Universal Remotes: Some Things to Consider
We probably all have about 8 "universal" remotes these days. Every new component you buy comes w/ one, but none of them are really "universal" because there's always some feature on one device that the other remotes don't have a button for. But wdn't it be nice to really be able to use one remote for all your devices? I do!There are so many different universals on the market these days that it's impossible to go over them all here. So I'll hit the high points and let you decide. I'll pick a few popular types/models and go over a few points that helped me decided for or against them.One thing you need to understand is what a 'learning' remote is.
That means that you can set the remote to learn other remotes' signals: you set it to be ready, aim another remote at it, press a button on that remote and the learning remote stores that signal.Now whatever button you set up on the learning remote sends that same signal. This way even if your univeral remote doesn't have a 'Eject' button, it can send that signal.All of the remotes listed here are learning b/c that's the only way to be truly universal.Most universal remotes these days also allow you to run macros. That way when you want to watch a movie, w/ just a couple button clicks, you can have it turn the TV on, the stereo to DVD player, etc.Also, the usually have timers so you can turn the TV on and off while you're out of town for example.Big LCD: Sony RM-AV3000This remote was the 'big boy' on the block for a long time. It does it all and looks cool doing it. The two main draw backs to this model are size and buttons.Because it's so big, it's hard to use w/ one hand - you can't reach across the remote to press some buttons or parts of the LCD.
Next time you're watching TV, see how often you just use one hand on the remote and think about giving that up.This model used to be pretty expensive, but it's getting better.Internet: Harmony SST-659I haven't actually tried this one, but I get the idea and I like it. You can program this remote to work w/ your devices and upload the configuration. That way others can use it. More directly, you can use other peoples' configurations!The point of this one is ease of use so I'm assuming it wd be relatively straight forward to hook it up and program it. Maybe a little intimidating, but I bet most people cd do it and it wd be worth it.I'd say the main drawback here is price.
Once it's setup, you probably wdn't need to go online w/ it again for months (until you bought a new component to control) so the hassle is limited.Finally, setting up any universal remote is going to involve some learning and this one is probably worth it as much or more than the others if you're willing to spend the money.Basic: Sony RM-VL1000This is the remote I have and I love it. It's learning so it's really universal. It's the right size, weight and shape for either hand. It's got all the normal buttons w/o being too crowded, but also 4 buttons beside the LCD. You can program these buttons to be whatever you want and lable them what you want too.
You can scroll thru 3 "screens" for these buttons so each component can actually have 12 buttons programmed in the LCD buttons.It's preprogrammed w/ most common components and those settings use the LCD buttons when necessary, but you can change any buttons programming as you wish.It can control up to 12 components which is plenty for most people, but you can have the volume set to always control the same device. I have my volume buttons always control the stereo even if the rest of the buttons are working the TiVo. Similarly, I have my power button set for my TV even when I'm working the TiVo.It has a built in 'power off' macro that turns all Sony components off. You can define the rest of the macros yourself and even run them on a timer (I have it set my TiVo to standby every night).It's a bit of a pain to setup, but once it's done you're set and it's so worth it.And it's so cheap!SummaryTake all things into consideration when shopping for a universal remote: is it learning, macros, timer, size, shape, weight, cost, buttons, setup, etc. What's important to you?RecommendationIf you're willing to spend the money, I wd get the Harmony.
Otherwise, I wd get the Sony VL1000 - it's (probably) harder to setup, but so much cheaper and a great remote..
Bear Cahill is a software engineer in the Dallas, TX area and runs a few websites: The Armchair Geek (thearmchairgeek.com), Webpage Hosting Info (webpagehostinginfo.com), Go To College Online (gotocollegeonline.com) and The Video Exchange Community (videoexchange.org)Compare LCD vs DLP TVs
What are the differences between DLP and LCD TVs, and which is the better choice for you?LCD vs. Plasma to LCD vs. DLPTwo new technologies in the world of TV, DLP and LCD, are now in a tight competition. Not long ago, everyone was talking about Plasma vs. LCD - which one would win? It became clear to most that Plasma, with its short lifespan of just 3-4 years, was simply not the best choice.
In fact, the LCD screen has several benefits over plasma. For instance, LCD screens run much cooler than the average plasma TV, and thus require less power to operate. Plasma TVs run so hot, in fact, that they require a fan to cool them down ? which can be noisy. In addition, plasma screens have a tendency to degrade over time, slowly becoming dimmer. LCD screens, on the other hand, run relatively cool, and do not degrade over time.
Some Plasma owners, who have used their TVs for a few years now, have already witnessed the dimming of their screens. Also, LCD screens tend to have overall...
Compare LCD vs DLP TVs
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Plasma vs LCD TVs
For a layman, there seems to be no difference between a plasma and LCD TV. Both provide high-resolution, high-contrast images and both are flat, sleek and can be mounted on a wall. The difference lies in the technology that drives them.
