Well, for a hundred bucks, you can satisfy that high-definition craving with the Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick. Plug this nifty little gadget into a USB port on your computer, hook up an antenna or cable feed to the other end and you’re in business — HDTV in a window on your desktop, or full-screen if you prefer. So you’re sitting around, totally bored with the same old PC, bored with word processing, bored with spreadsheets, bored with Web browsing, bored with music, bored with news, bored with grainy YouTube videos.

The software bundle includes a digital video recorder so you can record your favorite shows while you’re not there. There’s even a tiny remote control so you can watch without getting out of your chair. Then you realize it’s Sunday night, and it strikes you: What you really want to do is watch “Desperate Housewives.” On your computer. In HD.

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The Fact! Because the technology is there. In 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enacted legislation compelling the nation’s 1600+ television stations to change the way they broadcast their programming-i.e., to start transmitting it digitally. This has allowed the media to offer digital broadcasts in parallel with their existing analog ones, giving consumers the opportunity to watch regular TV while they make the switch to DTV. Thus began the rise of digital television (DTV) in America. For now, the FCC has allocated an additional channel spectrum to the media.

And DTV will be the new standard in broadcasting. Sure, you’ll still be able to watch your favorite shows in analog like always, but you’ll need to “update” your existing TV with a device that converts digital signals into analog ones. Once the transition to digital is complete-by the year 2006 or by the time 85% of US households get digital feeds, whichever occurs later-the federal government will auction off the original analog channel spectrum. All of which begs the question: Why not just go with the digital flow?

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Offering a rich feature set and exceptional quality for its price, Samsung HPT4254 42-inch 720p plasma TV uses the company’s latest DNIe enhancement circuitry to deliver outstanding brightness, contrast, and image clarity. Use it for home theater and use it for your PC–it’s perfect for both. In addition to a standard-broadcast NTSC tuner, it also features an integrated ATSC tuner that can capture over-the-air digital broadcasts from local network affiliates (the set will still require a set-top tuner for receiving non-terrestrial HD broadcasts from channels like HBO or Discovery).

Other noteworthy features include a 60,000 hour panel life, Samsung’s unique auto pixel-shifting technology to prevent burn-in, a gaming mode, cinema progressive film mode, and 3 HDMI connections. This model is also compatible with an Auto wall-mount Samsung will release this year that is controllable in 3-dimensions via the HTDV’s own remote control.

Whether you are in a dark room or in broad daylight, the picture remains amazingly crisp and vibrant, thanks to Samsung’s FilterBright anti reflection technology. Even in moonlit scenes, the HP-T4254’s 15,000:1 contrast ratio and 18-bit technology let you see every shadowy detail and natural, rich color. SAMSUNG also introduces an innovative auto-pixel-shift technology that makes picture “burn-in” a thing of the past. Control all your CED-compliant digital devices through the one HP-T4254 remote.

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