We receive emails from listeners all the time asking us which HDTV we recommend. That list will vary depending on the use case and budget of the emailer. On today’s show we’d like to tell you what our picks are for a typical use scenario for low to medium budgets.
We receive emails from listeners all the time asking us which HDTV we recommend. That list will vary depending on the use case and budget of the emailer. On today’s show we’d like to tell you what our picks are for a typical use scenario for low to medium budgets.
Samsung LN46C650 46-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV – We selected this TV for a variety of reasons. At 46 inches it is the perfect size for most family rooms. Yes you can go larger but this TV doesn’t dominate the room and provides you easy options for placement. As far as features are concerned, this TV is packed full of them. Its 1080p 120Hz that provides a beautiful picture whether you are watching a movie of sporting event. Samsung uses a technology they call “Wide Color Enhancer 3” to provide better blues and greens. Note – picture quality assessment is being made on the performance of this model’s predecessor the LN46B650. This unit will be available for pre-sale and will be released March 8th.
The TV is also Internet capable (wireless support built in) and has easy access to weather, news, sports and stock information. In addition to news the C650 supports Yahoo widgets so you can keep up with Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube. Finally, as if all this isn’t enough the TV supports Amazon Video on Demand.
Simple media center – The TV is DLNA certified so you can view movies and listen to music from your PC essentially turning the TV in a standalone media center. While you won’t be able to serve the content to other TVs it will save you the hassle of having to find your DVDs to watch your favorite movies.
The Samsung LN46C650 will sell for $1300.
Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P50G10 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV – This plasma was selected for some of the same aesthetic reasons as the Samsung. Fifty inches will fit in almost any family room without taking away from the room decor. From a technical point of view the TV has one of the best pictures we have seen. It produces a brilliant picture from any viewing angle and has lightning quick response times so watching everything from movies to Ice Hockey is free of motion artifacts.
The G10 is also Internet capable but instead of Yahoo Widgets it supports Panasonic’s own VIERA Cast technology. Like Yahoo widgets, VIERA Cast displays news, weather, and stock information as well as supporting YouTube, Picasa Web Albums, and Amazon on demand. Unlike the Samsung, the Panasonic requires a wired connection to your network for the Internet features.
You can also connect an external drive with H.264 AVCHD turning the plasma into a basic media center.
The Panasonic TC-P50G10 goes for $1270.
VIZIO VA370M 37-Inch Full HD 1080p LCD HDTV – In our budget line we chose a smaller TV. Its a compromise in size for price. At 37 inches it can still function as your primary screen in most family rooms. The TV is 1080p which really doesn’t matter since you’ll have to sit about three feet away from it to see the difference. Regardless you can tell your friends that you have a 1080p set. Picture quality is good but it won’t compare with the previously mentioned TVs. However, if this is your first HDTV or you plan on using it for your bedroom you won’t be dissatisfied.
Like the other two TVs the Vizio supports viewing multimedia content on an external drive. However, there is no support for online content like YouTube or Yahoo widgets.
It doesn't feel like long since the start of summer, but believe it or not, Halloween is right around the corner. As the dark nights roll in, fall is the perfect time for Gothic novels, spooky horror movies, and, of course, hauntingly good podcasts -- mug of pumpkin-spiced chai optional. There are plenty of scary podcasts to choose from, whether you're looking for fictional dramas or strange-but-true tales of things going bump in the night. Whatever you're h(a)unting for, you'll find something in our list of the best scary podcasts. And if you're looking for something that won't leave you cowering under the covers, check out our roundup of the best podcasts.
Audio drama/fiction
The No Sleep Podcast
This award-winning anthology of short original horror stories is now in its 18th season, with over 500 episodes to listen to. Each episode has a haunting, atmospheric soundtrack that ensures you're truly immersed in the tale. Be warned, though -- as the name suggests, this is definitely not a podcast to listen to in bed unless you plan on staying awake all night.
Apple Podcasts Stitcher
It's no secret that Spotify has its sights set on total podcast domination, given its high-profile acquisition of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, along with several exclusive launches like The Michelle Obama Podcast and one that features the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, better known as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. But the streaming music giant is still looking for additional ways to attract both listeners and podcast creators to its platform, and its latest move is the introduction of podcast polls and Q&As.
If you're a podcast creator, polls and Q&As give you a free way to increase your engagement with your audience. Normally, a listener has few ways to directly interact with their favorite podcasts, given that most platforms like Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts are essentially no more than a way to find, subscribe to, and play podcast episodes. With Spotify's new tools, podcasts become interactive, with polls and the ability to ask listeners questions, right on the episode page.
Apple will make podcasts a more integral part of its ecosystem with the launch of Apple Podcasts+, a subscription-based service that will offer exclusive podcasts only available to subscribers, along with the wider library of shows available on its existing podcasts app. The entire Apple Podcasts app will also get a redesign, as announced during the Spring Loaded event on April 20.
The premium Podcasts+ service will launch in May with several new shows only available to Podcasts+ subscribers. Along with receiving additional curation options and recommendations for subscribers in the redesigned app via Channels, Podcasts+ subscribers will also enjoy ad-free listening settings, early access to certain shows, and more, yet-to-be-announced features.