet download speeds, for a smooth, better picture experience, 3 Mbps is better. This means if you have a basic DSL connection you may want to upgrade your plan to a faster speed. Most broadband connections are fast enough but be aware of “Fair Use Policies” that limit the amount of data that you can download or your Internet speeds can come to a halt!

Pandora Samsung’s BDP-2550 not only includes Netflix streaming, (Samsung tells me that updates for Netflix-HD are coming soon), but also Pandora Internet Radio that plays music based on the songs/Artists/music you like.

I’ve had a chance to play with these new features of downloading movies and music…and it’s becoming natural. I don’t worry about missing TV shows, can get music I like without thinking about it and more. But that’s for another post….

And by the way– be sure to get a high speed HDMI cable to get all the picture you expect from your Blu-ray Disc player. Monster’s HDMI Learning center can help you to understand more.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving…Stay safe and don’t end up black and Blue when fighting the Black Friday crowds for a Blu-ray Disc player!

Manage the power

I have a decent home theater and would hate to have to replace it. This is a case of why spend lots of money on a fancy surge protector when there’s cheap ones out there.

Last week, for no particular reason I heard a clicking sound on my Monster Power center. Everything shut down. In a minute or two it all came back on. Some of my adaptors and accessories are hooked into a cheap surge protector (cost about $20…seemed decent enough at the time). A few days later my iPod dock didn’t work. Tracing the problem, I found that the cheap surge protector had died.

That’s what happens to cheap protectors. They sacrifice the life of the protector during a surge. That is, if you are lucky they’ll stop working and cut off all power. If you are not lucky, only the surge protection dies and the outlets still works. You may not notice that the protected light on the strip has gone out. More common is that a surge kills the protection, and another surge hits right after the first. When the protection has been compromised, a surge will get straight through to your home theater components and TV and could damage or fry your electronics.

If anyone wonders why I support Monster’s power products, it’s because of their patented power protection that really works. If I’m going to use a surge protector, I want to know it’ll work.

Believe me, everything electronic that I plug in, is connected to surge protection. From computers to table top stereos. Having worked in an electronics store, I’ve experienced the damage from surges of power. And for my money, I want my expensive home theater to work for a long time to come.

New Home Theater and Gadgets from CEDIA -for the rest of us!

Speakercraft Booth was one of the Wilder CEDIA booths

I’ve just returned from wandering the expo looking at the cool new technology and gadgets at the CEDIA show in Denver– new home theater surround sound systems and home theater and home networking and automation. CEDIA is the custom installer’s show–you know, those high end home theater installers that make your home theater look like an egyptian theater or wire your whole home to turn on lights anywhere in your house or have the fire turn on automatically when you walk in.

But there is still lots of cool stuff I found there that is for the rest of us.

Highlights for me were…

-Speakers built into a Mitsubishi LCD flat panel TV that create virtual surround sound (makes it sound like you have speakers around the room).

-A Sony PC that’s also a TV. What makes this different from an all-in-one PC is that it has HDMI inputs to connect a satellite box or cable box to it. Check out the short video demo I shot at the Sony booth.

-An all-in-one receiver/dvd player that hangs on the wall and has Bluetooth. This means you walk in with the music on your phone, press “play” and it comes out of the stereo/virtual surround speakers with no attachments.

-Amazing advancements in Blu-ray Disc players (high definition) that will create pictures beyond anything you can imagine.

-Downloadable movie devices from TVs and Blu-ray Disc players (from LG) that can download from online –to dedicated high definition movie boxes.

-And the number of different ways to get your movies, music, photos not only on your TV, but all over your house. Including Sony’s digital photo frames, digital media servers–devices that store it all and then distribute it around your home.

-TVs that will play YouTube Videos give you the weather and stocks and much more. All by connecting to the internet.

-On the other end of the picture quality spectrum, there was 3-D TVs. Some are pretty awful, some getting better and some are downright Disneyland-in-you-face-flinching 3D.

I will be blogging about these in the days to come, and will come back and add links to this post. In the meantime, check out the video post and the ones to come.

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