Cathode-ray Tube (CRT) displays have widely been used in televisions and computers for long. The displays have several advantages like wide viewing angles, superior colour resolution and low manufacturing costs. But these displays also suffer from drawbacks like excessive weight and high power & voltage consumption. The configuration of CRTs requires television sets to be virtually as thick as they are wide. Hence the demand for flat panel televisions is increasing day-by-day.

Technologists have developed alternative flat panel display (FPD) technologies to overcome the inherent drawbacks of CRTs. Prominent FPDs include liquid colour display (LCD), plasma display panel (PDP), vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), and electroluminescent display (ELD). A flat panel television display includes a flat panel on which a matrix of cells is formed between two glass substrates. A PCB module drives the panel. There are two types of FPDs – volatile and static.

A LCD provides a richer and higher resolution of colours as compared to the conventional CRT displays. A LCD essentially comprises of two glass substrates that are separated to form a predetermined space into which a layer of liquid crystals is injected. Flat panel televisions are gaining popularity these days as they improve visibility and reduce glare due to reflection of external light.

A FPD is preferred to a conventional spherical panel as it provides higher resolution power. These panels have exceptional colour accuracy and can display up to 16.77 million colours. The FPDs are gaining popularity among the masses as they are light-weight, consume less … Continue Reading ...

By the time they graduate from high school, many of today’s children will have spent more time in front of a TV than in a classroom. One study says that children aged 2 to 11 watch an average of 20 hours of television a week, while their teenage brothers and sisters spend 18 hours a week at the same activity. These numbers mean that TV viewing takes up a big chunk of time for many children. For parents and guardians, this raises concerns about how much TV time children should be allowed to watch, and how it can influence children’s behavior, values, development, and health.

Experts have studied all these questions, and the data they obtain does not just focus on instructional TV or carefully constructed children’s programs. Rather, it deals primarily with grown up prime time shows. The research shows that it is not a good idea for parents and baby sitters to get into the habit of using television as a child minder, since this will result in long periods of unsupervised viewing, and sometimes of material that is not suitable for youngsters.

It is generally recognized that a certain amount of viewing is normal and even good for children, as it can be entertaining, informative and socially relevant. A lot of viewing though offers decreasing returns. In this case, like in others areas, too much of something is not good for youngsters, experts say. Children’s time might be better spent doing things that teach them more about … Continue Reading ...

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 ...