I am one of those guys who will overpay and sacrifice tons to remain loyal to a company or brand that takes care of me.  Not even a second thought goes into the cost if I am pleased with quality.  However, I will go out of my to let a company know when I feel wronged and give them a chance to make up for it.  If they do, all is well.

When they don’t, I cut the cord–or in this case the cable.  Last week, I had cable Internet, TV and phone.  Comcast decided to play games with me for a few months with my Internet service.  It never worked and when it did, it was very slow. Whenever I called, they told me nothing was wrong.  When the technician came out, it worked for a day then crapped out once again.

Comcast refused to make it right.  I deleted them.  Now, I have Magic Jack, DSL and DirectTv.  DSL is not as bad as everyone says, by the way.  DirectTv is awesome!  There are many quality channels, cheap plans and customizable equipment. Everything I wanted.

DirectTv offered me almost 300 digital channels, including many in HD.  What I love is that there are not separate HD and non-HD channels like with cable.  If the show is in HD, it is so.  The annoying back and forth is finally over.  The plan I am enjoying is almost half the price of cable for more channels and a clearer picture.  Yes, satellite is clearer than my cable was.

Finally, I am all about customization.  I can create separate channel lists, so I only see the channels I want to watch.  They even have “mix” channels.  These show many stations at once.  I can watch numerous sporting events at the same time.  It is like picture-in-picture on steroids.

For over a week now, I have enjoyed my service.  The only complaint I have is all the infomercial channels, but those have been deleted from my playlist.  All in all, I am very pleased with my decision.

Cut the cord everyone!

Last Christmas my gift was an LED backlight LCD TV that was to function as a monitor more than it was to be a TV. I was not in a rush to get one back in December because I am currently living at home and am not going back to my university until July or so. I figured that the prices would just continue to drop and that the TV technology would only get better.

My dad already had picked out the specifications that he was looking for in a monitor/TV for me– so that narrowed down my choices by a lot. No, he was not narrowing them down to make it cheaper for him, he was merely giving me a direction and a starting point, and I was extremely thankful for this.

One of his criterion was that the TV had to be 1080p. In the last couple of years, more and more HDTVs have been designed to have a 1080p native resolution. The high resolution TVs usually cost more than their lower resolution counterparts, but that just makes sense. However, can an average user really see the difference? After reading a lot of different review sites, I have come to believe that the different resolutions do not make too big of a difference–especially when it comes to smaller TVs like the one I am hoping to get (22 or 24 inches). People have done side-by-side tests between two 50-inch HDTVs in which they compared a 1080p TV to a 1366×768 resolution, or 720p, TV and they say that it was hard to tell the difference. Of course, to the TV enthusiast the two screens may be “completely” different, but not to someone like me.

I must admit that technology-wise, 1080 pixel HDTVs are certainly better. They usually allow for more details,  help with picture quality, allow for better contrast and/or color, and more. All I am saying is that if you are looking to get a TV, but you have your wallet in mind and are not too picky about your picture, then maybe you should not dismiss a 720p option.

I remember when flat screen televisions (not flat panel) came out.  I thought there would be nothing any better, ever.  Then there was HDTV, and nothing could ever top that.  Until now. . . there is 3D TV.

I keep seeing commercials for a Samsung 3D TV, so I wanted to look into them.  The area I am at temporarily, doesn’t have any of these TVs available for me to personally play with, but the Internet is full of reviews.

Everything I have read has been positive about the picture quality of the new technology.  There has been no real criticism on this.  The only issues I have come across were sound quality, price and needed accessories.

There were numerous people complaining about the sound coming from the TV speakers.  However, the easy fix is a surround system.  Since most people have a sound system already, crisis averted.

As with all new technology, price is ridiculous.  The TVs are all pushing $3,000 and are likely not to come down for quite awhile.  Although, $3,ooo is not too bad for a great TV.  However, we can get some pretty good ones for much cheaper.  I actually can buy two 46 inch TVs for cheaper than one 3D module.

The next complaint is the video game system curse.  Remember when you bought a game system, and you got all the controllers and even a game?  Then they stopped doing this and made you buy a game.  Then you had to buy a game and the controllers.  Well, these TVs are following suit.

To enjoy the 3D viewing, you need 3D glasses.  Special 3D glasses.  Special ones that cost $150+ per set.  Now, comes the issue of how many sets to buy.  What if you have company over to see this modern marvel?  You would want more than a set or two.

I am extremely pumped to get a view into this new phase of home entertainment and can’t wait until I get to check out a set myself.  However, I am not rushing to buy a TV just yet.  For all those who have, tell me about it.

With the dawn of a new decade during the information age, there is much hope for great things to come.  I am going to ramble on as to where I see the trends going.  I am not a techno-geek, but as an investor I am always on the hunt.

