The Defense Department is expected to soon seek industry bids for as many as 89,000 handheld combat radios. To obtain lower prices, the Pentagon will consolidate multiple contracts that currently are managed individually by each military service.
The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations Command already are buying thousands of radios, and plan to continue to acquire thousands more. But Pentagon procurement officials are moving to centralize all single-channel handheld radios under a new contracting arrangement.
The San Diego-based office that currently oversees the Joint Tactical Radio System also will manage the so-called “consolidated, interim, single-channel handheld radio” program.
The presumption is that these radios are stopgaps until the JTRS program begins delivering the next generation of handheld radios in 2012.
The services’ orders will be packaged under a contracting vehicle known as “indefinite delivery indefinite quantity.” Vendors would bid for one-year fixed-price “procurement lots” and four additional one-year options. Between now and 2012, the Defense Department could buy as many as 89,220 handheld radios, spare parts and accessories. Although prices vary widely based on quantities and features, military handheld radios generally cost about $5,000 each.
Under the $3 billion JTRS program, the Defense Department is developing a family of software-based radios, including a single-channel and a two-channel handheld. The JTRS devices have taken much longer to develop than originally planned, so the services have opted to purchase radios already available in the marketplace. Two of those radios — the AN/PRC-148 multiband inter/intra team and the AN/PRC-152 handheld — were not designed under the JTRS program but conform to many of the government’s specs, and have been endorsed by the JTRS program office.
The Army recently ordered 5,000 of the JTRS-approved PRC-148, made by Thales Communications. The manufacturer of the PRC-152, Harris RF Communications, said it has shipped 12,000 radios during the past 18 months. Both are expected to remain in full-rate production for years to come, in response to soaring demand, the manufacturers have said.
At the request of Pentagon procurement chief Kenneth Krieg, the JTRS program office will bundle all single-channel handheld radio acquisitions under a single contract. The goal is to obtain price breaks from manufacturers based on larger quantities — versus the current approach, where every order is negotiated individually by each service.
Under a recently revised policy, the services must obtain a “JTRS waiver” from the Defense Department before they can purchase single-channel handheld radios.
The waiver policy, which effectively restricts purchases to the JTRS-approved PRC-152 and PRC-148 radios, was not well received by the Army, sources said. According to one Army official, the waiver is a “senseless requirement for additional paperwork and justification for procuring JPEO-endorsed products.”
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/issues/2007/May/DefenseBundles.htm
Friday, May 25, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
New Technique Measures Chemical Composition Of Tiny Details
Science Daily — Chemistry researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE), funded by NWO's Chemical Sciences Council, recently discovered a way to determine the chemical composition of chips or coatings which are only a few nanometers across. This technique makes a major contribution to further miniaturisation in the field of micro-electronics and semiconductors, in which the smallest structural details are about 200 nanometers in size.
The method which the Eindhoven have developed is based on the radiation emitted by an object when it is irradiated by a beam of electrons. The measurable phenomenon occurs because the electrons in the beam collide with electrons in the atoms making up the object so that they enter an excited state. When the electrons return to the free state, with lower energy, X-rays are emitted. The wavelength of this radiation is characteristic of the chemical element, while the intensity of the radiation depends on the overall composition of the material.
The Dutch researchers combined a model for determining the chemical composition on the basis of the measured intensity with the use of a high resolution electron microscope. The beam of electrons which the microscope produces irradiates a minimum area of 10 by 10 nanometers. Using the X-rays emitted from this area, it is possible to determine precisely which chemical elements occur at that location and in what quantity.
Using this technique, research is now being carried out on a new type of electrical contact within chips constructed of a thin layer of cobalt deposited on a semiconductor. The cobalt forms an electrical connection for the semiconductor. When heat is applied, a chemical reaction takes place between the cobalt and the semiconductor, improving the mechanical strength and the electrical conductivity of the contact. The new chemical technique allowed the researchers to determine accurately where chemical changes had developed as a result of the heat-treatment.
In industry, micro-electronics or semiconductor components with a diameter of less than 1 micrometre are now commonplace. Further miniaturisation of the smallest structures within equipment, such as electrical connections and junctions within a chip, will only be possible if researchers are in a position to measure the chemical composition of the smallest details of the new materials.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/01/000127082008.htm
The method which the Eindhoven have developed is based on the radiation emitted by an object when it is irradiated by a beam of electrons. The measurable phenomenon occurs because the electrons in the beam collide with electrons in the atoms making up the object so that they enter an excited state. When the electrons return to the free state, with lower energy, X-rays are emitted. The wavelength of this radiation is characteristic of the chemical element, while the intensity of the radiation depends on the overall composition of the material.
The Dutch researchers combined a model for determining the chemical composition on the basis of the measured intensity with the use of a high resolution electron microscope. The beam of electrons which the microscope produces irradiates a minimum area of 10 by 10 nanometers. Using the X-rays emitted from this area, it is possible to determine precisely which chemical elements occur at that location and in what quantity.
