January 11th, 2013
4k televisions, a moniker given to those displays that boast the impressive 3840 × 2160, now being called Ultra High-Definition, were a rage at CES 2013. Most enthralling of all: Samsung’s 110-inch UHD TV. With an LED-backlit LCD screen, this Ultra High-Definition television offers a pixel density currently unmatched in the market.
Offering a beautiful picture, as well as Samsung’s impressive Smart TV technology, and an internal converter that upscales current HD content while the entertainment industry works to start providing Ultra HD content, this TV offers all you can ask for when it comes to picture and display.
What about sound? The metal frame, which supports the massive 110″ screen, provides function as well as form. Nestled within it are two woofers, two tweeters, and two midrange speakers, all powered by a 120-watt amplifier.
Though like many offerings at CES this is just a prototype and no specifics have been hammered out, like price or release date. In fact, it doesn’t even have a model number yet. However, most items premiered at CES are usually on the market within the year, with of course the exception being the OLED superthin televisions Samsung displayed at CES 2012 and yet again CES 2013. Do you think the UHD 110″ TV will break that streak and be available to consumers sometime in 2013?
Categories: DISH & TV news
January 9th, 2013
At CES LG has revealed seven new HDTVs with Google TV capabilities. The top of the line that was unveiled was the GA7900, with a razor thin display and dual-core CPUs. The price hasn’t been officially decided yet, but it is likely to be in the range of LG’s existing Google TV models, $1,500 to $1,600.
The device is operated with a Bluetooth remote that reveals a keyboard on the back. As well as the impressive search functionality that Google TV has to offer, the GA7900 also allows for voice search.
As well as LG’s impressive Google TV lineup, Vizio and Sony, Google TV alumni, are also set to unveil more Google TV devices in 2013. Newcomers Asus, Hisense and TCL are also set to introduce similar devices. It’s certainly going to be a big year for Google TV. DISH Network has excellent integration with Google TV services.
There are two more days of CES, and we’re continuing to follow all of the exciting news coming out of Las Vegas!
Categories: DISH & TV news
January 8th, 2013
Samsung displayed their impressive OLED TV at CES again this year. Though the prototype is incredibly impressive, with a razor thin display and unbelievably rich colors and blacks, there is still no information about shipment or price.
Along with being thin and beautiful, Samsung’s OLED television offers a 1.35GHz quad-core A15 processor, voice control, and Smart Hub software. Smart Hub is a revolutionary interface for Samsung’s new line of Smart TVs. You are able to browse what’s on TV, including movies, shows and sports, as well as content from streaming services like Netflix and your personal videos and photos.
As well as the OLED TV Samsung also unveiled a new, streamlined Smart Hub menu, as seen above. With the first day of CES complete and some exciting things coming out, we can’t wait to see the rest this trade show will have to offer! Have you been following CES?
Categories: DISH & TV news
June 29th, 2012
Did you know DISH Network offers PPV and VOD titles in 3D? 3D HD is a great way to bring a movie to life!
Once you have all of your 3D equipment, you can find lots of 3D movies and features on DISH on channels 1 or 501. Here are some titles that are currently showing.
Categories: Channels & Shows
September 2nd, 2011
The Tailgater Portable HDTV System includes the Tailgater Portable Antenna and an HD Solo Receiver for just $499. If you are an existing DISH Network customer and have an HD Solo Receiver in your home (Model ViP 211k), you may purchase the Tailgater Portable Antenna a la carte for $350. Together with DISH Network television service, you can take your favorite shows with you on all of your outdoor adventures.
The Tailgater Portable Antenna connects to the HD Solo Receiver using a single coax cable (included) and brings live satellite television service from inside your home to the great outdoors.
Setup for the Tailgater Portable HDTV System is easy. After connecting your devices as instructed in the User’s Guide and Quick Reference Guide, follow the on-screen instructions. The Tailgater will automatically find the satellite orbital locations for your DISH Network programming. When you’re done watching, simply power down the Tailgater and receiver, disconnect the cables, and take your system with you. It’s portable and lightweight, so it’s easy to carry from one outdoor activity to the next.
Note: The Tailgater Portable HDTV System will only operate in the 48 contiguous United States.
| Tailgater – Model VQ2500 | HD Solo Receiver – Model ViP® 211k |
|---|---|
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Categories: DISH & TV news
August 26th, 2011
We’ve discussed How To Buy an HDTV previously, going over the differences between LED, LCD and Plasma, today we’ll talk about the many different features available with HDTVs today and which ones you should pay attention to.
