TCL L40FHDF11TA 40-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD HDTV with 2-Year Warranty, Black (Electronics)
First, let me clarify that the TV is, in fact, native 1080p. No question about it.
Second, the panel on this TV is made by Samsung, and the quality is excellent.
Third, TCL's website has a find service center location search and it is quite extensive ..
Based on the two year warrantee, what I am seeing with my TV and Amazons excellent delivery, I'm giving this set a Best Buy rating ..
UPDATE 11/16/2010 .. this set is just plain excellent .. and Amazon service is top of the line .. my set developed a thin blue vertical line, I contacted Amazon, they picked up the set the next day and delivered a new set at the same time .. hard to beat that ..
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Original Christmas Classics
The Original Christmas Classics (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer/Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town/Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns/Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol/Little Drummer Boy/Cricket on the Hearth) (DVD)
Classic Media brings us 7 Christmas specials in one gorgeous package in its "Original Christmas Classics" DVD collection. The headliners of this set are the three greatest Rankin/Bass Christmas TV specials of all-time: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town! In addition to these, we are treated to "The Little Drummer Boy", "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol", "Cricket on the Hearth", and "Frosty Returns". Plus, a CD of holiday music selections is even included as a bonus!
Disc One features everyone's favorite Rankin/Bass special, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Based on the beloved song, it's the stop-motion "animagic" classic from 1964 about a little reindeer born with a nose that glows red! Teased about his nose as a child, Rudolph runs away from Santa's village and makes new friends along the way but also encounters the frightening Bumble snow-beast! Then, when a fog comes up to threaten Santa's Christmas Eve flight, it's only Rudolph's nose that can save the day! Featuring unforgettable songs from Burl Ives (who plays Sam the Snowman) and others, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" has become a holiday tradition loved by millions!
Also on Disc One is "Cricket on the Hearth." Introduced by Danny Thomas and starring the voices of himself, his daughter Marlo, Roddy McDowall, Hans Conried, Paul Frees, and more, this 1967 traditionally animated special is a musical version of Charles Dickens' classic. It's the story of a toymaker and his daughter who befriend a helpful cricket that saves the day after the family falls on hard times. "Cricket on the Hearth" is a lesser known Rankin/Bass production and not as endearing as their bigger hits, but it is still a nice holiday viewing you probably haven't seen before.
Disc Two holds a classic that is nearly as beloved as Rudolph, "Frosty the Snowman". This 1969 classic is traditionally animated and probably Rankin/Bass's best work in 2D. The charming character designs, voices, music, and simple story are absolutely wonderful. Based on another classic song, this is the story of a snowman that comes to life when the children who built him add a discarded magic hat. Unfortunately, snowmen can't last forever unless they are in a place that is always snowy, and the nasty Professor Hinkle, the frustrated magician who threw out his hat, wants the hat back now that he knows it holds real magical power! Hosted by an animated Jimmy Durante, "Frosty the Snowman" is such a treat that it even inspired three 2D sequels so far, though only "Frosty's Winter Wonderland", from the same creators and with Jackie Vernon back as Frosty's voice, is really good. Disc Two also includes the only DVD bonus feature in this set, a Frosty pencil test.
Also on Disc Two is one of the more recent and very disappointing sequels, "Frosty Returns." Truthfully, I don't think this can be called an official sequel, as I don't think Rankin/Bass had anything to do with this 1992 rip-off. Surprisingly, this one is from the creators of the wonderful Peanuts specials, sans Charles Schultz, but it has none of that magic. "Frosty Returns", which depicts a Frosty voiced by John Goodman and with nothing in common with the original aside from being made of snow, is hosted by an animated (and for some reason miniature) Jonathan Winters in an attempt to mimic the host-character style of the Rankin/Bass faves. He presents the story of a town that is becoming snow-free thanks to a businessman's spray can invention, "Summer Wheeze." Frosty and his friends go on a mission to prove to the townsfolk that snow can actually be a good thing, but all in all it's a story that is pretty uninvolving and forgettable. What a shame they never couple the original Frosty with "Frosty's Winter Wonderland". Unfortunately, you have to buy the other boxed set to get that one.
