All iPod

All iPod

iPod classic (120 GB)

The iPod classic (120 GB) is a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like other models, it uses USB for syncing. The iPod classic is available in silver and black, and has an anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel enclosure.

iPod touch (2nd generation)

iPod touch (2nd generation) features a 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch display and 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB flash drive. You can browse the web with Safari and watch YouTube videos with Wi-Fi. You can also search, preview, and buy songs from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store on iPod touch.

The iPod touch (2nd generation) can be distinguished from previous iPod touch models by it's contoured design and oval shaped antennae cover in the back upper left corner.

iPod touch

iPod touch features a 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch display and 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB flash drive. You can browse the web with Safari and watch YouTube videos on the first-ever Wi-Fi iPod. You can also search, preview, and buy songs from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store on iPod touch.

iPod classic

The iPod classic is a hard drive-based iPod (80 GB or 160 GB) featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like other models, it uses USB for syncing. The iPod classic is available in silver and black, and has an anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel enclosure.

You can distinguish the iPod classic from the iPod (5th generation) by the last three digits of the serial number. The iPod classic serial number's last three digits will be one of the following: Y5N, YMU, YMV, and YMX.

iPod nano (4th generation)

The iPod nano (4th generation) is available in 8 GB or 16 GB capacity and comes in 9 colors.

The iPod nano (4th generation) is distinguished from previous iPod nano models by:

• It's taller screen
• It's curved surface
• It's oval shape when seen from the top or bottom
• The inclusion of an accelerometer that is used by the Shake feature.

iPod nano (3rd generation)

The iPod nano (3rd generation) is available in 4 GB or 8 GB capacity, and comes in 5 colors.

iPod nano (3rd generation) is distinguished from previous iPod nano models by:

• Its wider screen
• Hold switch location on the bottom
• Its ability to play video

You can also distinguish the iPod nano (3rd generation) by the last three digits of the serial number. The iPod nano (3rd generation) serial number's last three digits will be one of the following: YOP, YOR, YXR, YXT, YXV, YXX.

iPod (5th generation late 2006) (also known as iPod with video or Fifth Generation iPod)

You can distinguish the iPod (5th generation late 2006) from the original iPod (5th generation) by the last three digits of the serial number. The iPod (5th generation late 2006) serial number's last three digits will be one of the following: V9K, V9P, V9M, V9R, V9L, V9N, V9Q, V9S, WU9, WUA, WUB, WUC, and X3N. The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (30 GB Late 2006) serial number's last three digits are W9G.

 

iPod (5th generation) (also known as iPod with video or Fifth Generation iPod)

The iPod (5th generation) is a a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like iPod nano, it uses USB for syncing and comes in white and black.

iPod nano (2nd generation)

iPod nano (2nd generation) is distinguished from other models by:

• Its smaller size.
• Its colors.
• The dock connector and headphones port are both located on the bottom of the unit.

The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is an iPod nano (2nd generation) available in red and with a 4 GB or 8 GB drive capacity. With each iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED purchased, $10 from the sale goes directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

iPod nano

iPod nano is smaller than iPod mini and has a color screen and a Click Wheel but has flash memory instead of a hard drive. Song and photo syncing only occurs over USB 2 (not FireWire). iPod nano comes in white and black. The capacity of the iPod nano is engraved on the back of the case (1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB).

The dock connector (1) and headphone jack (2) are both on the bottom of the iPod nano.

iPod shuffle (2nd generation) iPod shuffle (2nd generation) is smaller than the original iPod shuffle and has no USB connector.

You can distinguish the iPod shuffle (2nd generation Early 2008) 2 GB from previous models by the last three characters of the serial number. The iPod shuffle (2nd generation Early 2008) 2 GB serial number’s last three characters will be one of the following: 1ZH, 1ZK, 1ZM, 1ZP, 1ZR.

iPod shuffle iPod shuffle is smaller than iPod mini and has no display. There are LED lights on the front and back. The capacity of the drive is engraved on the front USB connector.

iPod mini is distinguished from other models by:

• Its smaller size.
• Its colors.
• The Hold switch, which is on the top-left side.
• The Click Wheel's button labels, which are on the wheel itself.

apple.com iPod

SEO strategy

SEO strategy and analysis

1. Website Review & Competition Analysis

We analyze the competing websites and your website with the report showing your weaknesses compared to the competing sites.  The report advises the method to improve your website in order to compete for the search keyword required.  We also analyze the Log File of your website to fathom out the traffic of visitors before implementing Global Search Engine Optimization with us.  The statistics record will be used to compare with Project statistics after applying our SEO techniques.

2. Keyword Identification

We work in your groove to analyze and research closely for the best effective Keywords concerning your business and service.  We generate a report and statistics for the targeted Keywords we aim for from 3 entrusted sources, e.g. WordTracker, Yahoo! Keyword Selector Tool and Google AdWords Keyword Tool.
 
SEO implementation

1. On-page Optimization

We optimize your real existing webpages without applying Doorway Pages, Black-hat SEO, Spamdexing, Link Farming or any Keyword stuffing.  Using black magic SEO can cause you negatively as Search Engines may investigate your websites and will surely deindex your websites from the list.  On the contrary, we implement white-way On-page Optimization by applying Title Tag, Meta Tags, Body Text and other composing elements by which lawfully comply to the search listing algorithms of Google, Yahoo and MSN.

