- Digital Lifestyles Reference Guide
- Home Audio
- Audio Standards
- Dolby Surround Sound
- DTS Surround Sound
- THX
- MP3
- Windows Media Audio (WMA)
- Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)
- Digital Rights Management (DRM)
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Audio Analog/Digital Components
- Receivers
- DVD-Audio Players
- CD/SACD Players
- Making Your Decision
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Audio Component Integration
- Standalone Components
- Internet Radio Receivers
- Connecting a PC to Your Home Stereo
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Home Video
- Video Standards
- DVD versus VCD
- MPEG-1 and MPEG-2
- DTV
- HDTV
- HDTV Buying Tips
- Video Out: Composite, Component, and S-Video
- CSS Explained
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Video Components
- Playback Components
- DVD Players
- Personal Video Recorders (PVRs)
- VHS
- Laser Discs
- Media Center PCs
- What's New in Media Center 2005
- Video-on-Demand (VoD)
- Screens
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- A/V Integration
- Home Theater
- Component Integration
- Universal Remotes
- Combining Home Theater with Home Computing
- Making Your Decision
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Home Theater PCs
- Uses for an HTPC
- Components of an HTPC
- Windows Media Center PCs
- Build Your Own HTPC
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Rear Projection Televisions
- CRT Projectors
- DLP Projectors
- LCD Projectors
- LCoS Projectors
- Choosing the Right RPTV Technology
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Multimedia Networks
- Connecting Your PC Network to Your Home Theater System
- Investing in Media Center Software
- What if Your PC and Home Theater are in Different Rooms?
- Media Center Extenders
- Multimedia Appliances
- Making the Connection
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- PVRs, Consoles, and Media Extenders
- Finding the Right PVR
- Types of PVR Solutions
- Set Top Box PVR
- Portable PVRs
- DVD-Recorders
- Making Your Decision
- Getting the Most from Your TiVo
- Networking Your TiVo
- Transfer Video from TiVo to PC at Home
- Transfer Video from Your PC to TiVo
- Transferring Video from TiVo to a PC Anywhere
- Burning DVDs of TiVo Recording
- Watch TiVo Shows on a iPod Video Or Sony PSP
- Software PVR Solutions
- Required Features
- Optional Features with Advantages
- Software PVR Options
- Conclusion
- 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Xbox 360
- Xbox 360 Networking Tips
- Mobile Computing
- Notebook Computer Audio
- USB Audio
- FireWire Audio
- PCMCIA Audio
- Making Your Decision
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Broadband
- High-Speed Internet Options
- Cable
- DSL
- Cellular Data Services
- Satellite
- Wireless ISPs
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Video Subscription Services
- Today's Options
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Voice over IP
- Softphone VoIP
- InformIT Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Home Automation
- Home Automation Applications
- Types of Home Automation Systems
- Automation Features
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Home Automation Security
- Making Your decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Digital Photography
- Digital Cameras
- Megapixels
- Camera Bodies
- Batteries
- Zoom Lenses
- Auto Focus vs. Manual Focus
- LCD Screens
- Exposure Settings
- White Balance
- Storage Formats
- Wi-Fi-enabled Digital Cameras
- Purchasing the Right Digital Camera
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Digital Photo Editing Tools
- Photo Organizers
- Photo Editing Suites
- Deciding Which App to Use
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Digital Photography Tips
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Editing Digital Photographs
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Prints From Digital Images
- Making Your Decision
- Digital Video
- Camcorders
- Camcorder Features You Shouldn't Be Without
- Recording Formats
- DV Camera Tools
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Digital Video Editing Tools
- Features to Look For
- Popular Video Editing Software
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Using Video Vault to Port Content to Portable Media Players
- 10 Tips to Improve Digital Video
- Weblogs and Podcasting