Disc Three features what is, in my opinion, the definitive version of how Santa became Santa. Well, along with "Santa Claus, the Movie" anyway. "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" is the name of the special, and it's the third of the three big-name classics in this DVD set. The 1970 animagic film, hosted by a stop-motion Fred Astaire, gives us the story of Santa being left at the doorstep of a toymaking elf family when he was a baby, being raised by them and amongst the forest animals, going on missions to deliver toys to the children of Sombertown, meeting Winter the warlock and Jessica, the future Mrs. Claus, and going up against the awful Burgermeister Meisterburger. This charming take on Santa's origins includes the voices of Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus, Keenan Wynn as Winter, and the great Paul Frees in several roles. Like most Rankin/Bass holiday classics, this is based on a classic song.
The remaining two holiday specials are also included on Disc Three. They are the lesser known but still much loved "The Little Drummer Boy," a somewhat dark Rankin/Bass animagic tale from 1968 about an orphaned drummer boy who hates people and only loves his animal friends until a visit to the original nativity scene shows him the light, and 1962's "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol," which presents the classic, nearsighted cartoon character as an actor in a Broadway production of his own version of "A Christmas Carol." Both specials are charming and appreciated inclusions in this DVD set.
Lastly, there's the CD, which is a mixed bag of 7 Christmas songs. They include a very brief "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" from Burl Ives, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" from Bobby Rydell, "A Holly Jolly Christmas" from Burl Ives, "Silver and Gold" from Burl Ives, "Let it Snow" from Chicago, "Winter Wonderland" from Jewel, and "Merry Christmas Baby" from Otis Redding. The CD is an okay addition, but a 4th disc of more holiday specials or more DVD bonus features would have been preferred, or even a genuine soundtrack to one or more of the included specials.
Overall, this set is a must own for the Christmas classics lover, and my only major complaint is how hard it is to remove the discs from the lovely packaging. I also highly recommend the following DVDs and DVD sets: Christmas Television Favorites (featuring other Rankin/Bass faves and the Grinch!), Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, Disney's Classic Holiday Stories, Peanuts Classic Holiday Collection, The Happy Elf, Garfield Holiday Celebrations, Elf, A Muppet Family Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Warner Bros. Classic Holiday Collection, MGM Holiday Classics Collection, Santa Claus (1960), It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street (1947), A Christmas Story, The Nativity, A Christmas Carol (1951), Scrooged, Santa Claus the Movie, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Scrooge (1935), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live-action), One Magic Christmas, Babes in Toyland (Disney), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Ernest Saves Christmas, A Chipmunk Christmas, the Santa Clause films, A Flintstones Christmas Carol, Benji's Very Own Christmas Story, Sabrina the Animated Series: A Witchmas Carol, and more! And don't forget the many specials only available on VHS! Also, if you're into the bizarre, seek out the Star Wars Holiday Special!
Classic Media brings us 7 Christmas specials in one gorgeous package in its "Original Christmas Classics" DVD collection. The headliners of this set are the three greatest Rankin/Bass Christmas TV specials of all-time: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town! In addition to these, we are treated to "The Little Drummer Boy", "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol", "Cricket on the Hearth", and "Frosty Returns". Plus, a CD of holiday music selections is even included as a bonus!
Disc One features everyone's favorite Rankin/Bass special, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Based on the beloved song, it's the stop-motion "animagic" classic from 1964 about a little reindeer born with a nose that glows red! Teased about his nose as a child, Rudolph runs away from Santa's village and makes new friends along the way but also encounters the frightening Bumble snow-beast! Then, when a fog comes up to threaten Santa's Christmas Eve flight, it's only Rudolph's nose that can save the day! Featuring unforgettable songs from Burl Ives (who plays Sam the Snowman) and others, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" has become a holiday tradition loved by millions!