2. Manual Submission

Our SEO team registers your website manually with Google.com, Yahoo.com and MSN.com (the period depending on each Search Engine would register your website into its database.)

3. Link Building (Implement at the time of analysis)

The quantity and quality of the external links into your websites plays the most key role in uplifting your ranks in Google, Yahoo and MSN.  Ingroove Team will submit the One-way links from the affiliates of our company and accredited Web directories, such as Open Directory Project (ODP) and other 200 web directories.  We  submit your website until it reaches sufficient external links to be listed in Google’s Rank #1 - #10.

 Maintenance after Analysis and Implementation

1. Monitoring
Ingroove SEO Team will monitor and keep an eye on Ranking Algorithm (The formulated method of ranking) from Google, Yahoo and MSN continuously.  Should the Algorithm change, we will learn the changed formulas and adapt the update of the Optimization strategy into your website immediately.  This is to ensure your website remain on Top 10 all the time.

2. Tracking
Ingroove SEO Team installs Web Analytics software, e.g. Google Analysitcs snd Stat Counter to measure your website results from Global Search Engine Optimization as to which keywords and search engines that are successful.

3. Comprehensive Reporting
Ingroove SEO Team will deliver the ranking report of your website in Google, Yahoo and MSN with the report the incresing links by month.  The report is generated on a monthly basis.

SEO

LCD TV vs. Plasma

LCD TV vs. Plasma

This is the #1 question for me at any dinner party: Which is better, LCD TV or Plasma? This is a much debated topic and a fun one. When choosing between plasma and LCD TVs, you're actually selecting between two competing technologies, both of which achieve similar features (i.e., ,bright crystal-clear images, super color-filled pictures) and come in similar packages (i.e., 3.5 inch depth flat screen casing). To complicate the decision-making process further, price and size are two previous considerations that are rapidly becoming non-issues as LCD TVs are now being made in larger sizes and at competing prices with plasma.

Despite their similarities, the two technologies are very different in the way they deliver the image to the viewer.

Plasma technology consists hundreds of thousands of individual pixel cells, which allow electric pulses (stemming from electrodes) to excite rare natural gases-usually xenon and neon-causing them to glow and produce light. This light illuminates the proper balance of red, green, or blue phosphors contained in each cell to display the proper color sequence from the light. Each pixel cell is essentially an individual microscopic florescent light bulb, receiving instruction from software contained on the rear electrostatic silicon board. Look very closely at a plasma TV and you can actually see the individual pixel cell coloration of red, green, and blue bars. You can also see the black ribs which separate each.

Whether spread across a flat-panel screen or placed in the heart of a projector, all LCD displays come from the same technological background. A matrix of thin-film transistors (TFTs) supplies voltage to liquid-crystal-filled cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass. When hit with an electrical charge, the crystals untwist to an exact degree to filter white light generated by a lamp behind the screen (for flat-panel TVs) or one projecting through a small LCD chip (for projection TVs). LCD TVs reproduce colors through a process of subtraction: They block out particular color wavelengths from the spectrum of white light until they're left with just the right color. And, it's the intensity of light permitted to pass through this liquid-crystal matrix that enables LCD televisions to display images chock-full of colors-or gradations of them.

 

PICTURE CONSIDERATIONS

CONTRAST / BLACK LEVELS

Plasma technology has certainly achieved quite high contrast ratios, a measure of the blackest black compared to the whitest white. Many plasma display manufacturers boast a contrast ratio of 3000:1 these days though our tests have not proven these numbers out. Panasonic has long been the leader in plasma black levels and we measure contrast of a 42" HD Panasonic plasma at about ANSI 1450:1 - still impressive. Plasma displays achieve such impressive black levels by using internal algorithms to block the power to particular pixels in order to render a pixel "dark" or black. While this can limit a plasma television's gray scaling, it does produce exceptionally black blacks - depending on the manufactured plasma display element (i.e. glass). A plasma TV uses the most power when it is producing full white. As a result, some 2nd tier manufactured brands of plasma TVs have an audible buzz or whining sound when displaying white or very light images.

LCD (liquid crystal diode) displays, by contrast, utilize electric charges to twist and untwist liquid crystals, which causes them to block light and, hence, emit blacks. The higher the voltage passing through the liquid crystals in a given pixel, the more fully those crystals untwist and effectively block light - all of which makes these pixels darker. As opposed to plasma, LCD TVs use the most power when displaying a very dark or black image. This is a difficult process, and despite recent improvements in LCD black levels, only the best LCD televisions (like those produced by Sharp and Sony) have managed to topple the 1000:1 contrast ratio barrier. Recent improvements have brought LCD displays up to the level of plasma. The one continual drawback here for LCD is off axis viewing, when black levels consistently drop.

ADVANTAGE: Closer than a year ago, but still Plasma. LCD TV manufacturers have made great improvements in black levels and in many cases have managed to match the contrast ratio of plasma displays. However, Plasma displays still maintain a clear advantage in this category due to fading blacks when viewing LCDs from off axis. For scenes with a lot of dark and light images shown simultaneously - as with content originating from DVDs, video games, and NTSC TV signals - plasmas still consistently outperform LCD TVs.

