How to Find a Home Technology Installer
31 December 2008
Welcome to our Home Technology Blog!We provide tech tips, trends, and resources to help you find and install quality Home Tech equipment.
Everyone wants the latest technology for their home - Plasmas, Smart Home gear, Home Security toys, DSL/Wifi & more!
But... many don't know how to install these things themselves.
Where do you turn?
Most home tech stores offer the latest products but rarely any decent installation options. More and more homeowners are going to the Internet to search for information. So, it made sense to offer an Online Tech Installation Referral Service.
So, we created ConstructionDeal.com several years ago to help you find any type of home technology installation expert!
On our site, you can:
- Post your Home Technology installation project in just minutes!
- Receive bids from Home Tech Experts
- Meet with Installers or Repair Pros and make your decision
- Save time by not calling companies at random from an outdated phone book!
- Save money by getting multiple bids from home tech companies - you have the option to go with the best bid!
- You do all this -- for free -- on Construction Deal
What type of Home Technology Experts are in our network?
We've got thousands of tech installers and repair companies nationwide. Many are specialized to help you build a customized home theater, install a plasma TV lift, automate your house, install home security products, and many more options.
If you've got a home technology installation or repair project - find a quality expert in your area! Post your request and update your home today!
Don't forget to bookmark our blog - or subscribe - and check back often for the latest trends and information in home technology products and services!
Labels: HDTV, Home Automation, Home Security, Home Technology Installers
HDTV Resolution Answered - 1080i or 720p?
30 January 2007
The folks at Sound and Vision magazine have a primer on How to Buy an HDTV. Here's a segment from their article that discusses the resolution, "A digital TV's vertical resolution is given as the number of horizontal scan lines, or rows of pixels, from top to bottom of the screen. Its horizontal resolution is the maximum number of discernible vertical lines, or columns of pixels, from left to right across a screen width equal to the height of the picture. (This keeps widescreen sets from having higher resolution than sets with the squarer 4:3 aspect ratio simply because of their shape.)One of the two commonly used high-def signal formats is 720p (progressive-scan), which has 720 lines of vertical resolution. There are 1,280 dots, or pixels, in each widescreen line, giving it a horizontal resolution of 720 pixels when the width is limited to the height. The other is 1080i (interlaced), which has 1,080 lines with 1,920 pixels per widescreen line, or 1,080 pixels horizontally when similarly limited. By contrast, traditional 480i TV signals have 480 lines of vertical resolution and up to 720 pixels per line, for a maximum horizontal resolution of 540 lines.
It would be nice if all HDTVs had resolutions of 1080i or 720p, but unfortunately the specs can vary a lot — especially among two kinds of fixed-pixel displays, plasma and LCD. Some screens might match up perfectly with one of the high-def formats, but many have native resolutions like 1,024 x 1,024 pixels, so the TVs convert incoming video to match. These models are still considered HDTVs, which have come to be defined as any sets that can display at least 720 lines of vertical resolution."
However, 1080i and 720p have been surpassed by 1080p. Sounds confusing, I know, but here's some more current info on 1080p, from CNET.com, "Another format is also becoming more well-known: 1080p, which combines the superior resolution of 1080i with the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is extremely scarce however, and none of the major networks have announced 1080p broadcasts."
If you're looking for the best of the best, you might look to pay a little more for the 1080p set - that way, when the networks and cable or satellite providers catch up... you'll be ready!
If you'd like to talk to a professional home theater installer about putting together the right package for your home - you can post your request with Construction Deal. It's a fast, free and easy way to find a quality installation pro to make sure you get your moneys worth!
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Labels: HDTV, HDTV Specs, plasma tv
How High should you Install a Plasma TV?
22 January 2007
The simple answer to how high should you be placing your new plasma display is -- hang it as high as you'd like. Everyone has a personal preference to how they want to view television. Some like it way up high; others watch it down near the floor.Here are some things to consider about TV placement. With the lighter, thinner plasma and LCD displays, it's possible to put them on the wall or set them on a mantle over the fireplace. They can be inside cabinets or entertainment centers. And many people watch TV for long periods of time or they play video games for hours. If you spend a good length of time looking up from your seated position, or even looking down, even if it's just a matter of a few degrees of tilt, you can put a lot of strain on your neck muscles.
