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How-To: Properly Place Your TV For Optimal Viewing

GeekSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:05:40 -0700

Before you drop all that money on a 46-inch flat panel HDTV you found on sale, maybe you should make sure there's enough room in your studio apartment for that bad boy. What, you think that just because it's flat you can fit it anywhere? As fun as it may seem to turn your apartment into a full-fledged movie theater, you should know that there are optimal viewing distances that you should adhere to. The general rule of thumb is to place your TV at a distance of three times the height of your screen (3 x H) away from your sofa.

For example, if you're buying a TV that has a screen height of 30 inches, you should sit approximately 90 inches or 7 feet away to view your picture in all its splendor. Just a little something to keep in mind before you buy that new LCD!

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Tech @ Home: Mounting a Flat Panel TV Above Your Fireplace

GeekSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:03:38 -0700

Although it looks nice, mounting a flat panel TV above your fireplace can take years off of its life if you aren't careful. Aside from possible smoke damage, your new LCD or plasma screen was built to run at a specific temperature (check your owners manuals for exact specs, but usually between 32-100°F), so watching a movie and building a roaring fire can actually damage the components inside your TV if it gets too hot.

Thankfully, all is not lost. If there's no stopping you from mounting your set, there's a quick test you can do to find out how hot your fireplace will get. Attach a thermometer to the spot you've chosen to mount (tape and a cheap thermometer from a drug store will do the trick), build a fire, and let it burn. After a few hours, if your chosen spot is getting close to your set's maximum operating temp, then you shouldn't burn the fire and watch the tube at the same time, or choose another place for your TV to call home.

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5 Gadgets You Didn't Get For Xmas, But Should Buy Anyway

GeekSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:00:25 -0800

I've been there before: I wanted a certain gadget for Christmas, but due to financial constraints, availability, or just plain oversight, I did not find them in my stocking or under the tree come Christmas morning. It's gonna be OK. Take all that cash you've accumulated from your relatives, or just go ahead and splurge (you never know when prices will dip this low again) and get what you really wanted for Christmas. Check out my picks on gadgets you didn't get for Christmas, but should buy for yourself anyway in this slideshow. Source

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Panasonic Creates a Wiimote-Proof Plasma TV

GeekSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:11:59 -0800

I love how Panasonic unveils a new line of beautiful plasma TVs at the HD Networking Conference in Valencia, Spain and their biggest selling feature is the fact that they can withstand Wiimotes! According to Gamertell, these televisions can resist up to four joules of energy - preventing your wiimote from shattering your TV screen in a game of Wii Tennis, Bowling, Boxing, and the list goes on and on. I guess if you're a Wii fanatic, this television plus an upgraded Wii strap will do the trick - better to be safe than sorry!

Would You Give Up Sex for Six Months for a Plasma TV?

GeekSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:45:49 -0800

Six months?! Really?! That's how long HALF of a group of British men surveyed claimed they would give up sex for - for a 50-inch Plasma TV. I balked at the length of six months (both for the sake of believing men would really give it up that long, and also because, well. . .six months?!) Then again, that's 50 inches (insert terrible "size matters" joke here) of beautiful, flat, plasma display. That's 50 inches of Project Runway, Lost, and Gossip Girl.

Maybe I could do it. Maybe. I seem to remember very few of you saying you'd give up sex to keep your cell phone, so I'm doubly curious. Spill it!

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My Favorite Gadgets Round Up: 50 " Plasma TV

GeekSugar — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:01:42 -0800

Thanks to teamsugar user Gibby who sent us this fantastic shot of her new 50 inch Philips Plasma television. Gibby was telling us that all those DVDs are her younger sister's - it looks like quite the extensive collection! We also commented on this gadget diva's iPod below the TV, which just happens to be a 60GB video iPod. Great gadgets Gibby!

I want to know what's in your purse, on your desktop and in your pockets. To learn how to post photos of your favorite gadgets in the group, read more

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the My Favorite Gadgets group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "My Favorite Gadgets")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the My Favorite Gadgets group and start posting your great photos! Yours just might end up on the Geeksugar homepage!

Gold-Plated TV's Pricetag: $132,000

GeekSugar — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:01:56 -0800

When it comes to luxury gadgets, there are some splurges I wholeheartedly understand, and others I will never, ever get. Samsung and LG have long been in a battle over who will make the largest TV, with Samsung currently winning out with a 102-inch model. LG on the other hand, is holding its ground with a 71-incher that comes plated with genuine gold. It is simply beyond me why even the most wealthy geek in the world would find this necessary, but I'll indulge your curiosity anyway.