Also on Disc One is "Cricket on the Hearth." Introduced by Danny Thomas and starring the voices of himself, his daughter Marlo, Roddy McDowall, Hans Conried, Paul Frees, and more, this 1967 traditionally animated special is a musical version of Charles Dickens' classic. It's the story of a toymaker and his daughter who befriend a helpful cricket that saves the day after the family falls on hard times. "Cricket on the Hearth" is a lesser known Rankin/Bass production and not as endearing as their bigger hits, but it is still a nice holiday viewing you probably haven't seen before.
Disc Two holds a classic that is nearly as beloved as Rudolph, "Frosty the Snowman". This 1969 classic is traditionally animated and probably Rankin/Bass's best work in 2D. The charming character designs, voices, music, and simple story are absolutely wonderful. Based on another classic song, this is the story of a snowman that comes to life when the children who built him add a discarded magic hat. Unfortunately, snowmen can't last forever unless they are in a place that is always snowy, and the nasty Professor Hinkle, the frustrated magician who threw out his hat, wants the hat back now that he knows it holds real magical power! Hosted by an animated Jimmy Durante, "Frosty the Snowman" is such a treat that it even inspired three 2D sequels so far, though only "Frosty's Winter Wonderland", from the same creators and with Jackie Vernon back as Frosty's voice, is really good. Disc Two also includes the only DVD bonus feature in this set, a Frosty pencil test.
Also on Disc Two is one of the more recent and very disappointing sequels, "Frosty Returns." Truthfully, I don't think this can be called an official sequel, as I don't think Rankin/Bass had anything to do with this 1992 rip-off. Surprisingly, this one is from the creators of the wonderful Peanuts specials, sans Charles Schultz, but it has none of that magic. "Frosty Returns", which depicts a Frosty voiced by John Goodman and with nothing in common with the original aside from being made of snow, is hosted by an animated (and for some reason miniature) Jonathan Winters in an attempt to mimic the host-character style of the Rankin/Bass faves. He presents the story of a town that is becoming snow-free thanks to a businessman's spray can invention, "Summer Wheeze." Frosty and his friends go on a mission to prove to the townsfolk that snow can actually be a good thing, but all in all it's a story that is pretty uninvolving and forgettable. What a shame they never couple the original Frosty with "Frosty's Winter Wonderland". Unfortunately, you have to buy the other boxed set to get that one.
Disc Three features what is, in my opinion, the definitive version of how Santa became Santa. Well, along with "Santa Claus, the Movie" anyway. "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" is the name of the special, and it's the third of the three big-name classics in this DVD set. The 1970 animagic film, hosted by a stop-motion Fred Astaire, gives us the story of Santa being left at the doorstep of a toymaking elf family when he was a baby, being raised by them and amongst the forest animals, going on missions to deliver toys to the children of Sombertown, meeting Winter the warlock and Jessica, the future Mrs. Claus, and going up against the awful Burgermeister Meisterburger. This charming take on Santa's origins includes the voices of Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus, Keenan Wynn as Winter, and the great Paul Frees in several roles. Like most Rankin/Bass holiday classics, this is based on a classic song.
The remaining two holiday specials are also included on Disc Three. They are the lesser known but still much loved "The Little Drummer Boy," a somewhat dark Rankin/Bass animagic tale from 1968 about an orphaned drummer boy who hates people and only loves his animal friends until a visit to the original nativity scene shows him the light, and 1962's "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol," which presents the classic, nearsighted cartoon character as an actor in a Broadway production of his own version of "A Christmas Carol." Both specials are charming and appreciated inclusions in this DVD set.
Lastly, there's the CD, which is a mixed bag of 7 Christmas songs. They include a very brief "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" from Burl Ives, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" from Bobby Rydell, "A Holly Jolly Christmas" from Burl Ives, "Silver and Gold" from Burl Ives, "Let it Snow" from Chicago, "Winter Wonderland" from Jewel, and "Merry Christmas Baby" from Otis Redding. The CD is an okay addition, but a 4th disc of more holiday specials or more DVD bonus features would have been preferred, or even a genuine soundtrack to one or more of the included specials.