COLOR ACCURACY

In plasma displays, each pixel contains red, green, and blue elements, which work in conjunction to create 16.77 million colors. Insofar as each pixel contains all the elements needed to produce every color in the spectrum, color information was more accurately reproduced with plasma technology than it was with other display technologies. The chromaticity coordinates were more accurate on most plasma displays. Though the color saturation resulting from the pixel design of plasma displays is remarkable, LCD technology has nearly caught plasma in gray scaling color accuracy. Plasma continues to exhibit more richness in color information and more natural coloration. Today, SMPTE color coordinates in top plasma displays still normally outperform those in LCDs, which tend toward oversaturation.

LCD TVs reproduce colors by manipulating light waves and subtracting colors from white light. This is an inherently difficult template for maintaining color accuracy and vibrancy - though most LCD displays manage quite well. While color information benefits from the higher-than-average number of pixels per square inch found in LCD televisions (especially when compared to plasmas), LCDs are simply not as impressive as plasmas with similar pixel counts. LCDs however, produce a typically brighter picture. Greens sometimes look over-green and reds can run a bit warm, but in a room with bright outdoor lighting, an LCD TV would be my choice.

ADVANTAGE: Preference to plasma but depends upon room light, manufacturer and model. Plasma color richness and naturalness will prevail in rooms with lower to normal lighting. LCDs will be better in very brightly lit rooms due to their inherent anti glare technology and brightness.

VIEWING ANGLES

Plasma manufacturers have made much of their 160? viewing angles, which is about as good as horizontal and vertical viewing angles get. This owes to the fact that each pixel produces its own light, rather than light being spread across the screen from one central source. Hence, each pixel is more readily visible because its brightness is consistent with every other pixel on the screen. One consistent area of superiority of plasma viewing angles is demonstrated when viewing dark material content, especially DVDs. A Plasma display holds the black levels from off axis, while LCD TVs lose black level intensity more as the angle off axis increases. This usually occurs after around 90 degrees.

LCD TV manufacturers have done much to improve their displays' viewing angles. The substrate material on newer-generation LCD models by Sharp and Sony has helped to expand those units' viewing angles, though they still have some ground to cover before catching plasma. Expect the best LCD HDTVs to have between 120 and 130 degree viewing angles.

ADVANTAGE: Plasma

 

 

FUNCTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

COMPUTER USE

LCD flat screens display static images from computer or VGA sources extremely well, with full color detail, no flicker, and no screen burn-in. Moreover, the number of pixels per square inch on an LCD display is typically higher than other display technologies, so LCD monitors are especially good at displaying large amounts of data - like you would find on an Excel spreadsheet for example - with exceptional clarity and precision. For the same reasons, LCD TVs will also be a slightly better template for video gaming.

Plasma technology has increased anti burn in tactics as well as computer and static signal handling. There are still issues with each depending very much on the model and manufacturer. For example, most EDTV plasma displays do not handle a computer input well and product a very jaggy image when viewing static images from same. Users may want to consider a commercial version plasma if their application calls for a lot of computer use.

ADVANTAGE: LCD

FAST-MOVING VIDEO PLAYBACK

Plasma gets the nod here because of their excellent performance with fast-moving images and high contrast levels. There are still some 2nd tier manufacturers whose plasma product displays some phosphor lag, a drag time in scenes changing from bright to dark.

While the "response time" of LCD TVs has markedly improved in the last couple of years, they still suffer from a slight "trailer" effect, where the individual pixels are just slightly out of step with the image on the screen. During fast moving sports scenes, the most discerning eyes can detect this slight motion response lag.

ADVANTAGE: Plasma

HIGH ALTITUDE

There is a reason LCD flat panels are the preferred visual display units for use on airplanes: LCD TVs aren't affected by increases or decreases in air pressure. Their performance is consistent regardless of the altitude at which they're utilized.

This is not the case for a plasma. The display element in plasma TVs is actually a glass substrate envelope with rare natural gases compressed therein. So, at high altitudes (6,500 feet and above), an air-pressure differential emerges, which causes plasma displays to emit a buzzing sound due to the lower air pressure. This noise can sound rather like the humming of an old neon sign. NEC has been effective in producing several plasma models that are rated to 9,500 feet.

ADVANTAGE: LCD, at 6,500 feet and higher.

LONGEVITY

LCD television manufacturers claim that their displays last, on average, 50,000 to 65,000 hours. In fact, an LCD TV will last as long as its backlight does - and those bulbs can sometimes be replaced! Since this is nothing more than light passing through a prismatic substrate, there is essentially nothing to wear out in an LCD monitor. However, one nasty little known fact about LCD technology is that as the backlight ages it can change colors slightly (think of florescent office lighting). When this occurs the white balance of the entire LCD TV will be thrown for a loop and the user will need to re-calibrate, or worse, try to replace the backlighting or ditch the unit altogether. Some of the early purchasers of larger LCD screens will be learning this tidbit in a couple of years. One thing that I've found in this industry, it is not easy to find out whether the backlighting on LCDs can be replaced. Manufacturers are either hesitant to discuss the topic, or they just don't know.