In fact, there are more than 4 pounds of 24-Karat gold on the model, which also features full HD (1920 x 1080), and an impressive 600W home cinema system for surround sound and integrated display facilities for viewing digital photos and MP3 track playback.

The gold version costs a whopping $132,000, which in some parts of the county, is the median home price. I suppose the makers aren't completely insane, as they only made 1,000 units. For another picture, just read more

Expected Holiday HDTV Price Drop Explained

GeekSugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:00:52 -0700

If you're in the market for a new HDTV and are ready to plunk down your money for that new set - hold off! The prices of HDTVs are expected to plummet in the coming months, which can mean huge savings for you.

There are a number of factors that may lead to LCD and Plasma TV prices hitting the deck this shopping season, one of which is the economy. We're afraid to spend our money! So retailers have to make it irresistible for hesitant shoppers to hand over that credit card, while they clear out their inventory to make room for the newer models to come.

Another reason for the deep discounts? The digital signal switch. If you haven't gotten on board with digital, and are still using an analog signal TV (with the 'ole bunny ear antenna), you have until February 17, 2009 to get your hands on a converter box, or to upgrade your television. What a better way to usher in this new era of digital viewing than with a LCD TV, deeply discounted to sell?

Want to know when the best time to buy might be? Hint: it may not be when you think! Find out when you read more.

If you're planning on buying a high-end set, you may not find the best prices at the crack of dawn on Black Friday. Last year, we saw the best deals on name brand TVs in the three weeks before Christmas, when retailers were still trying to push out those remaining models while battling it out over prices. Good things come to those who wait? Most likely!

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Forget LCD; Go for Plasma, Says Maker of Both

GeekSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 13:10:11 -0800

The LCD vs. Plasma debate has been a hot topic for geeks everywhere for the past few years with some extolling the greatness of the plasma, and other saying it would "burn out" before its time.

However, the tables have suddenly turned - well slightly - as the New York Times reports Panasonic, the consumer electronics company owned by Matsushita Electric Industrial and the world’s biggest seller of plasma TVs, has altered its "to each his or her own" stance. (It must be noted that the company sells a full line of popular LCD sets as well.)

Panasonic now says it believes that plasma technology is under unfair attack from competitors making “desperate attempts” to denigrate what it sees as plasma’s superiority, Bob Greenberg, Panasonic’s vice president for brand marketing is quoted as saying.

For Panasonic's six facts you need to know before you buy a flat Panel TV, just read more

Interview: India Hicks on Top Design

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:00:59 -0700

In anticipation of Top Design's second season, I recently had the chance to participate in a conference call with the new host, celebrated fashion model and design aficionado India Hicks, as well as world-renowned designer Todd Oldham, who has a moved over to a new role as the contestants' mentor. And, I shared with you Todd's thoughts on everything from the judges to design no-no's. Now, I'm back to you with more from the interview, this time sharing the highlights of what India Hicks had to say. For those of you not familiar with India, she is daughter of famed interior decorator David Hicks and Lady Pamela Hicks, and is the author of several interior design books. Here are some of the highlights:

On the show's new look:

The main difference is going to be that we are really designing outside of the box. [In] Season One they were designing inside these white boxes, and this time we’ve taken our kids out into real places and real settings. You have real professionals designing in real places.

On designing on a budget:

My father, who was a very great designer in the '60s and '70s, had a very famous quote that he said which was, "Good taste and design are by no means dependent upon money." We see it more than ever with the group of contestants we have. I think the producers were very canny about keeping the budgets down low because that really does show who has the good eye and the good talent. If you can make something wonderful from a very small budget, you really do have talent.

To hear more of what India had to say during the call, read more.

On common design mistakes that people fall into:

Now there is this huge trend to have your plasma screen TV right out there in the room. Of course, I was very much brought up hiding the television. The television was an obscure, terrible object that needed to be hidden under a table or inside a cupboard. And indeed, I still live like that. We have televisions hidden in different places throughout the house. Trends change and obviously as times change, we adapt. Of course, my children have a plasma screen TV that they want out and they want to show off that they have this plasma screen TV. I find it’s the height of vulgarity. So, you know, it is a very sensitive question depending on who you’re talking to.