Overall, this set is a must own for the Christmas classics lover, and my only major complaint is how hard it is to remove the discs from the lovely packaging. I also highly recommend the following DVDs and DVD sets: Christmas Television Favorites (featuring other Rankin/Bass faves and the Grinch!), Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, Disney's Classic Holiday Stories, Peanuts Classic Holiday Collection, The Happy Elf, Garfield Holiday Celebrations, Elf, A Muppet Family Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Warner Bros. Classic Holiday Collection, MGM Holiday Classics Collection, Santa Claus (1960), It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street (1947), A Christmas Story, The Nativity, A Christmas Carol (1951), Scrooged, Santa Claus the Movie, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Scrooge (1935), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live-action), One Magic Christmas, Babes in Toyland (Disney), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Ernest Saves Christmas, A Chipmunk Christmas, the Santa Clause films, A Flintstones Christmas Carol, Benji's Very Own Christmas Story, Sabrina the Animated Series: A Witchmas Carol, and more! And don't forget the many specials only available on VHS! Also, if you're into the bizarre, seek out the Star Wars Holiday Special!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Amazon.com: The All-New Kindle
There are 200+ comments and Kindle reviews, and many commenters have posted extremely helpful replies. There are a few questions that keep getting asked over and over, which I'll address here
So that you don't have to wade through all the comments, I'll summarize what I see as the key points from the discussion. Keep in mind that much of the great info that follows comes from other Amazon customers who took the time to contribute.
1) Kindle's battery
a) Thanks to commenters for pointing out that 3rd party internet retailers will sell you a replacement battery and include instructions on how to change it yourself. (Some post a video showing how to do it.) This is not only much cheaper than Amazon's option, you also keep your own Kindle. Opening the Kindle will void the warranty, but it's not likely the battery will die before the warranty expires - and if it does, Amazon replaces it at no cost to you.
b) Other commenters obtained objective information about the life of the battery that comes in the Kindle 3, and after doing some math, calculated that the original battery in the Kindle will live for 3-6 years. I'll probably upgrade to a newer model before the battery in my Kindle 3 dies, so I'm no longer concerned about this issue.
c) My wife and I get a LOT of battery life out of our kindles between charges. She uses hers an hour a day, I use mine about 2 hours a week. We each keep the wireless off about 2/3 of the time, and we both get three or more weeks before we have to recharge.
2) 3G vs. wifi
3G and wifi are two ways for the kindle to connect to the internet. You don't need an internet connection to read ebooks and newspapers that are already on your device. You need a connection to download new content to your kindle, and also to use kindle's browser to surf the internet. Let's suppose for the moment that you don't use Kindle's browser very often.
If you don't have wifi at home, you should probably get the 3G model, otherwise you'll have to take your kindle to a wifi hotspot every time you want to download a book or newspaper.
If you do have wifi at home, you can probably survive without the 3G version. What about when you're away from home? If you read ebooks while traveling, just load up your kindle with a few ebooks before leaving home. It becomes an issue if you subscribe to a daily periodical on your Kindle, like the New York Times; then, it's handy to have 3G so that you continue to get your new issues every day. Yet, wifi hotspots are popping up everywhere - many of them free - so 3G connectivity is less and less a necessity for many of us. And, 3G coverage is not universal - I have two sets of relatives I see regularly who live in areas where 3G coverage is spotty; but in both of those towns, the hotels I stay in have free wifi, so I'm covered.
If you use Kindle's web browser frequently, it may be worthwhile to get the 3G model. I don't really like Kindle's web browser, and my phone has a good web browser and display, so there's almost never a need for me to use Kindle's browser.
Most of this argues for getting the cheaper wifi version. But there are reasons to consider the 3G version. First, the extra money you pay for the 3G version buys you unlimited lifetime free 3G service; thinking of it this way, the price really doesn't seem unreasonable. Second, the more you're away from home, the more likely you'll find yourself in a situation in which wifi isn't available but 3G coverage is good; probably not TOO often, but once in a while. Then, it's nice to have 3G, especially if you get a daily periodical or if you want to download a new ebook.
