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Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Dressed your home for holidays
Turn your great outdoors into a winter wonderland with STYLE at HOME's decorating guide.
Here's how to design a scheme that has all the magic of the season.
THE FRONT DOOR
For most homes, the front door is the natural focal point of a scheme. Use a combination of these ideas to give it holiday cheer.
Wreaths
Choose a minimum diameter of 24 inches.
Fatten up a cedar or pine wreath with materials from the garden, like wisteria vines, magnolia leaves, pinecones and berry sprigs. Alternatives to standard greenery include grapevines and boxwood.
Add colour with outdoor wire-reinforced ribbon. For a dressier look, try spray-painting embellishments in gold, copper or silver.
Or consider more unusual materials: Michael Renaud of Horticultural Design in Toronto suggests a wreath of juniper boughs and lichen moss for a stunning grey, blue and green combo.
To hang a wreath on a metal door use magnetic clips from florist, garden and hardware stores, which won't mar the surface (for glass doors, use a two-sided version). On wood doors, opt for a picture hook, or try a "cradle," a long hook that hangs from the top of the door.
Garlands
Beef up artificial or evergreen garlands of pine or cedar with additional greenery, or add natural embellishments such as pinecones, berries, or dried or artificial fruit.
How to hang: Snap the garland at the corners for a crisp turn. Screw small eye hooks into the wood frame and use floral wire to tie the garland down. On brick, use masonry nails to anchor the wire.
Lighting
Battery-operated lights won't interfere with the operation of the door.
Urns
Greenery-filled urns can last a long time.
Alternatives
Hang a lush bouquet or wicker basket of dried flowers or grasses on the door.
Display an evergreen bough over a door like an eyebrow; attach pinecones, berries and silver balls along the length.
WINDOWS
Wreaths
If you have a Georgian-style facade (a central door flanked by windows), go for the Victorian tradition of wreaths on the door and every window.
To hang: Shawn Gibson of Teatro Verde in Toronto advises hanging the wreath with fishing line from an anchor point, like a magnetic hook or a nail in the window frame (not in the sash, which can weaken it). To secure the wreath, hammer a second nail six inches to one side of the first nail, and run wire from the second nail to the side of the wreath.
Lighting
Lighted windows look cosy. For a party, pillar candles on a wide window ledge add a festive look (keep away from curtains). For safety, put tea lights or votives in glasses, as Toronto-based interior designer Carol McFarlane does, or use hurricane lamps or lanterns.
Window boxes
Fill boxes with evergreen boughs, or as floral designer Frank Rea of Forget Me Not in Oakville, Ont., suggests, “plant” the boxes with closely spaced greenery, live ivy or hardy bulbs. Cover the soil with chicken wire to keep animals out; in milder climes, bulbs may sprout, especially if they've been forced.
LANDSCAPING
Highlighting shrubs
Instead of putting lights on your shrubs, small white spotlights tucked underneath provide a warm glow; opt for red, amber, copper or green, instead of white, for a festive look. Uplights also look dramatic under deciduous trees.
The backyard
This area is for family, and, says Carol McFarlane, nothing's cosier than a glance out the back window at a tree aglow with lights.
Interior decorator Marjorie Paradine suggests decorating an evergreen (cut or planted) for the birds. Hang suet and peanut butter balls, popcorn and cranberry garlands, and seed bells.
Other architectural features
Dress other prominent features in seasonal finery, too.
Hang a wreath on a front gate or a garage door.
Swag garlands along a fence, a porch banister, on the three faces of a bay window, or wrapped barber-pole style around columns. Add bows, if you like.
Here's how to design a scheme that has all the magic of the season.
THE FRONT DOOR
For most homes, the front door is the natural focal point of a scheme. Use a combination of these ideas to give it holiday cheer.
Wreaths
Choose a minimum diameter of 24 inches.
Fatten up a cedar or pine wreath with materials from the garden, like wisteria vines, magnolia leaves, pinecones and berry sprigs. Alternatives to standard greenery include grapevines and boxwood.
Add colour with outdoor wire-reinforced ribbon. For a dressier look, try spray-painting embellishments in gold, copper or silver.
Or consider more unusual materials: Michael Renaud of Horticultural Design in Toronto suggests a wreath of juniper boughs and lichen moss for a stunning grey, blue and green combo.
To hang a wreath on a metal door use magnetic clips from florist, garden and hardware stores, which won't mar the surface (for glass doors, use a two-sided version). On wood doors, opt for a picture hook, or try a "cradle," a long hook that hangs from the top of the door.
Garlands
Beef up artificial or evergreen garlands of pine or cedar with additional greenery, or add natural embellishments such as pinecones, berries, or dried or artificial fruit.
How to hang: Snap the garland at the corners for a crisp turn. Screw small eye hooks into the wood frame and use floral wire to tie the garland down. On brick, use masonry nails to anchor the wire.
Lighting
Battery-operated lights won't interfere with the operation of the door.
Urns
Greenery-filled urns can last a long time.
Alternatives
Hang a lush bouquet or wicker basket of dried flowers or grasses on the door.
Display an evergreen bough over a door like an eyebrow; attach pinecones, berries and silver balls along the length.
WINDOWS
Wreaths
If you have a Georgian-style facade (a central door flanked by windows), go for the Victorian tradition of wreaths on the door and every window.
To hang: Shawn Gibson of Teatro Verde in Toronto advises hanging the wreath with fishing line from an anchor point, like a magnetic hook or a nail in the window frame (not in the sash, which can weaken it). To secure the wreath, hammer a second nail six inches to one side of the first nail, and run wire from the second nail to the side of the wreath.
Lighting
Lighted windows look cosy. For a party, pillar candles on a wide window ledge add a festive look (keep away from curtains). For safety, put tea lights or votives in glasses, as Toronto-based interior designer Carol McFarlane does, or use hurricane lamps or lanterns.
Window boxes
Fill boxes with evergreen boughs, or as floral designer Frank Rea of Forget Me Not in Oakville, Ont., suggests, “plant” the boxes with closely spaced greenery, live ivy or hardy bulbs. Cover the soil with chicken wire to keep animals out; in milder climes, bulbs may sprout, especially if they've been forced.
