Video Gaming and Computer Tips For Your HDTV

The new HDTV set can be used not only for viewing traditional TV content from cable, satellite, terrestrial broadcast and optical disc players but also content from other multimedia devices. These can be your gaming console such as the PlayStation 3, the Wii, the Xbox 360, or your personal computer. This is the reason why newer HDTV sets now have multiple inputs and functions to cater to multimedia requirement.

Gaming Consoles

HDMI output is standard for almost all new gaming consoles, except for the Wii, which came up with its own Component Video Cable. TV manufacturers complemented this by equipping their sets with picture presets like "Game" or "Sports" configured specially for video games. Most games are produced on widescreen 480p or 720p, with some even done on 1080i. Older versions of these game consoles come with analog outputs only. If you want to connect them to your new HDTV set, use the S-video or component video connections for better picture quality.

Sony's PlayStation 3 or PS3 has HDMI outputs that support high definition 16:9 video and its Blu-ray drive can also be used to play back movie titles. Micrososoft's Xbox 360 allows users to download games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, and movies. This console supports all games in high-definition 16:9. It can also play back DVDs at 480p without any additional hardware and also has an option for HD DVD playback ( discontinued due to defeat in format war with Blu-ray). Nintendo came up with the Wii but opted to concentrate on the gaming experience rather than the add-on features that Microsoft and Sony included in their game consoles. Wii does not have an HDMI output but it came up with a Component Video Cable that allows you to hook your console system to an HDTV to view 16:9 or widescreen 480p progressive output. It is also has no stand-alone DVD or Blu-ray player like PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Personal Computers

New personal computer models, Macintosh or Windows-based, now have DVI interface, the digital version of VGA. This is a type of connection that inputs uncompressed video signals from the computer to the display device. Since there is no compression used, there is no loss of picture quality when the source signal is displayed on the monitor. If your HDTV set has no DVI input, you need a DVI-to-HDMI adaptor cable that is normally available in electronics stores.

We are now witnessing a new trend in the household wherein members of the family converge in the living room with a large HDTV set to view movies or TV programs, surf the web or play their favorite video games. Television has certainly evolved from the traditional boob tube into a multimedia necessity. So before buying a new HDTV set, see to it that it has the right connections and the necessary features for your new multimedia devices.

Edward McKellen is an HDTV expert who writes HDTV reviews and other helpful articles about HD television.

To learn more about LCD TVs and gaming, visit HdtvReviewLab.com

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Media Addiction Quiz for Teens: Do TV, Video Games and Computers Run Your Life?

Welcome to "The Media Generation"

Teens are spending so much time watching TV and playing with their computer and video games that the Kaiser Family Foundation has dubbed this generation "The Media Generation."

The recent study found that children aged 8-18 were watching TV, playing video games, on their computers, and listening to music for a total of 6 hours and 23 minutes EVERY DAY! Many kids were doing two or more activities at once. Most of this time is still spent watching TV. Kids spent almost four hours every day watching TV. With so much time in front of TV and other media, perhaps Kaiser should have labeled it "The Media-Addicted Generation."

What excess TV, video game, and computer use may be doing to you

How much time you spend in front of a TV, video, and computer screen is important, because these activities have been linked to obesity, attention problems (like ADHD), and poor grades. Violent content may condition you to accept violence in your life. The sexual content of many popular shows and games may encourage you to experiment before you are ready. The TV can act as a depressant, stifle your creativity, encourage conformity, and simply waste your valuable time.

Find out if you are part of "The Media-Addicted Generation":

1. Does your family have more than one TV set? Yes [] No []

2. Are you in front of a screen for more than 2 hours per day?Yes [] No []

3. Do you sometimes have trouble getting TV or video game

jingles "out of your head"? Yes [] No []

4. Is there a TV/video game/computer playing in your

home much or all of the time? Yes [] No []

5. Do you have a TV, video game, and/or computer in your

bedroom? Yes [] No []

6. Is it easy for you to turn off the TV/video game in the

middle of a favorite show/game? Yes [] No []

7. Do you ever rush home, ditching friends and family, to

catch a favorite TV show, play video games, or go on the

computer? Yes [] No []

8. Do you frequently eat meals while in front of the TV,

video games, or computer? Yes [] No []

9. Have you ever caught yourself unintentionally mimicking

a TV or video game character? Yes [] No []

10. Do you talk to and play with your friends more than you

watch TV, play games, and play with computers? Yes [] No []

11. Can you turn off the TV, computer, and video games OFF

right now and leave them off for three days? Yes [] No []

12. Do you ever mindlessly surf through TV channels or

the internet? Yes [] No []

13. Do you need TV, video game, or a computer to relax after

a rough day? Yes [] No []

14. Do you feel edgy, anxious, or "not right" if there is no TV,

video game, or a computer playing? Yes [] No []

15. Do you watch TV, play video games, and/or play on the

computer more than spend time with your family? Yes [] No []

16. Do you ever watch the TV, play video games, or surf

the internet longer than you intend to? Yes [] No []

17. Do you feel spend too much time with TV, video games,

or computer? Yes [] No []

18. Have you missed a special event with friends or family

because you were watching a TV program? Yes [] No []

19. Have you ever tried to quit watching TV, playing video

games, or going on computer, but were unsuccessful? Yes [] No []

20. Do you have difficulty limiting the time you watch TV,

play video games, or go on the computer? Yes [] No []

*Note: Time spent on the computer for homework purposes does not count:

To calculate your score:

For all questions, except for #6, #10, and #11, give yourself 1 point for every "Yes" answer and 0 points for every "No". For questions #6, #10, and #11 give yourself 0 points for every "Yes", answer and 1 point for every "No". Add your total.

Your total: ____________

Scoring:

0-6: Great! Your TV, computer, and video games are not in control of your life. You are. But keep an eye on how much time you spend with these activities to make sure an addiction does not sneak up on you.

7-14: You are moderately addicted to your TV, video games, or computer. Maybe all of them. The good news is that with a little effort, a list of fun non-screen activities, and a reasonable schedule you should be able to keep your addiction under control. "The TV-FREE System" also helps you create a schedule that keeps you busy with fun, goal-centered activities. Follow your dreams instead of staring at a screen..

15-20: Oh dear. You probably have a serious addiction problem. You may need to take extreme steps, including getting rid of your TV or video games, to get in control of your time. Start with the device which squanders the most of your time. The good news is "The TV-FREE System" was designed to help even the most serious addict, and can be used for video game, or computer addiction as well.

Life is too short to "watch" it go by.

Katherine Westphal is the guru of TV control, and the founder of Trash Your TV. Find out how you can get in control of your TV, video game, and computer use with The TV-Free System [http://tvfree.trashyourtv.com]. Get in control of your addiction today.

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