LG BD 370 Network Blu-Ray Disc Player

Blu-ray players have been around for quite some time. Bluray did win its battle with HD-DVD a while ago and is now the standard HD media definition. A lot of blu-ray players allow you to watch high definition movies in HD and enjoy your HD experience, but there are only a few that go beyond that and allow you to do more with your player. LG BD 370 is one of of those.

LG BD 370 is the most recent LG Blu-ray network player that allows you to go beyond movies and bring more content to your HDTV through your high-speed Internet connection. The device comes with NetCast for YouTube and CinemaNow. That means you can use your gadget to watch YouTube videos right on your TV.

LG BD370 provides you with full high definition (1080P) capability. It also up-converts your non-HD media. You can also take advantage of Netflix HD-BD to play Netflix content right on your HDTV. All that can be done through your high speed Internet connection. All you have to do is connect your gadget to your Internet connection via Ethernet, and you are all set.

LGBD370 is not for everyone. If you don't have an HDTV or don't want to break the bank on high definition movies, you should look elsewhere. It's true that you can watch Netflix BD using this device, but it would be hard to justify the price of the device without proper content. But if you are looking for an innovative gadget that allows you to get more content on your HDTV using your broadband internet connection, you should try this player. The picture is crisp and the sound quality is top notch. Add to that the fact that you can watch thousands of YouTube videos on your TV, and you will have enough content to consume for years.

Looking for more Blu-Ray players?

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Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player

The Blu-ray movie format is the latest consumer movie format that is set to take over DVD movies in a year or two. The images produced even from most advanced DVD format are nowhere near the league of Blu-ray movies in terms of clarity and resolution. The image clarity is simply stunning. It brings the term 'hi-def' to a whole new level.

With that in mind, major electronic manufacturers wasted no time in rolling out their own fleet of Blu-ray players. The Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray disc player is currently one of the best players in the market. Here is a quick review of this new model.

The Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray disc player has a beautiful design. Measuring at just 8 inches long and 2 inches tall, this sleek little player can be subtly slipped into your TV cabinet. It has a black, high-gloss front panel. There are no physical buttons on the front panel, and when it is on stand-by mode, all you see is the time display from behind the gloss panel. It is undoubtedly one of the best looking players out there.

Moving on to the features, the Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray disc player plays full HD blu-ray movies at 24 frames per second. This allows you to view movies with a level of clarity and realism that was never before possible.

You can also play CDs, DVDs, and MP3 files on this player. You can either use a disc or access files through the USB port. Movies with older movie formats (such as DVDs) will be automatically up converted to the best HD quality possible. I watched some of my older DVD movies on this player (Shrek 3 and Spiderman 3) and the improvement in the quality of images was pretty impressive.

One of the coolest features of this player is that it is Netflix and Pandora ready. Just plug in the internet cable and you can download and watch videos or listen to music of the internet! Considering the amount of features that comes with the Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray disc player, this model offers great value for your money. If you are looking to get a Blu-Ray player, this model is undoubtedly the ultimate choice.

For more reviews and product info on the Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player and other Blu-ray players, visit Blu-ray Players.

HDTV Antennas - How to Choose the Right One

The type of antenna you get for your TV will determine the number of channels you can receive and the quality of the picture. If you're getting a new HDTV, you might need a new antenna, but not because the technology is different: all HDTV broadcasts are in the UHF spectrum, so any UHF antenna will do an adequate job. The real reason to get a new antenna is that there will be many more channels available, clustered into narrower frequency widths, and you might simply need a bigger and higher quality antenna.

A good strategy for buying an antenna is simply to get the best and most capable antenna that is practical for your living situation. Let's start at the top, and work our way down:

Roof- or attic-mounted outdoor UHF/HDTV antenna.

The higher you can mount your antenna, the more stations you will pull in, and the stronger they will be. If you are able to mount one on the very top of your house, do it. If neighborhood codes, landlord issues or weather concerns prevent that, the next best spot is the attic. Make sure it receives UHF, for the HDTV channels, and VHF for local channels.

One decision you'll have to make here is whether to get a directional or omnidirectional TV antenna. Your choice will depend on the location and strength of the area TV transmitters. If they are all clustered in a small area, like a nearby mountaintop, a directional antenna can be pointed in that direction and will give you the best signals. If you live halfway between two urban areas, an omnidirectional antenna will be necessary to get signals from transmitters in different directions. The easiest way to make this decision is to visit antennaweb.org, type in your address, and you'll find out which type and size antenna will be necessary.