LANDSCAPING
Highlighting shrubs
Instead of putting lights on your shrubs, small white spotlights tucked underneath provide a warm glow; opt for red, amber, copper or green, instead of white, for a festive look. Uplights also look dramatic under deciduous trees.
The backyard
This area is for family, and, says Carol McFarlane, nothing's cosier than a glance out the back window at a tree aglow with lights.
Interior decorator Marjorie Paradine suggests decorating an evergreen (cut or planted) for the birds. Hang suet and peanut butter balls, popcorn and cranberry garlands, and seed bells.
Other architectural features
Dress other prominent features in seasonal finery, too.
Hang a wreath on a front gate or a garage door.
Swag garlands along a fence, a porch banister, on the three faces of a bay window, or wrapped barber-pole style around columns. Add bows, if you like.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Most Secure U.S. Places (continue)
Large Metro Areas (500,000 or more residents)
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.
2. Boise City-Nampa, Idaho
3. Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Md.
4. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif.
5. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-¬Ventura, Calif.
6. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn.
7. Nassau County-Suffolk County, N.Y.
8. New Haven-Milford, Conn.
9. Lake County, Ill./Kenosha County, Wis.
10. Honolulu, Hawaii
11. Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine
12. Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, Mass.
13. Edison, N.J.
14. Portland-Beaverton, Ore./Vancouver, Wash.
15. Santa Ana-Anaheim, Calif.
16. Madison, Wis.
17. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash.
18. Rochester, N.Y.
19. Syracuse, N.Y.
20. Essex County, Mass.
Mid-Size Cities (150,000 - 500,000 residents)
1. Olympia, Wash.
2. Rockingham County-Strafford County, N.H.
3. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif.
4. Sioux Falls, S.D.
5. Bellingham, Wash.
6. Fargo, N.D.
7. Naples-Marco Island, Fla.
8. Las Cruces, N.M.
9. Lancaster, Pa.
10. Bremerton-Silverdale, Wash.
11. Binghamton, N.Y.
12. Lynchburg, Va.
13. Burlington-South Burlington, Vt.
14. Rochester, Minn.
15. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria, Calif.
16. Charlottesville, Va.
17. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, Calif.
18. Salinas, Calif.
19. St. Cloud, Minn.
20. Medford, Ore.
Small Towns (Fewer than 150,000 residents)
1. Corvallis, Ore.
2. Harrisonburg, Va.
3. Ithaca, N.Y.
4. State College, Pa.
5. Logan, Utah
6. Lewiston, Idaho
7. Bismarck, N.D.
8. St. George, Utah
9. Napa, Calif.
10. Bend, Ore.
11. Wenatchee, Wash.
12. Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Wash.
13. Ames, Iowa
14. Morgantown, W. Va.
15. Wausau, Wis.
16. Iowa City, Iowa
17. Winchester, Va.
18. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
19. Glens Falls, N.Y.
20. Grand Forks, N.D.
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.
2. Boise City-Nampa, Idaho
3. Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Md.
4. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif.
5. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-¬Ventura, Calif.
6. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn.
7. Nassau County-Suffolk County, N.Y.
8. New Haven-Milford, Conn.
9. Lake County, Ill./Kenosha County, Wis.
10. Honolulu, Hawaii
11. Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine
12. Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, Mass.
13. Edison, N.J.
14. Portland-Beaverton, Ore./Vancouver, Wash.
15. Santa Ana-Anaheim, Calif.
16. Madison, Wis.
17. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash.
18. Rochester, N.Y.
19. Syracuse, N.Y.
20. Essex County, Mass.
Mid-Size Cities (150,000 - 500,000 residents)
1. Olympia, Wash.
2. Rockingham County-Strafford County, N.H.
3. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif.
4. Sioux Falls, S.D.
5. Bellingham, Wash.
6. Fargo, N.D.
7. Naples-Marco Island, Fla.
8. Las Cruces, N.M.
9. Lancaster, Pa.
10. Bremerton-Silverdale, Wash.
11. Binghamton, N.Y.
12. Lynchburg, Va.
13. Burlington-South Burlington, Vt.
14. Rochester, Minn.
15. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria, Calif.
16. Charlottesville, Va.
17. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, Calif.
18. Salinas, Calif.
19. St. Cloud, Minn.
20. Medford, Ore.
Small Towns (Fewer than 150,000 residents)
1. Corvallis, Ore.
2. Harrisonburg, Va.
3. Ithaca, N.Y.
4. State College, Pa.
5. Logan, Utah
6. Lewiston, Idaho
7. Bismarck, N.D.
8. St. George, Utah
9. Napa, Calif.
10. Bend, Ore.
11. Wenatchee, Wash.
12. Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Wash.
13. Ames, Iowa
14. Morgantown, W. Va.
15. Wausau, Wis.
16. Iowa City, Iowa
17. Winchester, Va.
18. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
19. Glens Falls, N.Y.
20. Grand Forks, N.D.
Most Secure U.S. Places
By Bert Sperling
Sep 26th, 2008
Corvallis, Ore., Rated No. 1
Health, prosperity, safety and security are all desirable aspects when it comes to seeking a place to live, work or raise a family. According to our fourth annual Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings from Farmers Insurance Group of Companies®, the city that best meets those qualifications is Corvallis, Ore.
The rankings took into consideration crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, environmental hazards, terrorism threats, air quality, life expectancy and job loss numbers in 379 U.S. municipalities. The study divided the communities into three groups: large metropolitan areas, mid-size cities and small towns.
Corvallis is the fourth different city in four years to earn top honors in the Farmers study. The leading communities in the three previous studies were: the Provo-Orem, Utah, area in 2004; the Richland-Kennewick-Pasco area of southeast Washington in 2005; and St. George, Utah, in 2006.