Plasma TVs work with inert gases like xenon or neon, which are excited by electric pulses from specialized cells called pixels. This makes the gases glow. These glowing gases, in turn, produce the correct blend of red, blue and green light on the pixels.
The pixels are illuminated by a fluorescent light bulb, which is driven by semiconductor software on the motherboard.
LCDs are actually thin film transistors (TFT), which contain liquid filled crystals between two plates of glass. LCDs work by blocking out unwanted light. When the signal hits the TFTs, they contort to a required angle, thus allowing only the requisite amount of light to pass through. A lamp behind the screen or a thin LCD bulb provides illumination to...
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Cheap LCD TVs
As time passes, the prices of LCD TVs are going nowhere but down. A few years back, there were only a few name brands such as Sony, LG, Philips, Samsung, etc. But there are several new entrants in the LCD TV market such as Westinghouse, Maxent, Norcent, Syntax, Olevia, etc. These new companies are pricing TVs lower than the established brands, sometimes even by as much as $1000. Naturally this is creating a furor in the market as even big names are being forced to pull their prices down to keep up with the competition.
The question always asked when buying a LCD TV is, why not go for a cheaper brand if it provides the same quality for a $1000 less? The purpose of a LCD TV is to produce high quality images.
Newer brands (read cheaper brands) force themselves in the market by lowering their prices, but their quality is rarely up to snuff. They may not be able to compare with the images produced by, say, a Sharp or a Sony. There are many nuances in pictures like contrast...
Cheap LCD TVs
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17" 1280x1024 Metal Portable LCD Monitor Suitecase
Walnut, California-based Acnodes Corp. today announced a new product for PC users who need a rugged and portable LCD screen, keyboard and touch pad.The PKD-8170 integrates a 17-inch, 1280x1024 resolution TFT LCD screen with a full-size keyboard and touch pad in an aluminum alloy case with handle and protective rubber bumpers at the corners.Only 3.3 inches deep, the PKD-8170 is 17.3" wide and 13.4" high and weighs in at 20 pounds, making it light enough for use in the field where a remote PC may require only occasional need for a keyboard, mouse and monitor. The 200-nit LCD screen is protected by 3mm impact-resistant glass and can operate at temperatures up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit."The PKD-8170 was designed for use by the military," However, any computer technician on the go, especially those who spend all day in the field testing and troubleshooting network servers will find the rugged and portable accessory a welcome and valuable new tool, he said.Interfaces are standard 15-pin analog...
17" 1280x1024 Metal Portable LCD Monitor Suitecase
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Panasonic GD87 lcd,GD50 lcd,GD93 lcd
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Rentslicer.com provides accurate, current data on the Los Angeles rental property market.
(ContentDesk) September 24, 2005 -- Introducing RentSlicer - www.rentslicer.com RentSlicer provides statistics on Los Angeles area rental property market.Up to the minute, accurate data on the LA home rental market - all areas, all types of housing. Trends, graphs and market analysis - all easily displayed and sorted to match your specific criteria.Think of it as the "Kelley Blue Book ?" of LA rental property. LANDLORDS...
Universal Remotes: Some Things to Consider
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Broadway Actress, Singer and Playwright Wambui Bahati Performs Plays In Observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week and Domestic Violence Month
Throughout October, Wambui Bahati delivers poignant messages on two very serious and sensitive subjects - mental illness and domestic violence - both of which she experienced and now shares in a unique and entertaining manner - theatrical performance. Sharing much of her dramatic past, Wambui Bahati mesmerizes audiences with her honest, compelling and comical renditions in which she portrays Mental Illness and Domestic Violence. This month she performs before varied audiences at a wide array of...
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Lcd tv > Broadway Actress, Singer and Playwright Wambui Bahati Performs Plays In Observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week and Domestic Violence Month
Tips for Reducing Stress
Copyright 2005 Trevor Dumbleton
With the hectic life that most people lead in today's world, reducing stress has become a vital skill. With work stress, school stress, family stress, teen stress, parent stress, and a whole host of other kinds of stress continually knocking on the door, it has become vital to manage stress in order to keep up with everything needs to be done. Though reducing stress is difficult, it can be done with a little effort and a little dedication to improving...
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The Top 4 Things To Look For In A Plasma TV
If you have ever seen a plasma TV screen displaying HDTV programming, you know why so many people are rapidly discarding their old CRT type televisions and getting ready for the digital TV revolution. Plasma TVs produce such sharp, crisp images that they make perfect companions to the new HDTV standards that will be widely used in the coming months and years ahead. So if you happen to be in the market for a plasma TV here are the top 4 things to consider as you shop:
1. Determine...
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