3) Amazon's proprietary format, ePub, Calibre
It's true, with a nook, you can "borrow" ebooks from a library, if those ebooks are in the ePub format. Some commenters have said this works well on their nook; other commenters have said the selection of ebooks at some libraries is frustratingly small. Whether you have a Nook or a Kindle, check out the free Calibre software. Calibre works with Kindle, Nook, and most major ereader brands. It allows you to convert ebooks from one format to another (so long as the ebook file is not copy-protected). You can convert ePub files into a format that works well with the Kindle. Calibre is very reputable and reliable. I am just starting to use it, and it works well for me. I no longer feel tied to Amazon's proprietary format. Though, frankly, I LIKE shopping Amazon's store from my kindle and buying Amazon kindle books. I will probably continue to get the vast majority of my content from Amazon, so the fact that the kindle uses a proprietary Amazon format isn't really a problem for me.
4) PDF files
Nook does not have native PDF support. When you put a PDF file on your nook, nook converts it into an ebook-like file, then you can adjust the font size and the text and pagination will adjust just like with any ebook. But you cannot see the original PDF file in the format it was created.
Kindle 3 and Kindle DX have native support for PDF files. You can see PDF files just as they would appear on your computer. You can also convert PDF files to an ebook-like format, and then Kindle handles them just the way the Nook handles them - text and pagination adjust when you change the font size.
Unfortunately, some symbols, equations, and graphics get lost or mangled in the translation - even when viewing PDF files in their native format on the Kindle.
Moreover, the small screen size of the Kindle 3 is not great for PDF files, most of which are designed for a larger page size. You can zoom and pan, but this is cumbersome and tiresome. Thanks to commenters who suggested viewing PDF files in landscape mode; this way, you can see the entire top half of the page without panning, and then scroll down to the bottom half. This works a little better.
So that you don't have to wade through all the comments, I'll summarize what I see as the key points from the discussion. Keep in mind that much of the great info that follows comes from other Amazon customers who took the time to contribute.
1) Kindle's battery
a) Thanks to commenters for pointing out that 3rd party internet retailers will sell you a replacement battery and include instructions on how to change it yourself. (Some post a video showing how to do it.) This is not only much cheaper than Amazon's option, you also keep your own Kindle. Opening the Kindle will void the warranty, but it's not likely the battery will die before the warranty expires - and if it does, Amazon replaces it at no cost to you.
b) Other commenters obtained objective information about the life of the battery that comes in the Kindle 3, and after doing some math, calculated that the original battery in the Kindle will live for 3-6 years. I'll probably upgrade to a newer model before the battery in my Kindle 3 dies, so I'm no longer concerned about this issue.
c) My wife and I get a LOT of battery life out of our kindles between charges. She uses hers an hour a day, I use mine about 2 hours a week. We each keep the wireless off about 2/3 of the time, and we both get three or more weeks before we have to recharge.
2) 3G vs. wifi
3G and wifi are two ways for the kindle to connect to the internet. You don't need an internet connection to read ebooks and newspapers that are already on your device. You need a connection to download new content to your kindle, and also to use kindle's browser to surf the internet. Let's suppose for the moment that you don't use Kindle's browser very often.
If you don't have wifi at home, you should probably get the 3G model, otherwise you'll have to take your kindle to a wifi hotspot every time you want to download a book or newspaper.
If you do have wifi at home, you can probably survive without the 3G version. What about when you're away from home? If you read ebooks while traveling, just load up your kindle with a few ebooks before leaving home. It becomes an issue if you subscribe to a daily periodical on your Kindle, like the New York Times; then, it's handy to have 3G so that you continue to get your new issues every day. Yet, wifi hotspots are popping up everywhere - many of them free - so 3G connectivity is less and less a necessity for many of us. And, 3G coverage is not universal - I have two sets of relatives I see regularly who live in areas where 3G coverage is spotty; but in both of those towns, the hotels I stay in have free wifi, so I'm covered.