Top-ranked Corvallis, whose population of 81,105 places it among the small towns, is nestled in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley and is home to Oregon State University. In 2006, Corvallis was honored as only the third U.S. city at that time to meet the EPA's challenge to become a Green Power Community. Corvallis' low crime rate and negligible threats of extreme weather, environmental hazards and terrorist threats led to its No. 1 ranking in the 2007 Farmers study.
The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area in northern California's Silicon Valley tops all large metropolitan areas (population of 500,000 or greater), scoring particularly well in the extreme weather and terrorist threats categories. The area is considered one of the leading research and development centers of the world; in 2005, San Jose and Sunnyvale ranked first and second in the number of utility patents filed in the U.S.
Olympia, Wash., is the most secure mid-size city (population between 150,000 and 500,000). The state capital has become a hub for artists and musicians. The extremely clean air and the long life expectancy of Olympia's residents aided its lofty ranking.
Sep 26th, 2008
Corvallis, Ore., Rated No. 1
Health, prosperity, safety and security are all desirable aspects when it comes to seeking a place to live, work or raise a family. According to our fourth annual Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings from Farmers Insurance Group of Companies®, the city that best meets those qualifications is Corvallis, Ore.
The rankings took into consideration crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, environmental hazards, terrorism threats, air quality, life expectancy and job loss numbers in 379 U.S. municipalities. The study divided the communities into three groups: large metropolitan areas, mid-size cities and small towns.
Corvallis is the fourth different city in four years to earn top honors in the Farmers study. The leading communities in the three previous studies were: the Provo-Orem, Utah, area in 2004; the Richland-Kennewick-Pasco area of southeast Washington in 2005; and St. George, Utah, in 2006.
Top-ranked Corvallis, whose population of 81,105 places it among the small towns, is nestled in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley and is home to Oregon State University. In 2006, Corvallis was honored as only the third U.S. city at that time to meet the EPA's challenge to become a Green Power Community. Corvallis' low crime rate and negligible threats of extreme weather, environmental hazards and terrorist threats led to its No. 1 ranking in the 2007 Farmers study.
The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area in northern California's Silicon Valley tops all large metropolitan areas (population of 500,000 or greater), scoring particularly well in the extreme weather and terrorist threats categories. The area is considered one of the leading research and development centers of the world; in 2005, San Jose and Sunnyvale ranked first and second in the number of utility patents filed in the U.S.
Olympia, Wash., is the most secure mid-size city (population between 150,000 and 500,000). The state capital has become a hub for artists and musicians. The extremely clean air and the long life expectancy of Olympia's residents aided its lofty ranking.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Miami residents are most attractive in U.S
By Christian Wiessner
Thu Sep 11, 6:54 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - If you live in Miami, consider yourself among the most attractive people in the United States.
The Sunshine State's metropolis has the most beautiful people, according to an online survey of "America's Favorite Cities" by Travel + Leisure magazine, while Philadelphia came in last at No. 25.
"I'm not surprised at all, but I'm not in that group" joked Bill Talbert, president of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, about the city's attractive people rating.
"When you're here, you kind of take it for granted. Then you travel, and when you come back you say, 'Oh my, look what we have here,"' he added.
Although Philadelphia placed last for the second consecutive year, a tourism official said the city was happy to be in the top 25.
The online survey of 125,000 people ranked 25 U.S. cities in 45 categories ranging from most affordable to friendliest people.
Las Vegas and New Orleans took the top spots as best city for a wild weekend, and Washington, D.C., was voted tops for historical sites/monuments. But Los Angeles residents may have a problem with being ranked last in the friendliest people and most intelligent people categories.
If you want friendly, you can't do any better than Charleston, South Carolina, and if you're looking for the smartest locals, head to Seattle, Washington, according to the survey.
New York received the most No.1 ratings, getting top marks for shopping, arts, diverse residents and skyline. But the Big Apple limped in last for peace and quiet and affordability.
The poll showed San Antonio, Texas, takes the smallest bite out of your budget and is the most affordable city, while peace and quiet is easiest found in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which also came in last in all nightlife categories.
Portland, Oregon, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Austin, Texas, took the gold, silver and bronze in the cleanest city competition, while New Orleans had the most work to do in keeping things tidy.
"We were really excited to see how some of the smaller cities took center stage," said Travel + Leisure editor Stirling Kelso.
"Portland again did very well, ranking high in environmental awareness, outdoor life and public transportation."
Kelso said the accessibility of a city, largely through its good public transportation services, will often result in higher survey rankings.
"New York and Washington are very accessible and did well. We were surprised with Los Angeles' low rankings, but perhaps that's because it's not a really accessible city," she added.
Honolulu topped the field in best for a romantic escape and best weather. Theme-park rich Orlando in Florida was voted best for a family vacation while Las Vegas came in last in the category.
Thu Sep 11, 6:54 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - If you live in Miami, consider yourself among the most attractive people in the United States.
The Sunshine State's metropolis has the most beautiful people, according to an online survey of "America's Favorite Cities" by Travel + Leisure magazine, while Philadelphia came in last at No. 25.
"I'm not surprised at all, but I'm not in that group" joked Bill Talbert, president of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, about the city's attractive people rating.
"When you're here, you kind of take it for granted. Then you travel, and when you come back you say, 'Oh my, look what we have here,"' he added.
Although Philadelphia placed last for the second consecutive year, a tourism official said the city was happy to be in the top 25.
The online survey of 125,000 people ranked 25 U.S. cities in 45 categories ranging from most affordable to friendliest people.
Las Vegas and New Orleans took the top spots as best city for a wild weekend, and Washington, D.C., was voted tops for historical sites/monuments. But Los Angeles residents may have a problem with being ranked last in the friendliest people and most intelligent people categories.
If you want friendly, you can't do any better than Charleston, South Carolina, and if you're looking for the smartest locals, head to Seattle, Washington, according to the survey.
New York received the most No.1 ratings, getting top marks for shopping, arts, diverse residents and skyline. But the Big Apple limped in last for peace and quiet and affordability.
The poll showed San Antonio, Texas, takes the smallest bite out of your budget and is the most affordable city, while peace and quiet is easiest found in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which also came in last in all nightlife categories.
