Why you don't need cable

I've been without cable for about 8 months now and I couldn't be happier. By not paying approximately $80 a month and still staying on top of my favorite shows, I feel like I have more control over the media I enjoy while sticking it Comcast. There are varying levels of investment a person can commit to in order to compensate for the loss of cable which I will outline below

1. OTA HD cable - Few outside of geek circles realize there is an FCC mandate which states the major networks must provide free HD channels over-the-air (OTA). In addition to these channels, most major metropolitan offer many channels of HD free OTA. I would advise anyone considering this option to head over to Antennaweb and find out the type of antenna needed to pick up nearby HD signals. For sometime I was using this method, and while it does take a little know-how to setup, this signal is astonishing and well-worth the time.

2. Physical media - With almost all TV and movies heading to DVD, simply subscribing to a Netflix account or hitting up the local Redbox can be sufficient for many but the most die-hard media fans.

3. CPU-to-TV - I know that for at least a decade technologist have spoken about a time when computers would be connected to your TV, and I believe that time has come. Between the dropping prices in TV and computers coupled with the sheer volume of media available online, now is a great time to pursue this option. In fact, not only do I believe this, but I have this setup today. I am actually using my 40'' Samsung TV as a monitor. If you're considering the route, I would suggest a small computer with some processor power but enough graphical oomph. I am currently using an upgraded Zino HD, but I was considering the Mac Mini at one point as well.

What's great about this option is it can encompass the former two options as well. For mine I have a TV tuner connected to the TV, and with Windows Media Center built-in to Windows 7, the computer acts like a super Tivo. As for Netflix, I have the choice of popping in a DVD or blue-ray or watching a netflix show online. Finally, I can show off a YouTube or Hulu video on a big screen.

Especially with an HDMI connection, a computer-to-TV setup has overcome many of the technical obstacles than inhibited average joe's from buying into this setup. I would highly suggest this setup and of course I am open to helping people create this kind of setup.

TV Buying 101

Cnet has a comprehensive article on the factors one needs to consider when buying a TV. I would say the biggest thing buyers need to think about is what fits their lifestyle and budget. Buying within your price range is a no-brainer, but such things as buying a TV between 1.5 and 3 times the distance from where you intend to watch is often overlooked.

I also encourage my clients to map out all components they are going to connect to their new TV before purchasing any. This really helps the consumer because it creates a greater idea of what media will be available for what he/she is purchasing. For example, I love watching online video, whether that's Hulu, Youtube, or Netflix. Although Google TV will be here for the holiday shopping season, I couldn't wait and bought a Zino HD that's connected to my 40'' Samsung LCD. I really like this setup because it allows me to have all the functionality of a computer on a massive screen while having access to online video.

Everyone has different needs that must be considered when making such a sizable electronic investment.

HP 210: Great netbook or greatest netbook?

Cnet posted a review of the HP. The review unit received by Cnet had a pink design, although if you customize on the HP website You can choose from such colors as silver, red, blue, and "white crystals with white keyboard." Looking past the design, the netbook performed like a netbook, meaning nothing special. The Cnet reviewer did give high praise to the keyboard, which provided 93% of the size of a full-size keyboard, and its touchpad, which imitated the large clicky-types found on Macs. Although the $379 price tag is steep compared to the competition, HP has garnered a good reputation with their netbooks and that does include Windows 7, a 250gb hard drive, and a higher resolution 10.1in screen (1366x768.) Unfortunately, the 6-cell battery which gets you about 6 hours of battery life does protrude from the back, but that's a small price to pay for such an excellent machine. Aside from the price, I wish they would bring back the option to include a Broadcom HD chip which helps the computer process online. Oh well.

Wave of new netbooks coming in August?

Digitimes is reporting that Asus and Acer, two of the leading laptop manufacturers, are holding off the debut of their next line of netbooks until current inventory is depleted and there is a demand for them. These new netbooks will come packing the next iteration of the Intel Atom processor which will be known as the N550. While Intel has produced dual-core processors in the past, due to heat issues and the processors' impact on battery life, they have been rarely seen. From the sound of it, the N550 will be a worthy successor to the current line of N455/N475 and gives good reason for consumers until Fall if they are seeking faster processors.

The $3,000 Smartphone

The New York Times had an article today on the true costs of smartphone. It mainly focused on the total cost of smartphone plans, which typically cost around $30 a month on all carriers except AT&T, which now has tiered data pricing plans. What this means is that while people put a lot of weight into possibly spending an extra $100 on a more expensive smartphone, the upfront cost is relatively miniscule compared to signing a $700+ 2-year data contract, which doesn't even include other costs like voice or text.

With such a heavy cost associated with a smartphone plan, it has become more important for the consumer to possess a better understanding of the smartphone and associated contract. With so many choices like iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Palm, and Microsoft, making a choice can make or break your smartphone satisfaction.