First, the world of computers.  Everything these days has a hard drive.  Video cameras, digital cameras, MP3 players and even gaming systems.  All of this data costs a lot of money to replace, and many pictures are priceless to the parent of a newborn or the newlywed couple.  The trend is going to drive toward home servers to back-up all this data for the savvy and off site back-ups for the average Joe.  Those with the knowledge and marketing skills could make a killing.

Next, the touchscreen.  This type of technology is in cell phones and supermarkets.  People of all ages love it, and it is much easier to figure out than 20-button controllers.  Begin to look for this in television remote controls.  Now that we are using one remote to control a TV, sound system, DVR, etc., there is an increasing need to simplify the process.  Touchscreen remotes are currently very pricy, but once makers come to their senses everyone will need one.

Back to computers.  With the home server or off-site server coming to age, there is going to be much less of a need for the DVR and sound systems mentioned above.  We can do everything through a computer, and TVs are basically hopped-up computer monitors.  Having a centrally based data center will allow for the elimination of thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

The last will be the completion of a current movement…wireless.  Wireless mice and keyboards finally are getting to a good point where they are reliable.  Bluetooth is proving its worth in the headphone and earpiece world.  Soon enough, all speakers will be wireless, and freedom from wires will be granted except for the pesky power cords.

All of these are not far-fetched ideas, and the trends are moving that way.  Get ready to live more easily.

Recently, I was at a friend’s house, and we were playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on his Xbox 360.  Well, as we played, we used his gaming chair, which made me think about writing an article.

Now, my primary question about them only has been if they are worth buying.  They have a variety of ups and downs and look really cool, but they tend to be pricey and aren’t always worth buying.

Pros:

• They rumble or vibrate like a controller does, which is very nice, as it keeps you alert and prevents sleep when playing an all-nighter.
• The chairs normally have speakers in them, giving you a movie theater type experience and adding fun.
• They are very, very comfortable!  They recline (a nice feature), some rock, and they are padded.   Most gaming chairs are a leather type material.
• There are chair custom made for racing games with built in shifter, steering wheel, and pedals set up like a real car.
• The headrests are great!  They are padded and are nice to sleep in, too. (Trust me).

There are some cons, though:

• Gaming chairs are very costly!  They range from about eighty dollars (US) to seven hundred dollars.  This is a ton of money for a chair!
• How often it shall be used plays a big factor.  If you only use your gaming system for two hours every day, is a chair just for gaming truly worth it?
• Positioning is important, as the rocker styled ones are very low to the ground, so being near a TV may strain your neck.

So, in the end, is it worth it?  In my eyes, no.  If you have to spend two hundred fifty dollars (US) to buy a quality one, it isn’t worth it.  I could buy four or five new games for that!  Also, the room it would go in is not set up in a practical manner for one.  But it is your call, not mine, so you choose.

You may look a little ridiculous, but in the case of this gadget, looking funny may be cool. If you have ever seen someone wearing a visor that makes them look like she is a Star Trek wannabe, then she simply may be watching a movie. Or perhaps she is wearing a visor and is on her way to a Star Trek show, but that probably is not the case.

So, how could she be watching a movie from her visor? Well, it turns out that this person that you are seeing  is actually watching a movie on a 52″ screen from only nine feet away. That sounds a little too up-close to me, but I am sure that I could get used to seeing a movie from that close. It connects to a video iPod, portable DVD player, or personal video game system and uses two high-resolution LCDs and dual stereo headphones.

It was originally a source of technology that was developed by the US military technology. The visor-looking technology uses 24-bit true color (16 million colors) and has a 28º field of view for wide pictures. The LCDs provide 428 x 240 resolution. From the reviews that I have read online, the quality of the picture is pretty impressive.

If you are looking into buying this Personal Movie Theater, all of the needed parts are one AA battery that provides up to eight hours of continuous operation, an iPod cable, an A/V cable, a head strap, and carrying case. The product is about $250.

With these visors you can watch any movie that you want, as long as you provide the video on something, such as an iPod. You could be sitting, curled up, on a couch or sitting in the park–it does not really matter where you want to watch your movie because you will probably be able to watch what you want, anywhere that you want to! Check it out online at this site.

Each month as I pay my bills I look for ways to cut back.  I could put glow in the dark stickers everywhere and never have to turn a light on again.   That probably will never fly with the Mrs., however, there are many who are cutting costs during this recession by cancelling their cable.

The Internet has made it possible to make phone calls over the web through VoIP and people are loving this phenomenon.  A new trend wave has people watching TV over the Internet…for free.  That is right, no more cable television bill each month.

Most networks are now placing their line-ups on the company website.  I go to these sites all the time to catch up on shows that I have missed and forgot to DVR.  The quality is great, dependent on your computer setup.  There is really no difference except for the need to sit at the computer to watch shows isn’t quite family friendly.

The solution to that is linking the family room TV into the loop.  By assembling a cheap PC built specifically for the purpose of playing videos and using the television as the monitor, you are good to go.  Most of the people I have read about use wireless keyboards with a built-in mouse to navigate the web.  For style point, there are remotes that can be used for this purpose.  There are even application on the iPhone or iPod Touch to control your computer remotely.