Portland, Oregon, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Austin, Texas, took the gold, silver and bronze in the cleanest city competition, while New Orleans had the most work to do in keeping things tidy.
"We were really excited to see how some of the smaller cities took center stage," said Travel + Leisure editor Stirling Kelso.
"Portland again did very well, ranking high in environmental awareness, outdoor life and public transportation."
Kelso said the accessibility of a city, largely through its good public transportation services, will often result in higher survey rankings.
"New York and Washington are very accessible and did well. We were surprised with Los Angeles' low rankings, but perhaps that's because it's not a really accessible city," she added.
Honolulu topped the field in best for a romantic escape and best weather. Theme-park rich Orlando in Florida was voted best for a family vacation while Las Vegas came in last in the category.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
How to Choose the Right HDTV Television (3)
Side Dishes
A high-definition display will look its best only when fed a high-definition signal source. There are three ways to get HD signals into your system: via broadcast, satellite, or cable.
To grab HDTV from the airwaves you'll need both an antenna—which might be indoor or outdoor, depending on reception conditions in your area—plus a broadcast tuner. Your HDTV may have a built-in tuner. In sets of a certain size, the FCC even requires it. However, if your set is just HD-ready, a set-top box will do the trick.
Both DirecTV and EchoStar support a limited number of HDTV channels. You will, however, need an HD-capable satellite receiver to access them. Some satellite dishes come with built-in broadcast antennas so you can double-dip.
Your local cable company should be able to provide an HD-capable cable box. A limited but increasing number of digital cable ready HDTVs can operate without the box. They come with a CableCARD slot that can accept a decryption card from the cable company. Slip the card into the set and goodbye cable box.
You might be wondering whether your HDTV can display high-def signals from DVD. The answer is no simply because high-def DVD exists only as a pricey product offered in Japan. It will come to the United States eventually but yet another ridiculous format war—between the Blu-Ray and HD DVD formats—is likely to slow high-def DVD's penetration.
However, even the existing standard-definition DVD can look pretty good on a digital display. DVD players with progressive scanning reduce distracting motion artifacts.
A good high-def display minimizes motion artifacts without any assistance. When you're eyeballing sets at the store, to assess the quality of their video processing circuits, just look for rapidly moving diagonal lines. If diagonal lines appear jagged, the set's video processing is doing a poor job. An American flag fluttering in the wind is perfect demo material. Even a facial closeup can be revealing: Do the pores and lines on a speaking face remain mostly in focus?
Finally, the HDTV broadcast format does support 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound, and that's the other half of the home theater equation. If you're adding a high-definition display to your system, you owe it to yourself to go all the way with surround sound that engulfs the senses, and that means going beyond the set's built-in speakers to an external surround system with good-sounding speakers. True, laying speaker cable to the back of the room is a pain, but once you're seen and heard home theater the way it ought to be, you'll never want to go back.
_____________________________________________________
Mark Fleischmann is the author of Practical Home Theater (www.quietriverpress.com).
A high-definition display will look its best only when fed a high-definition signal source. There are three ways to get HD signals into your system: via broadcast, satellite, or cable.
To grab HDTV from the airwaves you'll need both an antenna—which might be indoor or outdoor, depending on reception conditions in your area—plus a broadcast tuner. Your HDTV may have a built-in tuner. In sets of a certain size, the FCC even requires it. However, if your set is just HD-ready, a set-top box will do the trick.
Both DirecTV and EchoStar support a limited number of HDTV channels. You will, however, need an HD-capable satellite receiver to access them. Some satellite dishes come with built-in broadcast antennas so you can double-dip.
Your local cable company should be able to provide an HD-capable cable box. A limited but increasing number of digital cable ready HDTVs can operate without the box. They come with a CableCARD slot that can accept a decryption card from the cable company. Slip the card into the set and goodbye cable box.
You might be wondering whether your HDTV can display high-def signals from DVD. The answer is no simply because high-def DVD exists only as a pricey product offered in Japan. It will come to the United States eventually but yet another ridiculous format war—between the Blu-Ray and HD DVD formats—is likely to slow high-def DVD's penetration.
However, even the existing standard-definition DVD can look pretty good on a digital display. DVD players with progressive scanning reduce distracting motion artifacts.
A good high-def display minimizes motion artifacts without any assistance. When you're eyeballing sets at the store, to assess the quality of their video processing circuits, just look for rapidly moving diagonal lines. If diagonal lines appear jagged, the set's video processing is doing a poor job. An American flag fluttering in the wind is perfect demo material. Even a facial closeup can be revealing: Do the pores and lines on a speaking face remain mostly in focus?
Finally, the HDTV broadcast format does support 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound, and that's the other half of the home theater equation. If you're adding a high-definition display to your system, you owe it to yourself to go all the way with surround sound that engulfs the senses, and that means going beyond the set's built-in speakers to an external surround system with good-sounding speakers. True, laying speaker cable to the back of the room is a pain, but once you're seen and heard home theater the way it ought to be, you'll never want to go back.
_____________________________________________________
Mark Fleischmann is the author of Practical Home Theater (www.quietriverpress.com).
Monday, August 18, 2008
How to Choose the Right HDTV Television (2)
Rear- and Front-Projection HDTVs
You'll get a bigger picture from a rear-projection HDTV. Screen sizes range from 40 to 70 inches and occasionally as much as 82. Better yet, the lowest-priced type of RPTV actually generates the best picture!
We're talking about sets that use a trio of cathode ray tubes and optics to produce a picture.
DLP sets now come in 1080 by 1920 pixel resolution as new TI chips are finding their way into production products. Only the biggest sets with nine-inch tubes can display 1080 scan lines at full resolution. Most RPTVs have only seven-inch tubes. But even that limitation is a hidden strength: those seven-inch tubes slur the scan lines together to produce an almost perfectly seamless picture.
The Toshiba 57HC85 rear-projection TV is HDTV ready which means it does not have a built in HDTV tuner, but thats ok because you can add your own. And priced at under $2000 dollars, you get a good value for your money. Click here to check prices.