Amplified indoor antenna.

If you can't put an antenna of the roof, or you just can't afford the cost of an outdoor antenna, an amplified indoor antenna is the next best choice. It uses an electric current to strengthen the signal, enhancing weak channels that you might not get with a regular antenna. The only problem with an amplified antenna is that they sometimes amplify noise along with the signal, so they could make some channels worse.



Non-amplified indoor antenna.

A simple "rabbit ears" antenna is the least powerful option, but in many cases it is all you need. If you live in an urban area or near a transmitter, or you simply don't want to put a lot of money into an antenna, this is your best choice.

Another thing to consider is the switch from analog to digital broadcasts that the FCC has mandated for February, 2009. If you only have a VHF antenna, but you wish to receive digital broadcasts, you will need a new antenna. You can learn more about antennas and HDTV in general at helpful HDTV info websites.

About the Author

Tom Webster is a researcher and copywriter who writes for FlatHDTV.net, a guide to the HDTV revolution.

How To Buy An MP3 Player

Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not sure which type and model to buy? There is a wide variety of MP3 players out there, from flash memory based players to hard drive based players. Choosing a good player from the market is no easy task. What features should you look for? What are the key considerations? This article aims to answer those questions and more. Now, let's see how we can pick the perfect MP3 player.

Types of MP3 player

There are essentially four types of MP3 players in the market today. These include flash-based players, hard-drive based players and MP3 CD players. Let's look at them in turn.

Flash-based MP3 players

Flash-based MP3 players have a flash memory chip built-in. They tend to be very tiny, ultra-portable and have no moving parts. As a user, you can do all your sports activities without worrying about your music skipping a beat. The downside to flash players is their high cost per megabyte. These players range from 32MB to 2GB, and the most popular models tend to be those from the Creative Muvo line, the iRiver iFP series and more recently, the Apple iPod Shuffle.

Hard-drive based MP3 players

Hard-drive based MP3 players use a 1.8-inch hard disk drive to store your music. The hard disk can hold large amounts of music - we're talking about 10GB and above. If you have a large music library and want to store tons of music, a hard-drive based MP3 player is the way to go. The cost per megabyte is very low. The downside? Well, due to the hard disk drive, which has moving parts, these players are not suited for rough physical activity or extreme sports. One of the most popular MP3 players in this category is the Apple iPod, which is selling like hot cakes out there.

Micro hard-drive based MP3 players

More recently, manufacturers have come up with micro hard-drive based MP3 players like the Apple iPod Mini, Creative Zen Micro and Rio Carbon. Featuring a smaller hard drive (which still gives ample storage space of about 4 to 5 GB), they have a much more compact design compared to full fledged hard disk players. The few models mentioned above are selling like crazy too.

MP3 CD players

MP3 CD players are another type of MP3 player. These units look and feel like regular CD players. You can burn up to 150 MP3 songs to fill one CD-R disc, then play it on the unit. The disadvantage of such players is their large size and their tendency to skip if jostled.

Key Features of MP3 Players

Having looked at the different types of MP3 players, let's look at the key features of an MP3 player.

Size and weight: If you're looking to bring your MP3 player on trips or on sporting activities, a small compact design is very important. In such cases, you should go for a small flash based player or one of the micro hard drive players.

Storage capacity: This is an important factor too. If you need to store your whole music library into the MP3 player, then you probably need a hard drive based player with 10GB of storage or above. If you only want a few select songs to listen to on the subway, then a flash based player would suffice. Do take note that some players offer expansion slots in the form of CompactFlash or SD cards.

Battery Life: This is often overlooked. Battery life is a very important consideration, especially if you're out with your player and have no way to recharge. Hard disk players tend to have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries while some flash players offer AAA battery support. I personally own a Creative MuVo Micro N200 which uses AAA batteries. This is great for me because once it runs out, I can just pop in a new one - no hassles about finding some electrical socket to recharge.

Connectivity Options: The way the MP3 player connects to your computer is also an important factor. The latest models tend to support high-speed USB 2.0 transfers. The better ones like the Apple iPod also give Firewire support.