Plasma, on the other hand, utilizes slight electric currents to excite a combination of noble gases (i.e., argon, neon, xenon), which glow red, blue, and/or green. This is an essentially active phenomenon, so the phosphoric elements in plasma displays fade over time. Many manufacturers state a new half life of 60,000 hours. While I am skeptical of this spec, I do believe strides have been made to nearly even the playing field with LCD. At half life, the phosphors in a plasma screen will glow half as brightly as they did when the set was new. There is no way to replace these gases; the display simply continues to grow dimmer with use.

ADVANTAGE: Even, depending upon manufacturer quality.

SCREEN BURN IN

LCD technology is not prone to screen "burn-in" or "ghosting" (premature aging of pixel cells) due to the nature of the technologies "twisting crystals."

With plasma, static images will begin to "burn-in," or permanently etch the color being displayed into the glass display element. The time it takes for this to occur depends greatly on the anti burn-in technology of the manufacturer. Recent improvements by plasma manufacturers have certainly extended the time it takes to burn in a plasma pixel cell. In the past I was concerned to place a DVD on pause 15 minutes. Now, many of the enhancements such as better green phosphor material, and motion adaptive anti burn-in technology are greatly reducing the risk of burn in. It's gotten so much better that I don't even worry about it anymore. In a new model plasma from any top tier manufacturer I would put "ghosting" estimates at an hour or more now (Ghosting can be "washed" out by displaying static gray material). Permanent burn-in I would put at more than 10 hours.

ADVANTAGE: LCD, though not as much a concern as it was a year ago.

OTEHR CONSIDERATIONS

PRODUCTION SIZE AND COST

All television measurements are stated in inches and are for diagonal measurement of the screen from corner to corner - not including framing.

Both plasma and LCD TVs are becoming more readily available in larger sizes though plasma still leads the size battle by a great margin. Pioneer and LG produce 61" plasma sizes while Panasonic has a readily available 65" model. Though it is not being imported into the U.S. yet, Samsung has produced a gigantic plasma of 100 inches. Though such mammoth monitors are expensive, they exhibit none of the "kinks" one might expect with such large displays. In other words, even the largest plasma displays are reliable. Large plasma displays will consume power - try 675 watts for a 65 "display compared to around 330 watts for a 42" plasma.

The substrate material for LCD TVs has proved difficult to produce in large sizes without pixel defects owing to faulty transistors. Sharp produces one of the largest available LCD displays at 45 inches, while Samsung has a 46" LCD. Sony and NEC currently produce units measuring 40" diagonally. This will change very soon. These manufacturers will have very large LCD screens here this year if production goes as planned.

ADVANTAGE: Plasma, though the playing field is leveling. Even though production costs and retail prices have come down for both technologies, plasma still has the edge as far as production cost and capacity go.

POWER CONSUMPTION

Because LCDs use florescent backlighting to produce images, they require substantially less power to operate than plasmas do. LCD TVs consume about half the power that plasma displays consume. The reason: Plasmas use a lot of electricity to light each and every pixel you see on a screen - even the dark ones. Though plasma manufacturers have improved voltage consumption requirements a plasma TV will consume around a third more power for the same size display.

ADVANTAGE: LCD

 

PRICE AND RESOLUTION

LCD HDTV displays will have a higher resolution per same size comparison than plasma. The lowest resolution of a 40 inch LCD will be 1366 X 768 - easily full HD resolution in 1080i or 720p. A 42 inch HD plasma has a resolution of 1024 X 768. While this is not truly an HD resolution, it's close enough so that it's difficult to know the difference. A 50 inch plasma TV will have a resolution of 1366 X 768, while a 45 inch LCD displays 1920 X 1080 (1080P) resolution.

Those extra pixels and the production process of LCD HDTVs cost more money to produce. Expect to pay a third as much more for a similar size LCD TV than a plasma display.

Reviewer: Phil Connor

LCD TV

LCD HDTV

Samsung LN46A550 LCD HDTV

Full HD 1080P

Full HD, or 1080p, contains 1.5 times more scanning lines than conventional HD TVs. More scanning lines mean more pixels, more details and a better picture. The new Samsung LCD TV with resolution that is approximately 2 times greater than conventional HDTVs, creating the most perfect picture imaginable.

Samsung’s 1080p panel uses a new high-speed liquid crystal to cut response time to 4ms. The fast response time, coupled with Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus 120Hz motion blur reduction technology dramatically reduces motion blur and judder.

 

30,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio/500 nit Brightness

30,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio will give you a picture better than you ever thought possible, with whiter whites, blacker blacks and a nearly infinite subtlety of gradations in between. As two of the most important determining factors in overall picture quality, contrast and brightness levels achieve new heights in this latest generation LCD panel. Samsung’s new LCD TV’s give the most stunning realistic picture quality ever.

 

Digital Natural Image Engine

DNIe The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine. This exclusive Samsung technology dramatically improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, white balance and reduces.

 

Wide Color Enhancer/Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp

The NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) has established the color standards all TVs in America try to meet. And typical LCD TVs only meet about 72% of this standard. Samsung LCD HDTVs use Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp back lights to give you 92% coverage of the NTSC standard, ensuring truer, more breathlessly vivid colors.

Samsung’s exclusive Wide Color Enhancer technology delivers more brilliant colors, even in bright areas of the picture where blues and greens are washed out on conventional screens. The system displays wider color reproduction, showing you truer colors – the fresh green of spring foliage, the intense blue of the summer sky.