The head tends to want to stay level. Look up or looking down requires muscles and tendons to push and pull the neck to move it to that position and keep it there. It's important to consider how far away you'll be sitting from the display. A set that is up high, on the fireplace, might not work if you're only 7 to 8 feet away. If you're back 12 to 13 feet, it might be less difficult to view for longer periods.
If you're unsure as to your personal preference, start out with the center of the screen at eye level from where you'll be sitting. Watch the display for a while and determine what works best. Adjust higher or lower to test it out before finally settling on a more permanent location (especially if this involves wall hanging or any invasive mounting plans.)No matter what height you decide on, make sure you TV mounting system comes with some sort of tilt mechanism. This way, if you go high, you'll be able to tilt the screen down so the display is perpendicular to your line of sight.
If you'd like to talk to an expert plasma or LCD installer for more advice and help putting it up, you can post your project on the Construction Deal site. It's a free service to find a local TV installation pro. We've got a network of companies in your area and it's much easier than searching for someone at random from the yellow pages.
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Labels: HDTV, plasma tv, Plasma TV Installation, tv installation
Home Tech Trend: Content to Television
17 January 2007
The world is abuzz over online video content. For every online video outlet, like YouTube, there are a hundred thousand stories talking about what it all means for viral video in 2007. The fact is... if the video content can eventually move from your cell phone or computer screen to your television, it might all fade back into the background.
The convergence between the Web and TV is coming to solve that problem, hopefully in the near future. With the hyper-popularity of high-def plasma and LCD TVs, more people are going to want to align their online wants with their in-home technology.
At the recent MacWorld, the huge announcement was for the iPhone, but many might have missed talk of Apple's upcoming new iTV product (or Apple TV.) iTV is a new piece of hardware that you'll have in your living room that's connected to your home network via wifi and to your HDTV. It basically brings iTunes, and all of the music and movie content that can come with it, to your TV. The best news is that it works with PCs or Macs.
iTunes now has over 250 movie and 350 TV titles available. The iTV device is scheduled to ship out in February and will cost about $299.
The convergence between the Web and TV is coming to solve that problem, hopefully in the near future. With the hyper-popularity of high-def plasma and LCD TVs, more people are going to want to align their online wants with their in-home technology.
At the recent MacWorld, the huge announcement was for the iPhone, but many might have missed talk of Apple's upcoming new iTV product (or Apple TV.) iTV is a new piece of hardware that you'll have in your living room that's connected to your home network via wifi and to your HDTV. It basically brings iTunes, and all of the music and movie content that can come with it, to your TV. The best news is that it works with PCs or Macs.
iTunes now has over 250 movie and 350 TV titles available. The iTV device is scheduled to ship out in February and will cost about $299.
According to the Apple site, "Apple TV automatically grabs the digital media on your computer and makes it available for you to enjoy on your TV. Now you can enjoy movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts in your iTunes library, plus photos and movie trailers, on your widescreen TV."
It's something to think about adding to your burgeoning Home Technology package!
Labels: HDTV, Home Technology Installers, Home Technology Trends, plasma tv
HDTV - How Big is Too Big?
02 January 2007
A lot of people have rushed out and purchased an HDTV for their homes. Believe it or not, many people are having buyer's remorse - not that they purchased a plasma TV but that they didn't get a big enough one!Here are some buying tips to make sure you get the right HDTV for you:
Size - How big do you go? It's a good idea to have a set of measurements in hand when you go to purchase your display. First, you want to make sure how much room you have. Are you using an existing entertainment center? Will it fit on your wall or fireplace mantle? Take measurements not only of where it will go but from where you'll be watching the TV. Determine how far away your chairs or sofa will be -- that matters in how big the HDTV should be. If you're sitting less than 9 feet away, any size under 40 inches should be fine. From 9 feet to 10 feet, you can get a 4o to 42 inch display. Over 10 feet, you'll want to look at 55 to 60 inches or more.
Equipment - Many don't know this but not all HDTVs come with the receiver used to pick up Hi-Def signals. You may need to purchase an HD receiver to get in the right channels. Also, consider that many satellite companies require a completely different receiver for their channels - for example, with DirecTV you need a new receiver and satellite dish. Schedule ahead to make sure these components are installed, otherwise you might have to sit and stare at a very expensive paper weight for a few days.
As prices come down, people are moving over to the high definition arena. But there is so much new equipment and so much information floating about that it's wise to do as much research as you can. The more you know about what type of TV to buy, what size to get, and what you'll be doing with it, the less chance you'll have of any buyer's remorse.
