Televisions

Small screens have a big future in the home

As consumers move to the Web for convenient anytime/anywhere access to the content they want, connectivity will play a larger role in TV viewing. The marriage of the Internet to the TV screen seems perfectly timed in this respect, with services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Pandora almost standard on most connected sets.

With nearly two in three displays 50 inches and larger being Internet-connectable, according to The NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service, the feature is approaching ubiquity on large screens.

As a way to easily deliver more content, the Web seems like a natural fit for primary displays in the home that tend to have larger screens. But as the installed base of streaming video and other apps continues to grow and become a larger part of the everyday user's consumption routine, demand for access to them across the household is also likely to increase, giving rise to a new market for smaller connected-TV screens suited for secondary rooms in the home.

Apple's WWDC keynote: What we didn't get

It seems like every Apple event comes with an increasingly large dose of sparkling hype, and plenty of supposedly imminent announcements end up not happening.

This year's Tim Cook keynote speech at WWDC had its share of big news, and plenty of excitement -- iOS 6, Retina Display MacBook Pros -- but here's what wasn't there.… Read more

New site calls for cable-free HBO Go option, but it's an uphill battle

With "Game of Thrones" now the most pirated show on the Internet, a site has sprung up calling for HBO Go to become available without a cable membership, but unfortunately it's unlikely to work.

The site, started by Web programmer Jake Caputo and called Take My Money, HBO!, is designed to convince HBO to sell individual memberships to HBO Go to reduce piracy.

In response, several sites have pointed out why this strategy is doomed to fail. Even the company itself seems happy with its current domestic situation: in response to my request for comment, a HBO spokesperson instead pointed me to this tweet, which links to a TechCrunch article detailing why "HBO doesn't want your money."… 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

Apple TV will start slow revolution in 2013, says analyst

Apple will release a television in 2013 for between $1,500 and $2,000, but it won't instantly revolutionize the industry, says Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. You have to wonder how much time it takes to trim a hedge that big.

Munster says the content offerings on an Apple-branded set might not initially be that much different than that of the currently available Apple TV set-top box, but that within five years he would expect the company to push back against the current cable and satellite TV models and move toward more DVR in the cloud and unbundled channels that consumers can pick and choose. … Read more

Which TV is right for me? (Device & Conquer)

The technology behind the screen that creates the image is the core of what you're paying for when you buy a TV.

Understanding the differences can be confusing and, frankly, very technical. Leave it to CNET's Brian Cooley to make it simple and narrow down your choice in just a few minutes. Luckily for even the least attentive consumer, there are very few bad TVs out there. But if you're about to lay out this kind of money for a piece of electronics you'll keep for almost seven years on average, know what you're buying. … Read more

How are you streaming? (Poll)

Streaming video, with its instant access and wide selection, has exploded over the past few years. Whether it's Netflix, which despite some recent fumbles still remains hugely popular, or other services like Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, and so on, more services and content have become available. Even better, the number of devices capable of streaming that content continues to grow.

With so many options available to stream Internet content, what's your pick?… Read more

Sorta universal active-3D TV glasses compared

OK, so only the middle pair is actually universal, but all three pairs of active-3D TV glasses on my head, and compared below, will work with all 2011/2012 Samsung 3D TVs, as well as with 2012 Panasonic 3D TVs.

So if you have one of those 2011/2012 Samsung or 2012 Panasonic TVs and want to watch 3D sources, you actually, for the first time ever, have a real choice in spectacles. The question then becomes, "Which ones should I buy?"

The short answer is, as always, "What do you want?" If you just want to get 3D capability as cheaply as possible, the Samsungs are a shoo-in. If you're willing to pay more for better comfort and durability, I'd recommend the Panasonics. The more expensive Xpand glasses appeal to a smaller niche than either: people who actually anticipate regularly watching active 3D on multiple TVs (namely, ones incompatible with those Samsung or Panasonic glasses) in addition to their primary 3D television.

The shorter answer is "I like the Panasonics best." If you're into 3D enough to actually be buying 3D glasses for the whole family, it might make sense to grab a pair or two of the Panasonics as primary ("daddy" and/or "mommy") glasses and as many Samsungs as you need for other viewers. For 2012 Panasonic TV owners who just want to dabble in 3D, the $20 Samsungs are as risk-free as you can get.

Check out the full reviews, arranged in order of rating below, for more detail. I also listed current Amazon pricing (Xpand's $20 RF dongle will be widely available in four weeks).… Read more

LG's $10,000 OLED: Hands-on

Big-screen OLED TV technology has taken years to come to market, and LG's 55EM9600 won CNET's Best of CES award in January, so among technology enthusiasts, it's safe to classify anticipation for the 4mm-thin television as "high."

CNET's Asia's TV reviewer Philip Wong got the opportunity to spend some hands-on time with an early version of the set yesterday in Monaco, and he liked what he saw -- from deep black levels to superb off-angle viewing, with a potential for accurate color. His conclusion?

In many ways, the 55EM9600 is the "spiritual successor" to the lengendary Pioneer Kuro. Until we have a chance to check out the Samsung OLED panel, this LG easily sets the new benchmark in terms of TV picture quality and slim design.

Check out his full impressions here, including plenty of in-person pictures and TV nerd eye candy.