Samsung's 3D HDTV: The PN58C8000

Samsung’s PN58C8000 is one of the top three 3-D ready HDTV models available in their 8000 series. This 58-inch ultra-thin HDTV is a work of art and performs wonderfully as well. The price tag might be a little higher than the other TVs available in the same size category, but the PN58C8000’s performance is worth the extra cash.

The 8000 series features Samsung’s Touch of Color Design, but instead of the red-accented finish found on Samsung’s LN55C650, the PN58C8000’s plastic bezel is a metallic-looking brushed titanium. The PN58C8000 is incredibly thin. It is nearly as slim as the ultra-thin LG Infinia 47LX9500. This sleek set from Samsung features a remote control sensor and 3D transmitter embedded in the bezel with five touch-sensitive buttons for power, channel, volume, input select, and menu. The HDTV also has two 10-watt speakers under the bottom bezel that emit pretty good sound.

The PN58C8000 has plenty of frequently used connection spots including: two USB ports, four HDMI ports, two audio outputs, a PC audio input, component and composite A/V ports, a wired network port, a coaxial TV cable/ antenna jack, and a PC (VGA) port.

The remote to this HDTV set is classy. It features a brushed metal face with chrome trim and has 47 touch-sensitive keys that are well illuminated and very responsive, including an important key that you will most likely use often that allows you to toggle between 2D and 3D.

Samsung features one of the best catalogs of TV Internet applications to date. Their streaming video sites include: Netflix, YouTube, Vudu, Hulu Plus, CinemaNow, Explore 3D, and DailyMotion. Other useful Internet apps available include: Twitter, Facebook, Picasa Web Albums, Pandora Radio, Napster, Accuweather, Google Maps, USA Today, and more.

The 8000 series utilizes Samsung’s Real Black Filter technology that allows the screen to produce very deep blacks and enhanced shadow detail. Basically, it helps to reduce the glare of natural or ambient light. This is a truly fantastic development.

The PN58C8000 does a great job displaying 3D images. It really comes through with producing a realistic 3D effect, and if you’re favorite movies aren’t available in 3D, the PN58C8000 features the ability to convert 2D content into a watered-down 3D version. One of the few downsides with this TV involves the 3D glasses. They simply are not attractive, not comfortable, and not included in the price of the set. They are $149.99 per pair. Samsung does offer a much more attractive pair for $199.99, but who knows if they are any more comfortable than the cheaper pair?

The Samsung PN58C8000 is listed for $3,000. Yes, this is a little bit more than the other 3D TVs available now, but the PN58C8000 really is a wonderful set. The HDTV is sleek, chic, and stylish. It features a touch-sensitive remote and 2D to 3D converting capabilities. This HDTV is a little pricey, but it is definitely worth it. So are you ready to make the leap to 3D?

Call Rentacomputer.com today at 800-736-8772 if you are in the market for a Nationwide Copier Rental.

Panasonic Adds New Features Their 2010 Viera TVs

Panasonic has added Netflix streaming and a Blu-ray player to their 2010 lineup of HDTVs. This Netflix feature will be free for existing Netflix customers. These new TVs will also come with Viera Cast Internet service, which will allow you to surf the internet right from your TV. Panasonic has even added USB connectivity to their Viera-enabled TVs, so that users have the ability to hook up a keyboard or a wireless LAN adaptor for easy navigation.

Merwan Merbey, vice president of Panasonic North America stated, “The addition of Netflix to our 2010 Viera Cast offerings now gives consumers access to the leading online movie subscription service right from their 2010 Viera Cast-enabled Viera HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players. The features now available on Viera Cast provide consumers with access to a wide range of the leading entertainment and interactive sites, which allow them to enjoy high-definition movies and connect directly with family and friends right from their HDTV in the comfort of their own living room."

Viera Cast was introduced by Panasonic at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2008. They had hopes of offering YouTube, Picasa Web Albums, and Bloomberg News. In 2009 at the CES they added Amazon Video on Demand to their content. Now in 2010 Panasonic has added access to Twitter, Skype, Fox Sports, Pandora, and Netflix.

There are five different Viera HDTV series from Panasonic that will have the Netflix capabilities, including: VT25, VT20, GT25, G25, and G20. From those series there will be 13 different sets available to choose from. Netflix capabilities will also be available on seven of Panasonic’s Blu-ray models.

If these aren’t the type of TVs that you’re looking for, check out some of Panasonic’s other TVs like the Panasonic TC-PVT25 3D TV.

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Panasonic TC-PVT25: Named Best 3D TV of CES

3D technology is growing in popularity. We’re seeing it show up in gaming devices such as the Nintendo 3DS, in laptops such as HP’s Envy 17, and in televisions such as the Panasonic TC-PVT25. The public seems to continue to be intrigued by 3D technology, so I believe it will continue to be prevalent as technology advances.

Picking the right 3D HDTV can be difficult though. There are many different things that you must consider. Although there are big name brand 3D TVs are everywhere, you may not have to look any further than the Panasonic TC-PVT25. It was named the best 3D TV of CES.