Using this technique, research is now being carried out on a new type of electrical contact within chips constructed of a thin layer of cobalt deposited on a semiconductor. The cobalt forms an electrical connection for the semiconductor. When heat is applied, a chemical reaction takes place between the cobalt and the semiconductor, improving the mechanical strength and the electrical conductivity of the contact. The new chemical technique allowed the researchers to determine accurately where chemical changes had developed as a result of the heat-treatment.
In industry, micro-electronics or semiconductor components with a diameter of less than 1 micrometre are now commonplace. Further miniaturisation of the smallest structures within equipment, such as electrical connections and junctions within a chip, will only be possible if researchers are in a position to measure the chemical composition of the smallest details of the new materials.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/01/000127082008.htm
How "Micro" Can We Go?
Science Daily — Microelectronics may be a growth industry, but the devices it produces are getting smaller every year. Just how "micro" can electronic devices go?
Ads by Google
Advertise on this site
Nanotechnology
Subscribe to free e-letter to get the latest on Nanotech investing!
www.kcifinance.com/HTB01.html
Materials Sci. & Eng.
Research & Graduate Study in Mat. Sci. & Eng. at UT Arlington
mse.uta.edu
Nanotechnology Investment
New nanotechnology that may reverse aging and treat disease
www.504bank.com/telodpo.asp
Free GRE® Sample test.
Prepare for GRE® with IMS, the leaders in GRE® course material.
www.IMSindia.com
Nanotechnology
New Name, New Look, New to Wiley Free online access throughout 2007
www.apjChemEng.com
Weizmann Institute scientists have provided one of the answers to this question. Making simple and elegant use of a chemical theory of liquids, they developed a way to predict the minimal possible size of bipolar transistors, one of the major types of transistors commonly used in microelectronics. They then managed to manufacture such a tiny structure using the experimental semiconductor copper indium diselenide. With an inner core of just 20 nanometers (billionths of a meter) and total width of 50 nanometers -- less than one-thousandth the width of a human hair -- the device is five times smaller than today's smallest standard transistors of this type.
This research, reported recently in Applied Physics Letters, was performed by doctoral student Shachar Richter, working with Prof. David Cahen of the Materials and Interfaces Department, Dr. Yishay Manassen, formerly of Weizmann's Chemical Physics Department and now a professor of physics at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and Dr. Sidney Cohen, head of Weizmann's Surface Analysis Unit.
In his research, Richter used atomic force microscopy -- a technique in which a phonograph-like stylus probes the surface of a material -- to manipulate atoms in a semiconductor. Normally, such microscopes can only shift atoms on the surface of a material, but Richter, building on earlier research by Prof. Cahen, managed to move these atoms around inside the semiconductor.
Richter achieved his results by applying a voltage to the semiconductor and passing a current through the material. Aided by the slight heating produced by the current, the voltage caused atoms called dopants, which determine the material's conductivity, to be propelled in a particular direction. Even though only 100 to 200 dopants were moved in this manner, this sufficed to produce a tiny transistor. It consisted of a hemispherical layer of relatively high conductivity containing the redistributed dopants, flanked on both sides by material with different conductivity.
Next, Richter used the same microscope stylus -- at low voltage -- to map the conductivity of this miniature structure. Richter's new mapping method, called scanning spreading resistance, reveals the precise path that would be taken by an electric current flowing through a transistor of this type. This new type of measurement, developed independently by Belgian researchers around the time of Richter's study, promises to become an important tool for evaluating miniature electronic devices.
These findings don't necessarily mean that microelectronic devices will eventually get as small as Richter's transistor. His device, however, can serve as a valuable research tool for studying the limits of miniaturization.
Funding for this research was provided by the Israel Science Foundation and the Minerva Foundation, Munich, Germany.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/12/981204074905.htm
Ads by Google
Advertise on this site
Nanotechnology
Subscribe to free e-letter to get the latest on Nanotech investing!
www.kcifinance.com/HTB01.html
Materials Sci. & Eng.
Research & Graduate Study in Mat. Sci. & Eng. at UT Arlington
mse.uta.edu
Nanotechnology Investment
New nanotechnology that may reverse aging and treat disease
www.504bank.com/telodpo.asp
Free GRE® Sample test.
Prepare for GRE® with IMS, the leaders in GRE® course material.
www.IMSindia.com
Nanotechnology
New Name, New Look, New to Wiley Free online access throughout 2007
www.apjChemEng.com
Weizmann Institute scientists have provided one of the answers to this question. Making simple and elegant use of a chemical theory of liquids, they developed a way to predict the minimal possible size of bipolar transistors, one of the major types of transistors commonly used in microelectronics. They then managed to manufacture such a tiny structure using the experimental semiconductor copper indium diselenide. With an inner core of just 20 nanometers (billionths of a meter) and total width of 50 nanometers -- less than one-thousandth the width of a human hair -- the device is five times smaller than today's smallest standard transistors of this type.
