CN Satellite

Timothy Rudon asked:


The way people shop for electronics is changing. Many buyers buy televisions and other electronics online. The World Wide Web is fast becoming the preferred marketplace as customers are able to buy products of their choice at the best prices. If you are careful you could buy a television online and not get duped. You just need to buy the television from a reputed online store and not from little known or unknown websites.

According to experts buying a television online will get you the best deal. Most online prices are lower than retail even after considering shipping and say insurance costs.

The advantages of buying a television online are:

1. You can choose from a wide range of brands. While retail stores stock only running brands online stores offer a huge selection of televisions.

2. You can compare product features online by using online tools and take a decision after weighing the pros and cons.

3. Most online television retailers will have user friendly systems that offer at least three quotes for each customer. This means you can compare prices and costs before choosing a television.

4. Most websites have attractive seasonal promotions and often you can get a great bargain on a high-end television.

5. Online television stores that follow “fair” business practices display return policies, guarantees, and shipping costs clearly. So when you buy a television all terms and conditions are clearly defined.

6. Take advantage of specials like online saving codes, deals for credit card owners, free shipping offers, and daily specials.

7. Look for huge discount seasons. Often you can get as much as 50-75% off during the discount sales.

8. You can use a credit card to make the payment and the television will be delivered at your door step. Just be sure to check that the payment gateways are of the highest security.

Buying on the internet means you can be an informed shopper. There are websites that guide you on how to choose a television, and how to get a great bargain. Then there are unbiased reviews on televisions and websites that continuously update which television brands are on the top ten listing. You can study the market and get answers to any questions you may have before making a final choice.

Protect yourself by buying from an authorized dealer and ask about after sales service and warranties. Always check about how they will ship the television to you and how they will ensure that there is no damage whatsoever. Ask whether they will replace a defective unit and what the return policy is, most online stores have a thirty day return policy.

Always buy a brand that has a wide network of service centers in operation. Find out what service and parts cost would be over time. Even if you buy a television manufactured abroad, find out every detail like performance, clarity, longevity and so on. Read online television buying tips written by experts before you actually make a purchase.

Roberto Sedycias asked:


One of the most frequently asked questions related to television is, `Where`s the remote?` When the first simple television (televisores) was built in 1928, it did not come with a remote. The entire wonder consisted of a disk, a light (which tended to make the images orange in appearance) and a moderate need for electricity.

By the 1930`s, televisions (televisores) had evolved to all electrical components. The typical screen was about 6X8 inches and generally was mounted in a much larger cabinet. By the late 1930`s televisions were made by several manufacturers in the United States and throughout Europe and the Soviet Union.

World War II slowed recreational television progress while turning that technology to the necessary military communications. Many communication devices were made accessible using television cable. Unlike the Viet Nam War, civilians were not able to watch the battles that had been fought and radio was still highly sought for news and entertainment.

By 1945, many American families believed they had suffered enough hardship from the war and rewarded themselves with televisions (televisores). The pictures were of a better quality than in earlier televisions and only in black and white. Programming other than news had caught on and gradually, game shows, sports and other programs of interest were available.

Technically, the ability to produce programs in color occurred in the late 1940`s, however it was in the mid 1960`s that major broadcasters began to produce their programming in color. Early colored televisions did not provide exact color replication. One often noticed unnatural tint which was correctable by manipulating the `tint` dial on the television.

For those of us old enough to remember the assignation of John F. Kennedy, we will also remember his lying in state and his funeral and burial all shown on major broadcast stations. This was the first major event in American history that could be viewed by people all across the United States on television (televisores). Despite miles of separation, people in the USA felt more connected to one another because of this new technology.

The 1970`s brought about the greatest surge of television purchases. Major appliance stores (Sears and others) had banks of televisions on display. Daytime television and `Soap Operas` became favorites of many stay at home mothers. Game shows became more plentiful as did movies which introduced us to favorites such as John Waynne, Robert Young, `Beaver Cleaver` and many, many more. These were idyllic families, devoid of abuse, less than charitable language, arguments, and other behaviors evidenced in today`s homes and societies. Television commercials changed the `tools` of childhood which previously had been invented and make believe to Barbie and Ken dolls, talking bears, more sophisticated bicycles and wagons and the like.

Satellites influenced further changes in television (televisores) in the mid 1980`s. Pay for view programming became possible through the encryption of programming and transmitting via cable and only to viewers who had the additional equipment to view such programs.

Today, digital and satellite television (televisores) deliver the clearest images to the viewer and provide several hundred channels from which to choose. Televisions have grown from 6×8 picture tubes in huge cabinets to slim instruments sitting atop pedestals. Large screen television gives the appearance of football players kicking off in one`s living room and monster trucks driving directly at the viewer. Television today may be accessed from one`s computer as well as by cell phone.

I can`t imagine what I would see in a crystal ball if I were to search for changes in television technology, but I know that improvements and innovative concepts are explored daily.

