One of the major concerns of parents these days is that their children watch too much television. Television is no longer just a source of entertainment. It has become a way of life. There is nothing wrong in watching television per se, but if it becomes the over-riding pastime to the exclusion of constructive activities, the effects can be damaging.

Three to 10 year old children do not have the maturity or understanding or differentiate between good and bad programs making it essential for parents to strictly monitor what their children are watching. Good parenting essentials involves ensuring that your children have healthy choices. And at the same time, you have to ensure that the television viewing time of your children is not excessive.

Here are some useful tips for parents who are unable to control their children from watching too much television:

Be a role model

Before telling your child to cut down on television take a close look at your own TV viewing habits. If you spend 3 to 4 hours a day watching sitcoms and soaps, you can’t expect your child to watch television in moderation. So practice what you preach and become a role model to your child.

Involve your child in constructive activities

Get your child involved in some constructive and interesting activity which appeals to him. You can get your child enrolled in dancing, music, swimming, painting, football or any other sport. You can coax your child to learn guitar or any other musical … Continue Reading ...

Introduction

Today television has become a very important part of our daily lives, but particularly so in the lives of our children. As we are aware, these days the greater majority of families, in many parts of the world, have (or have access to) this magical screen.

Television is a very powerful and effective modern phenomena which can influence the shaping of the future for many generations of children in many parts of the world.

Children imitate the action, the spoken word and/or the personality they may happen to be watching, therefore, its influence cannot be underestimated, regardless of the circumstances which the child may happen to be in. This influence can be categorised as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for the future development of these children.

Parents and guardians have a major role to play in deciding what channel or program their child can watch, for how long and what part of the day. All these factors are important in deciding the shape of a child’s future within any environment.

Positive and Negative Aspects

Not long ago, the majority of countries had only one or two television channels, not just that, but the viewing time was limited as well as the transmission itself was restricted to a number of hours per day/night.

Today, there are a large number of television channels, and some of these channels specialise in children programs only. Many of these children’s TV channels broadcast from early hours of the morning to late evening (or even on … Continue Reading ...

Although liquid-crystal display TV’s, or LCD TV sets, have a relatively expensive price tag as compared to other types of television sets, they continue to stir a lot of consumer interest. One of the most popular LCD brands is the Sony Bravia line of LCD TV sets. Bravia actually means Best Resolution Audio Visual Architecture, and it replaced the LCD WEGA brand that the company used for its LCD TV’s until the summer of 2005. Here is a thorough review of the Sony KDL32U000U.

BRAVIA – The Third Generation of Sony’s U-Series

The Sony KDL32U3000 is included in the third generation of this esteemed Japanese electronics manufacturer’s U-series, in the Bravia range of LCD television models. This Bravia model as initially released in the market on August 2007, and it’s also equipped with the world-famous Bravia engine and the innovative Theatre Sync.

Armed With a Built-In Freeview Digital Tuner

The Sony KDL32U3000 LCD television is armed with Freeview digital tuner, which allows the TV unit to view over fifty digital TV channels using its terrestrial tuner. The KDL32U3000 is very much affordable, because Sony has since launched newer TV models afterward. The TV set’s built-in Freeview allows viewers to watch Freeview digital television programs in superb, crisp and sharp images, without having to pay for any monthly subscription charges.

Equipped With the Unique BBE VIVA Audio System

The Sony KDL32U3000 brand an also receive analogue signals too, and for flat-screen TV standards, it relatively offers superb sound quality, since it … Continue Reading ...

TruTv is really gaining strength in their niche of reality television. Their tagline actually calls their programming ‘Not Reality. Actuality.’ Reality television is more defined by shows like ‘Survivor’, ‘Big Brother’ and ‘The Bachelor’. Actuality television has shows like ‘Operation Repo’ and ‘Hardcore Pawn’. Here are the differences between Reality and Actuality television:

Actuality does not have but Reality does have:

* Contest shows with any type of prize
* Definite end date
* Eliminations
* Physical or mental contests or games

Reality does not have but Actuality does have:

* Series about real people in real situations
* True crime and investigation shows
* Shows about unusual or interesting businesses
* Narrated shows with police, victim and criminal interviews

Both types of television are entertaining and appeal to people who are interested in this type of entertainment. Many channels now have some form of reality and/or actuality type programming because that is the current trend.

Even television shows that are fiction still have the feel that they could be real to become popular. The viewing public has changed their interests dramatically from the television of the past. The rehashed and cookie cutter sitcoms have, for the most part, gone away in a time where people don’t have time to immerse themselves in shows that don’t have a point. Even news channels have programs that are designed to entertain and keep people interested in what is going on in the world.

This type of entertainment has captured the attention of … Continue Reading ...

This article serves as a shoppers guide to buying TVs and lists many of the considerations which should be taken when purchasing a new television.

The first consideration which must be taken when purchasing a new plasma TV or other high definition TV is resolution. Newer technology televisions are built with 1080p resolution, while older high definition televisions have 720p resolution. The higher resolution televisions often cost about 50% more, but have a significantly clearer picture than 720p televisions. The 1080p resolution also allows the owner to take full advantage of the clarity produced by other high definition products, such as blu-ray DVD players.

The size of the television is a huge driver of the televisions cost and should be carefully analyzed based on your room’s situation. The average person sits 3 meters from the TV. From that distance a 50 inch television is perfect, if a 720p TV is selected. Since the 1080p TV has higher resolution, a larger TV would work well from the same distance.

Another television specification which should be taken into consideration is the television’s contrast ratio. The contrast ratio measures the difference between the darkest black and lightest white which is produced by the television. Top of the line LCD televisions have contrast ratios of 5,000:1, or higher if the screen is larger than 42 inches. If a television has a contrast ratio below 5,000:1, dark images tend to look dark grey while light images look deteriorated.

A purchaser of a new television should … Continue Reading ...

Who could forget the smooth sound of Ed McMahon’s voice announcing with practiced timbre, “Heeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!” each night to millions of Americans as they sat up in their living rooms ready to watch another round of Johnny Carson giving his low-key monologue with the hard-to-resist deadpan delivery that we all came to know and love. Even today in the new millennium, thanks to classic TV DVDs, we are still able to see the comedic genius at work, albeit it doesn’t have to be in the wee hours of the morning.

Johnny Carson’s primary claim to fame was as America’s late night king of comedy. For thirty years he hosted NBC television’s Tonight Show, and because of his up-to-the-minute monologues, flippant characters and lighthearted sketches he entered more homes via the television than any other performer had ever done before. His late night set provided the launching pad for many budding stars and starlets, gave widespread publicity for hundreds of books, movies and gadgets and never failed to offer a laugh (or two or three) to the millions of viewers tuned in.

Carson was well known as getting his start in the world of magic at a very young age in his hometown of Norfolk, Nebraska. Performing feats of prestidigitation was his first love, but that was interrupted by World War II and a couple of years in the US Navy. After the war, Carson decided to attend college and chose the field of radio as his major. This proved to … Continue Reading ...