This research, reported recently in Applied Physics Letters, was performed by doctoral student Shachar Richter, working with Prof. David Cahen of the Materials and Interfaces Department, Dr. Yishay Manassen, formerly of Weizmann's Chemical Physics Department and now a professor of physics at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and Dr. Sidney Cohen, head of Weizmann's Surface Analysis Unit.
In his research, Richter used atomic force microscopy -- a technique in which a phonograph-like stylus probes the surface of a material -- to manipulate atoms in a semiconductor. Normally, such microscopes can only shift atoms on the surface of a material, but Richter, building on earlier research by Prof. Cahen, managed to move these atoms around inside the semiconductor.
Richter achieved his results by applying a voltage to the semiconductor and passing a current through the material. Aided by the slight heating produced by the current, the voltage caused atoms called dopants, which determine the material's conductivity, to be propelled in a particular direction. Even though only 100 to 200 dopants were moved in this manner, this sufficed to produce a tiny transistor. It consisted of a hemispherical layer of relatively high conductivity containing the redistributed dopants, flanked on both sides by material with different conductivity.
Next, Richter used the same microscope stylus -- at low voltage -- to map the conductivity of this miniature structure. Richter's new mapping method, called scanning spreading resistance, reveals the precise path that would be taken by an electric current flowing through a transistor of this type. This new type of measurement, developed independently by Belgian researchers around the time of Richter's study, promises to become an important tool for evaluating miniature electronic devices.
These findings don't necessarily mean that microelectronic devices will eventually get as small as Richter's transistor. His device, however, can serve as a valuable research tool for studying the limits of miniaturization.
Funding for this research was provided by the Israel Science Foundation and the Minerva Foundation, Munich, Germany.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/12/981204074905.htm
Delft University Of Technology Discovers How To Control Nanowires
Science Daily — Jorden van Dam, researcher at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, has succeeded in largely controlling the transportation of electrons in semiconductor nanowires. Van Dam moreover discovered how to observe a divergent type of supercurrent in these wires. Nanowires have superior electronic properties which in time could improve the quality of our electronics. On Tuesday, June 13, Van Dam will receive his PhD degree at Delft University of Technology based on this research.
During his PhD research, Jorden van Dam focused on semiconductor nanowires. These are extremely thin wires (1-100 nanometers thick) made of, for example, the material indiumarsenide, which has superior electronic properties. The integration of these high quality nanowires with the now commonly used silicium technology offers intriguing possibilities for improving our electronics in future. According to Van Dam, in recent years many possible applications for semiconductor nanowires have emerged, such as in lasers, transistors, LEDs and bio-chemical sensors. Philips is one of the companies that is conducting intensive research into the possibilities for semiconductor nanowires in specific applications.
Van Dam - who during his PhD research co-authored articles that were published in Nature and Science - was able to make a so-called quantum dot in a semiconductor nanowire (this is done at extremely low temperatures). These quantum dots can be regarded as artificial atoms and in the distant future will serve as building blocks for super-fast quantum computers. In a quantum dot, a number of electrons can be 'confined'. The magnificence of Van Dam's research is the total control he has managed to gain over the number of electrons that can be confined in a quantum dot. He can control this number by means of an externally introduced charge. A crucial factor for the extreme degree of control that Van Dam has achieved is the quality (for example the purity) of the nanowires, which were supplied by Philips. It is above all the quality of the material used (wires and electrodes) that was greatly improved during Van Dam's research.
The research also produced new physical observations. In the improved nanowires, Van Dam achieved for the first time the realisation and observation of a (theoretically already predicted) divergent type of supercurrent (a supercurrent is the current that occurs in superconductivity). In a quantum dot, the electrons normally pass through one by one. In superconductivity, the passage of electrons occurs in pairs. Van Dam, with the help of superconductor electrodes, has now achieved a supercurrent in the quantum dot, whereby the pairs of electrons pass through one by one.
Van Dam has also - under specific conditions - achieved a reversal in the direction of the supercurrent. He is able to control this reversal by varying the number of electrons confined in the quantum dot. With this, the Delft University of Technology researcher has achieved a largely controllable superconductor connection in semiconductor nanowires.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060615075247.htm
During his PhD research, Jorden van Dam focused on semiconductor nanowires. These are extremely thin wires (1-100 nanometers thick) made of, for example, the material indiumarsenide, which has superior electronic properties. The integration of these high quality nanowires with the now commonly used silicium technology offers intriguing possibilities for improving our electronics in future. According to Van Dam, in recent years many possible applications for semiconductor nanowires have emerged, such as in lasers, transistors, LEDs and bio-chemical sensors. Philips is one of the companies that is conducting intensive research into the possibilities for semiconductor nanowires in specific applications.
