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Can I use an 'indoor' TV outside?

CNET reader Jason asks:

We have a covered porch that's screaming for a television. I'm not worried about the "elements" as much as I am about the extreme heat and cold. Here in North Texas, we can see summer temps as high as 110 degrees and winter temps in the teens.

I know there are "weatherproof" televisions out there, but they are expensive. Is that my only route, or are there certain TVs that do better in the heat or cold of outside?

Good question.… Read more

Don't buy a jumbo LCD TV, buy a projector

With all the hype and hoopla about Sharp's 80-, and now 90-inch LCDs, I think it's important to point out that these are neither a good value, nor a good idea if your goal is a big TV for the home.

Yes, I'm talking about projection, and it's easier, cheaper, and better looking than a big LCD.… Read more

Samsung announces Cloud Gaming TVs

Samsung has announced a partnership with cloud gaming service Gaikai to provide console-free streaming to flagship 2012 LED TVs.

Samsung Cloud Gaming will soon accept beta signups for users with ES7100, ES7500, and ES8000 LED TVs, but has yet to announce if other TVs will be supported.

The service offers free trials and full versions of games such as "Mass Effect 3" and "Need For Speed: The Run" streamed to the televisions with gaming pad support.

The announcement follows rumors last week that Sony would be the one to announce a partnership with Gaikai.

Samsung representatives … Read more

Active 3D vs. passive 3D: What's better?

CNET reader Taher asks:

I'm trying to decide between two 3D TVs: a Panasonic that's active 3D and LG that's passive 3D. LG has all these international certificates for the best 3D picture and claims it's full resolution, but you and others claim Passive 3D is half the resolution of a real 1080p. Is there is a way for me to really tell the difference between an active and a passive 3D?

There sure is.… Read more

Why do plasma TVs look washed out in the store?

CNET Reader Rob asks:

I've been reading your articles on HDTV and find them very informative so, here's something I need cleared up. You mentioned how plasma TVs can control the brightness of individual pixels, made me think they should have a superior picture to LCD -- so I went looking at plasmas. I noticed that they seem to have a "washed out" look, an overall dimmer picture than LCD. Everywhere I go this seems to be the case. What's up with that? Thanks.

A common question, and a huge issue with plasmas, but not how you might think.… Read more

When HD isn't HD

Not all HD is the same. For that matter, just because you have an HDTV, that doesn't mean you're actually watching high-definition video. A variety of factors could be conspiring to create an image that's not nearly as good as what your TV is capable of.

Make sure you're getting the most from your TV with this guide.… Read more

When should I upgrade my HDTV?

Let's say you've had your HDTV for a few years now. Let's say you can't stop reading new TV reviews. Let's say you find excuses to stop at Best Buy to stare at the wall.

OK, you want a new TV. No problem. But do you need a new TV? Are the current models really that much better than what you have?

Let's take a look.… Read more

Why the new iPad's resolution is irrelevant to HDTVs

With all the incessant hoopla about the new iPad, the one comparison that keeps popping up is that its 2,048x1,536-pixel resolution is "greater than an HDTV!" or "1 million more pixels than your TV!"

Not only is this irrelevant and a senseless comparison, but it has no bearing on the future of HDTVs, as some have implied.

Here's why.… Read more

Morrison's Mailbag: Why is my TV's audio so low?

CNET Reader Kato asks:

I have speakers directly hooked up to my TV via the "speaker audio out." It works fine. I then hooked up additional speakers I had from a computer. Upon doing so the volume on the original speakers went way down and I get even less from the new speakers. What am I doing wrong?

Oh, so many things...… Read more