How to Make the Best out of Your Digital TV | 0 replies since Jul 25, 2008, 04:57 AM
John Kaduwanema:

As the digital switchover continues, different ways exist to make sure that you will be able to continue to watch TV. Many people are still confused as to what the switchover is, and in particular, why it's happening in the first place.

The digital switchover that began earlier this year in the Cumbrian town of Whitehaven has been reported to be going at a good rate and is on schedule to complete on time. However, many people are still unsure as to what the switching over to digital TV means. This article will help to explain the ways in which you can safely switch over to digital when the time comes for your region.

The switchover won't necessarily require you to buy a new TV, but if you are buying a new one, rest assured that just about all new TVs will come with a built in digital tuner. To be on the safe side, make sure that the digital tick symbol is present. This is a natural step in evolution for TVs, as we no longer see large, bulky CRT TVs anymore, but are now presented with rows of flat panelled LCD TVS and PLASMA TVS. Having an integrated digital receiver also means that there will be more input sockets available to you too against some of the other alternatives.

The easiest and cheapest way of ensuring that you are ready for the digital channels is by investing in a digital set top box. These retail from about £25 and are a simple one off payment. Digital set top boxes connect to TV sets via a SCART cable and will just need the aerial line plugged into it. A good TV signal will provide you with all the digital channels, although you are also able to use an indoor aerial with these too. A digital set top box will take up one of the input slots in the back of your TV, so you may well have to sacrifice one of your other AV components to accommodate it.

Cable and Sky customers will already be able to view digital channels. There is, however, a new satellite service that will provide not only digital channels, but high definition content too. Freesat requires both a satellite dish and a receiver box, and there is no need for a subscription fee either. Depending on whether or not you want high definition viewing, a Freesat receiver box will cost you between £50 and £150. However, Panasonic have recently launched a new line of plasma TVs with built in Freesat receivers, meaning that you would only need to purchase the installation of the satellite dish.

You may also be wondering what all of this is in aid of. After all, surely analogue signals work fine as they are? They do, but the signals also prevent us from doing much more. If you think of the signals in terms of something physical, the digital equivalents are much smaller than the analogue ones. By switching over, we will be able to fit more in. There will be more channels available to watch, providing us with more choice as well as displaying in greater clarity. Potentially, it means that there would be more bandwidth space available for greater communications and new media.

All in all, switching off the analogue TV signals is a good idea. It may be a bit of a challenge, but every change is presented with difficulties. The gains that are possible after the digital switchover far outweigh the losses. In the mean time, do be sure to check that your TV is digital compliant, and if not, look at the alternative methods of future proofing your TV.

RESOURCES:

This article has been brought to you by Laskys, an online only specialist retailer in home entertainment. Get your next LCD TVS, PLASMA TVS and LAPTOPS from them . They have low priced cheap products including Panasonic Plasma TV, Pioneer Plasma Television, Samsung LCD TV, LG LCD TV, HP Laptop and Sony Laptop. You may visit their the Laskys Blog to comment on product updates.

The Nintendo Wii is now Available at Laskys | 0 replies since Jul 15, 2008, 11:01 AM updated Jul 15, 2008, 11:05 AM
John Kaduwanema:

One of the most popular games consoles currently on sale is now available to buy from Laskys. Nintendo's revolutionary Wii games console can now be purchased at the specialist online retailer along with a range of games to provide further entertainment. The console plus Wii Sports game retails onsite for £179.99 and further bundles can be bought from £195.

Trading Manager for Laskys.com Richard Calcutt said, “This is great news for us, and our customers. The addition of a superb games console like the Wii really strengthens our product offering. It provides a great way for previous customers to get more out of their LCD TV or plasma TV purchases. The innovative way in which you play games on the Wii will benefit your health and coordination.”

The Nintendo Wii is also very flexible, and does not simply limit you to playing games. For example, you can view and edit photos taken with a digital camera by inserting the SD card into it and it can also be used the surf the Internet. Calcutt added, “We've known for a while that people are now beginning to use one piece of equipment for various things. Using a television to browse the Internet is still relatively new, but with consoles like the Wii, it might mean that PCs and laptops could be sacrificed somewhat. We'd like to make Laskys a one stop shop for all entertainment products, and the Wii has the potential to almost be a one stop product for entertainment.”

Laskys' games console products now include the Sony Playstation 3, Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo DS Lite and now the Nintendo Wii.