Van Dam - who during his PhD research co-authored articles that were published in Nature and Science - was able to make a so-called quantum dot in a semiconductor nanowire (this is done at extremely low temperatures). These quantum dots can be regarded as artificial atoms and in the distant future will serve as building blocks for super-fast quantum computers. In a quantum dot, a number of electrons can be 'confined'. The magnificence of Van Dam's research is the total control he has managed to gain over the number of electrons that can be confined in a quantum dot. He can control this number by means of an externally introduced charge. A crucial factor for the extreme degree of control that Van Dam has achieved is the quality (for example the purity) of the nanowires, which were supplied by Philips. It is above all the quality of the material used (wires and electrodes) that was greatly improved during Van Dam's research.
The research also produced new physical observations. In the improved nanowires, Van Dam achieved for the first time the realisation and observation of a (theoretically already predicted) divergent type of supercurrent (a supercurrent is the current that occurs in superconductivity). In a quantum dot, the electrons normally pass through one by one. In superconductivity, the passage of electrons occurs in pairs. Van Dam, with the help of superconductor electrodes, has now achieved a supercurrent in the quantum dot, whereby the pairs of electrons pass through one by one.
Van Dam has also - under specific conditions - achieved a reversal in the direction of the supercurrent. He is able to control this reversal by varying the number of electrons confined in the quantum dot. With this, the Delft University of Technology researcher has achieved a largely controllable superconductor connection in semiconductor nanowires.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060615075247.htm
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Digital Life 2006
One of the more interesting shows to emerge over the last few years is DigitalLife. The granddaddy of all consumer shows is CES, but it is highly industry focused and more B2B. Ziff Davis Media decided that perhaps the time was right to launch the first true B2C show in the US, and to be truthful, we felt that doing a show for consumers was a real gamble. But it appears the folks at ZD got it right as the first show drew 15,000, and last year’s show attracted 30,000. While the show did not actually double in size this year, it did show marked increase as 52,000 converged on New York City’s Jacob Javits Center in October to see what is hot and new in consumer technology.
I walked the aisles along with these 52000 other attendees, in search of what’s new, what’s noteworthy, and which companies need closer inspection.
The scope of the show is significantly different than most technology shows I attend. At DigitialLife, the coveted attendees are the consumers – not resellers, oems or manufacturers. The show is intended for, and open to, the public. Here the booths are crowded with folks checking out new consumer electronics, i.e. televisions; new creative lifestyle apps, i.e. digital scrap booking and of course, games by the dozens. Additionally, Ziff Davis Media, the backers of DigitalLife, makes a point of drawing the most-in-demand eyeballs of all, the 16-18 year olds. Friday of the show is “Education Day” where thousands of local high school students get a chance to see the newest technologies, ask questions directly of the companies and hear keynote speakers whose focus is on giving suggestions and insights to these next generation technology changers.
While some of these school attendees are indeed the future programmers one may expect, the vast majority are creative, motivated, high intensity users of digital technology in a wide variety of devices. Cell phones, pdas, mp3 players, and a host of gadgets and accessories occupy an increasing place of importance in the daily lives of these consumers. These are the GenY’rs who have never known the analog-to-digital conversion struggle. They have grown up only knowing digital technology and expecting seamless adoption and usage. And these consumers are the mainstay for any company seeking a presence in the crowded digital marketplace.
Of course, the noise and crowds of the show were centered on gaming. This year’s Digitallife drew some of the top gaming names in the industry with debuts of new games, (Final Fantasy XII), new gaming hardware, (Sony’s PlayStation 3), ProAm Video Gaming Tournaments, and a competitive venue featuring Dance Dance Revolution – a quasi fusion of dance/fitness/social/video-gaming attributes. That the gaming/entertainment exhibits were well attended is not surprising. These exhibitors know their audiences well and designed their show presence with that in mind.
Other exhibitors seem to be less familiar with how best to communicate their product messaging to the wider audience of Joe-average consumer. As traditional digital-based business products make the move into the digital lifestyle in homes, a gap of products, marketing messages and marketing styles become evident. There was a time, not so long ago, when corporate messages, speeds-n-feeds, and technical specs were all that needed to be communicated. Now, innovative interfaces, industrial design, new digital resources and services, customization features and style play a critical role in being considered, let alone becoming adapted into a technology-driven lifestyle.
A brief survey of attendees in the 30-40 year old range showed the biases of consumer attention needs. Booths that catered to this group’s need to see the products usage within the “digital home” were much preferred. Kodak’s booth was favored because they highlighted their various digital photo and printing products by turning the exhibit space into mini-rooms of a house. A living room area showed off printed ornaments on a Christmas tree and a digital scrapbook. A dining room showed high quality 8x10 photos framed and hung on the wall and printed greeting cards and place cards on a table. The kitchen even had food gifts with attached printed recipes cards from Kodak’s templates. Not exactly life changing applications but the display was well thought out and clearly focused on their targeted consumer market. The Steffi Thomas Incs. Swapset booth also garnered this group’s attention. The products are interchangeable headsets and headphones – attached to headbands; a very girly-looking but innovative use of style, fashion and technology. Once again, the blending of digital technology with a focus on a specific demographic is bringing a new generation of products to an older digitally challenged generation.