File Format Support: You will most likely be wanting to play MP3 songs on your player. However, if you want to listen to a wider variety of music files, like WMA or OGG Vorbis, then make sure you see it in the player specs.

Other Considerations

Many of the latest players also include features I've not covered in the above. For example, some players come with a built-in FM tuner, which is very useful if you get tired of your MP3 music. Other have a built-in voice recorder which allows you to record audio as WAV files.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many considerations to think about when purchasing an MP3 player. To get the most suitable player, you want to think about how you will use the player. Usage should drive your purchase decision. The other thing to take note of is to shop around, both online and offline - compare prices before shelling out the cash. Good luck hunting for that MP3 player!

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on digital photography. Visit his website at http://www.digital-music-guide.com for tips and tricks on selecting MP3 players, music services and music software.

Sony BDP-S370 Blu-Ray Player Review

Out of the four new Blu-ray players announced this year by Sony, the BDP-S370, is the least expensive. (below $180.00) Costing less, doesn't always mean lesser value. You still get a nice set of features. Including access to BRAVIA® Internet Video, iPhone®/iPod touch® compatibility, Gracenote™ Metadata Service, Share Personal Entertainment and many more.

The BDP-S370 is coated with a glossy black finish and has a slim/sleek design. The control buttons are located on the front bottom where there is an indentation. The buttons are a mixture of touch sensitive controls and push buttons. Also, located on the front of the player, providing you easy access, is an USB port. The audio and Video outputs are found on the back of the Blu-ray player. And with it's Quick Start/Quick Load feature, you can start enjoying movies faster than ever before on a Blu-ray Player.

Video Quality: Displays great picture quality when playing Blu-ray Disc, the BDP-S370 can be connected the following ways: HDMI, Component or Composite Video outputs. HDMI connection will give you Full 1080p Output. Further enhancing the video display are features such as 24p True Cinema™ Technology, Deep Color and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling. Like almost all Blu-ray Players, the BDP-S370 will upscale standard resolution to 1080p image quality when playing a standard DVD.

Audio Quality: The BDP-S370 has internal audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby TrueHD (bitstream), Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD (bitstream). It has a 192kHz/24bit Analog-to-Digital Converter and supports Digital Video Standards such as AVCH, MP3 and PCM. Audio connections for the BD-S370 are as follows: HDMI, Analog Audio Output: 2.0ch (L/R) and one Optical Audio Output. Unfortunately, there are no 7.1 audio outputs. Therefore a receiver with a HDMI input is require to decode the newest audio codes that are on the Blu-ray movie. All of these features and functions help provide you with very good audio quality.

This entry level Blu-ray Player has many other great features. One of which is BRAVIA® Internet Video. Here you can access a wide range of movies, TV shows, videos and music from the internet and stream them directly onto your TV. Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker and much more are all included with the BRAVIA® Internet Video feature. The BD-S370 will upscale the streaming media to near High Definition 1080p quality.

To use BRAVIA® Internet Video, you have to establish an internet connection to the Blu-ray Player. An Ethernet Port is located on the back of the Blu-ray Player, or you can connect to a wireless broadband network via a USB Wi-Fi adapter. This is not included with the Blu-ray Player and has to be purchased separately. Once connected to your Home Network, there is a feature called Share Personal Entertainment you can access. Where you can stream video files, music or photos between compatible devices. A compatible DLNA device such as your computer.

An interesting feature included with the BDP-S370 is the Gracenote Metadata Service. This will conveniently display information about the movies you are viewing. Another interesting feature that may appeal to some is the iPhone®/iPod touch® compatibility. This turns your iPhone® or iPod touch® into a remote control. This free app lets you control the Blu-ray DVD Player, while also giving you details on actors, directors and more.

THE PROS: The Sony BDP-S370 has a good set of features including Wi-Fi Ready, Streaming services like Neflix and Amazon On Demand, SACD playback and DLNA. Great picture quality and internal audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby TrueHD (bitstream), Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD (bitstream).

THE CONS: Does not have any analog 7.1 audio outputs. DLNA feature will not be available until July 2010. No Built-in Wi-Fi, so a USB wireless adapter will be need if you want to connect to the internet. No 3D technology. Sony's BD-S470, BD-S570 and BD-S770 will all eventually have 3D capability.

