Consumerist
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follow-ups
Three Months Later, Hitachi Finally Makes Good For Busted TV
Remember Mark, the gentleman who paid $200 to repair a Hitachi TV, only to see it immediately break again? Of course you don't, because we posted his story three months ago. More » -
science says
Want An HDTV? Just Imagine That You Have One
Good news, everyone! I don't have an aging hulk of a CRT television in my living room anymore. No, I have a high definition television, thanks to the power of my mind. At least, that's what a recent study tells me will happen if I wish hard enough. More » -
misleading displays
CRT TVs Masquerading As HDTVs Plague Another Walmart
It's officially a trend now. Old-timey CRT TVs are not only mislabeled as HDTVs at a Connecticut Walmart, but also, according to reader Chris, at a Kentucky location. More » -
misleading displays
Walmart Tries To Pass Off Antique As HDTV
Shawn spotted Walmart selling an old CRT TV, mislabeling it as an HDTV. He snapped the accompanying incriminating photos and writes: More » -
best buy
Deep HDTV Discounts From Best Buy This Week
People just aren't buying ginormous TVs like they used to. At least not from Best Buy. That's why there's going to be some great deals this week at Best Buy on large-screen HDTVs. HDGuru got an advance copy of their Sunday circular, which advertises discounts that bring the big TVs down to an almost reasonable price! More » -
buyer beware
Pop Goes The Shoddy Refurbed Hitachi TV
Mark thought he'd save some money by buying a refurbished Hibachi HDTV off UEC Web, but was disturbed to discover the TV — as an under-fire politician, coach or CEO would put it — decided to spend more time with its family. More » -
advice
Don't Clean Your HDTV With Windex
Windex works great on your windows, but will it clean your TV? How about those expensive cleaning kits they sell at Best Buy? Our sister publication, Consumer Reports, says that both of them are bad ideas, but for different reasons. More » -
superbowl
Don't Buy 1080p HDTVs For The SuperBowl
For those of you thinking about buying an HDTV for the SuperBowl, just remember that you don't need to be springing for that 1080p. This game will not be broadcast in 1080p and no SuperBowl ever has. For The Big Game viewing purposes, a 1080i or 720p will do just fine. It's just an unconfirmed rumor at this point, but I've also heard that analog sets will be able to receive the SuperBowl signal as well.
(Photo: satinpeter)
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shopping
Helpful Information For Those About To Impulse Buy A TV For The Superbowl
We know you just can't handle the thought of watching the magnificent Arizona Cardinals in standard def, so before you run out and buy the biggest TV at the store — here is some information from Consumer Reports that will help you be set up and ready to go by the time your Larry-Fitzgerald-jersey-wearing friends show up. More » -
directv
DirecTV Install Imbroglio Makes Longtime Customer Want To Destroy Furniture
While we're waiting on our video boys to harvest the clip of Whoopie's rant against DirecTV on The View this morning, here's a little reader-submitted DirecTV install nightmare to tide you over. Andy used to think DirecTV was pretty good, but his experience trying to get them to hook up an HD/DVR to his TV has felt him feeling like he is "going to explode, or destroy pieces of furniture." More » -
banana republic
Morning Deals
- Banana Republic: 30% off today only with coupon code HAPPY30 or printable coupon
- Sears: Free Masterlock with printable coupon
- MusiciansFriend: AKG Handheld Condenser Microphone for $100 + free shipping. Today only.
- Timbuk2: Save up to 60% off Messenger Bags, Backpacks, & More
- New York & Co.: Extra 20% off Store-Wide Women's Apparel
- Office Depot: Viewsonic N3235w 32-inch LCD HDTV $470 & Free Shipping
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hdtv
This Coloring Book Helps Children And Grownups Understand HDTV
Reader Andy sent us this great coloring book he made that helps explain high definition television to children, parents, and luddites.
More »
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pr
Circuit City Denies Its In-Home TV Calibration Is A Total Scam
Speaking on behalf of Circuit City in regards to our post, "Circuit City's In-Home TV Calibration Is A Total Scam", Mike Vallebuona of New Media Strategies (a company that protects its clients from "online attacks, rumors and misinformation") send us the following pulsating pile of drivel: More » -
ripoffs
Insiders: Circuit City's In-Home TV Calibration Is A Total Scam
According to a Circuit City employee, their in-home tv calibration service is a complete ripoff. Basically they give the employees glasses like you might get at a 3D movie and they're then supposed adjust the balance and contrast and brightness with the remote control. When he complained to his manager, his boss said to just, "make believe you're changing some settings. When you're done, tell them how much better their TV looks. Besides, once you perform the calibration, they can't get a refund." Will we soon see Circuit City in-home calibration kits being hawked in the back pages of Boy's Life? Full letter, inside... More » -
complaints
Comcast Spews BS When You Complain About HD Degradation
David wanted a straight answer from Comcast as to whether they were degrading his HD signal, but instead was fed a colossal trough of baloney. The executive customer service rep who replied to David's email said Comcast is using a "new system" for HD and while it "works well with clean 1080i signals, we're making some adjustments to improve how it handles other types of HD signals so we can bring you the best HD picture. We apologize this has not created the HD experience that we intended, but we will work towards getting it right. " Sure... check out this previous post, Comcast Degrades HD Quality To Make Room For More Channels, for the science and proof of how Comcast (and other cable operators) are degrading HD feeds to make more money. The full exchanges between David and the Comcast reps, inside...
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cable
Comcast Degrades HD Quality To Make Room For More Channels
When you order Hi-Def TV, you expect it to be on the shining Excalibur level, but it looks like Comcast is degrading the quality of some HD channels in order to make room for more channels. To test this theory out, Avsforum member bfdtv recorded the same shows from the same channel at the same time on both Comcast Hi-Def and Fios TV. The left is the FiOs. The right is the Comcast. As you can see, the Comcast signal looks like crap. The forum thread has more screenshots, a signal analysis, and some source videos. So far the Comcast channels receiving extra compression are: Discovery Channel, SciFi, USA, Food, NatGeo, UHD, A&E, HGTV, Starz, Cinemax, HBO, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery HD Theater, and History HD.Comcast HD Quality Reduction: Details, Screenshots [AVSforum] (Thanks to thedave!)
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survey says
Best Buy Says You Don't Know What You're Doing With HD
Best Buy hired a firm to take a survey of the state of the American public's knowledge of HDTV, and sad results are in. You don't know what the hell is going on with your television. More »
hdtv
Target is testing sales of used electronics on its website to move returned items that are in "perfect working order"—mostly iPods and HDTVs right now. [
New York, 7:16 PM
Mon Nov 9
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