The disparages of each consumer market segment’s needs and desires are a formidable challenge to a company’s marketing department. What works for Gen X’ers mom will not translate to the Gen Y teen. And it is this Gen Y audience who is driving this digital lifestyle marketplace with an influential power that will quickly lay waste to companies and products not fully focused in how best to reach these buyers.
It is important to note here that DigitalLife appears to be a powerhouse show with some real legs. However, for it to keep growing, it most likely needs to find ways to really appeal to all consumers. Its current emphasis on gaming, while good, can sometimes be overpowering to the Boomers and Silver Surfers who, while not as techno savvy as Gen X and Gen Y, are still serious buyers of technology and need to have things for them as well. To that end, Ziff Davis Media states they are working hard to bring in all types of vendors that meet the overall needs of US based consumers; something that if done well could help the show grow and make it one of the most important consumer technology shows in the US.
http://www.csinsights.com/index.php?action=pg_article&id=85
I walked the aisles along with these 52000 other attendees, in search of what’s new, what’s noteworthy, and which companies need closer inspection.
The scope of the show is significantly different than most technology shows I attend. At DigitialLife, the coveted attendees are the consumers – not resellers, oems or manufacturers. The show is intended for, and open to, the public. Here the booths are crowded with folks checking out new consumer electronics, i.e. televisions; new creative lifestyle apps, i.e. digital scrap booking and of course, games by the dozens. Additionally, Ziff Davis Media, the backers of DigitalLife, makes a point of drawing the most-in-demand eyeballs of all, the 16-18 year olds. Friday of the show is “Education Day” where thousands of local high school students get a chance to see the newest technologies, ask questions directly of the companies and hear keynote speakers whose focus is on giving suggestions and insights to these next generation technology changers.
While some of these school attendees are indeed the future programmers one may expect, the vast majority are creative, motivated, high intensity users of digital technology in a wide variety of devices. Cell phones, pdas, mp3 players, and a host of gadgets and accessories occupy an increasing place of importance in the daily lives of these consumers. These are the GenY’rs who have never known the analog-to-digital conversion struggle. They have grown up only knowing digital technology and expecting seamless adoption and usage. And these consumers are the mainstay for any company seeking a presence in the crowded digital marketplace.
Of course, the noise and crowds of the show were centered on gaming. This year’s Digitallife drew some of the top gaming names in the industry with debuts of new games, (Final Fantasy XII), new gaming hardware, (Sony’s PlayStation 3), ProAm Video Gaming Tournaments, and a competitive venue featuring Dance Dance Revolution – a quasi fusion of dance/fitness/social/video-gaming attributes. That the gaming/entertainment exhibits were well attended is not surprising. These exhibitors know their audiences well and designed their show presence with that in mind.
Other exhibitors seem to be less familiar with how best to communicate their product messaging to the wider audience of Joe-average consumer. As traditional digital-based business products make the move into the digital lifestyle in homes, a gap of products, marketing messages and marketing styles become evident. There was a time, not so long ago, when corporate messages, speeds-n-feeds, and technical specs were all that needed to be communicated. Now, innovative interfaces, industrial design, new digital resources and services, customization features and style play a critical role in being considered, let alone becoming adapted into a technology-driven lifestyle.
A brief survey of attendees in the 30-40 year old range showed the biases of consumer attention needs. Booths that catered to this group’s need to see the products usage within the “digital home” were much preferred. Kodak’s booth was favored because they highlighted their various digital photo and printing products by turning the exhibit space into mini-rooms of a house. A living room area showed off printed ornaments on a Christmas tree and a digital scrapbook. A dining room showed high quality 8x10 photos framed and hung on the wall and printed greeting cards and place cards on a table. The kitchen even had food gifts with attached printed recipes cards from Kodak’s templates. Not exactly life changing applications but the display was well thought out and clearly focused on their targeted consumer market. The Steffi Thomas Incs. Swapset booth also garnered this group’s attention. The products are interchangeable headsets and headphones – attached to headbands; a very girly-looking but innovative use of style, fashion and technology. Once again, the blending of digital technology with a focus on a specific demographic is bringing a new generation of products to an older digitally challenged generation.
The disparages of each consumer market segment’s needs and desires are a formidable challenge to a company’s marketing department. What works for Gen X’ers mom will not translate to the Gen Y teen. And it is this Gen Y audience who is driving this digital lifestyle marketplace with an influential power that will quickly lay waste to companies and products not fully focused in how best to reach these buyers.