Tube-based RPTVs do have a downside. The tubes have to be aligned by a technician to achieve perfect performance, they're subject to burn-in from videogame use, and they're bulky, so CRT-RPTVs jut out from the wall.
All these disadvantages vanish when you move up in price to RPTVs with microdisplay (meaning chip-based) light engines. DLP sets use micro-mirror chips; LCD sets use liquid crystal panels. Throw away those fat tubes and the set's depth dimension shrinks nicely.
However, although they cost more, microdisplay RPTVs have a few weaknesses. One is resolution: they support HDTV's 720 by 1280 line format (about 900,000 pixels total) but not the 1080 by 1920 format (about 2,000,000 pixels). They also can't reproduce true black—it tends to come out charcoal grey.
Front-projection HDTVs produce the largest pictures. They work the same way as rear-projectors, except that the screen is separate, and they work best in a darkened room. You'll have the same choice between tube- and microdisplay-based devices.
Watch the resolution specs. Not all front-projectors are HD-capable. Also, as more pro-level manufacturers enter the front-projection consumer market, be sure that you buy a model designed for home theater, with the ability to adjust screen shape, as opposed to something optimized for boardroom presentations.
Flat-Panel HDTVs
The sexiest bodies on the home theater beach are flat-panel TVs. They cost more than any other kind, but for many, the form factor is worth the extra cost. Who can resist a TV you can hang on the wall?
Notice we didn't say HDTV. Some flat panels are high-definition-capable and others are not. You'll have to read the specs to be certain. Resolution must be at least 720 by 1280.
Those with lower resolution are not high-definition but standard-definition, to use the industry euphemism. You can feed a HDTV signal into an SDTV display but you won't see it at maximum sharpness.
The smallest flat-panel sets (and most expensive per square inch) are LCD TVs. LCD flat-panel TVs now come in sizes up to at least 42 inches and a 65-inch Sharp is hitting shelves just about now. Check the refresh rate—liquid crystals don't move as fast as they should and LCD TVs often show motion artifacts.
With a fully integrated HDTV tuner and CableCARD compatibility, the Sharp LC-45GD4U, a 45-inch LCD TV, is a complete state-of-the-art HDTV. Click here to check out prices.
Plasmas have hit 70 inches and will probably hit 80 soon. They're sometimes called gas plasma because each pixel is a tube of neon gas stimulated by current. The pixels have visible spaces between them, creating a kind of screen-door effect, so viewing distance may have to be greater. Beware of models with shiny screen surfaces that reflect room light.
You'll get a bigger picture from a rear-projection HDTV. Screen sizes range from 40 to 70 inches and occasionally as much as 82. Better yet, the lowest-priced type of RPTV actually generates the best picture!
We're talking about sets that use a trio of cathode ray tubes and optics to produce a picture.
DLP sets now come in 1080 by 1920 pixel resolution as new TI chips are finding their way into production products. Only the biggest sets with nine-inch tubes can display 1080 scan lines at full resolution. Most RPTVs have only seven-inch tubes. But even that limitation is a hidden strength: those seven-inch tubes slur the scan lines together to produce an almost perfectly seamless picture.
The Toshiba 57HC85 rear-projection TV is HDTV ready which means it does not have a built in HDTV tuner, but thats ok because you can add your own. And priced at under $2000 dollars, you get a good value for your money. Click here to check prices.
Tube-based RPTVs do have a downside. The tubes have to be aligned by a technician to achieve perfect performance, they're subject to burn-in from videogame use, and they're bulky, so CRT-RPTVs jut out from the wall.
All these disadvantages vanish when you move up in price to RPTVs with microdisplay (meaning chip-based) light engines. DLP sets use micro-mirror chips; LCD sets use liquid crystal panels. Throw away those fat tubes and the set's depth dimension shrinks nicely.
However, although they cost more, microdisplay RPTVs have a few weaknesses. One is resolution: they support HDTV's 720 by 1280 line format (about 900,000 pixels total) but not the 1080 by 1920 format (about 2,000,000 pixels). They also can't reproduce true black—it tends to come out charcoal grey.
Front-projection HDTVs produce the largest pictures. They work the same way as rear-projectors, except that the screen is separate, and they work best in a darkened room. You'll have the same choice between tube- and microdisplay-based devices.
Watch the resolution specs. Not all front-projectors are HD-capable. Also, as more pro-level manufacturers enter the front-projection consumer market, be sure that you buy a model designed for home theater, with the ability to adjust screen shape, as opposed to something optimized for boardroom presentations.
Flat-Panel HDTVs
The sexiest bodies on the home theater beach are flat-panel TVs. They cost more than any other kind, but for many, the form factor is worth the extra cost. Who can resist a TV you can hang on the wall?
Notice we didn't say HDTV. Some flat panels are high-definition-capable and others are not. You'll have to read the specs to be certain. Resolution must be at least 720 by 1280.
Those with lower resolution are not high-definition but standard-definition, to use the industry euphemism. You can feed a HDTV signal into an SDTV display but you won't see it at maximum sharpness.
The smallest flat-panel sets (and most expensive per square inch) are LCD TVs. LCD flat-panel TVs now come in sizes up to at least 42 inches and a 65-inch Sharp is hitting shelves just about now. Check the refresh rate—liquid crystals don't move as fast as they should and LCD TVs often show motion artifacts.
With a fully integrated HDTV tuner and CableCARD compatibility, the Sharp LC-45GD4U, a 45-inch LCD TV, is a complete state-of-the-art HDTV. Click here to check out prices.
Plasmas have hit 70 inches and will probably hit 80 soon. They're sometimes called gas plasma because each pixel is a tube of neon gas stimulated by current. The pixels have visible spaces between them, creating a kind of screen-door effect, so viewing distance may have to be greater. Beware of models with shiny screen surfaces that reflect room light.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
How to Choose the Right HDTV Television
High-definition television: Why bother? Surely HDTV is a plaything for the rich and self-indulgent, some cryptic form of digital television designed for Freemasons, just one more ridiculously overhyped and overpriced technology aimed at parting care-worn folk from their hard-earned cash. Right?