There were several advantages that helped make the TC-PVT25 the top choice. First off, the TC-PVT25 is an extension of Panasonic’s extremely popular TC-PV10 series that was released last year. This 3D model features improved black level and enhanced picture quality. It not only offers a fantastic 3D experience, but also delivers a great 2D picture as well. Panasonic is even nice enough to throw in a pair of 3D glasses, which most other retailers do not do.

There are four different sizes that Panasonic offers: a 50-inch, a 54-inch, a 58-inch, and a 65-inch screen. All models feature Panasonic’s VIERA CAST IPTV functionality and are THX certified. This series of 3D TVs range from $2,599-$4,299.

If you’re looking for a 3D TV, this is a great series to consider. Panasonic’s TC-PVT25 series is excellent. The price tag may seem a little high, but if you really want a 3D TV, you’re just going to have to accept that it’s not going to be the cheapest purchase. If you really want to make the leap to 3D, this is a definite consideration.

Check out other 3D TVs like Samsung's PNC7000 Plasma.

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Apples LED Cinema Display

Apple has just recently introduced a ton of new technology. Along with iPods and other new gadgets, Apple has released a new 27-inch beautiful display for their new and older model computers. Will these new displays live up to the Apple hype or will they fall short? Here are some of the improvements coming with these new displays:

Bigger and brighter

Apple's new displays will be 27 inches of gorgeous wide screen. The displays are presented with back lit LED technology and therefore have no need to warm up. When turned on, the display will be instantly bright and can be adjusted to suit the lighting of any room. They will have a 16:9 aspect ratio and an 2560-by-1440 resolution. The new display also has 60 percent more pixels than their previous 24 inch.

Built in iSight Camera and microphone

The 27-inch displays include both a microphone ad iSight camera, but this isn't huge news since most monitors come with these features now. One good quality is that the iSight camera can be used in conjunction with Photobooth that comes on newer Macs.

Connection made easy

The new displays can hook up to any of the newer lines of Macs, such as MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro. The displays come with the mini display connector, which replaces bulky monitor connections with one small cord, and carries both video and audio. Also with the new displays comes the MagSafe connector that can power whatever device that is hooked to the display without a charge cord. The display also has three USB 2.0 ports.

Energy efficient and environmentally friendly

While it won't make a difference in the looks or performance department for the display, environmentalists can rest easy knowing that this is the greenest display Apple has released yet. They are toxin free, easily recyclable, and have an Energy Star rating of 5.0.

Overall, this new display is large, bright, and a beautiful monitor for any Mac computer, but since it hasn't been released just yet, it is uncertain if the price tag will be hefty. Nonetheless, this is a brilliant display that is easy to use, and that's what everyone expects from Apple.

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A Monster, miniaturized.

Touch technology has come a long way in just a few short years. To keep up with the trend Nanovision has come up with a companion monitor with touch capabilities that can totally change the way a second monitor is looked at. The iMo Mini-Monster packs a big bang in a small, convenient package.
This little guy has appeared on the scene with ten inches of touch technology and is easily connected to your main machine by USB cables. Its design is simplistic, looking like a regular tablet, with a hinge at the back that allows it to stand up like a picture frame. Resolution is 1024 x 600, with a touchscreen display, 400:1 contrast ratio and 350cd/m2 brightness, and weighs a tiny 1.77 pounds. The monitor is small enough to be hand held, but not so small that it causes squinting when resting on the desk.

Since the Mini-Monster hooks up to a computer through a USB port instead of an actual video port, it uses DisplayLinks drivers to create a virtual monitor connection, as well as pulling power through the USB port. The USB connection has its ups and downs; while it can be used with smaller devices like laptops, and even netbooks, the creation of the virtual monitor connection and related drivers can use small amounts of CPU, slowing down an older machine.

While Nanovision has released other, smaller touch screen USB monitors, the Mini-Monster comes with many new features and additions that make it special. The Monster is both Windows and Mac OS compatible, with the OS X touchscreen driver being at no extra cost, while with previous models these drivers were extra. This little powerhouse of a touchscreen also offers its own Twitter apps, photoshop, and music player controls built in, so no more need to have them cluttering up your main screen. If your machine's USB ports lack the power to run the monitor, Nanovision has included a double-headed cable to supply the appropriate amount of power. Also included is a stylus for more accurate touch screen usage.

With a small size and a quality display, the iMo Mini-Monster is a great way to expand your laptop, desktop, or even netbook screen size, and with touchscreen capabilities ease of use is vastly improved upon over similar non-touch secondary monitors. Retailing at $259.00, it is a little on the expensive side, but does not fail to deliver. This little monster is worth checking out if you're in the market for a little more screen space with a lot of quality.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

V7's New Mounts & Stands for Monitors, TVs, and Projectors

The company V7 has announced a new line of mounts and stands for flat-panel TVs, monitors, and projectors. All products are said to be ideal for your home, office, or school and can even be used with public signage in places like hotels, restaurants, and convention centers. They're backed by a five-year warranty.