It is important to note here that DigitalLife appears to be a powerhouse show with some real legs. However, for it to keep growing, it most likely needs to find ways to really appeal to all consumers. Its current emphasis on gaming, while good, can sometimes be overpowering to the Boomers and Silver Surfers who, while not as techno savvy as Gen X and Gen Y, are still serious buyers of technology and need to have things for them as well. To that end, Ziff Davis Media states they are working hard to bring in all types of vendors that meet the overall needs of US based consumers; something that if done well could help the show grow and make it one of the most important consumer technology shows in the US.
http://www.csinsights.com/index.php?action=pg_article&id=85
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
LCD HDTVs That Provide a Bowlful of Fun
When you look at today's broad selection of high-definition LCD televisions, you might forget that these sets were prohibitively expensive just a few years ago. Picture quality has improved dramatically as prices have dropped, so in terms of value and performance, LCD HDTVs now give plasma sets a run for their money. In addition, a number of new LCD televisions are capable of displaying content at 1,080p, the highest resolution format currently available to consumers and something only very few (and very expensive) plasma sets can match. Read on to learn about some of our favorite LCD HDTVs.
Panasonic TC-32LX600
The TC-32LX600 builds upon Panasonic's more basic TC-32LX60, producing a sharp high-definition picture at a relatively low price. This attractive 32-inch set measures less than 5 inches in depth and weighs only 43 pounds, so it is a good candidate for mounting on the wall. The TC-32LX600 sports a pair of digital-to-digital HDMI inputs, which provide the best-possible connection with your other digital home theater components.
While it can't match the ultrahigh resolution of the new 1,080p LCD sets, the TC-32LX600 gives you a quality HD picture for a reasonable price. If you are looking for a competent and affordable HDTV (with an MSRP around $1,400) with advanced HDMI connectivity, check out the Panasonic TC-32LX600.
Hewlett-Packard MediaSmart SLC3760N
For a high-definition television that does a lot more than just display your favorite shows and movies, the HP SLC3760N may be the one for you. This 37-inch MediaSmart model combines an LCD TV with a network media player, creating a media center that can present HD programming and stream digital video, photos and even music from your home network. All of these functions are integrated into an innovative and intuitive menu system, so everything is simple to use.
Hewlett-Packard MediaSmart SLC3760N LCD HDTV
Hewlett-Packard MediaSmart SLC3760N LCD HDTV
With an Ethernet input and wireless capabilities, the SLC3760N, which has an MSRP around $2,000, can connect with almost any home network that uses Windows. This set is also a competent HDTV, giving you a clear and realistic picture. The trendsetting Hewlett-Packard MediaSmart SLC3760N makes it easy to integrate your computer into your home theater system.
JVC LT-40FN97
With the LT-40FN97, JVC offers a high-performance LCD television at a competitive price, with an MSRP at around $2,500. A member of the new breed of 1,080p HDTVs, the LT-40FN97 utilizes JVC's Digital Image Scaling Technology (DIST) to display all incoming signals with exceptional clarity. This set is also packed with useful features, including a PC input for surfing the internet and playing games on the big screen, as well as a QAM tuner and CableCARD slot for digital cable compatibility.
In addition to the PC input, the LT-40FN97 has a number of advanced inputs and outputs, including two HDMI outputs and two FireWire (IEEE 1394) connections. If you are ready to step up to high-definition television, you can't go wrong with the 1,080p picture of the JVC LT-40FN97.
Sony KDL-40XBR2 BRAVIA
For a top-notch HD picture with a host of bells and whistles, take a look at the 40-inch KDL-40XBR2. This high-end XBR member of Sony's BRAVIA LCD series gives you a stunning 1,080p picture punctuated by deep blacks, something with which many other big-screen LCD TVs struggle. The KDL-40XBR2 (which has an MSRP around $2,800) also boasts three HDMI inputs that are compatible with 1,080p sources, so this set would be a great companion for a Blu-ray high-definition disc player.
The attractive KDL-40XBR2 has a transparent surrounding bezel that gives the screen a floating appearance, and a variety of colored bezels are available from the Sony website. This allows you to customize the television to your viewing room, which is sure to please the interior decorator in the family. With its extraordinary picture and stylish design, the Sony KDL-40XBR2 looks great on or off.
Toshiba 42HL196 REGZA
The Toshiba 42HL196 gives you a high-definition 42-inch LCD picture for less than many 40-inch sets. But don't think the 42HL196 is a stripped-down model. This member of the new REGZA line presents a finely detailed 1,080p picture, thanks in large part to multiple image processing functions and Toshiba's Cinespeed XHD LCD panel. Whether you are viewing TV, surfing the internet via the PC input or watching a Blu-ray or HD DVD movie, the 42HL196 won't disappoint.
The 42HL196 has all the useful features of more expensive LCD TVs, including multiple picture-in-picture formats, digital cable readiness and even an Ethernet port for linking with your home network. For high-end features and performance without the high-end cost (an MSRP around $2,300), consider the Toshiba 42HL196.
http://products.howstuffworks.com/lcd-hdtvs-that-provide-a-bowlful-of-fun-article.htm
Panasonic TC-32LX600
The TC-32LX600 builds upon Panasonic's more basic TC-32LX60, producing a sharp high-definition picture at a relatively low price. This attractive 32-inch set measures less than 5 inches in depth and weighs only 43 pounds, so it is a good candidate for mounting on the wall. The TC-32LX600 sports a pair of digital-to-digital HDMI inputs, which provide the best-possible connection with your other digital home theater components.