On whether she's ever done set decoration:

Well, I’m constantly being accused that my house is one big set decorated. But I take pride in that and I think that if you care, then you’re constantly reshaping and reformatting the way your house looks.

On the importance of your interiors these days:

I think there’s nothing nicer than having a home that is inviting and tastefully decorated. I think it’s good that we do care and I think this show is going to be very relevant because I think we are seeing a trend in the general public of people beginning to care.

I think also with the economic downturn that we’re going to be seeing, people are going to be spending much more time in their homes. They’re going to be cutting back on the restaurants, holidays and nights out, and I think we want those places to be stylish, warm, and inviting. And they’ve got to be a reflection of who we are as an individual.

I think Top Design is going to be very pertinent right now because of that economic down trend. We are going to be at home watching TV and this is a show that’s going to be showing you how to make your home that stylish, warm, and inviting place.

On Todd's role

Todd is very, very compassionate and I think it fills that role incredibly well, and these kids really relate to him. And I would go in and have to wag my horrible finger, and Todd got the nice bit of being nice and giving them a pat on the back.

On keeping a nicely interior designed house with kids:

My whole life is about kids. But having said that, I’m also very aware that they need to have their area and I need to have mine. And I think I’m blessed with living with space around me so we do have the space, that they’ve got a big playroom where they can be kids. I think even if you live in an apartment in New York, it is very important to keep that compromise. We do need to have room for ourselves to live in an adult environment with usefully styled tables and for the kids to have their space.

On what each contestant brings to the show:

What’s interesting about the contestants that we have on this show is that there’s such a wide variation and background. We have some very, very highly trained professionals which obviously brings a very different edge to the show. There’s a set designer from the Sex in the City. There’s a style editor from Martha Stewart. But we also have some very fresh, new blood on the scene. It’s interesting to see that the collaboration really stimulates the imagination in this instance and that you’ve got the 20-year-old who’s just come out of school, really fresh new look at the world, and then you’ve got the very experienced set designer who’s been on the game for some time.

On designing for your own home:

I think it really is nice to have a home that is a reflection of who we are as an individual. I find that in New York I could have a very minimalistic apartment but I live with a family on an island and so I design in the vernacular. I’m very aware of maintaining the integrity of where I live. When we build here we build in the old style of pitched roofs made of cedar shingles. But there has to be a unique and original twist to it as well. I like to also keep a sense of humor in the designing.

On working with the judges:

I hadn’t met any of them before. Margaret was known to me because my brother and sister-in-law are very much in the design world and they had said, you know, she’s going to be wonderful. Margaret is extremely authoritative with reason. She has a great deal of knowledge. Jonathan, obviously his work I knew because he was heavily influenced by my father, David Hicks, and referenced my father continuously which I respected enormously, as did Kelly. Jonathan is out there in the field, as is Kelly, and so they know and they have both worked their way up to the position they’re in now, so they know what it takes, so that they are in a position to be able to sit there and criticize may be too strong a word, but certainly give their point of view. These are real professionals judging and I think that makes a big difference.

On the guest judges:

Hold onto your seats, guys, because there are a couple of comments coming up from our guest judges that will make you sit up!

On American architecture:

I am a traditionalist, certainly. So naturally, I gravitate towards a tradition style in architecture as well. But, you know, America is a melting pot of so many different nationalities of people and design. From a European point of view or an English point of view, you know, Los Angeles is startling but that’s also what makes it quite special and unique, is the fact that you do have your Disney world of craziness going on there.

On environmental responsibility:

I am a great believer in zoning and in following the guidelines of the area that you live in. I’m very, very, very aware that, you know, island life is very precious and I live in an environment that is - you know, needs to be tended and loved. It is very important that we are very careful with our environment. I live a very responsible life. I do not live a fanatically green life, but I live a responsible life. I want my children to be brought up understanding how fragile our world is.

On the design styles of the wealthy:

Especially in England, you know, you have these wonderful estates that are done in impeccable taste. And then you have these new Russians living in London who can afford things that we couldn’t possibly begin to imagine and design in a very different way. I probably would tend towards the old, slightly dustier way of designing. I was brought up very much with the notion that it was terribly non-you to have actually bought your furniture. You were obviously meant to inherit it.

Stay tuned for more coverage of Top Design in the future!
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