Wrong. The analog television standard we've been using since just after World War II is ludicrously obsolete. It was designed for round-cornered five-inch pictures that were mere portholes compared to the big screens that today's home theater buffs demand. Trying to build a home theater system around 1948-vintage technology is like riding a horse in the slow lane.
Analog TV is dying. Get over it.
Now that HDTV has been around for a few years it is possible to buy a set with full high-definition capability at a surprisingly reasonable price—less than $1000 for a direct-view set, and a little more than $1000 for a rear-projection TV—though of course the fashionable flat-panel displays cost more. You can get HDTV signals via antenna, cable, or satellite.
But what kind of HDTV is right for you? Wander into a chain store and you'll see TV sets grouped into a handful of categories. They include direct-view analog TV, rear projection, front projection, and the oh-so-desirable flat panels. Let's look into each one and see how it relates to the HDTV standard.
For Starters
For that purpose we'll need to briefly define HDTV. It embraces two formats: one with 1080 by 1920 pixels, and one with 720 by 1280 pixels. Any kind of digital TV can convert signals to its own native resolution—but to see true HDTV you must feed a HD signal into a HD-capable display.
How big of a HDTV do you need? As a very loose rule of thumb, minimum viewing distance should be three times the height of a widescreen set (HDTV is a widescreen medium) or roughly 1.5 times the diagonal measurements that manufacturers and retailers use. To put that another way, the screen diagonal should be at least two-thirds of the viewing distance.
If you don't intend to change the viewing distance in your room, screen size is the variable you need to look at. Whatever you buy should look right at your preferred distance. The screen should be large enough to dominate your field of vision and immerse you in a story or event—but not large enough for pixels or scan lines to be visible.
Direct-View HDTVs
The smallest and least expensive TVs are called direct view. In other words, they have a single picture tube. Direct-view HDTVs range in size from 27 to 36 inches. Since tube TVs define the low end of the market, many of those you'll see on display are analog—you can't assume that every TV on the shelves is a HDTV.
Direct-view HDTVs may be either widescreen or non-widescreen. Widescreen sets have an aspect ratio (screen proportions) of 16:9, or 1.78:1, the same as widescreen DVD, and similar to what you'd see in a movie theater. Other sets have the more traditional 4:3, or 1.33:1.
Samsung's new TX-R3079WH Slim Fit 30-inch TV features an integrated HDTV tuner and costs less than $1000 dollars. Click here to check prices.
Widescreen sets are better for viewing contemporary movies and the increasing number of widescreen sports telecasts. Nonwidescreen sets excel at older movies and sports on analog TV channels. Either kind can display both wide and non-wide programming with the addition of blank horizontal or vertical bars.
A more severe limitation of the direct-view TV, HD-wise, is that the shadow mask at the front of the tube doesn't have enough perforations to display any HDTV format at its full resolution. If the holes are made smaller and more numerous, brightness declines, and most people prefer a bright picture over a bland one.
Wrong. The analog television standard we've been using since just after World War II is ludicrously obsolete. It was designed for round-cornered five-inch pictures that were mere portholes compared to the big screens that today's home theater buffs demand. Trying to build a home theater system around 1948-vintage technology is like riding a horse in the slow lane.
Analog TV is dying. Get over it.
Now that HDTV has been around for a few years it is possible to buy a set with full high-definition capability at a surprisingly reasonable price—less than $1000 for a direct-view set, and a little more than $1000 for a rear-projection TV—though of course the fashionable flat-panel displays cost more. You can get HDTV signals via antenna, cable, or satellite.
But what kind of HDTV is right for you? Wander into a chain store and you'll see TV sets grouped into a handful of categories. They include direct-view analog TV, rear projection, front projection, and the oh-so-desirable flat panels. Let's look into each one and see how it relates to the HDTV standard.
For Starters
For that purpose we'll need to briefly define HDTV. It embraces two formats: one with 1080 by 1920 pixels, and one with 720 by 1280 pixels. Any kind of digital TV can convert signals to its own native resolution—but to see true HDTV you must feed a HD signal into a HD-capable display.
How big of a HDTV do you need? As a very loose rule of thumb, minimum viewing distance should be three times the height of a widescreen set (HDTV is a widescreen medium) or roughly 1.5 times the diagonal measurements that manufacturers and retailers use. To put that another way, the screen diagonal should be at least two-thirds of the viewing distance.
If you don't intend to change the viewing distance in your room, screen size is the variable you need to look at. Whatever you buy should look right at your preferred distance. The screen should be large enough to dominate your field of vision and immerse you in a story or event—but not large enough for pixels or scan lines to be visible.
Direct-View HDTVs
The smallest and least expensive TVs are called direct view. In other words, they have a single picture tube. Direct-view HDTVs range in size from 27 to 36 inches. Since tube TVs define the low end of the market, many of those you'll see on display are analog—you can't assume that every TV on the shelves is a HDTV.
Direct-view HDTVs may be either widescreen or non-widescreen. Widescreen sets have an aspect ratio (screen proportions) of 16:9, or 1.78:1, the same as widescreen DVD, and similar to what you'd see in a movie theater. Other sets have the more traditional 4:3, or 1.33:1.
Samsung's new TX-R3079WH Slim Fit 30-inch TV features an integrated HDTV tuner and costs less than $1000 dollars. Click here to check prices.
Widescreen sets are better for viewing contemporary movies and the increasing number of widescreen sports telecasts. Nonwidescreen sets excel at older movies and sports on analog TV channels. Either kind can display both wide and non-wide programming with the addition of blank horizontal or vertical bars.
A more severe limitation of the direct-view TV, HD-wise, is that the shadow mask at the front of the tube doesn't have enough perforations to display any HDTV format at its full resolution. If the holes are made smaller and more numerous, brightness declines, and most people prefer a bright picture over a bland one.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Choose the Right Size Air Conditioner for Your Room (2)
The result of these calculations will give you the approximate number of BTU's your new air conditioner will need to have.
Does the formula sound complicated? It's really not. All the numbers in the calculation are necessary. That way, the volume of your room, the exposure of the outside elements, and the rating of the insulation are all taken into consideration.