While it can't match the ultrahigh resolution of the new 1,080p LCD sets, the TC-32LX600 gives you a quality HD picture for a reasonable price. If you are looking for a competent and affordable HDTV (with an MSRP around $1,400) with advanced HDMI connectivity, check out the Panasonic TC-32LX600.
Hewlett-Packard MediaSmart SLC3760N
For a high-definition television that does a lot more than just display your favorite shows and movies, the HP SLC3760N may be the one for you. This 37-inch MediaSmart model combines an LCD TV with a network media player, creating a media center that can present HD programming and stream digital video, photos and even music from your home network. All of these functions are integrated into an innovative and intuitive menu system, so everything is simple to use.
Hewlett-Packard MediaSmart SLC3760N LCD HDTV
Hewlett-Packard MediaSmart SLC3760N LCD HDTV
With an Ethernet input and wireless capabilities, the SLC3760N, which has an MSRP around $2,000, can connect with almost any home network that uses Windows. This set is also a competent HDTV, giving you a clear and realistic picture. The trendsetting Hewlett-Packard MediaSmart SLC3760N makes it easy to integrate your computer into your home theater system.
JVC LT-40FN97
With the LT-40FN97, JVC offers a high-performance LCD television at a competitive price, with an MSRP at around $2,500. A member of the new breed of 1,080p HDTVs, the LT-40FN97 utilizes JVC's Digital Image Scaling Technology (DIST) to display all incoming signals with exceptional clarity. This set is also packed with useful features, including a PC input for surfing the internet and playing games on the big screen, as well as a QAM tuner and CableCARD slot for digital cable compatibility.
In addition to the PC input, the LT-40FN97 has a number of advanced inputs and outputs, including two HDMI outputs and two FireWire (IEEE 1394) connections. If you are ready to step up to high-definition television, you can't go wrong with the 1,080p picture of the JVC LT-40FN97.
Sony KDL-40XBR2 BRAVIA
For a top-notch HD picture with a host of bells and whistles, take a look at the 40-inch KDL-40XBR2. This high-end XBR member of Sony's BRAVIA LCD series gives you a stunning 1,080p picture punctuated by deep blacks, something with which many other big-screen LCD TVs struggle. The KDL-40XBR2 (which has an MSRP around $2,800) also boasts three HDMI inputs that are compatible with 1,080p sources, so this set would be a great companion for a Blu-ray high-definition disc player.
The attractive KDL-40XBR2 has a transparent surrounding bezel that gives the screen a floating appearance, and a variety of colored bezels are available from the Sony website. This allows you to customize the television to your viewing room, which is sure to please the interior decorator in the family. With its extraordinary picture and stylish design, the Sony KDL-40XBR2 looks great on or off.
Toshiba 42HL196 REGZA
The Toshiba 42HL196 gives you a high-definition 42-inch LCD picture for less than many 40-inch sets. But don't think the 42HL196 is a stripped-down model. This member of the new REGZA line presents a finely detailed 1,080p picture, thanks in large part to multiple image processing functions and Toshiba's Cinespeed XHD LCD panel. Whether you are viewing TV, surfing the internet via the PC input or watching a Blu-ray or HD DVD movie, the 42HL196 won't disappoint.
The 42HL196 has all the useful features of more expensive LCD TVs, including multiple picture-in-picture formats, digital cable readiness and even an Ethernet port for linking with your home network. For high-end features and performance without the high-end cost (an MSRP around $2,300), consider the Toshiba 42HL196.
http://products.howstuffworks.com/lcd-hdtvs-that-provide-a-bowlful-of-fun-article.htm
MP3 Players that Bring Media to the Masses
MP3 players are everywhere these days, and the only people who don't sing their praises are the ones who don't own one yet. Apple continues to dominate the market, but there are many fine alternatives to the iPod family of players. If you are shopping for a new MP3 player, here are a few to consider.
Panasonic SV-MP020A
With the SV-MP020A, Panasonic has packed a lot of MP3 player into a tiny blue package. This diminutive unit has an MSRP around $100, 2GB of internal Flash memory for holding MP3 and WMA music files, and Panasonic's D.sound technology restores musical details lost during the digital audio compression process. The SV-MP020A also includes five preset equalization curves and a bass boost, so you can tune the sound exactly as you want it.
The SV-MP020A uses a standard AA battery that will last up to an astonishing 75 hours of playback time, so on the rare occasions that the power gets low, a replacement battery won't be hard to find. If blue isn't your color, the SV-MP020A also comes in white as model SV-MP020W, and pink and white versions with 1GB of memory are available as well.
Panasonic SV-MP020A
Panasonic SV-MP020A
RCA LYRA RD2763
A member of RCA's LYRA lineup, the RD2763 has a few surprises you won't find in many other MP3 players. For starters, this conservatively styled but attractive blue player comes with an FM transmitter that lets you play your MP3 and WMA music over your car's stereo system. Plug the transmitter into your car's power outlet, connect it to the RD2763 and tune the radio to an unused station, and you're good to go.
