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Mac: You know the movie version of the future where instead of real windows, we’ve got virtual ones that offer beautiful views of anything we want? Application Winscape pairs your Wiimote with a flat panel TV (or two) to do just that. More »
With great media centre applications like Boxee, XBMC, and Plex for OS X, it’s more tempting than ever to hook your Mac up to your HDTV. Now that you’ve upgraded from Leopard to Snow Leopard, you’ll find Snow Leopard’s gotten HDTV-friendly. More »
Everybody’s going bigger with the move to HDTVs, but the thinner footprint of flat panel televisions has opened up all kinds of creative methods for hiding the TV out-of-site when you’re not using it. More »
You’ve got a mind-blowing picture, surround sound, and streaming content set up, but it wasn’t cheap. Heal your wallet with ten upgrades, fixes, and setup tips that take your system to 11 on the cheap. Photo by chunkysalsa.
As the HDTV continues its march into living rooms, the New York Times points out that most new HDTVs need to be calibrated if you want to the best picture. The article points out several options for how you can go about calibrating your HDTV, from paying your electronics store to do it for you (the expensive way) to DIY calibration using the THX Optimizer, a tool built into many DVD menus. Since many of you have probably gone done this road already, let’s hear how you calibrated your HDTV—including what tools you used and how you feel about the results—in the comments. For a more granular approach to fixing specific picture problems, check out how to troubleshoot your HDTV picture. This Is Not a Test: Calibrate Your HDTV [NYT]
Setting up a new HDTV requires a bit more nuance than your old TV probably did, so Forbes.com has rounded up 10 tips for improving your HDTV picture to help you get the most from your new box. For example: It’s important to change the TV’s picture settings, which include brightness, sharpness and contrast, in order to find the balance that looks right to your eyes. Out of the box, an HDTV’s picture settings aren’t tuned to look good in your living room. They’re configured to look appealing and eye-catching in a store.
If you recently snagged a sweet new flat panel, let’s hear how you achieved optimal picture and performance in the comments. Photo by William Hook. Sharpening Up Your New HDTV [Forbes via Curbly]
Channels 7 and 10 are both beginning High Definition TV broadcasts this week. Seven’s new channel, 7HD, which launches today, will have up to 50 hours a week of unique programming which it won’t show on its main standard definition channel. Ten-HD will begin broadcasting on Sunday, and will likewise show unique content. While some of this “unique content” is stuff considered too niche for the main channels (gridiron anyone?), Seven will also invest in making shows specifically for HD, according to a story in the SMH today.So do you have an HD tuner or set top box? I’d be interested to know your thoughts on HD-TV so far. More »
With the fall television schedule in full swing, many of us are back in the habit of plopping down in front of the tube at night to catch the latest installment of our favourite show when it’s scheduled to air. That means clearing your schedule to watch the show and then sitting in front of the TV for a whole hour just for 43 minutes’ worth of programming. That doesn’t seem very productive, does it? Luckily, this viewing season there are more ways than ever to catch the latest episodes of your best-loved shows without becoming a slave to the prime-time television schedule. So forget the fall lineup as you know it, because this year you’re going to watch TV on your terms. More »
If you’re finally taking the plunge to the world of HDTV, it’s tempting to go out and buy the biggest screen you can afford. But before you whip out your wallet and plop down for a 65-inch HDTV, make sure you take your practical viewing distance into account with CNET’s simple TV-viewing distances chart. For example, if you want to buy that 65 incher, you’d better be able to veg out at least 8.1 feet away from the screen. Want some more HDTV buying tips? Check out our HDTV guide.
Size Up Your Screen [CNET via Unclutterer]