 

Connectivity

To make the Series 6 a true entertainment hub for any home, Samsung has incorporated advanced HD connectivity and networking capabilities that expand the HDTV’s functionality. A wide variety of multimedia devices can be connected to the set through any one of the four Simplay compliant HDMI 1.3 inputs (including one on the side), and the handy HDMI-CEC feature lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one remote.

Connect HD digital devices like disc players, game consoles, and satellite dish components into the 2 rear connections and use the side-mounted input for cameras, camcorders, and laptops. HDMI is the best performing interface for displaying an HD source on an HDTV.

Once connected, users can easily access device menus and manage and display content through the newly redesigned Wheel Key Remote control and the HDTV’s sophisticated content management interface.

All Connections

• 3 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) version 1.3: (2 rear/1 side)
• Component video: 2 rear (Y, Pb, Pr)
• Composite inputs: 1 rear (shared with component) / 1 side
• S-Video: 1 side
• PC input: 1 rear
• Wiselink (USB 2.0)
• RF antenna inputs
• Headphone jack: side

 

Super Patterned Vertical Alignment

Samsung’s Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (SPVA) panel provides a 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes

 

Audio Features

TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two-speaker playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels. High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the two hidden, downward-firing side-mounted 2.2-channel dome speakers built into the TV.

SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass.

TruSurround XT audio also adds three audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.

• Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
• TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
• The SRS WOW feature widens the sound stage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

Stereo broadcast reception is offered for MTS and SAP with 181-channel capacity. A sound leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.

 

Best HDTV

 

HDTV area

HDTV Finding high-def signals in your area

HDTV has arrived. Millions of people are already enjoying its crystal-clear picture and sound, and you could be, too.

HDTV is the most exciting part of America's transition from the 65-year-old analog TV broadcasting system to an all-digital system. There are hours of HDTV programs on every night of the week. Those are the shows with an onscreen message at the beginning: "Presented in high definition where available." Some viewers see that message and mistakenly think they're seeing HDTV on their 15-year-old set. It's not quite that simple.

To experience true high-definition television in your home, you need a source of HDTV signals, a tuner to receive and decode those signals, and a high-performance display screen that can reproduce the remarkable detail and color of HDTV images. Many people have invested thousands of dollars in an HDTV without giving much thought to what they'll be watching on it. This article will help you put all the pieces of the puzzle together so you can avoid costly mistakes and experience the full magnificence of HDTV.

First, we'll take a look at how to get HD signals. Then, we'll cover some common HDTV terms and questions, as well as the digital TV transition.

 

How to find HDTV signals in your area

The three basic ways to receive high-definition programs are described below. Once you know what type(s) of HDTV signals are available, you'll have a clearer idea of what equipment you need to watch them.

Over-the-air broadcasts: Digital TV broadcasts are currently being transmitted by over 1500 local stations across the country covering over 99% of U.S. TV households (as of 2/08). Over 90% of digital stations broadcast in the normal UHF range (channels 14 through 83), so you can receive them with a standard UHF antenna. For antenna info that's specific to your address.

What you need:
• HD-compatible TV
• HDTV (ATSC) tuner — separate unit or built into TV
• indoor or outdoor UHF or UHF/VHF antenna
• local HDTV broadcasts (they're free!)

Cable HDTV: Cable TV providers now offer the option of HDTV service to about 90% of subscribers, especially those living in medium- and big-city TV markets. Don't confuse "digital cable" with HDTV via cable — while it's true that all HD cable channels are digital, not all digital channels are high-def. Digital cable usually means that you get more channels, and the picture quality may look a little better than regular cable, but it doesn't equate to HDTV. If your cable provider does offer HDTV, you'll probably need to upgrade your cable box to an HDTV-capable model.

What you need:
• HD-compatible TV
• HD-compatible cable box (or TV with built-in digital cable tuner: QAM or CableCARD-ready)
• HD programming (subscription required)

Most new HDTVs include a built-in "QAM" digital cable TV tuner, which lets cable subscribers watch most unscrambled cable channels without using a set-top box. CableCARD-ready TVs offer access to additional programming via a special card slot designed to accept a CableCARD?. This CableCARD is a removable security card that allows the TV to receive premium (scrambled) digital cable programming without using a set-top box. The CableCARD doesn't duplicate all cable box features and capabilities, and fewer new HDTVs have a CableCARD slot due to lack of support by cable companies. Contact your local cable provider for details regarding the availability and costs of CableCARD-related services.

Digital satellite TV: If you live in the contiguous 48 states and have a clear view of the southern sky, you can probably receive HDTV programs via satellite. DIRECTV? currently offers around 90 HDTV channels and DISHNetwork? offers around 70, if you include pay-per-view channels (as of 2/08). Viewers who live in large cities may be able to get their local stations in HD via satellite, too. Otherwise, some combination of satellite/antenna or satellite/cable may be necessary to receive the exact channel mix you desire.

What you need:
• HD-compatible TV
• HD-compatible satellite receiver
• HD-compatible satellite dish
• HD programming (subscription required)

See our article on HDTV for more information.

HDTV

HDTV

The TV – an 'Icon' of American culture for three-quarters of a Century - is obsolete. And in the UK the same can be said of the telly. . . The most familiar focal point in family living-rooms for generations, the traditional NTSC-Analog Television set – the one everyone had because it was the only one available – Is No More!

