July 10

Buying a television isn't like it used to be is it...?

I mean back in the old days it was simply a case of seeing a brand you liked, saying something like "ooh, that's cheap..." and before you knew it you were watching a brand new box in your front room.

Nowadays the choices are endless, the prices are bonkers and then you've got the whole HD era to confuse you.



I'm going through the whole process at the moment and, I must say, I've learned a lot about a whole bunch of things a month ago I never knew I was missing out on.

So in this latest blog I will try to break it down for you and help clear the mist (or is that static) of confusion.

Earlier this year I decided to upgrade (or pimp) my home sound and visual setup. Like many others I spent a fortune on buying a 60GB PS3 and, within hours of doing so, realised I needed an HD (High Definition) TV to make the best use of it.

Basically for those that have been living in a cupboard for the last year or so, we are now living in an HD world.

And for those that don't know what HD is, allow our friends at Wikipedia to explain...

"High-definition television (HDTV) is a digital television broadcasting system with a significantly higher resolution than traditional formats (NTSC, SECAM, PAL).

"While some early analog HDTV formats were broadcast in Europe and Japan, HDTV is usually broadcast digitally, because digital television (DTV) broadcasting requires much less bandwith.

"HDTV technology was first introduced in the US during the 1990s by a group of electronics companies called the Digital HDTV Grand Alliance."

Speaking in layman's terms, HDTV is the next generation of home entertainment viewing and sound. The picture quality is sharper, brighter and more defined and the sound is crystal clear.

The problem that people face when buying a new HDTV is deciding which one is better than any other.

Many people first became aware of the HD revolution when the Sony Bravia advert (remember the one with the multi-coloured balls bouncing down the street?) hit our screens.

Since then literally hundreds of television manufacturers have developed their own HD units to compete at varying prices.

Such is the competition in the market at the moment that the average price of a brand new HD TV is now around £500. That's a drop of around £500 from the original £1,000 average asking price.

While the electronic giants including Sony, Panasonic, Philips and LG have all released numerous models of all shapes and sizes, the market has allowed the lesser-known manufacturers like Technosonic and Digihome to release their own HD units at lower prices.

While many would rather trust the reputation of more well-known brands, the cheaper options are actually really quite good and well worth the money and the gamble.

However, if... like me, you feel safer in the knowledge that you have bought a brand name proven in the past then the prices are right at the moment to go for broke.

For the true tech-heads among us there are a number of product features to look at specifically when buying an HDTV.

Firstly the 'contrast ratio' is an important feature to look at.

Put simply, contrast ratio is the scale between the brightest and darkest colours that the screen can produce at the same time.

Fact: Televisions with a higher contrast ratio are considered to be better than ones with lower contrast ratios. Examples include 1,200:1 and 7,500:1 (the latter being considered better).

Secondly, it's worth looking at the 'pixel resolution'. Again, in layman's terms this refers to the number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen. The more the merrier!

Another important factor is the 'response time' for the unit. This is the amount of time taken for the screen to respond in milliseconds. The quicker the better. 8 milliseconds is a very good speed.

However it is worth remembering that manufacturers like to make things a tad difficult by making up their own features and renditions of them.

It is also worth remembering when buying an HDTV that 'HD Ready' is different to 'Full HD'.

Basically HD Ready means that it is ready to display high definition programmes/DVDs and game console graphics providing that the TV has high definition information fed to it.

The BBC and Sky are currently working on HD programmes and HD channels but they are not up to scratch yet and have not been fully launched.

Full HD means that it will feature full HD when the whole HD revolution is on line. For now, I wouldn't worry too much.

As long as you have the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables essential for relaying the information you'll be fine.

So if you use this blog as your checklist, you won't go far wrong in picking a good HDTV and vastly enhancing your television experience. ===========================================================

Congratulations to Ian Smith of Whitleigh for winning a fab Nintendo DS and a copy of Touchmaster.

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And if you were one of the unlucky ones here's another chance to win some fab goodies!

Game On has teamed up with NCsoft to offer two blog readers a copy of city of heroes city of villains on the PC, a hat, T-shirt, NCsoft mouse, figurines, a Lord

Recluse statue, posters and a bag.

One mission, Two sides, An epic tale of good versus evil, NCsoft brings to you the ninth issue of City Of Heroes City Of Villains, Breakthrough.

Become a Hero and keep it clean in Paragon City or, get your hands a little dirty in the Rogue Isles. Join forces with the villains and hit the black markets for some dodgy deals and hell raising destruction.

City of Heroes City of Villains, Breakthrough, is the ultimate and unique online game play filled with thousands of other heroes and villains worldwide.

Choose your team and create your identity as you face your arch-enemies in head to head battles of good versus evil. Customize your character and select from thousands of powers, skills and costumes, then the battle begins. Prepare to defend the world you chose to live in.

Explore the stunning scenery and skyscrapers, dirty filled sewers and dangerous backstreets if you are brave enough?

To win a goodie bag all readers have to do is answer a simple question and email me the answer - together with your address and phone number - to tnichols@eveningherald.co.uk with NCsoft competiton' written in the subject line.

Couldn't be simpler if you've read the above text!

And here's the simple question - Which edition of the game is City Of Heroes City Of Villains, Breakthrough?

a). Third?

b). Seventh? or

c). Ninth?

When emailing in an entry please, please, PLEASE also include your daytime telephone number.

Closing date for entries is Friday 20th July. Only one entry per household is permitted. The editor's decision is final, and the first correct entry chosen will win the prize as stated. No correspondence will be entered into. The Herald accepts no responsibility for any damage or injury caused by competition prizes. Any inquiries should be directed to the manufacturer or retailer. Employees of South West Media Group Ltd and their families are ineligible to enter. The promoter is NCsoft, and you are advised to retain this information.



REVIEWS:

Title: Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix

Platform: PS2 RRP: &dollar39.99

Hit count: 4/5

Imagine Grand Theft Auto but with wizards. Now you have some idea of how the fab new Harry Potter game works.

Anyone will tell you that games based on films don't really work. (Look at the Spiderman 3 title). But this one is different.

In Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix you get to explore Hogwarts and complete missions and unlock new and exciting spells.

And this time players get to control only Harry with the other two main characters acting in supporting roles.

The game is addictive with its free roam playability, and graphically it's pretty good.

Title: Pokemon Pearl

Platform: Nintendo DS RRP: &dollar29.99

Hit count: 3/5

For me, this series is what the Nintendo DS is all about. Pokemon was one of the first games I played on the console... and one of the last games on it that I loved.

You set off either as a boy or girl trainer to the Sinnoh region where two famous Pokemon live. Your objective is to befriend the two Pokemon before Team Galaxy take control of their powers.

Over the years Pokemon fans have caught glimpses of Mime Jr, Lucario, Munchlax and Weavile in the movies - and now they have the chance to meet them in the game.

You can also utilise the DS's dual slots to transfer Pokemon from the GBA Pokemon games and you can link up with Pok?mon Ranger to access more special content.