We get this question quite often. These days with DVD players on computers, online video and even products like the Slingbox, we can see that hooking up your computer to your TV could be a nice addition to your home theater setup.

But, Matt Whitlock over at the Techlore Community has written a great article on how to do just this. If you are trying to setup something like this, you should read this article here before going any further.

BTW, the Techlore Community has quite a bit of other cool stuff you should check out!

From DSLreports.com

A Comcast insider tells me the company is considering implementing very clear monthly caps, and may begin charging overage fees for customers who cross them. While still in the early stages of development, the plan — as it stands now — would work like this: all users get a 250GB per month cap. Users would get one free “slip up” in a twelve month period, after which users would pay a $15 charge for each 10 GB over the cap they travel. According to the source, the plan has “a lot of momentum behind it,” and initial testing is slated to begin in a month or two.

Read more here

If you have not heard or don’t know. All full-power broadcasters must complete transition from analog to digital broadcasting by February 17, 2009 at 11:59pm, as mandated by Congress in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

So why are Broadcasters Switching? Digital TV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. It can provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with “analog” technology.

Converting to DTV will also free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast airwaves to be used for other important services such as public safety (e.g. police, fire and rescue squads) and advanced wireless services.
DTV allows broadcast stations to air multiple channels of programming simultaneously (called multicasting), offering viewers a broader depth of programming choices and information. Television viewing will be transformed with images and sound capable of a movie-quality experience.

The advantages of the digital transition are clear. But there are many questions surrounding the impact to viewers and local broadcast stations. How will households with analog television sets get digital programming? What can homes with antenna reception do to retain the ability to view their local broadcasts?

 Here are some links to information that mght help.

Analog TVs Will Need Additional Equipment to Receive Over-the-air Television When the DTV Transition Ends

Consumers who rely on antennas (including outside antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive over-the-air broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes to watch over-the-air TV. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.

Converter Box Coupon Program

Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information can be found at https://www.dtv2009.gov.

Cable and Satellite TV

Cable subscribers may need new DTV equipment to view DTV programming in digital format. You should ask your cable provider what you will need and when.

Satellite subscribers may need new DTV equipment to receive and view high definition digital programming. You should ask your satellite company what you will need and when.

Digital television Quality Levels

There are many quality levels of digital television programming. The most common are:
Standard Definition TV (SDTV) - SDTV is the basic level of quality display and resolution for both a nalog and digital. Transmission of SDTV may be in either the traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.
Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV) - EDTV is a step up from Analog Television. EDTV comes in 480p widescreen (16:9) or traditional (4:3) format a nd provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as high as HDTV.
High Definition TV (HDTV) - HDTV in widescreen format (16:9) provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. Combined with digitally enhanced sound technology, HDTV sets new standards for sound and picture quality in television. (Note: HDTV and digital TV are not the same thing — HDTV is one format of digital TV.)

So you want to find out more here are some links and PDF’s that will explan this all in more detail.

 Impact to the Viewer: The Digital Transition (PPT)
      Includes overview of DTV and HDTV, who will be affected, what consumers can do to prepare.
 Assigning Digital Call Letters

Local Station Digital Transition Initiatives
 PBS Announces DTV transition Consumer Awareness Campaign (B&C PDF posted 2/08)
 South Dakota Stations Mount DTB Campaign (TVNewsday PDF posted 2/08)
 Flash! DTV Transition is on the Way, Says Michigan Association of Broadcasters
     (Broadcasting & Cable PDF posted 2/08)
 Harris: Stations See Greater Ad Options with Digital TV
     (MediaDaily News PDF posted 2/08)
 WNBC to Air “Get Ready for Digital TV” special (TVNewsday PDF posted 2/08)
 New Multicast Digital Networks: Boon or Yawn? (Media Post PDF posted 2/08)
 Digital Networks Vie for Affiliation Deals (TVNewsday PDF posted 2/08)
 DTV Multicast Net Strikes Deal with Sony (Broadcasting & Cable PDF posted 11/07)
 KWCH Wichita Seizes DTV Education Initiative (TVNEWSDAY PDF posted 11/07)
 Local Watertown Station Educating Public through Blogs
     (Online TV Marketing PDF posted 11/07)
 FCC Oct. 15 2007 DTV Hearing: Broadcasters Announce $697Million Campaign
      (PDF posted 10/07)
 NAB DTV Marketing Overview (PDF posted 10/07) 
 There’s more to Local HD than Hardware (TVNEWSDAY PDF posted 10/07)
 Quincy Gets Jump on Equipping Viewers for DTV (PDF) 
 CBC Stations Launch DTV Transition PSA Campaign (PDF)