Let me give you the example of my living room. I purchased a window air conditioner for this room, and the formula gave me the perfect size. My living room is 20 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 8 feet high. I multiplied 20 by 18 by 8 which equals 2,880. The wall that is most exposed to the outside elements is the south side. The corresponding number for south is 18. So I multiplied the 2,880 by 18. The result is 51,840. Next, I determined that the insulation level of my home is good. A "good" level is a number 5. Finally, I divided 51,840 by 5. The resulting number is 10,368. After I rounded it off, this told me that I needed to purchase a 10,000 BTU air conditioner. They come in sizes from 5,000 BTU's all the way up to 24,000 BTU's.
Does the formula sound complicated? It's really not. All the numbers in the calculation are necessary. That way, the volume of your room, the exposure of the outside elements, and the rating of the insulation are all taken into consideration.
Let me give you the example of my living room. I purchased a window air conditioner for this room, and the formula gave me the perfect size. My living room is 20 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 8 feet high. I multiplied 20 by 18 by 8 which equals 2,880. The wall that is most exposed to the outside elements is the south side. The corresponding number for south is 18. So I multiplied the 2,880 by 18. The result is 51,840. Next, I determined that the insulation level of my home is good. A "good" level is a number 5. Finally, I divided 51,840 by 5. The resulting number is 10,368. After I rounded it off, this told me that I needed to purchase a 10,000 BTU air conditioner. They come in sizes from 5,000 BTU's all the way up to 24,000 BTU's.
Choose the Right Size Air Conditioner for Your Room
The perfect way to cool down a room in your home is by using a window air conditioner. This type of air conditioner can keep a room cool and humidified at the same time. However, before you head off to buy a new unit, you'll need to figure out what size you need. You see, window air conditioners come in different sizes, or cooling capacities. The cooling capacity of a unit is measured in British Thermal Units, (BTU's). The more BTU's it has, the more space it can cool down. And, of course, the bigger the room, the more BTU's you'll need. If you buy a window air conditioner that is too big, it will start and stop too much. This will not only waste energy, but your room won't be properly dehumidified. On the same hand, an air conditioner that is too small for your room will run too much trying to do its job. If the unit doesn't have enough BTU's, the room never will become cool and comfortable.
So, how do you figure out what size of a window air conditioner that you need? There's a sure-fire formula that will take many factors important into consideration. First, measure the length of the room you want to cool down. Then, measure the width of that same room. Finally, measure the height of the room from the floor to the ceiling. Multiply the length times the width times the height. The resulting number is the volume of the room.
Now, you'll need to determine which direction the most exposed wall of the room faces. That is, which wall of the room is most exposed to the outside elements. Look around the room to find the answer- is it east? north? south? or west? Look at east as having a value of 17; west as having a value of 20; north's value is 16, and south is 18. Use the volume of the room and multiply that number by the corresponding number for whatever direction you chose.
Finally, in order to find out what size of a window air conditioner you'll need to buy for your room, divide the result you last arrived at by the number which corresponds most accurately to the level of your home's insulation. If your home has poor insulation, use a 4. If the insulation is good, use a 5. And, if the insulation in your home is excellent, then use the number 6.
So, how do you figure out what size of a window air conditioner that you need? There's a sure-fire formula that will take many factors important into consideration. First, measure the length of the room you want to cool down. Then, measure the width of that same room. Finally, measure the height of the room from the floor to the ceiling. Multiply the length times the width times the height. The resulting number is the volume of the room.
Now, you'll need to determine which direction the most exposed wall of the room faces. That is, which wall of the room is most exposed to the outside elements. Look around the room to find the answer- is it east? north? south? or west? Look at east as having a value of 17; west as having a value of 20; north's value is 16, and south is 18. Use the volume of the room and multiply that number by the corresponding number for whatever direction you chose.
Finally, in order to find out what size of a window air conditioner you'll need to buy for your room, divide the result you last arrived at by the number which corresponds most accurately to the level of your home's insulation. If your home has poor insulation, use a 4. If the insulation is good, use a 5. And, if the insulation in your home is excellent, then use the number 6.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Start with knitting
See how to start knit
Knitting for Beginners
By Sarah E. White, About.com
Picking a Pattern
Once you've got the basics down, it's time to pick your first project.
It's a good idea to start with something small and flat or that doesn't require a lot of shaping.
Many patterns, even those for beginners, seem to be written in code.
Here are some tips on reading a pattern and common knitting abbreviations.
If you need more help deciphering a pattern, check out the knitting glossary.
Finishing ProjectsOnce you've reached the end of your knitting, all is not quite finished. Depending on the project, you will need to do one or several of the following before your work is done:
weaving in ends blocking knitting for projects that need to be a particular shape or size sewing up seamsLearning New SkillsOnce you're comfortable with the basics and have successfully finished a project or two, there are many more skills to try. Here are a few that are well-suited to beginners:
Knitting for Beginners
By Sarah E. White, About.com
Picking a Pattern
Once you've got the basics down, it's time to pick your first project.
It's a good idea to start with something small and flat or that doesn't require a lot of shaping.
Many patterns, even those for beginners, seem to be written in code.
Here are some tips on reading a pattern and common knitting abbreviations.
If you need more help deciphering a pattern, check out the knitting glossary.
Finishing ProjectsOnce you've reached the end of your knitting, all is not quite finished. Depending on the project, you will need to do one or several of the following before your work is done:
weaving in ends blocking knitting for projects that need to be a particular shape or size sewing up seamsLearning New SkillsOnce you're comfortable with the basics and have successfully finished a project or two, there are many more skills to try. Here are a few that are well-suited to beginners:
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Home Cleaning Tips
Miscellaneous Cleaning Tips
Ring around the collar
Dirty neck rings around shirt or blouse collars can be removed by putting shampoo on them. Rub the shampoo in like you were washing your hair. Shampoo is specifically made to remove body oils. A cheap bottle of shampoo kept by the washing machine is handy for all kinds of stains in clothing. Don't forget this trick when you are traveling.
