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Tag: pbs

  • The Top-Rated Vizio M3D470KD HDTV Set

    If you want a high quality HDTV device but can’t see yourself paying more than $1,000, do yourself a favor and check out the 47-inch Vizio M3D470KD. Coming in at a lean $900, this edge-lit LED delivers excellent image quality, intense colors, and fantastic wireless connectivity.

    Vizio’s solid new release centers around the remote control. It’s fitted with a full keyboard, so linking the set with an Apple TV and navigating streaming content is a breeze. It’s not fully without it’s flaws, as the sound from the built-in speakers isn’t fantastic, but you can’t do much better at this price point.

    The M3D470KD features both 2D and 3D viewing, and tests shows it performs well in either setting. And though the image does suffer from some softness depending on the content, it features a wide range of angles of acceptable viewing, which sets it apart from other LED competitors.

    Again, the big drawback is the sound. It distorts without being pushed very far, and the imitation surround sound system is just that. So if you’re looking for the full theatrical experience, it will best be paired with a set of quality speakers.

    It’s also quite green, having earned the Energy Star label. While it uses a fairly average amount of watts when turned on, when turned off it uses close to zero energy. The backlight adjusts to the amount of ambient light as well, so it won’t waste the juice if it’s unnecessary.

    Vizio’s new release isn’t the simplest HDTV to set up, but it comes with a wealth of installed features. You’ll access Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon and Vudu Pay-Per-View services and YouTube right out of the box, as well as direct access to many of the most popular websites in the world. You’ll even find a dedicated set of web video channels, pulled from sites like PBS, Vimeo and Funny or Die. So if you’re willing to pay for a solution to the audio issue, you’ll find yourself more than happy with the purchase.

  • High definition broadcast of 4th of July fireworks from US capital promises to be a spectacular affair


    It’s billed as America’s biggest birthday party and one that even those not able to attend in person will be able to enjoy on HDTV.
    Demand from viewers has led to coverage of this year’s Capitol Fourth celebrations from Washington DC being given extended coverage on the US public broadcast network PBS.
    The Independence Day fireworks will be captured live by 18 cameras positioned around the capital as national landmarks such as the US Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials are silhouetted on the skyline.
    An estimated 100 million homes in the US own HDTVs – around 41 per cent of TV owners.
    Jerry Colbert, executive producer of Capital Concerts, said that if you couldn’t be in Washington, DC for the event, watching it on HDTV would be the next best thing.
    “We heard from our viewers that they’d like to see more of the most amazing fireworks display in the nation,” he said.
    “We are pleased to respond to our viewers’ requests, not only with extended coverage of this year’s fireworks, but we’ve also added more TV cameras that will capture these dazzling and colourful pyrotechnics in high definition from virtually every panorama.”
    The event will be broadcast on PBS Friday, July 4, 2008 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET.
    Capping off the show will be a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery.
    Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning film, theatre and television actor Jimmy Smits will host the 28th annual broadcast of the concert, featuring musical performances from some of the country’s best known and award-winning artists.
    Grammy winners Huey Lewis and the News, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell, classical superstar Hayley Westenra and soprano Harolyn Blackwell will perform a selection of music with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Erich Kunzel.
    Olympic Gold Medal winner Scott Hamilton will lead a tribute to Team USA members competing in Bejing.