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author’s name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.

loveleenchawla asked:


Watching Television with family: A Sociological Analysis(with respect to India)

Explanation of Media

With the passage of time media has become the base of our society. It had been helping us by providing useful information relating to politics, soaps, movies day to day life affairs, tragedies, historical materials, geographical knowledge, temperature of places , notification about events, synopsis of share market etc. It had been providing us information of the above mentioned types through the medium of T.V, newspapers, internet spontaneously without any break, In the last 50 years we had seen that the media influence has grown exponentially with the advance of technology, first there was the telegraph, then the radio, the newspaper, magazines, television and now the internet.

Then we must that we live in a society that depends on information and communication to keep moving in the right direction and do our daily activities like work, entertainment, health care, education, personal relationships, traveling and anything else that we have to do.

A common person in the city usually wakes up checks the T.V news or newspaper, goes to work, makes a few phone calls, eats with their family when possible and makes his decisions based on the information that he has either from their co workers, news, T.V, friends, family, financial reports, etc.

What we need to be aware is that most of our decisions, beliefs and values are based on what we know for a fact, our assumptions and our own experience. In our work we usually know what we have to do based on our experience and studies, however on our daily lives we rely on the media to get the current news and facts about what is important and what we should be aware of.

We have put our trust on the media as an authority to give us news, entertainment and education. However, the influence of mass media on our kids, teenagers and society is so big that we should know how it really works. But in the past and now also T.V is one of the medium which had been accepted the most in general public as a source of media.

Evolution of Television

The word T.V had came from the full meaning television. The first demonstration of T.V was invented by John Logie Baird in Hastings, England in 1923. But the first concept of the T.V was a sketch done by a 14-year-old farm boy named Philo T. Farnsworth in 1922. On September 7, 1927, he finally created a television system that could not only display, but transmit signals between separate rooms. But the actual evolution of television can be observed from the fossils found in American garbage dumps clearly show the evolution of the radio into the television set. Layers of fossil garbage from the WWI era (10 million years ago) contain fragments of radios that use vacuum tubes. The first televisions appear in the WWII layer (8 million years ago) that lies immediately above the WWI layer. The components in these early television sets are nearly identical with those in the WWI radios, so the radio clearly evolved into the television. Both the radio and television show signs of further evolution, with transistors replacing tubes in later models. Radios evolved into televisions through a process of random mutations and natural selection , Over a period of 2 million years, the radio gradually evolved into a television set. Although the transitional forms have never been discovered, but after a detail analysis it was found that One day, on a whim, a worker decided to add a picture tube to the radio. The picture tube didn’t actually do anything, because there weren’t any horizontal or vertical deflection circuits yet, but the little white dot in the center of the screen impressed the inspector so much that he changed the plans so that all future radios would have picture tubes. Some years later, another worker added deflection circuitry to make the little dot move across the screen from left to right and top to bottom. Since this was much more fun to look at, it was incorporated into the plans. Of course it cost more to build radios this way, but for some reason the moving light spot added some survival benefit in the electronics market. Since consumers would not buy a radio without a moving dot, all competing radios were built this way.

And at exactly the same time, somebody at a radio station decided to hook a camera up to the transmitter, instead of a microphone, just to see what would happen. The image was broadcast from the radio station to the television set, and the broadcast industry was born and like this evolution of television takes place.

Relationship of T.V With Family In The Early Days:

After the evolution of T.V we had seen that in the earlier days the scope of television was not so wide because one of the reason was that at that time most of the families does not get the chance of buying T.V because of high installation charges , and another reason was that after having install also by some families then also we get to see that the channels in T.V was not so vast , as there were only one or two channels which family members usually see together ,and at that time the programmes in T.V was basically no “A GRADED” soaps, movies, but there was cultural shows like dance show like Odissi ,baratnatyam, kucipuddi , and then there was shows like “chandrakanta , bikram betal , Mahabharata , Ramayana , yeh mera circus hai , ardhangini , jai hanuman, DD news” and also movies which composed of family relations and so these type of serials and movies was basically watch by all ( grand parents , father , mother, children ) and by watching these kinds of things most of the families members had not suffered like this days but had gained knowledge about our history and culture which had helped them to follow the social norms, behavior, values of the society and by following these things family members mainly the young members had learned certain things like how to give respect to elders, , how to talked with elders , then they have also learned how to give respect to teachers in school and as at that time there was no stuffs like violence ,pornography shown on T.V so the family members were not badly effect like this days happening . Many well known researchers had found that at the early period as the scope of T.V was very much less so the impact of the T.V was very less but its impact was mostly on welfare of family by providing them useful information about their necessity like news, sports, religious information ,cultural programmes , education knowledge based programmes , and musical shows and programmes

Relationship of T.V With Family In The Present Days:



In the earlier period we have seen that the scope and relationship of T.V with family was not so large but now with the passage of time it was seen that the cost of T.V have reduced a lot and therefore a home without a television was not found anymore.