Cleaning Scuff Marks
Use 3 tbsp. Of TSP (trisodium phosphate) to a gallon of water to clean scuff marks or crayon marks off walls. TSP can be found in the paint department of a hardware store. Wear gloves and do not use on semi-gloss or gloss paint or wood surfaces.
Removing Blood from Furniture
Use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from clothing or furniture. Rub gently.
Dusting Tip
Use paint brushes to dust cracks and hard to reach places in telephones, stereos, etc.
Make a Schedule
Set aside a regular short period of time each week for the family to straighten up the house. It teaches good habits to the kids and gives the family a project to do together. Everyone will feel better when the job is done, and might just look forward to the day when they know things are going to be neat and organized.
Listen to Books On Tape to Help You Clean
Having trouble finding time to read these days? You can rent great books on tape from the library to listen to while you're cleaning and doing chores. It helps to pass the time, keeps you working a little longer and lets you catch up on those mysteries you've been wanting to read.
Removing Candle Wax from Walls
Candle wax can be removed from walls or other surfaces with an iron and facial tissue. Set the tissue over the wax and gently iron. When the wax seeps through or the tissue begins to brown, apply a new tissue.
Cleaning Chrome
Club soda or seltzer water will clean chrome.
Removing Blood Stains
Corn starch can remove blood stains. Rinse the stain in cold water, then rub in moistened cornstarch. Place the item in the sun.
Removing Gum
Gum can be removed using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove.
Removing Magic Marker Ink
Hair spray will remove magic-marker ink from surfaces.
Cleaning Window Screens
Nylon covered sponges are great for cleaning window screens.
Removing Smoke Odor
Place a bowl of vinegar out to absorb smoke odor.
Unstick That Door
Car wax applied to a sticking door will ease opening and closing.
Repairing Cigarette Burns in Carpets
Cigarette burns in carpeting can be repaired by cutting the blackened fibers from the hole. Squeeze liquid glue into the hole and fill with fibers trimmed from carpet remnants.
Repairing Small Holes in Window Screens
Clear nail polish will repair small holes in window screens.
Killing Flies
Hair spray will kill flies.
Window Painting Tip
Newspaper strips when wetted can be used around windows when painting, in place of masking tape. Remove strips before they dry out.
Drying Out Wet Magazines or Books
Place paper towels on both sides of a wet page to absorb the moisture and prevent wrinkling.
Ring around the collar
Dirty neck rings around shirt or blouse collars can be removed by putting shampoo on them. Rub the shampoo in like you were washing your hair. Shampoo is specifically made to remove body oils. A cheap bottle of shampoo kept by the washing machine is handy for all kinds of stains in clothing. Don't forget this trick when you are traveling.
Cleaning Scuff Marks
Use 3 tbsp. Of TSP (trisodium phosphate) to a gallon of water to clean scuff marks or crayon marks off walls. TSP can be found in the paint department of a hardware store. Wear gloves and do not use on semi-gloss or gloss paint or wood surfaces.
Removing Blood from Furniture
Use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from clothing or furniture. Rub gently.
Dusting Tip
Use paint brushes to dust cracks and hard to reach places in telephones, stereos, etc.
Make a Schedule
Set aside a regular short period of time each week for the family to straighten up the house. It teaches good habits to the kids and gives the family a project to do together. Everyone will feel better when the job is done, and might just look forward to the day when they know things are going to be neat and organized.
Listen to Books On Tape to Help You Clean
Having trouble finding time to read these days? You can rent great books on tape from the library to listen to while you're cleaning and doing chores. It helps to pass the time, keeps you working a little longer and lets you catch up on those mysteries you've been wanting to read.
Removing Candle Wax from Walls
Candle wax can be removed from walls or other surfaces with an iron and facial tissue. Set the tissue over the wax and gently iron. When the wax seeps through or the tissue begins to brown, apply a new tissue.
Cleaning Chrome
Club soda or seltzer water will clean chrome.
Removing Blood Stains
Corn starch can remove blood stains. Rinse the stain in cold water, then rub in moistened cornstarch. Place the item in the sun.
Removing Gum
Gum can be removed using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove.
Removing Magic Marker Ink
Hair spray will remove magic-marker ink from surfaces.
Cleaning Window Screens
Nylon covered sponges are great for cleaning window screens.
Removing Smoke Odor
Place a bowl of vinegar out to absorb smoke odor.
Unstick That Door
Car wax applied to a sticking door will ease opening and closing.
Repairing Cigarette Burns in Carpets
Cigarette burns in carpeting can be repaired by cutting the blackened fibers from the hole. Squeeze liquid glue into the hole and fill with fibers trimmed from carpet remnants.
Repairing Small Holes in Window Screens
Clear nail polish will repair small holes in window screens.
Killing Flies
Hair spray will kill flies.
Window Painting Tip
Newspaper strips when wetted can be used around windows when painting, in place of masking tape. Remove strips before they dry out.
Drying Out Wet Magazines or Books
Place paper towels on both sides of a wet page to absorb the moisture and prevent wrinkling.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Buying a new home is an exciting process
10 steps to your new home
step 1 You think about your needs
step 2 You plan your budget
step 3 You choose your site
step 4 You choose your new home
step 5 You arrange your finance
step 6 Your builder prepares your plans
step 7 You check your plans and discuss changes if necessary
step 8 Your builder revises your plans and manages all the approvals
step 9 You select colours; finishes; fittings and appliances
step 10 Your builder finalises your plans; construction begins; your new home is built
and
Your new home is ready and you move in!
step 1 You think about your needs
step 2 You plan your budget
step 3 You choose your site
step 4 You choose your new home
step 5 You arrange your finance
step 6 Your builder prepares your plans
step 7 You check your plans and discuss changes if necessary
step 8 Your builder revises your plans and manages all the approvals
step 9 You select colours; finishes; fittings and appliances
step 10 Your builder finalises your plans; construction begins; your new home is built
and
Your new home is ready and you move in!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Welcome
welcome and get info about home decoration, furnitures, modern house and all about home very soon.
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