Archive for December, 2010

Nintendo DS, courtesy Nintendo.com

Some of you may have received a new Nintendo DS handheld gaming device for Christmas this year, and though you’re probably already in tune with whatever game or games you got with it, you may be wondering if it has any other unique capabilities.

One of its features is that people can watch recorded TV shows and movies on the Nintendo DS by placing them on a MicroSD card and loading the card into a M3 DS Simply adapter. After a quick software setup on the Nintendo DS, you’ll be watching your favorite movies in astoundingly great quality in no time. Anytime you’re ready for a different movie or show, just pop it on your MicroSD card and back into your adapter and viola!

While this is great for portability and convenience, many Nintendo DS owners wonder if they can save their eyesight by playing their favorite DS games on their home TV by connecting the two devices. And while there is no “official” way to do so, some have had success by sliding a screen adapter over the DS and connecting RCA cables between the adapter and “Video In” port on the TV. The screen adapter essentially mirrors what it sees on the DS screen and projects it into the TV. A word of caution, however, is that if you don’t place the screen adapter on correctly, it could skew the image you see on the TV.

Other DS users claim success by modifying their units beyond manufacturing guidelines, but this is not recommended. Some speculate that the future of the DS will include ways of linking it to one’s TV via Wi-Fi, but Nintendo has not released any official word to this effect yet. But wouldn’t it be nice to sit back on your couch or in your bed, push a button to have your TV raise quietly out of your TV lift cabinet and then start up your favorite Nintendo DS game? Perhaps that day is not too far away.

Moderna XL TV Lift Cabinet

The Moderna XL TV Lift Cabinet from ImportAdvantage is a larger representation of the Moderna TV Lift Cabinet, but both excel at blending modern design with sleek architectural forms. Part of its versatility, customers who purchase the Moderna XL TV Lift Cabinet can customize it with either cosmopolitan brushed satin, nickel-finished pulls or traditionally styled knobs.

As it’s finished on all four sides (five, including the top), the Moderna XL TV Lift Cabinet is perfectly suited for the center of any room, including bedrooms, or for small spaces or at the foot of the bed.

The “XL” in Moderna XL TV Lift Cabinet means it can house a flat-screen TV up to 53” wide and weighing up to 130 pounds. Pre-fitted with the Uplift 3700 TV lift mechanisms, raising and lowering your TV is a silent snap. Two media drawers at the bottom of the TV lift cabinet will hold your DVD player, cable box or any other box up to 24” wide, 13” deep and 4” high.

The Moderna XL TV Lift Cabinet is hand-built from solid alder and rich cathedral cherry veneer. It is available in a warm caramel or deep espresso finish. Stately and modern, the Moderna XL TV Lift Cabinet is a pop-up TV cabinet that will impress you every time you see it. Take a moment to check it out today!

A new plasma flat-screen TV in the family room can make your home warm and inviting, as if it were its own central fireplace. In fact, traditional home design often makes a fireplace the center point of the main living area, so what do you do when you also want to make your new plasma TV (where everyone gathers to watch movies and television) the focal point of the house? Can you hang a plasma flat-screen TV over your fireplace? Merging the two may take some work, but there are ways to solve this dilemma. Read on to find out more.

If you’re set on hanging your new plasma TV over your hearth, you’ll want to tape a thermometer against the wall where you envision your TV and start a roaring fire. If the thermometer reading reaches 90 degrees or higher, it’s going to be too hot to hang your TV there. And although your TV comes equipped with its own cooling system, burdening it with an outside heat source will cause it to overload very quickly.

If you have a substantial mantel and think your TV will be fine if placed above it (using the mantel as a shield from heat escaping through the front of the fireplace), think again. Heat can also transfer through the chimney and overheat your TV from behind, so don’t forgo the thermometer test.

This might seem too obvious, but do you have an electrical outlet near your fireplace and do you have space for your media players? If you don’t have an existing electrical outlet in place, you can expect to pay an electrician about $200 to set one up. And the heat sensitivity of media players is at least the same as your plasma TV, but always check your manufacturer’s guide to be sure.

Are you sure you even want it above the fireplace? Sometimes this could place the TV too high for a pleasurable viewing angle, causing neck strain and fatigue. Keep in mind the extra height of the TV before drilling into your walls. And speaking of walls, many fireplaces are made of stone, so you’ll have to be sure your mounting hardware will be suitable for masonry.