- Overview of Weblogs
- Blogs as Text
- Blogs as Pictorials
- Blogs as Audio
- Blogs as Video
- Getting Started
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Blogging Tools
- Hosted Services
- Desktop Tools
- Hosting Your Own Blog
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Photo Blogging
- Photo Blogging Services
- Hosted Services with Photo Support
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Audio Blogging
- Blog By Phone
- Recording Your Own Audio Blog Posts
- Audio Hosting Services
- Podcasting
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Recording and Distributing Podcasts
- Recording Software
- Before Recording
- Recording Your Podcast
- Publishing Your Podcast
- Podcasting Features in Apple's iTunes
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Video Blogging
- Video Blogging By Webcam
- Creating a Video Blog From Scratch
- Video Hosting Services
- Distributing Video Blogs
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Attracting Traffic to Your Blog
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Blogging Rules for Revolutionaries
- How Blogging will Change the World
- Create a Link to This Site Campaign
- Meta Tag Your Revolution
- New Comment Posted
- Coordinate Your Efforts
- Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
- Portable and Handheld Devices
- Motorola ROKR: iTunes on Your Phone
- ROKR iTunes Features
- Cell Phone Standards
- Making Your Decision
- Manufacturer Resources
- Sony PSP
- PSP Navigation
- PSP as a Gaming Platform
- PSP for Movies
- PSP for Music
- Wireless Networking
- Bottom Line
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Online Resources
- Portable Digital Audio Players
- Types of Players
- File Formats
- Popular Models
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Integrating an iPod with a Car Audio System
- Auxiliary Line In Connections
- CD Changer Connection Integration
- Custom Integration
- Making Your Choice
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Online Resources
- Portable Entertainment Centers
- Screen Sizes
- Hard Disk Space
- File Formats
- Video Recording
- Battery Life
- Connection Options
- Additional Accessories
- Making Your Choice
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Online Resources
- PDAs
- Fancy Features
- Palm OS or Pocket PC?
- Palm OS Models
- Pocket PC Models
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Smartphones
- Different Types of Smartphones
- PDA/Phones
- Phone-Based Smartphones
- Cool Ways to Improve Your Windows Mobile Smartphone
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Cellular Network Technologies
- FDMA
- CDMA
- TDMA
- GSM
- iDEN
- PCS
- Dual Band and Dual Mode Phones
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Hi-Speed Wireless Data Plans
- Cingular Plans
- Verizon Wireless Plans
- Making Your Decision
- Low-Tech Alternatives to Cell Phone Feature Overload
- High Tech Watches
- Smart Watch Technology
- MSN Direct
- Popular Smart Watches
- Other Types of High-Tech Watches
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Portable Audio Recording
- Features
- Editing Features
- Effects
- Devices
- Making a Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Handheld GPS Receivers
- GPS Features
- ABCs of GPS
- Making A Choice
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Portable Gadgets for Holiday Giving
- PDA Accessories
- Portable Music Players
- iPod Accessories
- Headphones and Earbuds
- Other Cool Portable Gadgets
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Automobiles
- Satellite Radio
- How Satellite Radio Works
- XM Radio Programming
- SIRIUS Satellite Radio Programming
- XM Radio Receivers
- SIRIUS Receivers
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Satellite Navigation Systems
- How GPS Works
- Doing the Math
- Using the GPS Data
- Popular Automobile GPS Systems
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- In-Car Computers
- Software
- Cases
- Power Interface
- LCD Screen
- Human Interface Options
- Storage Media
- Networking
- Audio
- Video
- Bluetooth
- Making Your Decision
- Online Resources
- E-Commerce
- Find Free Music — Legally
- Record Label Sites
- Blogs
- Podcasts
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Subscription Audio Services
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Digital Wallets
- The History of Digital Wallets
- What is a Digital Wallet—and How Does It Work?