THE FINAL WORD: Overall,Sony's BDP-S370 is a good Blu-ray Player in this price range. Has great image and audio quality on Blu-ray Disc. While lacking in some of the features found in higher end Sony Players, the BDP-S370 is a very good entry level Blu-ray DVD Player. -- Price you should look for when purchasing -- Under $180.00

For more information on Blu-ray and Blu-ray Players try this handy comparison guide: Bluray Players Or view our Videos and Blu-ray Player reviews here: Blu-ray Player Reviews Copyright 2010. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Sony HTSS360 Blu-ray Disc Player Home Theater System Review

While home theater systems have been around for quite some time, Blu-ray disc capable home theater systems few and far in between. For the most part, this means that anyone wanting to watch full HD video on their home theater system have to get a separate Blu-ray disc player. For the user who is starting from scratch, its nice to have the option of getting a system than can play everything without having to search for the Blu-ray player that jives with the home theater system of your choice. For this reason, Sony have come up with the Sony HTSS360 Blu-ray Disc Player Home Theater System that consists of an AV receiver with three HDMI inputs and a 5.1 speaker system.

The Sony HTSS360 has four identical speakers (the front and surround speakers), as well as a tiny center channel and a sub-woofer. The front/surround speakers are encased in plastic with each speaker housing a single 2.6-inch cone driver. The center channel is even more compact than the speakers while the sub-woofer is passive in that it is un-powered with no built-in amp. This means that the system has a very small footprint in comparison to other home theater systems and should fit any room quite well.

Even the AV receiver has been made compact, complete with a stylish silver finish that would blend in well with most decors. The front panel has almost no controls except for the power button, input selection button and the huge volume knob on the right. The Sony HTSS360's remote is the standard Sony remote but thankfully it comes with bass and treble controls as well.

While the Sony HTSS360 comes with an automatic speaker calibration feature, you can also do your own manual tweaking. The set comes with an auto-setup microphone, which plugs into the back of the unit. The set also has a DCAC (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration) system that adjusts the volume level of each speaker and the sub-woofer, measuring the distance between each speaker and the user's listening position.

On top of the three HDMI inputs, the Sony HTSS360 is equipped with 3 analog audio inputs and 3 digital audio inputs; 2 optical and 1 coaxial. It also has Sony's Digital Media Port and comes equipped with Dolby and DTS sound decoding modes, including Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, and DTS. While there is no built-in support for satellite radio or HD radio, the Sony HTSS360 does offer both AM and FM tuners.

For more product info and customer reviews, visit Sony Home Theater. For reviews on other home theater systems, visit http://home-theater-system-reviews.blogspot.com

1080p HDTV

You may know that 1080i refers to 1080 lines of vertical resolution interlaced. This means that instead of 30 frames a second, the TV displays 60 fields per second, where each field contains alternate lines of the picture. Because the fields are refreshed so quickly, your brain interprets the signal as 30 full frames per second.

720p means 720 vertical lines of progressive scan video where every frame of the
signal is displayed in its entirety, giving a higher-quality, film-like appearance to
the picture.

Most HDTVs or HDTV-ready TVs support either 720p or both 1080i and 720p, very
few support 1080p HDTV. Part of the reason for this is that very few broadcasters
want to broadcast 1080p signals. The reason for that is that 1080p requires
significantly higher bandwidth than either 1080i or 720p. And for broadcasters,
bandwidth is a precious commodity. Using up more bandwidth for one signal means
that there is less room for other channels. So in many cases, opting for a 1080p
signal would mean dropping or degrading other channels.

Is 1080p HDTV important? Well, yes and no. Not all video footage benefits greatly
from progressive scan. Sports broadcasts and action movies look better at 720p
than 1080i because there is lots of fast movement and the interlacing in 1080i is
sometimes noticeable, reducing the quality of the picture. Movies and TV shows
where there is not a great deal of fast action look better at 1080i than 720p because
the higher resolution has a greater impact on quality than the progressive scan,
which has little effect where there is only a small difference in the image between
frames.

So, while 1080p HDTV is the best of both worlds, the cost in terms of bandwidth, is
very high compared to the benefit for most people most of the time.

Kenny Hemphill is the editor and publisher of The HDTV Tuner - a guide to the kit, the technology and the programming on HDTV.