This solitary symbol, after standing steadfast through so many decades, TV as we knew it – Your TV – has now been replaced. Through the evolution of display technology, a new television has emerged; so totally different, a new TV 'paragon' has been created. This 'near-perfect' model comprises a whole-new-complex of icons in place of the One. Yesterday’s TV has yielded today’s: DTV … SDTV … EDTV … HDTV.

Since entering the new millennium, we've seen a number of significant societal changes that have effectively altered how we live, day to day. Television in the Twenty-First Century is a hallmark to certain of these changes. TV, so-long dormant, has finally emerged from the shadows where it dozed for decades. Now in the full light of a new era, TV has at last awakened to its full potential. The evidence is the revelation displayed by this astonishing, new vision. Digital TV is the bright dawn of a new day, after the long night of traditional TV.

The picture quality of the new, (Digital) Standard Definition TV - "SDTV" - is so surprisingly superior to traditional Analog TV, it raises the question - How did Analog Television survive for so long, with such obviously poor picture quality? Clearly, we didn’t know what we were missing!

But SDTV was just the beginning. At the same time we were learning about Digital TV, there was talk of another, 'better' TV. This was identified as “High Definition Television.” And it was said to be, “incredibly better” than Digital's SDTV. However, while High Definition TV (HDTV) is “digital” TV, it’s NOT at all the same as SDTV. The two have separate and distinctly different formats.

In fact, HDTV is just ONE of (18) formats that comprise the ATSC Digital TV Standard. But beyond all argument, HDTV offers the ultimate in TV Picture Quality. Yet to avoid any misconceptions, it’s important to note that Digital-HDTV is immeasurably, MORE than merely a “better TV picture.”

HDTV is the entrance to an awesome, new dimension; and an almost unbelievable, new experience; both visually and auditorily. Once you experience HDTV - You Want It! Often, people who have not yet experienced HDTV will ask how to tell when a television is an HDTV. No need to worry - you'll KNOW you’re viewing an HDTV when your immediate response is ... "W O W!" ... commonly followed with an involuntary exclamation of “…Unbelievable!”

But before you can experience that “wow” in your home, you’ll have to navigate your way along some new, strangely different and often complex paths. Unlike buying a traditional analog TV – a simple choice of size, price and perhaps a few extra features – Digital High Definition TV requires decisions covering a bewildering array of choices. Many of these decisions will be easier made after gaining some understanding of the basics of Digital-HDTV.

 

How HDTV Works

When the first high-definition television (HDTV) sets hit the market in 1998, movie buffs, sports fans and tech aficionados got pretty excited, and for good reason. Ads for the sets hinted at a television paradise with superior resolution and digital surround sound. With HDTV, you could also play movies in their original widescreen format without the letterbox "black bars" that some people find annoying.

But for a lot of people, HDTV hasn't delivered a ready-made source for transcendent experiences in front of the tube. Instead, people have gone shopping for a TV and found themselves surrounded by confusing abbreviations and too many choices. Some have even hooked up their new HDTV sets only to discover that the picture doesn't look good. Fortunately, a few basic facts easily dispel all of this confusion.

In this article, we'll look at the differences between analog, digital and high-definition, explain the acronyms and resolution levels and give you the facts on the United States transition to all-digital television. We'll also tell you exactly what you need to know if you're thinking about upgrading to HDTV.

Best HDTV
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Best HDTV

"After doing a huge amount of research, I finally settled on this set. I was actually interested in the slightly lower-priced Toshiba Regza, but every store in my area was out. While shopping around, I noticed that this Samsung in particular seemed to have a top-notch picture. Finally I decided to take the plunge 3 days ago, and I have not been disappointed at all. In the past I have had several issues with LCD TVs, which is why I had been hesitating up to now. I know these issues are on many people's minds, and so I will address each one:
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Motion Response : Best HDTV
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First, and most important, is response time with fast motion. I am driven absolutely nuts if the TV can't "hold" the motion (that is, if the image smears, or fractures, when high speed elements are zooming across the screen). The element you are looking for in an LCD monitor that tells you about this is "response time", and you want something 8ms or below. I believe this TV is 6ms (the specs say this on Sammy's website, but several stores have it listed as 8ms). In any case, this TV "holds" the motion of even fast images extremely well. In the store, it held motion best of all comparably priced models, including the Sony Bravias around $1k, and the Sharps around the same price. When I got it home, I tested it out with Star Wars ep. 1 and the battle sequence from Narnia. Both looked outstanding using a regular DVD player with HDMI upconvert to 720p. You will not see ghosting issues with high def images.
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Color and contrast : Best HDTV
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Color fidelity and contrast are also important to me, and LCDs have been known to have issues producing deep blacks and bright whites. This is not a problem for this set. It produces excellent color, and did so right out of the box with the factory pre-sets. I have not had to fiddle with it at all. I did try switching to "Cinema" mode, which has some nice characteristics, but even without that, everything looked amazing.
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Standard Def rendition : Best HDTV
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Another major issue with LCDTVs and monitors is that anything not displayed at the native resolution tends to look blurred or "fractured". I was very concerned about this because I have lots of old DVDs of shows like Seinfeld and the Simpsons, which I know were never broadcast in HD. Also many TV stations have not yet made the switch (though most have). Here the TV was about as good as I have seen, though it is not perfect. The good news is that upconverted SD sources like the Seinfeld DVDs look excellent -- every bit as good as on a regular TV, if not better. The bad news is that your VHS tapes are going to look blurry and pixelated on a set like this. I don't have a lot of VHS tapes left, and so this isn't a huge deal. Regular SD sources with this set vary in quality. For example, the SD version of Animal Planet had a special on the other night that almost looked HD. At the same time, flip channels to CNN, and it looks terrible. I suspect this is the broadcast quality and NOT the set... otherwise all channels would look awful in SD. So when you get a nice SD source being broadcast, it looks fine.
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I would highly recommend this set. After connecting my HD cable box today and watching things like CSI:Miami, Vegas, and Miss Congeniality, all in widescreen HD, I can say that I am totally blown away by this set's HD performance. I don't think you'll be able to find a better HD TV set for the price."