If you use Kindle's web browser frequently, it may be worthwhile to get the 3G model. I don't really like Kindle's web browser, and my phone has a good web browser and display, so there's almost never a need for me to use Kindle's browser.
Most of this argues for getting the cheaper wifi version. But there are reasons to consider the 3G version. First, the extra money you pay for the 3G version buys you unlimited lifetime free 3G service; thinking of it this way, the price really doesn't seem unreasonable. Second, the more you're away from home, the more likely you'll find yourself in a situation in which wifi isn't available but 3G coverage is good; probably not TOO often, but once in a while. Then, it's nice to have 3G, especially if you get a daily periodical or if you want to download a new ebook.
3) Amazon's proprietary format, ePub, Calibre
It's true, with a nook, you can "borrow" ebooks from a library, if those ebooks are in the ePub format. Some commenters have said this works well on their nook; other commenters have said the selection of ebooks at some libraries is frustratingly small. Whether you have a Nook or a Kindle, check out the free Calibre software. Calibre works with Kindle, Nook, and most major ereader brands. It allows you to convert ebooks from one format to another (so long as the ebook file is not copy-protected). You can convert ePub files into a format that works well with the Kindle. Calibre is very reputable and reliable. I am just starting to use it, and it works well for me. I no longer feel tied to Amazon's proprietary format. Though, frankly, I LIKE shopping Amazon's store from my kindle and buying Amazon kindle books. I will probably continue to get the vast majority of my content from Amazon, so the fact that the kindle uses a proprietary Amazon format isn't really a problem for me.
4) PDF files
Nook does not have native PDF support. When you put a PDF file on your nook, nook converts it into an ebook-like file, then you can adjust the font size and the text and pagination will adjust just like with any ebook. But you cannot see the original PDF file in the format it was created.
Kindle 3 and Kindle DX have native support for PDF files. You can see PDF files just as they would appear on your computer. You can also convert PDF files to an ebook-like format, and then Kindle handles them just the way the Nook handles them - text and pagination adjust when you change the font size.
Unfortunately, some symbols, equations, and graphics get lost or mangled in the translation - even when viewing PDF files in their native format on the Kindle.
Moreover, the small screen size of the Kindle 3 is not great for PDF files, most of which are designed for a larger page size. You can zoom and pan, but this is cumbersome and tiresome. Thanks to commenters who suggested viewing PDF files in landscape mode; this way, you can see the entire top half of the page without panning, and then scroll down to the bottom half. This works a little better.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Amazon.com Gift Card
This review is from: Amazon.com Gift Card (Paper Gift Certificate)
I *highly* recommend the electronic versions of the Amazon gift cards as well as the ones you can print on your own. I have never had a problem with either of these methods, nor have any of my card recipients.
Although it is theoretically better etiquette to give a physical card, I've found that because Amazon is an online vendor and the cardholder is going to visit the web to use the card number, recipients enjoy the convenience of having the card information delivered to their inboxes--especially when it's on the day of a special event. If you use the printed versions, you can easily mail or hand deliver your gift with your personalization applied.
In short, make your life easier by sending joy to your loved ones through the technological magic of your computer--they truly will appreciate the sentiment behind your gift regardless of the delivery method.
I *highly* recommend the electronic versions of the Amazon gift cards as well as the ones you can print on your own. I have never had a problem with either of these methods, nor have any of my card recipients.
Although it is theoretically better etiquette to give a physical card, I've found that because Amazon is an online vendor and the cardholder is going to visit the web to use the card number, recipients enjoy the convenience of having the card information delivered to their inboxes--especially when it's on the day of a special event. If you use the printed versions, you can easily mail or hand deliver your gift with your personalization applied.
In short, make your life easier by sending joy to your loved ones through the technological magic of your computer--they truly will appreciate the sentiment behind your gift regardless of the delivery method.
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