For more information please visit www.laskys.com or email customerservices@laskys.com

RESOURCES:

This press release has been brought to you by Laskys.com. Laskys.com is an online only specialist retailer in home entertainment. Get your next LCD TV, Plasma TV or Laptops from them . They have low priced cheap products including the Panasonic Plasma TV, Pioneer Plasma Television, Samsung LCD TV, LG LCD TV, HP Laptop and Sony Laptop. You may visit their Laskys Blog to comment on product updates.

New Cutting Edge TVs Now Available From Laskys | 0 replies since Jun 19, 2008, 01:54 PM
John Kaduwanema:

June 2008 – LCD and Plasma TV specialist online shop Laskys is one of the first retailers in the UK to stock the new, award winning HD (HD), Freesat VIERA series of Panasonic tvs . This product placement builds upon Laskys reputation to supply premium brand TVs, DVD players, laptops, digital cameras and games consoles at very competitive prices, offering unparalleled levels of service to their customers.

The Panasonic VIERA series offers the first Panasonic Plasma TV and Samsung LCD TV with Freesat HD built-in. These cutting-edge televisions boast a multitude of features to deliver exceptional moving picture resolution, beautiful colour reproduction and amazing sound but are also very easy to use, giving viewers the optimum HD viewing experience.

The built in Freesat, is a brand new digital satellite TV service provided through a partnership between the BBC and ITV, giving you free HD programmes at no extra cost. Freesat has no contract, no subscription, just a one-off payment for the TV, satellite dish and installation. And because Freesat is broadcast via satellite, it is available to almost every household in the UK.

The VIERA includes Panasonic's flagship ‘Intelligent Frame Creation System' which provides an optimised picture performance ideal for sports, movies and games. This system creates and inserts additional motion compensated frames between the source frames, resulting in natural frame-to-frame transitions, for smooth motion images.

The VIERA reproduces all HD sources including Blu-ray and the Freesat programming. Up-scaling capabilities are able to reproducing standard definition sources such as DVD or TV programming, where HD is not yet available.The series is also able to achieve a staggering 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio which results in deep, robust blacks on screen. The range of shades from black to white reproduces a more life-like image on screen, immersing the viewer more in to the action.

When choosing between the VIERA Plasma and VIERA LCD models, it is really just a question of size. LCD is at its optimum performance up to and including 32 inches, whilst Plasma offers optimum performance at 37 inches and above. Therefore, if you wish to purchase a smaller flat panel set, then LCD offers the greater performance. In contrast if you are looking for a larger screen size, Plasma is the best option.

Plasma TVs have in the past received a lot of bad press in relation to their impact on the environment. At Panasonic impact on the environment is taken into consideration from the design stage. The lead-free Plasma panels within the VIERA series hope to reduce lead usage by 280 tons per year. Also the ECO mode helps to lower power consumption by adjusting the brightness of images according to the level of room lighting to achieve an energy-saving operation.

Panasonic's TVs, represented by the VIERA range of Plasma and LCD TVs, have consistently been rated as among the very best available; the VIERA TH-46PZ81B achieved '5 Stars' from What Hi-Fi magazine and Home Cinema Choice's 'Best Buy' both for July 2008.

For more information please visit www.laskys.com or email customerservices@laskys.com

A Television Buying Guide | 0 replies since Jun 19, 2008, 01:43 PM updated Jun 19, 2008, 01:44 PM
John Kaduwanema:

A Television Buying Guide

As technology advances at breakneck speeds, buying a new television set seems to get more and more complicated. But with new innovations such as digital TV, HDTV, Freesat and home cinema sound, if your current TV set is more than 5 years old, now is a great time to upgrade.

This guide takes you through these new innovations and aims to help you make a purchase that will take your enjoyment of television to a whole new level.

LCD or Plasma

LCD and Plasma technologies work in very different ways, but the advantages of both are similar:

* No scanning lines enable a better quality flicker free picture.

* Sharp, clear pictures with less reflection from sunlight.

* Wide viewing angle - slim space saving design.

* Slim attractive TVs that can be wall mounted like a picture.

When choosing between a Plasma or LCD TV, it is really just a question of size. LCD is at its optimum performance up to and including 32 inches, whilst Plasma offers optimum performance at 37 inches and above. Therefore, if you wish to purchase a smaller flat panel set, then LCD offers the greater performance, in contrast if you are looking for a larger screen size, Plasma is the best option.

HD TV

Perhaps the most significant innovation to television since colour technology, High Definition (HD) TV brings detail, clarity and colour, with images often 4xs as sharp as those from traditional television sets. To view high definition programmes you must have a HD Ready TV. Sky and Freesat have already started broadcasting in high definition so you can now enjoy a range of your favourite programmes, films and sporting events with amazing life-like pictures.