And now with the introduction of cable lines and dish TV , the scope of T.V had widen itself very much , and therefore through the T.V the family members can see different types of channels like religious channel, adventures channel, sports channel , music channel, history channel , movie channel , news channel , information channel and cartoon channel and so the family members can see the channel whatever they like to see .and also we had taken a note that these days most of the people are devoting most of their time in T.V , like the young ones are devoting their time on cartoon channels and the teenagers are devoting their time on fashion channels ,music channels and video songs channels and also we had taken a note that the elders members in the families are devoting their time in daily soaps like “kyunki shaas bhi kabhi bahu thi , kasauti zindagi ki , left right left , kkusum , heena , office office , ek larki mahole me rahne oli , kahani ghar ghar ki and kahi kisi roz” and by seeing these things the elder family members are seeing and learning the trend from the T.V and copying and using these trends as their own lifestyle . we had also taken a note that with the introduction of new channel like sony , star plus , zee t.v family members are influencing day by day , at first we used to see that family members usually see the T.V together but nowadays the family members are seeing television ingroups and also in separate rooms because in order not to see those kinds of stuffs with elders , now a days the relationship of television had gone so vast that pornography are wide been seen in television and which results in destruction of memory of the family members and as result they cannot control themselves and causing them to **** women and girls and so we can hold T.V as one of the culprits for **** .

We had also seen that lots of families are being breaking up to smaller families from the joint families by seeing television soaps , and we had seen also that lots of children are not scoring well in exams because most of the time these children are making a bond relationship with T.V channels cartoons and we had also seen these days teenagers are behaving very badly with the elders ones by copying the behavior made by dramatizing in T.V .We had also seen that the children used to gets their eyes badly effect by seeing T.V for longer hours . Then we had also seen that grand parents are not being served well by the house wives because due to immense relationship with the T.V. they forgot to serve the grant parents.

Then in the present days we had also seen that the relationship of T.V had got so broaden up with the family members that each and every offices are keeping T.V in their blocks .Then we had also taken a note that the advertisement agency are putting their advertisement on T.V and through this the family members are getting information about latest trends, latest products, and making a change in family relationship by those products .Then we had also seen that by watching the daily soaps in T.V , the relationship with T.V gets so developed that the family members sometimes felt to cry by watching the work of the dramatician in T.V soaps and also sometimes they became very harsh by seeing the creature like behavior made by the dramaticians in T.V.

Relationship of T.V In High Class Society:

We had also observed that the relationship of family with T.V also varies from class to class , we had seen that in high class families the relationship was much more broader than in middle class families , here the scope of T.V was so much that the each rooms here are composed with T.V and then each family members are having different tastes for which they are following different channels like the elder ones are mostly busy with share market information, market turnover information mainly with the fall and rise in prices and also the elder female members by seeing T.V gets about market information and therefore they go to market for shopping daily for following the new trends in the world . Then we had also found that in these class party is mainly a part for their living and so all the family members always keep a watch in the T.V for upcoming parties and events. Then we had also found that children in these class are being mostly neglected by their elders because they are mostly busy in their work and so these children make a good relationship with the T.V and devote most of their time on .TV mainly on cartoons , pornography films and which in return pushed them to become a social evil for th society and also cause a bad effect for their studies.

Relationship of T.V In Middle / Low Class Society:

Here in these society the relationship and scope of T.V was not wider as comparison to the high class society , as the number of T.V was not so much in these class , and so we can see the family members usually see the T.V in common and the privacy of seeing the T.V easily not found in these class, here we can also found that due to the low income of the family members , usually they don’t get chance of buying things even though they follow the T.V and so we can see influence by T.V in these class is not good.

Here due to low number of T.V in these class the children usually not get the chance of seeing the cartoons, pornography films separately so the relationship does not get so much developed as it developed in the above mentioned society , so the damaged caused by the T.V on the children is not there and so there is no influence over the studies of the children here.

Positive Gains Derived From T.V :

Though in the present days the relationship of television with the family had been vast and created lots of problems in present day life of the families still it had helped and gave the families in many ways and they are as follows :

1. by making the relationship with T.V the family members like the women’s can learn the process of making new food dishes which they can prefer for their lunch ,breakfast and dinner.

2. by making relationship with T.V the family members can easily tour the world .

3. by making relationship with T.V the children in the families can learnt lots of things , which in return can help them for their general knowledge studies and can also helped to participate in debates, and can also helped them to make their article .

4. by making relationship with T.V the family members can see live cricket matches by sitting in home through T.V

5. by making relationship with T.V the family members can see live operation in hospital through T.V.

6. by making relationship with T.V the family members can advertise on it and can derive gains for their business .

7. by making relationship with T.V the family members can obtain share market information.

8. by making relationship with T.V the family members can participate in competition on going topics and hence can achieve awards in respective fields shown on T.V.

9. by making relationship with T.V the family members can hear and see news from the whole globe through the medium of media.