HDTVs are the hub of your home entertainment center, bringing together receivers, DVD/Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, stereos and even computers. When buying a new TV you want to make sure you can actually bring all of those things together. Make you sure know how many HDMI, Component, Composite, Cable, USB or VGA ports you will need, and if you’re looking to add more in the future be sure to take that into account.
As mentioned above, your home entertainment system is probably home to many electronic components. Buying an energy efficient HDTV can ehlp lower your electric bill and ease the burden on the circuits in your living room. In May, 2010, Energy Star released Energy Star 4.0, which cracked down on Energy Star ratings for HDTVs. The Energy Star logo can help you to narrow down your choices, but be sure to keep in mind that larger screens are obviously going to require larger amounts of energy, plasma requires more energy than LCDs but LCDs require more energy than LEDs, and brighter pictures require more energy.
Menus and remotes can be frustratingly complicated, but also infuriatingly oversimplified. Make sure to browse through the menus on the TV and ask to look at the remote. Do you see the kind of options you like to have? Some people like to be able to just plug and go, the only options needed being volume changing and input switching. Others love to have more options to tweak, perfecting colors and adjusting picture. Make sure to find a TV that is closest to your preferences, one that doesn’t have so many option as to overwhelm you, but also doesn’t limit your choices.
The finish on your TV screen may not be something you pay much attention to, until you realize you can’t watch TV in the morning because of the early sun streaming through or that the dining room light has to be off to avoid a glare. Make sure to look closely at the TV screen on the showroom floor and take note of the glares and reflections, especially during scenes with a lot of darks. Also think about the lighting placement in your living room, as most higher end TVs come with a glossy screen it may be easier to rearrange lighting fixtures to avoid glares.
Internet ready TVs are very popular for obvious reasons, but a new internet ready television could cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars more. You can save money by adding internet to your existing TV with the Logitech Review with Google TV from DISH Network for only $99! DISH Network customers with a Logitech Revueâ„¢ have the most advanced Google TV experience available. The integration includes robust search capabilities spanning Web and DVR content as well as DISH Network Video On Demand programming, something no other provider can offer!
With Google TV you can:
Enjoy Youtube™ and other web videos – all on your TV.
Search for a movie and find it, whether it’s on TV, the Web, your DVR or On Demand.
Watch a cooking show and look up recipes on your big screen.
Categories: DISH & TV news
July 15th, 2011
LCD TVs are known for having poor black levels but recent developments have helped to fix some of the issues. LCD TVs are back-lit by cold-cathode fluorescent lights (CCFLs), so there will always be some light leaking through and you won’t get that deep black you see on a Plasma TV.
LCD also falls short of plasma when it comes to viewing angles as well, there is some color changes and wash out when watching an LCD from an angle. LCD TVs are best placed in rooms where there is plenty of seating directly in front of it. LCD image and color quality may also suffer when in a darkened room.
LCDs are available in a variety of sizes from 19″ to 65″, and in the popular 40 to 55″ size range, LCD and plasma are priced similarly.
LED TVs are not necessarily new technology. They’re just an LCD TV that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for back lighting instead of the standard cold-cathode fluorescent lights (CCFLs). There are two kinds of LED TVs: full array and edge-lit.
Full array means LEDs are placed across the back panel, just like in LCD TVs with a CCFL backlight.
Edge-lit came about as a way to make TVs even thinner. The lights are placed on all four sides and is projected to the center. Edge-lit LED TVs are the most common.
LED TVs are available in 32″ or larger, are often thinner and use a little bit less energy. Some models may offer slightly better picture quality, but are expensive.
Plasma is the original flat-screen TV technology, and though newer LCD technology has begun to edge it out you still tend to get a better picture quality from plasma. Plasma has wider viewing angles, allowing for more people to watch from a wider space.
Plasmas main issues are that they’re larger, heavier and less energy efficient than their LCD counterparts. They also have issues with reflecting light off their glass screens, which can make viewing in a bright room difficult. Plasma screen do have superior color richness, but are best viewed in darker rooms.
Plasma TVs are available in 42″ or larger and often beat out the LCD competition in price, especially 50″ and above. 50″ is considered by most to be the perfect size for a plasma TV.
| LCD | LED | Plasma | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 19 to 65″ | 32″+ thinner |
42″+ bulkier |
| Viewing Area | Best directly in front of TV | Wider angles and better color uniformity when not in front | |
| Colors | Bright and vibrant, poor black levels | Rich with excellent deep blacks | |
| Best Viewed In | Lighter rooms where flaws are less visible | Dark rooms where there is not a lot of potential glare | |
| Energy Efficiency | Much better than plasma | Some models may be slightly better than LCD | Worst |
Categories: DISH & TV news