Is this sounding like a lot of work? It is. But there is a simpler option to consider. ImportAdvantage offers two different electric fireplace / TV lift cabinets to choose from – the Remington or the Soho. Both are unique in that they combine a beautiful and warming electric fireplace with a heavy duty TV lift. Your TV and media players are completely protected by a firebox when stored or when on display. In fact, this may be the simplest option of all to protect your new plasma flat-screen TV. Check it out today!

Is the house feeling a little crowded with new gifts and loved ones? Why not gather everyone around your new (or existing) TV lift cabinet and enjoy each other’s company while enjoying a good movie. TV lift cabinets bring your TV to new heights with their pre-installed, heavy duty TV lift mechanisms, which also raises your TV to greater heights than a traditional entertainment center or TV stand. This makes your TV more viewable in any room (Tip: for the greatest viewing angle, consider a plasma flat-screen TV over an LCD TV).

If you’re really wanting impress your guests, there’s nothing better during the holidays than an ImportAdvantage Remington (Electric Fireplace) TV Lift Cabinet, which features a built-in 33” electric fireplace controlled by a dimmer switch. Your TV is completely protected from the fireplace by a firebox.

As your guests get ready to depart, you’ll want to leave a lasting impression on your loved ones, and the sight of a flat-screen TV rising quietly out of a beautifully crafted TV lift cabinet will certainly make for a memorable experience lasting through the New Year and beyond.

Since the inception of Blu-ray technology, which was designed to supersede the DVD format, Blu-ray players have hot sellers in 2010. With the capability of holding 50 GB of data per disc, six times more than a standard DVD, Blu-ray movies set themselves apart by having countless extras and behind-the-scenes commentaries. By June of 2009, there were more than 2,500 Blu-ray movie titles available for purchase in the United States and Canada. And there will be many more to come, especially since their 1080p resolution and deeply rich colors put DVDs to shame.

Now that Christmas has passed, you may find yourself the new owner of a Blu-ray media player for your TV lift cabinet, or find yourself standing in line to return your DVD player for a Blu-ray player. In any case, you’ll want to know which Blu-ray players have earned their places at the top of the list for 2010. So here they are!

The Samsung BD-C6900 is chocked full of performance and comes with a terrific value. It also has the versatility to include a 3D player function (if you pay for it). Also nice is the option to stream Netflix, Vudu, YouTube and Pandora direct through your TV and the built-in Wi-Fi. This unit also comes standard with 1 GB onboard storage. The downside, however, to many Samsung Blu-ray players is that some users have experienced long-term reliability issues with their units.

For the most “bang” for your buck, you can purchase the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (160 GB) and have it play Blu-ray discs in between games. The upside is its spacious hard drive, quiet operation and built-in Web browser. The flip side is that there is no infrared port so non-Bluetooth universal remotes are useless.

The Oppo BDP-83 is a universal disc player that can handle Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, DVD-Audio and CDs. Although a bit pricey and without Wi-Fi for BD-Live features or streaming, it can save you lots of space in your TV lift cabinet by replacing about three different media players.

Last but not least, the LG BD590 Blu-ray player does a lot of neat things. It can burn CDs directly into a 250 GB hard drive, stream Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Pandora and CinemaNow, offers Wi-Fi, plays media directly off a USB drive and, of course, plays Blu-ray movies with excellent quality. Its downside is that it can be slow to operate and does not support 3D Blu-ray.

Sony TDGBR100B, courtesy Sonystyle.com

First, everyone at ImportAdvantage would like to wish you happy holidays and a Merry Christmas!

3D TVs are more than a trend; they reflect a substantial shift in television and movie-making technology and an opportunity for new investments in the home theater experience. 3D TVs have been flying off the showroom floors during this 2010 holiday shopping season, just in time for the 30+ 3D movies coming out during the next two years. And with 3D-capable Blu-ray players becoming more readily available and dropping in price, many families will be enjoying more 3D movies in 2011 on TVs popping out of their TV lift cabinet.