10. by making relationship with T.V the family members can make themselves aware of the dates of polio vaccines and also the desired place at which the vaccination programmes will held.

Major Impacts of T.V:



1. Impact on Kids

Television is one of the most prevalent media influences in kids’ lives. According to Kids’ Take on Media, a survey conducted in 2003 by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, watching TV is a daily pastime for 75 percent of Canadian children, both boys and girls from Grade 3 to Grade 10, then how much impact TV has on children depends on many factors like : how much they watch, their age and personality, whether they watch alone or with adults, and whether their parents talk with them about what they see on TV. So to minimize the potential negative effects of television, it’s important to understand what the impact of television can be on children. Then over the past two decades, hundreds of studies have examined how violent programming on TV affects children and young people, While a direct “cause and effect” link is difficult to establish, there is a growing consensus that some children may be vulnerable to violent images and messages. Researchers have identified potential responses to media i.e. : Increased fear—also known as the “mean and scary world” syndrome Children, particularly girls, are much more likely than adults to be portrayed as victims of violence on TV, and this can make them more afraid of the world around them. Some of the most violent TV shows are children’s cartoons, in which violence is portrayed as humorous—and realistic consequences of violence are seldom shown. This can be especially true of young children, who are more likely to exhibit aggressive Behaviour after viewing violent TV shows or movies.

2. Impact on health

By watching T.V for longer hours most of the family members became the prey for obesity and this obesity pushed them for having various kinds of diseases , reports from newspapers had shown us that most of the heart attacks are causing to the people because of the obesity.

3. Impact of violence

By watching T.V for longer hours, mainly the violence part in movies ,most of the family members thereby gets influenced and gets frusteted out and cause violence in home and also in society, like beating of wives, children, killing and hearting the other societies members.

4. Impact of blindness

By watching T.V for longer hours , most of the family members mainly the grant parents becomes blind and even the children also become blind by watching cartoons for longer hours

5. Impact on brain

By watching T.V for longer hours , the concentration power of human being gets destroyed and therefore they cannot concentrate on studies as well as on business matters and on official matters.

Conclusion:

This article has brought out a total analyze of T.V relationship with family , in the first halves of the article we have seen the definition of media and the evolution of T.V, then in the middle halves of the article we have analyzed and compare the relationship of T.V with family members by throwing lights in the early period and also in the present period and then we have discussed about the positive gains that have been derived from the T.V and then in the lower halves of the article we have focused on the major impacts of T.V and came to concluded that relationship of T.V with family at one side gives families privileges and on the another side it gives the families mostly the bad effects and so for the welfare of family in our society I would recommend that relationship with T.V should be kept in a safe distance from the family by the family members like that relationship that family members used to keep in zoo from animals.

Bibliography:

• T.B BOTTOMORE, A Guide to Problem and Literature.

• C N SHANKAR RAO, Sociology, S. Chand & Company.

• CN SHANKAR RAO, Indian Sociology, S. Chand & Company.

• RAM AHUJA, Indian society, Rawat Publication.

Keywords: watching television, media, pros and cons of TV

Mark St. Denis asked:


When you are faced with the tough decision of whether to purchase a flat screen plasma television or a television that features a liquid crystal display. Several questions must be answered before you want to consider the pricing and the brand names of each kind of product. These questions include how big or small do you want the television, how long do you need the television to last, and also where you are going to place the television. You could want a projection television for your living room and a plasma screen in your bedroom. Making a wise decision is very important in the consumer purchasing process.

One issue to think about is the image “burn-in” on plasma television screens. Bright images may “burn” and spot on the screen and may be bothersome.

Another issue is the bulb replacement cost. Often the cost of replacing a LCD screen bulb can be more than the cost of replacing the entire television set itself. Plasma typically will last 30,000-60,000 hours of operation before the bulb will go out. After that time the bulb will be working at half the efficiency as a new bulb.

LCD televisions typically weigh less than Plasma screens at the same comparable size. Also, plasma television sets are more fragile in transportation so take that into consideration when purchasing a television with or without a product warranty.

When selecting a flat screen television you need to consider the ranges of sizes for each of the two kinds of products, plasma and lcd. Plasma televisions are typically only available in sizes bigger than 32 inches. Some plasma screen manufacturers are producing screens that are 103 inches in size. At that size you may as well consider purchasing a high definition projector setup. On the other hand if you are looking for a quality television for smaller purposes (i.e. the bathroom or kitchen) you will want to consider the lcd variety. LCD television screens range in sizes all the way from 13 inches to 45 inches and up. Some LCD televisions are 100 inches and bigger. If you are looking for a clear solution to bigger screens once again I would suggest that you consider a HD projector as a alternative solution.

Plasma television sets run hotter, need alot more power and are more heavier than their lcd counterparts. If you want to put a flatscreen television in your kitchen or bathroom I would suggest a LCD television set.

As far as the thickness of the television set, the LCD is only slightly thinner than a plasma television. This is not a huge difference between the two.