Websites like www.hulu.com have television shows, movies, cartoons, etc. already cataloged.  All you have to do is search the website and click the link that will lead you to the show’s website and you can watch all day long.  Most shows still have commercials but only one instead of the usual 2 minute break.

You even can watch the movies you have backed-up from your DVD collection without getting off of the couch.  The only downfall I have discovered is the watching of sporting events.  Has anyone tried this idea out yet?  Thoughts?  How can I get sports and live television for free?

A lot of things these days are available on the go: email, Internet browsing, gaming, portable DVDs and now television… not that it wasn’t portable already.

Imagine being at your least favorite place: the mall, shopping with your girlfriend or wife. Bored out of your mind, and as always holding your significant other’s purse while she tries on clothes or browses the clothing racks.

Isn’t it terrible to miss that game you’ve been waiting for all week, your favorite television show, or even a movie you’ve been wanting to see for some time?

Now, there’s an incredible option to pass some time, and it might just make shopping a little better.

The BagTV is an incredible handbag/purse fashioned out of high quality leather complete with a built in 7″ LCD screen and stereo speakers. It features full support for DVDs, mp3s, photos, and videos of differing formats to allow full entertainment while on the go. All files can be transferred to the bag via PC, but the BagTV also supports SD memory cards for additional storage, which gives users an added option to transfer files.

Usually items like this aren’t very attractive, and no female out there would be caught dead using something so sinister. However, the BagTV has seven different flavors, all of varying tastes, which don’t look half bad either. In fact, I think many women will agree they’d compliment their outfits amazingly!

The BagTV itself retails for a total of 295 Euros and is sold in London. A BagTV handbag can be ordered on their website and shipped to the United States, just visit the official site here.

I certainly will pick one of these up next chance I get, just to keep myself entertained!

Computers are quickly growing even more popular than they already are. Before long, if not already, computers will become not just a part of our lives but a mere necessity. Frequent computer users know that everything is stored on a computer, much like their own brain. Some of the more important stuff includes, office and business files, banking information, music, movies, pictures and photos, word processing documents, such as books, articles, and homework, and even with this list there are still many others. The big danger with storing files on a computer hard drive is that sometimes if not protected correctly they can be deleted, erased or even become corrupted and therefore no longer readable.

With the creation of laptops also came the creation of portable accessories to compliment those with an on-the-go lifestyle. Arguably one of the greatest portable assets is the portable and external hard drive. External hard drives provide an excellent way to store and transfer files between many different devices.

External hard drives can be plugged into all types of computers and used to transfer, but for the most part store, files. This means that any type of electronic device that can utilize the external hard drive’s interface (USB, eSATA, Firewire) can access the files on the device. You can store a large variety of files to transfer from one computer to another. You can store music and movies and then connect the hard drive to a gaming console and interact with the media on your TV. You even can backup important office or banking files and then copy protect or security protect the files so only one user can access them.

There are, of course, many ways to use an external hard drive. The biggest thing to note is that they provide many advantages. For the most part, everyone wants their important files to remain safe and backed up in the event of a hardware or file failure. After all, before computers most people knew to make copies of important documents and keep them in several places. The same holds true for computers and in many cases is very important. Even something just as simple as a power outage can cause serious problems in different circumstances, and thus ruin files stored on a computer.

Television has been around all your life and you’ve been taking it for granted. You begin to feel as if it’s going to be there forever. After all, what can replace the television? In comes HDTV. The HDTV technology is sometimes believed be costly, unnecessary, and complicated. But for those who have tried watching their favorite shows over HDTV, they claim that it is all worth it.

In addition, the cost of acquiring this technology has dropped significantly in recent years as more products make their way to the marketplace. But before you decide to invest in HDTV, ask yourself these questions:

•    Am I already satisfied with my current television?

•    Do I want something sharper, flatter, or bigger?

•    Am I willing to pay hundreds more to acquire HDTV compared to a normal TV?

If you’ve answered no to any of the above questions, getting this technology might not be right for you at this point. But if you’re good and ready for HDTV, go ahead and read on.

Things You’ll Need

You won’t get the rewards of HDTV if you don’t put some effort into it. There are many items you need to acquire before you can enjoy HDTV. Among these include the source, the channel, and the show itself.

The HDTV Source – if you want to watch high-def shows, you need a special cable that can deliver HDTV shows to your screen. The HDTV source usually will cost more than standard ones, and it is not available in all stores.

The HDTV Channel – not all channels supports high-def shows. Currently, there are more regular channels than HDTV-supported channels, but this will change soon. Cable providers are now offering HDTV channels as well.

The HDTV Show – if you’ve watching a high-def tv plugged to an HDTV source on an HDTV channel, then you’re watching high-definition shows, right? This is not entirely accurate because certain HDTV channels show broadcasts of the same shows in the standard-def and high-def channels. Not all shows will appear high-def because of this.