The one caveat, however, is that 3D TV- and movie-viewing requires the use of 3D glasses, and with any profitable business model, television manufacturers have found a way to make their 3D TVs specialized to their own brand of 3D glasses. So a Sony 3D TV requires Sony 3D glasses, and a VIZIO 3D TV requires a pair of VIZIO 3D glasses. Where this seems to cause the greatest inconvenience among 3D TV owners is that it limits the number of watchers to the number of 3D glasses one owns, and it may mean that you can’t go over to a buddy’s house to watch Monday Night Football in 3D if you don’t have his TV brand’s glasses. This may change (and has already begun to thanks to “universal” 3D glasses being produced by companies like XpanD and Monster) since the Consumer Electronics Association, an industry group, is still finalizing standards for the emitters in 3D TVs.

With that said, another important factor in promoting 3D-watching is finding the right pair of 3D glasses that are comfortable to wear for two or more hours in one sitting. Before listing a few of the front-runners, it should be known that anybody who wears prescription glasses for TV-viewing may have more difficulty finding the right pair of 3D glasses, and it is highly recommended that you try on several pairs before purchasing.

From Sony, the TDG-BR100/B is a pair that allows viewing on Sony 3D TVs from a wide viewing angle, perfect for those with large entertainment rooms. Also, its battery life is up to 100 hours before needing replacement batteries, so about 20 movies worth.

From VIZIO, the XPG201 Theater 3D Glasses are battery-free and compatible with RealD 3D movie theaters, so you can bring your own to watch the re-release of the Star Wars trilogy.

Lastly, Samsung’s SSG-2100AB 3D Active Glasses are battery-powered features a “staggering” effect, blocking the left lens, then the right lens, which achieves a far more lifelike 3D effect. They are also sleekly-designed and fairly light, which adds to their comfort.

Do you already own a pair of 3D glasses? Please leave your own review here for others to read!

Carlyle TV Lift Cabinet

Bring home the beauty of fine Ash hardwood with the Carlyle TV Lift Cabinet, a flat-panel pop-up TV cabinet that offers ample storage for keepsakes and media players while adding a touch of class with its glass doors (with the option of interchanging with wood panels).

The Carlyle TV Lift Cabinet is part of the new line of TV lift cabinets available at ImportAdvantage.com. It is finished with a beautiful patina on top of richly colored hardwood. The TV lift can house a TV weighing up to 80 pounds and measuring between 32” – 55” wide. Six spacious drawers are mounted on premium, heavy-duty ball bearing drawer glides.

The Ash wood used in the Carlyle TV Lift Cabinet was selected because of its unique properties, including one of the best strength-to-weight ratios and extremely straight grains. And with all the hardwoods that ImportAdvantage selects for its TV lift cabinets, the Ash wood Carlyle TV Lift Cabinet blends beauty, functionality and a unique design.

Find out for yourself why this TV lift cabinet is now an integral part of the ImportAdvantage line of pop-up TV cabinets and why its owners recommend it to their friends.

TV Lift Mechanism ImportAdvantage

Owning a TV lift cabinet, either a custom-built one or a handcrafted model from ImportAdvantage, is a statement of fine taste, convenience and durability. With the touch of a button, a TV lift can quietly raise or lower your flat-screen TV in less than 40 seconds. But do you know how strong your TV lift is and what size TV it can hold? Whether you already own one or are considering purchasing a TV lift, read over this run-down of how far a TV lift mechanism can go.

Available in five different models, the ImportAdvantage Uplift series of TV lifts, can accommodate a wide range of TV weights and sizes, which means you can shop for the right one to fit your needs. Why spend more money for features you don’t need? All Uplift mechanisms feature a universal TV mounting bracket, so you’ll know that your TV will install easily without needing a bunch of additional, specialized equipment.

Constructed with a rack and pinion lift system, the same technology trains use to climb steep inclines while carrying heavy loads, the TV lift will likely outlast your TV.

For smaller flat-screen TVs, the Uplift 2700 will house a TV weighing up to 130 pounds ranging from 32” – 36”, and its travel distance is 22.5”. It will also raise your TV in 23 seconds.

Moving up, the Uplift 3250 will hold a TV between 32” – 46” wide and weighing up to 130 pounds. It can travel 28” in only 30 seconds.

The ImportAdvantage Uplift 3500 can accommodate TVs between 32” – 50”, also weighing up to 130 pounds. Its 30.5” travel distance is reached in 35 seconds.