- Who Offers Digital Wallets
- Books and Online Resources
- Identity Theft
- How Your Identity Can Be Stolen
- What an Identity Thief Does With Your Personal Information
- Preventing Identity Theft
- What to Do If Your Identity Has Been Stolen
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Online Shopping Fraud
- Why Online Shopping Is (Generally) Safe
- Reporting Online Shopping Fraud
- Top Ten Tips for Safer Online Shopping
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Online and Desktop Mapping
- Web-Based Maps
- Desktop Maps
- Making Your Decision
- eBook Formats and Readers
- Formats
- eBook Hardware
- Sources of eBooks
- Making Your Decision
- 10 Google Maps Hacks
- Robotics
- Robots You Can Buy (or Build) Today
- Toy Robots
- Home Automation Robots
- Do-It-Yourself Robots
- Industrial Robots
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Additional Resources
- Predictions for 2006
- Jake's Digital Lifestyles Reading List
- Jake's Top Ten Digital Lifestyles Web Resources
- 10 Things on the Digital Lifestyle Holiday Wish List
- 2006 Consumer Electronics Show Preview
Screens come in a confusing variety of formats, sizes, and output methods. Choosing a screen to fit your needs is as dependant on the size of your wallet as it is on your available room for viewing within a theater setting in your home. Careful comparison of the benefits and disadvantages of each screen format helps narrow the choices to the screen perfectly suited for your viewing habits.
Plasma
Plasma screens are unlike any other television format because each onscreen pixel is independently illuminated, rather than sharing a common light source. Plasma screens are made up of tiny cells filled with gas and connected to an electrode. The television signal is directed to the screen, causing the electrodes to charge the gas, converting it to a plasma state. Variation in voltage and intensity of the electrical charge produces an appropriate combination of RGB color to create the colors intended by the video display. Plasma screens range in size from 40-70 inches, with the price rising accordingly. Plasma screens are generally about 4 inches deep, making them one of the better space-conserving formats. Color quality of plasma displays is considered among the best in the current screen offerings.
LCD
LCD television screens are based on the same technology used to make flat-screen computer monitors. LCD is known for bright images with exceptionally sharp detail and rich color. LCD uses minimal electricity compared with CRT and plasma displays, and is immune to the burn-in risk of those two media. Viewing range is unhindered from angles close to the flat edge of the viewing surface. Most LCD screens are exceptionally thin (usually no more than 3 inches deep) and very lightweight compared with other television screens. LCD television screens are available in sizes as small as 5 inches and range in size up to around 42 inches for widescreen models with a 1280x720 screen resolution.
CRT
CRT television remains the most common television format. The average household in the U.S. has at least two of them. The format uses a cathode ray tube to project a 4:3 aspect ratio image on the display screen. A 16:9 aspect ratio audio is typically projected in anamorphic format, meaning that the pixels are stretched to fit the screen, with letterbox space at the top and bottom of the image to compensate for the aspect ratio. These screens are commonly available in sizes ranging from 5 inches to 36 inches. Some CRT products now claim to be HD-ready, which simply means they are capable of displaying an HD image when connected to an ATSC decoder. The picture quality of CRT screens is inferior to LCD and Plasma technology.
Although all CRT televisions are technically rear-projection units, there is an entire big-screen class thought of as rear projection CRT televisions, which are the original home theater big screen. These units contain an internal projector that throws the image up on a viewing screen by using a combination of lenses and mirrors from behind the screen, similar to CRT. Units are generally about 2 feet deep and weigh in the neighborhood of 100 pounds. Rear projection televisions are not known for clear pictures, especially at close range or when looking at the screen from an angle deviating more than about 45 degrees from the center of the screen in any direction. They also tend to lose some brightness as you get further away from directly in front of the screen. If getting a large screen at a budget price is your goal, rear projection accomplishes the task, but the result doesn't look as good as LCD or plasma.
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
One of the more recent entrants to the television market is yet another form of rear projection called DLP. Digital light processing is a Texas Instruments creation that uses thousands of mirrors controlled by a microprocessor to determine the way an image is displayed. The light source for these units is generally a high-intensity bulb with a reasonably long life span. DLP screens start in the 40-inch range up to about 65 inches. DLP is not subject to the burn-in risk of CRT and plasma. All currently manufactured DLP screens are widescreen format designed to project 1280x720 (720p) video.
Projectors
An increasingly common way for home theater enthusiasts to maximize screen size is to use a front projection system mounted to the ceiling and aimed at a truly flat synthetic cloth display screen mounted on a wall opposite the projector. These projectors typically use either LCD or DLP technology to render the image, taking advantage of the image qualities of each technology. Image quality for these devices starts at 480p, with quality ranging to 1280p at prices above the $20,000 range.