The RD2763 has an MSRP about $180, but it can't play video or display pictures. It does have a detailed eight-line LCD display, however, that makes navigating your music folders a painless process. Combine that with a 5GB hard drive and a speedy USB 2.0 port, as well as the FM transmitter, and the RCA LYRA RD2763 is a handy, easy-to-use MP3 player.
SanDisk Sansa e270
The well-known digital memory manufacturer SanDisk has a winner on its hands with the Sansa e270. This stylish MP3 player boasts 6GB of Flash memory, and you can increase it even further by inserting micro-Flash cards into the e270's expansion slot. If for some reason you get tired of listening to your MP3 and WMA digital audio files, the e270 has an FM tuner for an added listening option.
In addition to the great audio, this player, with an MSRP around $220, sports a lovely 1-4/5-inch color screen that can show video clips and pictures. SanDisk's Sansa e270 is loaded with features, and if the memory or price isn't right for you, there are also models in the Sansa line with 2GB, 4GB and 8GB of memory.
Creative ZEN Vision
One glance at the Creative ZEN Vision lets you know that this isn't your run-of-the-mill MP3 player. Thanks to its wonderful 3-7/10-inch color display, DivX and MPEG compatibility, 30GB hard drive and even a built-in speaker, the ZEN Vision is an all-in-one digital audio player, portable video player, digital photo viewer and more.
While the screen dominates your first impression of the ZEN Vision, it is the details that make this player great. A CompactFlash memory card slot lets you look at digital photos from your camera, and an adapter is available for different card formats. There is an integrated FM tuner with 32 station presets and the ZEN Vision even has a calendar and appointment lists like a basic PDA. Simply put, Creative's ZEN Vision (with an MSRP around $400) is a multifunctional digital audio and video player that can do it all.
http://products.howstuffworks.com/mp3-players-that-bring-media-to-the-masses-article.htm
Panasonic SV-MP020A
With the SV-MP020A, Panasonic has packed a lot of MP3 player into a tiny blue package. This diminutive unit has an MSRP around $100, 2GB of internal Flash memory for holding MP3 and WMA music files, and Panasonic's D.sound technology restores musical details lost during the digital audio compression process. The SV-MP020A also includes five preset equalization curves and a bass boost, so you can tune the sound exactly as you want it.
The SV-MP020A uses a standard AA battery that will last up to an astonishing 75 hours of playback time, so on the rare occasions that the power gets low, a replacement battery won't be hard to find. If blue isn't your color, the SV-MP020A also comes in white as model SV-MP020W, and pink and white versions with 1GB of memory are available as well.
Panasonic SV-MP020A
Panasonic SV-MP020A
RCA LYRA RD2763
A member of RCA's LYRA lineup, the RD2763 has a few surprises you won't find in many other MP3 players. For starters, this conservatively styled but attractive blue player comes with an FM transmitter that lets you play your MP3 and WMA music over your car's stereo system. Plug the transmitter into your car's power outlet, connect it to the RD2763 and tune the radio to an unused station, and you're good to go.
The RD2763 has an MSRP about $180, but it can't play video or display pictures. It does have a detailed eight-line LCD display, however, that makes navigating your music folders a painless process. Combine that with a 5GB hard drive and a speedy USB 2.0 port, as well as the FM transmitter, and the RCA LYRA RD2763 is a handy, easy-to-use MP3 player.
SanDisk Sansa e270
The well-known digital memory manufacturer SanDisk has a winner on its hands with the Sansa e270. This stylish MP3 player boasts 6GB of Flash memory, and you can increase it even further by inserting micro-Flash cards into the e270's expansion slot. If for some reason you get tired of listening to your MP3 and WMA digital audio files, the e270 has an FM tuner for an added listening option.
In addition to the great audio, this player, with an MSRP around $220, sports a lovely 1-4/5-inch color screen that can show video clips and pictures. SanDisk's Sansa e270 is loaded with features, and if the memory or price isn't right for you, there are also models in the Sansa line with 2GB, 4GB and 8GB of memory.
Creative ZEN Vision
One glance at the Creative ZEN Vision lets you know that this isn't your run-of-the-mill MP3 player. Thanks to its wonderful 3-7/10-inch color display, DivX and MPEG compatibility, 30GB hard drive and even a built-in speaker, the ZEN Vision is an all-in-one digital audio player, portable video player, digital photo viewer and more.
While the screen dominates your first impression of the ZEN Vision, it is the details that make this player great. A CompactFlash memory card slot lets you look at digital photos from your camera, and an adapter is available for different card formats. There is an integrated FM tuner with 32 station presets and the ZEN Vision even has a calendar and appointment lists like a basic PDA. Simply put, Creative's ZEN Vision (with an MSRP around $400) is a multifunctional digital audio and video player that can do it all.
http://products.howstuffworks.com/mp3-players-that-bring-media-to-the-masses-article.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)