Do you live in a high altitude climate? LCD’s tend to perform better in higher altitude locations than the plasma televisions. High altitudes affect the plasma screen because of the pressure and stress put on the inside of the television set. If you live in the mountains I suggest you purchase a LCD television.

LCD televisions and Plasma televisions both come in High Definition quality variations.

After considering these differences between the two types of flatcreen televisions I would suggest picking the best kind for your situation and finding a low price. Good luck on your purchase!

Digital Landing asked:


On February 17, 2009, Americans will enter the age of digital television — ready or not.

 

On that date, all full-power broadcast television stations will begin broadcasting only in digital, improving sound and picture quality as well as allowing for stations to offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting.

 

The government-mandated change will free up needed frequencies for public safety and new wireless communication offerings.

 

What’s the difference between analog and digital?

 

Since television was invented, stations have broadcast analog signals, or continuously varying radio waves. The familiar “snow” or ghosting of images is one problem with this way of sending broadcast signals.  Another issue is the limited bandwidth for an ever increasing number of television channels.

 

After the transition, broadcasts will be sent only via digital signals, which use a series of zeroes and ones to transmit data just as a computer does. The result is clearer, more reliable picture and sound as well as the opportunity for more programming options and interactive features.

 

Because of how a digital signal transmits information, it has more room for additional data. So now television stations that once broadcast on one channel, such as channel 3, can now broadcast on several segments of that channel, for example: 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4. Each channel could offer specialized programming for a particular audience.

 

HDTV is the highest level of digital television quality, but it is not the only one. SDTV, or standard definition television format, is the quality at which basic digital broadcasts will be provided. SDTV offers an enhancement over traditional analog broadcasts, but it is not as sharp as HDTV.

 

What do I need to do to be ready?

 

If you have an analog input television and currently receive your television service through cable or satellite, you will continue to receive your current stations without needing to purchase additional equipment.  However, to receive the full, original quality digital signal, you may need to upgrade your set or get special equipment from your service provider. Simply check with your cable or satellite company for more details.

 

Note that if your service goes out due to weather or other circumstances, you will no longer be able to receive traditional television channels without a digital tuner or digital-to-analog converter box.

 

If you have an analog input television and receive your signal via an outside antenna or “rabbit ears,” then you will need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box to be able to continue watch television. Your set will continue to work as before with gaming consoles, DVD players, VCRs and other similar systems.

 

The new converter boxes are expected to be available in early 2008 and run between $50 and $70. From January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009, all U.S. households are eligible for a government coupon program to offset $40 of the cost for up to two boxes per household.  A list of eligible boxes is available from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which manages the program.

 

Aside from buying a converter box or signing up for a cable or satellite service, you could also choose to buy a new digital-input ready television. After May 2007, all new televisions must be ready for receiving digital signals or be clearly marked that additional equipment will be needed.

 

These next generation television sets are the best way to experience all that digital television has to offer.

Patrick Arden asked:


Television has become an integral part of every home or even shops, restaurants, airports or any other public places. Even luxury buses have television sets installed for their passengers to enjoy their journey. Television has become a great entertainment source. People watch television shows with the same energy and enthusiasm as they watch movies at the theater.

What do they do to admire their favorite television serial actor? Television posters have come into picture. Cashing in on the admiration that people have for television characters, printing industry has come up with television posters that contain pictures of their favorite characters. Television posters depict different scenes from television series. People can buy television posters and put them up in their home walls. They can surf different websites and make an informed choice. They can pick television posters that suit their tastes and style of living.

Television posters can also be stuck on the walls of shops to make them more attractive and soothing to your eyes. It might happen that some customers may also have great admiration for the character whose poster you have pasted on your shop wall. It may also strengthen your relation with them.

As for restaurants, television posters equally suit them because people come to restaurants to fulfill their appetite and relax. Having these posters around can win you more customers and they may also add to the overall beauty of your restaurant. Television characters are really becoming popular among television viewers. These posters come in different shapes and sizes and you can also get them framed. This facility is offered by some websites. Some websites also offer customized television posters.

Television is watched by everyone, including children, teenagers, middle-aged and old people. Everyone of them have different tastes. They can buy television posters that suit their tastes. Plus, you also have the option of gifting television posters to your near and dear ones. Since you know which are their favorite serials and characters, you can easily gift them as per their choice.

Ryan Hopkins asked:


How much television do you watch? It used to be that the average person only watched about two hours of television on a daily basis. However I believe that the number continues to grow as people spend more time in front of their television sets. This article is written to help you discover are you watching too much television and are you saving money while watching your favorite shows?

Television was invented in the early 1920’s and research shows that several people contributed to the reality of being able to watch some of our favorite celebrities on the television set. This method of spending quality time has increased in each household throughout our country and not to mention the prices that it costs just to watch your favorite shows. It can be quite expensive just to enjoy a nice evening of watching your favorite movies or television shows.