Krabi Thailand

Krabi Thailand

Krabi Located approximately 814 kilometers from Bangkok is Krabi Province, one of most attractive destinations in southern Thailand. Encompassing an area of 4,708 square kilometers, the western border of Krabi is the Andaman Sea, the northern borders are Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, the southern borders are Trang Province and the Andaman Sea and the eastern borders are Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang Provinces. Krabi is an ideal getaway destination teeming with natural attractions including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands and verdant forests with caves and waterfalls. Krabi's topography is mostly mountains and highlands separated by plains in some parts. Flowing through Krabi City to the Andaman Sea at Pak Nam Sub-district is Maenam Krabi which is 5 kilometers in length. In addition, there are several canals originating from the province's highest mountain range, Khao Phanom Bencha including Khlong Pakasai, Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi. Lush mangrove forests line the canals and the banks of Maenam Krabi particularly before it empties into the Andaman Sea. The provinces sandy soil conditions are suitable for growing various agricultural products, particularly rubber trees, palms, coconuts, cashew nuts and coffee.

Krabi is a southern province on Thailand's Andaman seaboard with perhaps the country's oldest history of continued settlement. After dating stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains found in the province's many cliffs and caves, it is thought that Krabi has been home to homo sapiens since the period 25,000 - 35,000 B.C. In recorded times it was called the 'Ban Thai Samor', and was one of twelve towns that used, before people were widely literate, the monkey for their standard. At that time, c. 1200 A.D., Krabi was tributary to the Kingdom of Ligor, a city on the Kra Peninsula's east coast better known today as Nakhon Si Thammarat At the start of the Rattanakosin period, about 200 years ago, when the capital was finally settled at Bangkok, an elephant kraal was established in Krabi by order of Chao Phraya Nakorn (Noi), the governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, which was by then a part of the Thai Kingdom. He sent his vizier, the Phra Palad, to oversee this task, which was to ensure a regular supply of elephants for the larger town. So followers many emigrated in the steps of the Phra Palad that soon Krabi had a large community in three different boroughs : Pakasai, Khlong Pon, and Pak Lao. In 1872, King Chulalongkorn graciously elevated these to town status, called Krabi, a word that preserves in its meaning the monkey symbolism of the old standard. The town's first governor was Luang Thep Sena, though it continued a while as a dependency of Nakhon Si Thammarat. This was changed in 1875, when Krabi was raised to a fourth-level town in the old system of Thai government. Administrators then reported directly to the central government in Bangkok, and Krabi's history as a unique entity separated from the other provinces, had begun. During the present reign, the corps of civil servants, the merchants, and the population generally of Krabi and nearby provinces have together organized construction of a royal residence at Laem Hang Nak Cape for presentation to His Majesty the King. This lies thirty kilometers to the west of Krabi Town on the Andaman coast.

Hotels in Phuket

Hotels in Phuket

Located in Southern Thailand, Phuket is the largest island and one of the popular tourist destinations in the country. Often termed as 'Pearl of the South,' Phuket is known for its beautiful hills, white sandy beaches, world-class diving sites, lush tropical forests, and of course for its cosmopolitan culture that has provided the city a flavor of its own. Tourists in Phuket can enjoy some amazing scenery, beautiful sunsets and warm blue sea, or indulge in a variety of exciting activities like scuba diving, yachting, water-skiing, windsurfing, jet-skiing. Other attractions in and around the city include Phuket Aquarium, Bang Tao Beach, Karon Beach, Surin Beach, Patong Beach, Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, Phi Phi Island, Racha Islands and the Similan Islands. Phuket also boasts a wide range of hotels and resorts, restaurants, pubs and bars, nightclubs, shopping malls, golf courses and other entertainment options to make your visit a wonderful experience.

There is no dearth of accommodation options in Phuket, ranging from luxury hotels to island villas to beach resorts to innumerable budget hotels, lodges and apartments. With several types of hotels available in Phuket, you will have a tough time making the right choice for accommodation here. AsiaRooms, with its extensive online database on hotels in Thailand, offers discounted rates for a wide range of hotels in Phuket to suit your taste and budget. Our online hotel booking is fast, safe and secure trusted by thousands of travelers from across the world. Look no further. Get best deals on Phuket hotels, Bangkok hotels , Pattaya hotels , Krabi hotels and Koh Samui hotels with AsiaRooms.