DTV News
 Digital Switchover to Create Tons of E-Trash (BusinessGreen.com PDF posted 2/08)
 Centris Study on DTV Glitch Called ‘Misleading’ (Mediaweek PDF posted 2/08)
 Study: Signal Drop Glitch Exists in DTV Switchover Plan (Mediaweek PDF posted 2/08)
 Failure of Microsoft Device Could Damage White Spaces Campaign
    (CNNmoney.com PDF posted 2/08)
 Martin Plan: Must Carry for Class A – LPTV Stations (Multichannel News PDF posted 2/08)
 NBC Seeks a Sweep Shift (Hollywood Reporter PDF posted 2/08)
 Broadcasters Get Leeway on Digital TV Switch (Reuters PDF posted 1/08)
 For LPTV, DTV is a Countdown to Disaster (TVNEWSDAY PDF posted 11/07)
 NAB DTV Press Conference / Starcom Mediavest Sees Broadcasters Generating
    98 Billion Impressions (PDF Broadcasting & Cable 10/07)
 Beijing Olympics to Kick-Start Mainstream HD Adoption (PDF Broadcasting & Cable 10/07)
 FCC Sets 700MHZ Auction Rules, Moves Date to Jan. 24 (PDF Broadcasting & Cable 10/07)
 NTIA Approves First DTV Converter Boxes (PDF TVNEWSDAY 9/07)
 Verizon Lawsuit Looms Over DTV Transition (PDF Multichannel News 9/07)
 Groups Organize Opposition to Unlicensed Devices in White Space
    (PDF TVTechnology.com 9/07)
 White Space Proponents tell FCC to Take it Slow
     (PDF TVNEWSDAY Focus on Washington 9/07)
 Senator Kohl (D-Wis.) Hammers Government DTV Transition Education for Seniors
     (PDF Broadcasting & Cable 9/07)
 DTV Education – White Space Style (PDF Broadcasting & Cable 8/07)

Here are some other helpful links that talk about the digital TV transition.

Here are some great how to videos for Sansa MP3 players.

Click on the Link and it will open and start playing the video.