Heck a decent television set can easily cost someone in the several hundreds of dollars; not to mention the monthly cost that it takes to be able to receive service from a local cable provider. However have you ever sat and wondered how much television do you watch?

Are you and your family sitting inside the house too often and staring at the television set while you could be out at the park or the beach? Well most people do not realize that it is now possible to take your television programs anywhere you want. Television has really changed since I was growing up; with todays technology you can easily watch TV from your laptop from anywhere in the world.

Not to mention the money that this method of watching TV can save you. Besides if you are finding that you and your family are sitting in the living room too much staring at the “blaring” screen; it is time to take your television mobile. Why not get PC internet TV and take your family to the park. You can do some physical activities and then once you have had your fun and gotten your exercise then you can watch your favorite programs together.

This is a great way to get your exercise in without worrying about your kids staring at the screen for long hours. Besides I have come to realize that my family enjoys a program much better after spending a day in the park and we all get to watch it together; so it gives us better quality time than sitting at home and doing the same routine that we used to.

Visit our site: http://pc-internet-tv.hi-tech-reviews.com for more information.

If you found this article on “how much television do you watch” helpful; visit our site below. In just a few minutes you and your family can be enjoying 3000 channels from anywhere in the world and not having to worry about sitting in front of the television set for too many hours. You can choose to be active while not giving up the programs that you have grown to love. Television can be a good thing after all I too have my favorite shows I watch; however learn how to exercise your family as well.

Leon Drell asked:


Are you thinking about buying a plasma television for your home? As you may already know, Plasma televisions are becoming increasingly popular as of late, as the prices of Plasma Televisions are becoming more and more affordable each passing year. Plasma televisions can provide excellent viewing experience, and are perfect for those who want to enjoy a high quality home theater.

As with most technology purchases, there are advantages and drawbacks associated with this type of television as well. If you are new to Plasma TV, making a purchasing decision can be a little difficult. So before you rush out to buy your new Plasma television set, it’s important to at least understand the basics of plasma television first.

Image Quality

One of the primary reasons that plasma televisions are so popular is their high quality image displays. Plasma television displays are bright and crystal clear, have a very wide color gamut, and also available in fairly large sizes. The large size is actually very interesting because it is something that a typical television sets couldn’t be made without affecting the quality of the screen. These types of televisions (Plasma TVs) offer very high resolution images with sharp details and true to life color.

Convenient

Plasma television sets can easily blend into the design of just about any room. These television sets are very thin in design when compared with other television, and can allow you to better utilize the square footage of your home. So instead of taking up a significant amount of floor space, plasma televisions can be hung directly on the wall or placed on a compact stand.

Longevity

Plasma televisions are not the most durable or long lasting television sets available. These types of television sets are difficult, if not impossible to repair. They generally last about seven years with normal usage. However, they are fragile and subject to irreparable damage when being moved from one location to another.

Pricing

Plasma televisions are priced at the mid range of television technology. They are less expensive than LCD television sets, but cost significantly more than analog sets.

Is a Plasma Television Right for You?

If you want to enjoy an affordable, high quality television viewing experience, a plasma television set can be a good choice for you. However, if you’re looking for a set that will last for a decade or more, and can stand up to the rigors of frequently moves, you may want to choose a different types of television set.

Buying a Plasma Television

When you are in a store comparing with different plasma TV sets, remember that the employees there can be very helpful to you, especially since plasma TV is such a large ticket item for them. Therefore it is more likely that they are going to be more than willing to let you do or ask things that you normally wouldn’t be able to. And in terms of testing out the product, make sure you like it before you make your final purchase decision.

The Center for Parenting Education asked:


I don’t know about you, but the TV is on in my house far more than I like.  Before resorting to throwing it out a window, I decided to do some research to see if TV is as bad as my gut tells me it is.  While there are a few bright spots, research says most of what is on TV is worse than neutral. Most television programs harm our children.

Television is a tool. If we use it wisely, it can educate and entertain. There are excellent shows like Sesame Street, Blues Clues, Discovery, History, and shows on hobbies like cooking. When age appropriate, TV can expand our children’s horizons.   But most TV is limiting our children. The following is a summary of the research and more importantly, suggestions of things we as parents can do to minimize and mitigate the damage. Keep in mind that the following also applies to computer use, music videos, DVD’s, etc.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states that television viewing can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping behavior. Most of us are aware that Sesame Street teaches children who are ready for it, letters and numbers. Mr. Rogers teaches pro-social values. But many of us forget that by the same token, ALL television programs are teaching our children something.  And when we take a close look at what most programs are teaching our children, it can be rather scary. Research on children’s behavior, school performance, weight, sleeping habits, and brain development back up the assertion that TV is harming our children.

Violent Behavior - Literally thousands of studies have looked at whether there is a link between exposure to media violence and violent behavior. Over 98% say yes.  The evidence from the research is overwhelming.   According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Extensive research evidence indicates that media violence can contribute to aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, nightmares, and fear of being harmed.” Children become immune to the horror of violence, gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems, imitate violence they observe on TV, and identify with characters (victims or victimizers) they see on TV.