In a press release the Vice President and General Manager of Ingram Micro's Global V7 Private Label Group, Rainer Kozlik, said, "V7 offers reliable and sturdy wall mounts to secure flat-panel TVs or monitors, providing a sleek and clean appearance. As with all our products, V7 mounts enhance the profit potential of Ingram Micro's resellers by offering products with higher margins from a convenient and trusted source."

Here's a look at some of the wall mounts available for various TV and LCD monitors:

Low-Profile Wall Mounts. These fixed and tilt mounts for monitors and flat-panel TVs are great for displays and mount them only two inches from the wall. The non-fixed version tilts up to seven degrees for a reduction in glare. They also feature green product design and packaging. The mount fitting the 23- to 42-inch displays retails for $59.99, while the 37- to 63-inch mount is available for $69.99.

Large Tilt/Fixed Wall Mounts. These mounts tilt up to fifteen degrees for glare reduction and to increase viewing comfort. They will cost you $69.99 and will fit a 37- to 63- inch flat screen display. There is also a non-tilt version for this size which retails for $69.99.

Extra-Large Low Profile Wall Mounts. These mounts fit 42- to 70-inch flat panel displays and also tilt up to seven degrees. They sell for about $79.99.

Flat Panel Wall Mount. Designed for 13- to 24-inch flat panels, this mount allows users to not only tilt their displays, but to pan and swivel as well. This extra bit of flexibility will cost you about $89.99.

Low-Profile Combo Wall Mounts. These fit 23- to 37-inch displays and are made of solid steel, making them very durable. They retail for $59.99.

When it comes to projector installation, V7's line of Universal Ceiling Mounts offers easy-to-adjust designs, making them perfect for classrooms and conference rooms. For $99.99 you can purchase one that fits most micro projectors. It also features an adjustable pipe. Another version, which fits almost any other projector and features adjustable legs, retails for just $79.99.

The new desktop stands from V7 are easy to install and offer maximum functionality. They are great for anyone who uses a computer. Here is a brief look at the different stands you can purchase:

Desktop Monitor Mount Model: For a 13- to 26-inch flat panel display this tilt-and-pan head mount will cost you $89.99.

Single-Arm Desktop Mount Model: This tilt-and-pan single-arm mount fits a 13- to 26-inch display and will cost $119.99.

Double-Arm Desktop Monitor Mount: This double-arm mount fits a 13- to 26-inch flat panel monitor. It tilts, pans, and swivels. It retails for $129.99.

For more information on these products, visit V7-world.com.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

Gorilla Glass Could Be the Next Big Thing

In 1962, an ultra-strong glass was formulated in the labs, but no one could come up with a practical commercial use for it. For half a century, this glass has been sitting in research labs with no purpose, but finally Corning Inc. has found a use for the super strong glass.

Corning Inc. is a 159-year old glass company. They are calling this new glass Gorilla glass, and they expect it to become the new face on touch screen tablets and high-end TVs.

Gorilla glass first showed up in 2008, and it has developed into a $170 million a year business. It has been utilized as a protective layer over the screens of more than 40 million cellphones and mobile devices.

Now as Gorilla glass uses and developments progress, it moves into the TV industry. It is perfect because it is very difficult to dent, scratch, or break. With Gorilla glass, TVs are going to progress into what can be almost considered a work of art. Companies are now heading in the direction of frameless flat-screen TVs that will get rid of the protective rims and bezels that are normally found on them. Corning is currently talking to different Asian manufacturers to negotiate the use of Gorilla glass in TVs by early 2011. They already have productions in their Harrodsburg, KY factory in full force, and they are converting part of a second factory in Japan so that they can fill what they predict to be overflowing orders in 2011. "That'll tell you something about our confidence in this," said Corning President Peter Volanakis.

Even when it is half the thickness of ordinary chemically strengthened soda-lime glass, Gorilla is still two or three times stronger. Because of the incredible strength of Gorilla glass, it can be as thin as a dime. This will help in cutting not only the weight of the TV but also the shipping costs.

Investors are already making predictions about Gorilla glass. Deutsche Bank analyst Carter Shoop says, "There's a wide range of views on how successful this product will be. But I think it's safe to say…it's a tremendous opportunity. We'll have to see how consumers react."

Paul Gagnon, a DisplaySearch market analyst, states that alternatives "obviously scratch easier, they're thicker and heavier, but they're also cheaper." He guesses that a sheet of Gorilla glass would add anywhere from $30 to $60 to the cost of the TV. I think that the general public would be happy to pay extra for this new, chic, frameless TV. Like it or not, TVs are becoming focal points in living rooms and family rooms across America, so why not pay a little extra for a sleek, stylish, glass work of art.

Corning President, Peter Volanakis, says, "This is a fashion trend, not a functional trend, and that's what makes (the growth rate) very hard to predict. But because the market is so large in terms of number of TVs -- and the amount of glass per TV is so large -- that's what can move the needle pretty quickly."

Gorilla glass is an amazing product. It is already used in over 100 different devices including Motorola’s Droid smartphone and LG’s X300 Notebook. It will be quite interesting to watch the developments in the television industry as they move forward with their Gorilla glass visions. A lighter, frameless TV sounds like a dream come true. We’ll have to see how Corning Inc. and whoever they choose to work with comes through as the next few years progress.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!