	Sansa MP3 Player
Adding music files to your MicroSD card of your Sansa MP3 player (Windows XP | Vista)		Deleting music files from your MicroSD card in your Sansa MP3 player (Vista)
Adding album art to your Sansa MP3 player while connected in MSC mode (Windows XP | Vista)		Adding album art to your Sansa MP3 player while connected in MTP mode (Windows XP)
Adding music files in MSC mode (Windows XP | Vista)		Adding music files in MTP mode (Windows XP | Vista)
Formatting your Sansa MP3 player in MSC mode (Windows XP | Vista)		Formatting your Sansa MP3 player in MTP mode (Vista)
Formatting your MicroSD card (Vista)		Deleting files in your Sansa MP3 Player while connected in MSC mode (Windows XP | Vista)
Deleting files in your Sansa MP3 Player while connected in MTP mode (Windows XP | Vista)		Updating the firmware of your Sansa MP3 player (Windows XP)
	Napster
Adding songs to your Sansa MP3 player using Napster (Windows XP | Vista)		Adding songs to your library from your computer using Napster (Windows XP | Vista)
Adding a playlist to your Sansa MP3 player using Napster (Windows XP | Vista)		Deleting a playlist from your Sansa MP3 in Napster (Vista)
Delete songs in your MP3 player using Napster (Windows XP)		Delete songs in your library using Napster (Vista)
Deauthorizing an old device, and authorizing a new one in Napster (Vista)		Adding subscription songs to your library in Napster (Vista)
Rip audio tracks from a CD and add it to your library in Napster (Vista)
	Rhapsody
Adding Rhapsody channels in your Sansa Rhapsody MP3 player (Windows XP | Vista)		Import songs to your library from your computer in Rhapsody (Windows XP | Vista)
Deleting songs in your library in Rhapsody (Vista)		Creating and adding a playlist to your Sansa MP3 player using Rhapsody (Windows XP | Vista)
Deleting a playlist from your Sansa Rhapsody MP3 player in Rhapsody (Vista)		Adding songs from your library to your Sansa Rhapsody MP3 player (Windows XP | Vista)
Adding subscription songs from Rhapsody into your library (Vista)		Deleting Rhapsody channels in your Sansa Rhapsody MP3 player (Windows XP | Vista)
Deleting songs from your Sansa Rhapsody MP3 player using Rhapsody (Windows XP | Vista)		Authorize your PC to work with Rhapsody (Vista)
Authorize an MP3 player in Rhapsody (Vista)		De-authorize your PC in Rhapsody (Vista)
De-authorize an MP3 player in Rhapsody (Vista)		Rip audio tracks from a CD and add it to your library in Rhapsody (Vista)
	Sansa Media Converter
Adding videos to your Sansa MP3 Player using Sansa Media Converter (Windows XP | Vista)		Adding pictures to your Sansa MP3 Player using Sansa Media Converter (Windows XP | Vista)
Adding pictures to your Sansa MP3 Player using Arcsoft’s Sansa Media Converter (Vista)		Adding videos to your Sansa MP3 Player using Arcsoft’s Sansa Media Converter (Vista)
	Windows Media Player 10
Adding music to your Sansa MP3 player using Windows Media Player 10 (Windows XP)		Adding music files to your library using Windows Media Player 10 (Windows XP)
Deleting music on your Sansa MP3 player using Windows Media Player 10 (Windows XP)		Deleting songs in your library using Windows Media Player 10 (Windows XP)
Editing music track info using Windows Media Player 10 (Windows XP)		Adding a playlist to your Sansa MP3 player in MTP mode using Windows Media Player 10 (Windows XP)
Rip audio music cds and add them to your library using Windows Media Player 10 (Windows XP)		Formatting your Sansa MP3 player using Windows Media Player 10 (Windows XP)
	Windows Media Player 11
Adding music to your Sansa MP3 player using Windows Media Player 11 (Windows XP | Vista)		Adding music files to your library using Windows Media Player 11 (Windows XP | Vista)
Deleting music files from your library using Windows Media Player 11 (Vista)		Deleting music files on your Sansa MP3 player using Windows Media Player 11 (Windows XP | Vista)
Editing music track info using Windows Media Player 11 (Windows XP | Vista)		Find track information for tracks in Windows Media Player 11 (Vista)
Adding a playlist to your Sansa MP3 player in MTP mode using Windows Media Player 11 (Windows XP | Vista)		Deleting a playlist in your Sansa MP3 player using Windows Media Player 11 (Vista)
How to format your Sansa MP3 (Vista)		Rip audio music cds and add them to your library using Windows Media Player 11 (Windows XP | Vista)
	Yahoo Music Services
Adding a playlist to your Sansa MP3 player using Yahoo Music Services (Windows XP | Vista)		Deleting a playlist from your Sansa MP3 player in Yahoo Music Jukebox (Vista)
Adding songs to your Sansa MP3 player using Yahoo Music Services (Windows XP | Vista)		Adding subscription songs from Yahoo Unlimited into your library (Vista)
Adding songs from your computer to your library using Yahoo Music Services (Windows XP | Vista )		Deleting songs from your Sansa MP3 player using Yahoo Music Services (Windows XP | Vista)
Deactivating the computer in Yahoo Music Jukebox (Vista)		Deleting songs from your library in Yahoo Music Jukebox (Vista)
How to format the Sansa MP3 player in Yahoo Music Jukebox (Vista)		Rip audio tracks from a CD and add it to your library in Yahoo Music Jukebox (Vista)
	Audible
Adding audible books to your MP3 player using Audible Manager (Windows XP)		Adding books from an online library to your computer using Audible Manager (Windows XP)
Adding your MP3 player as a mobile device in Audible Manager (Windows XP)		Deleting an audible book in your MP3 player using Audible Manager (Windows XP)
Deleting a book from your library using Audible Manager (Windows XP)		Purchasing an audible book from Audible.com (Windows XP)
	Base Station
Connecting Sansa device to your Base Station		Base Station features
Connecting your Sansa device to your computer via the Base Station

With a year to go until analog TV broadcasts give way to digital, the federal government on Tuesday started mailing $40 discount coupons for digital converter boxes to consumers who requested them.