Research has shown that the more hours children spend watching TV, the more likely they are to display aggressive impulses and hostile feelings. This effect has been found to apply whether the televised behavior is performed by a human or by a cartoon character. And aggressive impulses have been found to occur with girls as well as boys and with teenagers and adults as well as children.

Many parents think that since they grew up on violent cartoons and turned out alright, their children will also. But studies have found that the amount of violence has increased dramatically and the type of violence has changed. It is now more pervasive, more sinister, and more frighteningly realistic.

And the effect is lasting.  Watching TV at age four was one factor found to be associated with bullying in grade school.

Other Behaviors - Kids who watch more TV start smoking at an earlier age. Television viewing was a stronger influence on starting smoking than peer smoking or parental smoking.

Exposure to alcohol use on TV and in music videos (such as on MTV) is a risk factor for increased drinking in adolescents.  Exposure to sexual content increases the likelihood that children will become sexually active earlier in life.

School Performance - Research has a lot to say about television and school performance. Television viewing may replace activities that we know help with school performance, such as reading, doing homework, pursuing hobbies, and getting enough sleep. Television’s effects on education are long term - positive and negative. Studies have found the following:

Children who watched exclusively educational TV as preschoolers had higher grades, less aggression, and placed more value on academics than those who watched all kinds of TV.

Children who watched little television before the age of three had significantly better scores in math and reading at age six.

Watching television as a child affected educational achievement at age 26. Watching more television in childhood increased chances of dropping out of school and decreased chances of getting a college degree, even after controlling for confounding factors.

Children who watched a lot of violent television at age 5½, defined as cartoons and G-rated movies, had lower grade point averages in English, math, and science in high school. Each hour per day viewing for kids 5 - 15 was associated with a 30% reduction in likelihood of obtaining a college degree even with IQ and parent’s level of education taken into account.

Children under 2½ who watched Sesame Street (the version designed for 3-5 year olds) showed a slower rate of language acquisition than those who didn’t.  Shows such as Power Rangers and Teletubbies slow children’s development in vocabulary, reading and math skills.

Weight - TV is one factor in childhood obesity. Studies have shown that the more TV watched, the more likelihood of a child being overweight. Having a TV in a child’s bedroom increases the chances of obesity even more. The more TV watched as a child the higher weight, serum cholesterol, poor fitness and likelihood of smoking in adults. Girls who watch a lot of TV are at increased risk of developing eating disorders.

Sleep/Relaxation - TV viewing leads to sleep problems, especially if viewed right before bedtime. Many of us have the idea that TV is relaxing. I know I did.  And while we are viewing it, it is relaxing, although not as relaxing as reading a book.  But studies show that a person is less relaxed after the TV is turned off than they were before it went on. And they are less relaxed than people who completed a physical activity or a calmer activity like reading or playing cards.

Brain Development - Research on early brain development and TV is not clear. Many studies link early television viewing with later attention problems, such as ADHD. Other experts disagree with these results. However, most researchers agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics when they state that children aged 2 and younger should have NO screen time. Children older than that should be limited to 1-2 hours per day of nonviolent, educational programming.

So what’s a parent to do?  How do we help our children develop positive television viewing habits? How do we teach our children to view television as a treat or special entertainment - especially when we may not view television that way ourselves? How can we help mitigate TV’s negative effects in a world inundated by TV? Many of the following suggestions come from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Observe - How do our children act after watching various TV shows?  Are they more violent? Are they more likely to have nightmares?  Do these behaviors decrease when we decrease/eliminate TV viewing for a period of time? Or when we eliminate certain shows? Short term effects are easier to observe - long term effects are far more muddled.

Listen - What are our children saying after viewing different shows?  What do they seem to be feeling?  Reflect back to them what you think they are saying or feeling. This may help them and you clarify their thoughts and feelings.  Do they understand what happened? Very often children miss the story line completely or get a different view than adults anticipate. It is easier to address children’s feelings and perceptions in a calm, factual way after we have truly listened to what they are.

Ask questions, and listen some more - Questions can help our children think about what they’ve seen, process it, and clarify values. Questions, adjusted for age, might include: Are characters mad, sad, scared?  Who might be hurt?  How do you think they feel now?  Would someone get hurt if they did that in real life? (Often children, especially those under 8, can’t distinguish fantasy and reality.)  What would happen if you tried that?  What safety equipment do you think is there but not shown? (Sometimes even older children mimic behavior shown on reality TV shows).  Did anyone break things?  Who is going to fix it?  Why do you think that character hurt the other?  What could be done instead without hurting anyone?  What would you do if you were that character?  Does the character look unnaturally thin? How many people really look like that in real life?

