Tech Tools & Toys: August
When it comes to commercial software, remember: There’s nothing wrong with making a profit (you’re trying to, aren’t you?). Many open-source products and technologies are great, durable, effective and can save you a lot of money. Others are duds or simply not ready for prime time. Do your homework. Know what you’re talking about before you say, “Deal!”
Toys
High-Def Lowdown
Get smart before you go TV shopping. The most important thing to know is what you want to achieve in a TV purchase. Picture size, viewing angle, room lighting, PC/AVR hookup, wall-mount vs. floor- or table-stand, viewing quality and cost are the major factors. Talking it over with your family and deciding what’s important to you before you go will make your shopping easier.
How You See It: Three competing technologies are used to generate a TV image. It helps to know the benefits and drawbacks of each before facing off on the showroom floor with your salesperson.
DLP: Digital light projection is a rear-projection TV (usually about 16 inches deep) that provides a remarkably high-quality image (lots of fill) at best pricing for its size, when compared to LCD or plasma.
DLP TVs are very light, because they don’t have a CRT, as do traditional televisions, and they distribute the visual image evenly across the flat viewing surface. Also, if the light source fails, replacement is often quite inexpensive. DLP technology is generally the best value for economy-minded buyers, especially if big is better.
LCD: In liquid crystal display TVs, the term liquid refers to the (electrically) twistable crystals that distort to create color.
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