If you choose not to invest in a high definition source at this time, you need not be concerned as all HD Ready TVs work excellently with standard broadcasts. As well as enhancing the picture quality and enjoyment you get from the TV, purchasing an HD Ready TV is a way of ‘future proofing' yourself.

Integrated Digital Tuner

A TV with an integrated digital tuner (also known as an idTV) allows you to receive all free to air digital channels, including E4, BBC3, Sky News and many more without the need for a separate set top box.

However, if you plan to team your new television with a sky digital subscription than an idTV may not be necessary.

Freesat

Freesat, is a brand new digital satellite TV service provided through a partnership between the BBC and ITV, giving you free HD programmes at no extra cost. Freesat has no contract, no subscription, just a one-off payment for the TV, satellite dish and installation. And because Freesat is broadcast via satellite, it is available to almost every household in the UK. Freesat TV is currently only available with Panasonic TVs.

Home Cinema

A Home Cinema System brings the full sound and big-screen experience of the movie theatre into your home. Technology has advanced so far in the last few years that you can enjoy amazing quality audiovisuals without paying a fortune. Dolby Digital Surround Sound allows you to become absorbed in the action, while a projector TV offers incredibly clear widescreen viewing.

• A Home Cinema System with Dolby Surround Sound takes movie watching to a whole new level. Wherever the action is on screen - that's where the sound comes from in your room. If there's a helicopter chasing the villain from behind, that's where you will hear the chopper blades! It's an experience that makes watching movies even more exciting and puts you at the centre of the action

• Projector TVs provide the closest experience to having your own private cinema at home. They can provide the largest possible screen size an affordable price. With recent advancements in technology there is very little difference between the three types of projection system; LCD, DLP and LCOS. Basically a projector + Dolby Surround Sound = the ultimate viewing experience!

This article has been brought to you by Laskys. LCD and Plasma TV specialist online shop Laskys is one of the first retailers in the UK to stock the new, award winning high definition (HD), Freesat VIERA series of Panasonic TVs. This product placement builds upon Laskys reputation to supply premium brand TVs, DVD players, laptops, digital cameras and games consoles at very competitive prices, offering unparalleled levels of service to their customers.

RESOURCES:

This article has been brought to you by Laskys. Laskys is an online only specialist retailer in home entertainment. Get your next LCD TVS, PLASMA TVS and LAPTOPS from them . They have low priced cheap products including panasonic plasma tv, pioneer plasma television, samsung lcd tv, lg lcd tv, hp laptop and sony laptop. You may visit their the Laskys Blog to comment on product updates.

Laskys Teams up with LoveFilm.com for an Ideal Night In | 0 replies since May 21, 2008, 02:28 PM
John Kaduwanema:

May 2008 – Home entertainment online retailer Laskys.com has partnered with online movie rental store LoveFilm.com to offer customers a superb package. By signing up to the LoveFilm rental service via Laskys.com, customers will get 30 days of free rentals, as well as a £10 online voucher at the LoveFilm shop.

The partnership allows Laskys.com customers to fully enjoy their purchases and is fully managed online at LoveFilm.com. Members can simply browse and order their films of choice online and will receive their DVDs through the post. They will be able to keep them for as long as they want to as there are no penalties for late returns. Films are returned via post using the prepaid return envelope supplied with the discs.

Assistant Trading Manager James Barber said, “This is a great opportunity for us, LoveFilm and our loyal customers. We want to offer our customers the best experience possible, including getting the most out of their LCD TV or Plasma TV. Our partnership with LoveFilm means that they can watch their favourite movies on their new TV or DVD player

“It's a great offer, and the ongoing service that LoveFilm are providing is brilliant. You will never have to clutter your living room up with DVD boxes when you'll be able to just rent movies for as little as £3.99 a month.”

Laskys and LoveFilm will be running the offer indefinitely. Visitors to the Laskys site will be able to sign up from the homepage and LCD and Plasma TV pages.

RESOURCES:

This press release has been brought to you by Laskys.com. Laskys.com is an online only specialist retailer in home entertainment. Get your next LCD TV, Plasma TV or Laptops from them . They have low priced cheap products including the Panasonic Plasma TV, Pioneer Plasma Television, Samsung LCD TV, LG LCD TV, HP Laptop and Sony Laptop. You may visit their Laskys Blog to comment on product updates.

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