Listen and share views - Was there a moral to the story and did your children get it?  Was there no moral to the story or no consequences and do our children think they can get away with unacceptable behavior because their favorite character did?  Tie the story into your family’s values.  Studies show that in areas where a child does not know his/her parents’ point of view and has little knowledge or experience to use as guidelines, television can clearly influence beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. Point out that although the actor has not actually been hurt or killed, such violence in real life results in pain or death.  For older children/teens, use controversial programming as a stepping-off point to initiate discussions about family values, violence, *** and sexuality, and drugs.  Reinforce positive behaviors and positive nutritional messages seen on TV. Present alternatives to violence.

Challenge claims of advertisements - will they really make you happier, more popular, sexier. Explain what the purpose of advertising is.

Acknowledge children’s need to feel grown up and current with the latest TV shows.  This doesn’t mean letting them watch shows you are not comfortable with, it means letting them know you realize their desires.

Reduce/Eliminate screen time - Discourage television viewing for children younger than 2 years, and encourage more interactive activities that will promote proper brain development, such as talking, playing, singing, and reading together.  Be aware of second-hand television - younger children watching shows their older siblings or parents watch.  It is okay to say that some programs are just for grown ups. This could include news - which can be traumatic for younger children, quiz shows, reality shows.

Limit children’s total screen time (TV, videos, computer games) to no more than 1 to 2 hours of quality programming per day. Again monitoring is crucial. The V-chip is industry regulated, and very loose in interpretation. Often programs that purport to be educational, really aren’t. Eliminating or reducing TV on school nights sends the message that school is more important than TV.

Monitor - Monitor the shows children and adolescents are viewing.  Most programs should be informational, educational, and nonviolent. Choose shows that engage through challenging and interesting content, rather than flashy graphics and noise.   Make sure programs are age and developmentally appropriate. Do your children pay attention and interact with the program? If not, it may be too complicated or too easy.

If you haven’t put a TV in your child’s bedroom, don’t.  If there is already a TV there, consider removing it.  Studies show that children with a TV in the bedroom watch over an hour more TV per day than children who don’t.  And it is far more difficult/impossible to monitor and discuss program content if the TV is in the bedroom.

Refuse to let children see shows known to be violent. Change the channel or turn off the TV when offensive material comes on. Make sure you give an explanation of why. If you choose to view a violent show with your children, stress the belief that violence is not the best way to resolve a problem.

Minimize the scary stuff, especially programs that glamorize or sexualize violence - even (especially?) for tweens and teens. If you choose to watch violence, make sure there are real consequences.

Talk to other parents - While you can control viewing at home, unless the screen is in a bedroom, you cannot control what is viewed at other homes unless you are in contact and agreement with those parents. Similar rules help minimize peer pressure.

Plan TV viewing - Do you control TV - or does TV control your family life?  Does TV bring your family together or pull it apart?  How much TV do your children watch?  Does your guess include TV watched at friends, at daycare, in their bedroom, after you are asleep, watching what another family member is watching? What is the content and quality of the programs your children watch? What is the context of what they watch?  Is TV on in the background so one eye is on TV and the other on trying to hold a conversation?  Do you channel surf out of boredom or intentionally choose a program?  Is this the result you want?  Most parents don’t know the answers to or haven’t really thought about these questions.  Keeping a TV diary for a couple of weeks will help answer these questions and get you started towards mindful viewing. Mindful viewing means treating TV as the tool it is and consciously using it to help your children, not harm them.

Use the videocassette recorder wisely to show or record high-quality, educational programming for children.

Consider going cold turkey - Studies of families going without TV for a period of time find that after the initial withdrawal symptoms - and they saw anxiety, depression, and aggressiveness for the first 3 days - found that by the end of two weeks, families had adjusted and replaced TV time with other activities.  Families tried new things.  They found exciting alternatives. Most added TV back into their lives, but did so in a limited, less obtrusive, more thinking way.

Model behavior - If you want your children to view TV mindfully, you will need to set an example.

Provide alternatives - When your child says I’m bored, does it become your problem? Or is it an incentive for your child to be creative? Are the raw materials for creativity available?

Even educational TV is no substitute for active play.  Children need to spend considerable amount of time in active play.  They need active communication, talking and listening to peers and adults, especially their parents.

Encourage alternative entertainment for children, including reading, athletics, hobbies, and creative play.

What are some things you can do together? Can you prepare dinner together? Can your child play in the kitchen with the pots and pans while you get dinner? What activities are available that you can do together? Can you play board games or cards together (altering rules so younger children have a chance)? Often newspapers or websites have lists of inexpensive or free activities that can be done as a family.

Make your children part of the planning process.  They may come up with all kinds of fun things you might not think of. And it will make them more invested in the process of more mindful TV viewing. Your family could make a boredom jar.  When your children say they are bored, they get to pick something from the jar that they must do.  It can be something fun or it can be a chore. The fact that it might be a chore encourages them to find their own solutions to boredom.

And no, I haven’t tossed the TV out the window yet, but we are trying to be more mindful viewers.

    By Karen Eble, Certified Parenting Educator