If you need help creating a home theater to go around your new High Definition display, or just need help hanging a plasma TV, you can post your project request with Construction Deal. We'll help you find a local home theater or plasma installation pro - for free.
Labels: Front Projection TV, HDTV, Home Theater Installation, plasma tv
Plasma vs. LCD TVs
27 December 2006
The debate has been raging for some time over which HDTV television technology is the best. Oddly enough, a new voice is speaking up on the differences - Panasonic. Which is odd, because they make both LCD TVs and Plasma display TVs. Supposedly, they wanted to clear up any misconceptions and myths surrounding plasma.
From their website, "Panasonic makes both LCD and Plasma, so we have no ax to grind. We just want you to know the facts.
Today's small screen LCDs are fine for kitchens, bedrooms and home offices. But the larger the LCD screen size (like 37" and above), the worse their problems become.
So if it's big earth-shattering sports and movie experiences you want, with breathtaking natural color, then buy any of our new plasma TVs."
The site goes on to describe the advantages of a plasma TV over the LCD:
Plasma vs. LCD:
If you're looking to turn your HDTV into a home theater and need to find someone to help hang your TV over a fireplace, on the wall, or to create an actual home theater experience - consider Construction Deal. We can match you - for free - with a local HDTV installer (either plasma or LCD!) and it will save you time and money in the process.
From their website, "Panasonic makes both LCD and Plasma, so we have no ax to grind. We just want you to know the facts.
Today's small screen LCDs are fine for kitchens, bedrooms and home offices. But the larger the LCD screen size (like 37" and above), the worse their problems become.
So if it's big earth-shattering sports and movie experiences you want, with breathtaking natural color, then buy any of our new plasma TVs."
The site goes on to describe the advantages of a plasma TV over the LCD:
Plasma vs. LCD:
- Plasma has darker blacks, better contrast, and great image quality. On the LCDs, blacks look more gray. There is less detail in the image. Plasma looks better on a larger screen, such as a TV in the living room.
- Plasma has smooth, crisp motion during scenes with high speed or fast motion. Quick motions do tend to look more blurry on an LCD screen.
- Plasma screens can reproduce the full range of colors specified in HDTV broadcast standards while LCD displays cannot hit those color ranges completely.
- LCD screens can fade when viewed from more extreme angles while a Plasma screen can be viewed without distortion or color fade from any angle.
- A Plasma TV is more environmentally friendly than an LCD screen because it contains no mercury or lead while the LCD does have mercury in it.
- The Plasma screen is more durable. The LCD screen is apparently more delicate while the Plasma can stand up to use and abuse in the typical family or living room.
If you're looking to turn your HDTV into a home theater and need to find someone to help hang your TV over a fireplace, on the wall, or to create an actual home theater experience - consider Construction Deal. We can match you - for free - with a local HDTV installer (either plasma or LCD!) and it will save you time and money in the process.
Labels: HDTV, home theater, Home Theater Installation, plasma tv, Plasma TV Installation
Front Projection TVs
19 December 2006
So, you say you want High Definition Television? And you want to get the biggest screen and not spend a fortune to get it? Well, then your best bet would be to consider a Front Projection HDTV.Everybody is craving the plasma or LCD screens, but you get get a high quality high def picture - on a very large screen - for a lot less. And the screen can be as big as you want it. Because a projector is sending the picture across your room and onto a screen, just like they do at the movie theater, you can go as big as you want to.
Your basically limited by the size of the room and the brightness of the picture. A picture that is being broadcast across a room needs to be brigther than a normal rear projection TV or plasma display. The farther back you go with your projector, the brighter the projector needs to be.
The system is composed of two separate pieces - the HDTV projector and the fabric screen to display the picture on. In most cases, the front projection system doesn't include the ability to show regular television - but you'll have inputs to hook up your cable or satellite TV connection. Front Projection systems are capable of the same new technologies as the rear projector units - CRT, LCD, DLP, and LCoS. Because of the brightness factor and to make sure you have proper distance, color, and calibration for your room, it's suggested you have a professional installer hook up your front projection system.
If you need to find a professional front projection HDTV installer, you can post your request with Construction Deal. We'll match you with a local company who can provide you with professional advice and install services. It's free to find a pro in your area!
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Labels: Front Projection TV, HDTV, Home Theater Installation