Do you need one? And if so, do you really need one now?

Only consumers with older analog TVs who get their programming solely over the air — not through cable or satellite service — will need to plug their rooftop antenna or pair of rabbit ears into a converter box.

If you use an antenna to watch television, your older set won’t work after Feb. 17, 2009. One year from now all over-the-air TV broadcasts will be strictly digital.

Analog TV is going away and your old television can’t receive the new digital TV signal. So, if you use an antenna to watch TV, you’ll need to buy a digital converter box for your older TV.
As a side note if you use satellite or cable, you aren’t affected.

Converter boxes will sell for $50 to $70 and the government will even help you buy one.

They will send households two coupons to buy converter boxes good for $40.

It’s not too often the government offers you $80 to watch TV! To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at www.dtv2009.gov. The government also has set up a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

The coupons will start arriving in mailboxes late this month. You’ll have your choice of at least 15 different brands.

You could decide to just buy cable or an HD capable TV but, don’t forget about those extra TV sets you have in your bedrooms and kitchen. If they’re not digital or hooked up to cable or satellite you’re going to have to get boxes for them.

Here is a list of eligible boxes.

The NTIA will maintain a list of approved CECBs to distribute to consumers and participating retailers.

The following is the list of approved CECBs.

*The manufacturer has indicated that these models are capable of passing analog signals through to the TV set.

From the AP:
Samsung Electronics Co. will introduce high-definition TV sets with computer-like features, letting users read news from USA Today, play games or look up recipes, the company said Sunday.

A button on the remote of Samsung’s new Series 6 and Series 7 LCD and plasma HDTVs displays news, weather, sports and stocks information supplied by USA Today as a picture within the picture. The TV set needs to be connected to the home Internet connection through an Ethernet port for this feature.

Furthermore, some LCD flat-panel sets will come with content preloaded into flash memory, Samsung said. The content will range from artwork that can be displayed as a screensaver, to fitness programs, food recipes and simple games like Sudoku, said Tim Baxter, executive vice president of sales and marketing for the consumer electronics division of Samsung Electronics America.

“If you think about the TV experience, it has historically been a lean-back experience,” Baxter said, contrasting it to the more active “lean-forward experience” of using a personal computer.

“We think there are opportunities to bring very relevant parts of that experience into the living room,” Baxter said.

Users will be able to update the preloaded content by downloading artwork or games onto flash drives, which can be plugged into the sets.

Samsung plans to launch the interactive sets this spring. Prices were not immediately available.

Great video showing the Sansa TakeTV from Gear Live at http://www.gearlive.com/news/archives/P8020/
You can find out more information on Sansas at the SansaCommunity.com

“Does size matter?” is a question that has created quite a lot of controversy over time, whether we’re talking about intimacy-related issues or the dimensions of television sets. Furthermore, it seems that the old habit of measuring whose “member” is bigger has gone beyond the premises of the locker-room and into the big world of consumer electronics,
because the most important manufacturers involved on the TV sets’ market are constantly competing against each other in order to create the world’s largest displays. And it looks like the “best-endowed” player might be none other than Panasonic, or at least a future plasma model coming from the Japanese company.

The Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, says that Matsushita has managed to top the world record in the field of plasma displays, as it plans to roll out at CES 2008 the widest device, surpassing its own previous record (an 103-inch model). Furthermore, this particular PDP promises to be the world’s largest display, surpassing even Sharp’s 108-inch LCD panel prototype.

However, as you might imagine, there’s a twist to this whole story. Thus, if we take into consideration the fact that the 103-inch PDP from Panasonic retails for around 6 million yen (53,000 US dollars), you can only imagine just how expensive the 150-inch behemoth will be! Actually, if we speak only in terms of dollars per inch, the new PDP should sell for at least…80,000 US dollars…