 

Hotels in Phuket

Our Phuket accommodation is the perfect base for enjoying all the island has to offer: from beautiful beaches to limestone cliffs; from cultural sites to wildlife attractions; from popular tourist spots to deserted beaches. The island of Phuket is located off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean. The island is connected to Phang-nga Province, on the mainland, by two bridges and has an international airport. Our Phuket accommodation makes a great base to visit the Phuket Zoo, which features daily elephant and crocodile shows and a collection of Asian and African mammals and birds.

Stay in our Patong Beach accommodation if vibrant nightlife is what you want while on your beach holiday. The crescent bay of Patong also offers numerous daytime activities, including sailing, windsurfing, and snorkelling. While staying at our Patong accommodation, check out the night time cultural park of Phuket Fantasea. The park has won several tourism awards and features traditional games and handicraft demonstrations, a cultural parade and an illusion stage show. However, if golf is your passion, check out the Laguna Complex golf course, easily accessible from our Bangtoa accommodation.

If you are looking for an upmarket Thai beach holiday, stay in our Suirin accommodation or one of our Karon Beach hotels. These destinations have gorgeous white sand beaches and wide variety of restaurants and bars. If a deserted beach is more your thing, our Mai Khoa hotels are perfect. Although the wet season brings strong currents which can be dangerous for swimmers, it is a great destination for wildlife lovers, as the beach is where the sea turtles come to lay eggs. Another great attraction for wildlife lovers is the Marine Biological Research Centre and Phuket's Aquarium, easily accessible from our Panwa accommodation. If you are looking for a family beach holiday, stay at one on of our Kata hotels, this beautiful beach has picturesque off shore islands and its northern and southern ends retain a village feel.

 

luxury phuket hotels

 

Krabi

Krabi : General

Located approximately 814 kilometers from Bangkok is Krabi Province, one of most attractive destinations in southern Thailand. Encompassing an area of 4,708 square kilometers, the western border of Krabi is the Andaman Sea, the northern borders are Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, the southern borders are Trang Province and the Andaman Sea and the eastern borders are Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang Provinces. Krabi is an ideal getaway destination teeming with natural attractions including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands and verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.

Krabi's topography is mostly mountains and highlands separated by plains in some parts. Flowing through Krabi City to the Andaman Sea at Pak Nam Sub-district is Maenam Krabi which is 5 kilometers in length. In addition, there are several canals originating from the province's highest mountain range, Khao Phanom Bencha including Khlong Pakasai, Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi. Lush mangrove forests line the canals and the banks of Maenam Krabi particularly before it empties into the Andaman Sea. The provinces sandy soil conditions are suitable for growing various agricultural products, particularly rubber trees, palms, coconuts, cashew nuts and coffee.

Due to the influence of the tropical monsoon, there are only two seasons in Krabi; the hot season from January to April and the rainy season from May to December. Temperatures range between 17 C and 37 C.

Krabi is administratively divided into 8 Amphoes (Districts): Amphoe Mueang, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luek, Lam Thap, and Nuea Khlong. The provinces jurisdiction covers not only in-land districts and sub-districts, but also extends to more than 130 large and small islands including the world famous Phi Phi Islands.

In addition, Krabi is the location of two world class beaches Ao Nang and Hat Rai Le which offer numerous diving trips, restaurants, shops etc. Additional attractions in the province are stunning limestone cliffs and rock formations which make it a heaven for rock climbers and a National Park located approximately 40 kilometers outside of town with lakes, caves and spectacular natural scenery.

History of Krabi

Some archeologists claim that Krabi City is one of the older settlements in the country as there is archaeological evidence indicating that this area had been home to homosapiens during the prehistoric times or between 25,000 - 35,000 B. C. The assumption has been strongly supported by the discovery of stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains in the provinces cliffs and caves.

In 1200 A.D., the area was known as Ban Thai Samo, one of 12 royal cities that had a monkey as the town symbol. During this period of time, Krabi was under the rule of the Kingdom of Ligor, a city better known today as Nakhon Si Thammarat.

During the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910), the community was known as Pakasai Sub-county and remained under the direct jurisdiction of Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

Around 1872, King Rama V elevated Pakasai Sub-county to Krabi Province with the provincial administration office situated at Krabi-yai Sub-county (currently, the office is located near the estuary at Pak Nam Sub-district) and in 1875, ordered the separation of Krabi Province from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

During the present reign, the corps of civil servants, merchants, and the people of Krabi and nearby provinces have collectively organized the construction of a royal residence at Laem Hang Nak Cape which is thirty kilometers west of Krabi Town on the Andaman coast to be presented to His Majesty the King.

 

Origin of the name Krabi

 

There are two legends concerning the origin of the name "Krabi". The first is that villagers presented a large ancient sword (or krabi) that was discovered by chance to the governor. Later when a smaller, on discovering a smaller one, it was also presented to the governor. Regarded as sacred and auspicious, the governor decided to keep them in the province. As the process for the establishment of the province was still in progress, the swords were placed crossing each other in Khao Khanap Nam cave. Since then, the crossed swords have remained a part of the provincial seal.

The second legend is that "Krabi" was derived from the name of a local tree known as "Lumphi". The Malay and Chinese merchants mispronunciation of the name to "Ka-lu-bi" or "Kho-lo-bi" finally resulted in "Krabi" (or sword).

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