The Uplift 3700 will hold a TV up to 52” wide and weighing up to 130 pounds. It covers nearly 33” of travel distance in 37 seconds.

For the largest flat-screen TVs, the Uplift 3875 can quietly move a 60” TV weighing up to 150 pounds in 39 seconds, traveling nearly 35” up or down.

ImportAdvantage offers numerous models of their Uplift systems so you can enjoy TV lift technology no matter what TV, or TV lift cabinet, you own. All models have proven to yield years of solid, reliable performance at an unbeatable price. With ImportAdvantage, the customer buys direct from the manufacturer, and the result is significant savings! In fact, customers can save as much as 62% off their next TV lift when buying direct from the factory at ImportAdvantage.com. Don’t wait, save today!

Buying a new plasma flat-screen TV is a significant investment, and everyone wants to make the right choice. Perhaps you’re shopping for a new plasma TV to go inside a new TV lift cabinet, so you want one that will be just as feature-packed and reliable. You also want one that will fit on your TV lift. Below is a list of the best 42” plasma TVs available on the market today, just in time for last-minute Christmas gifts. And all these TVs will fit on an Uplift TV lift mechanism (excluding the Uplift 2700).

Based on price, quality and value, these 42” plasma TVs are sure to please both the eye and the wallet. At the top of the list is Panasonic’s TC-P42S2. This stellar Viera plasma screen features the new NEO plasma display panel with improved blacks and a contrast ratio of 40,000:1. It even has a special gaming mode to handle the latest graphics in today’s top games! All this for under $700.

The Panasonic TC-P42C2 is a budget-priced plasma TV in the C2 series, which focuses on using a 720p resolution panel that still offers great contrast and a stunning display, but for much less money. This model can generally be found for under $500.

Another great model is the LG 42PJ350, which features a slim 2” case and an Intelligent Sensor, which adjusts the brightness of the display to match the brightness and color temperature of the room’s lighting. These TVs, too, can be found for less than $500.

Check these TVs out today and let us know what you think!

Since the first sparks of TV invention and electrons occurred in Philo T. Farnsworth’s Hollywood apartment back in 1927, the television has undergone space-age advancements in technology. Gone are the days of black-and-white screens, rabbit ears and, most recently, analog TV signals. Today, most households are watching TV on one of four television sets: LCD, DLP, CRT or Plasma, and each one offers its own set of pros and cons.

Although plasma screens were first developed back in 1964, it wasn’t until the 21^st century came around that their popularity increased and their cost decreased. The plasma TV has earned the title as the world’s first flat-screen TV available to the public, and this has given these TVs an edge in the market. In fact, most plasma televisions sets are 4” or thinner, which makes them ideal for a TV lift cabinet. It was Pioneer that made the first flat-screen for the public audience. And consumers continue to choose plasma TVs because they can display fast action unlike any other television, which is a must for HD sports and action films. They don’t “ghost” images and offer the most vivid colors and deepest blacks. However, they use more energy than an LCD screen and are subject to “burn-in” if a still image is left on the screen for too long. They are also very heavy and fragile, making them difficult to move and install.

LCD TVs are rising in popularity because they are becoming thinner, in relation to plasma screens, and yet bigger in screen size. LCD TVs started as a technology for wristwatches and calculators, but their usefulness in the TV market is still being uncovered. LCD TVs have no risk of burn-in and are light, making mounting on a pop-up TV cabinet a breeze. However, they tend to be more expensive, have a narrow viewing angle and a lower contrast ratio than plasma screens.

DLP TVs were first developed in 1987 by Texas Instruments, but they never received the attention that LCD screens and plasma TVs have achieved. DLP screens use electronic chips that direct tiny mirrors to display images. They measure in thickness somewhere between a flat-panel and traditional TV, but they are more cost-effective than a flat-screen and have no risk of burn-in. They can also last over 80,000 hours. However, sometimes these sets produce a rainbow viewing effect and cannot be mounted on a wall.

CRT televisions have long been the “standard” in TVs. Their technology first existed in the late 1700s, and today nearly every household has at least one CRT TV. They are extremely reliable, but their only downfall is their size. They take up precious floor space and are very heavy. A 34-inch CRT can weigh as much as 200 pounds! And they are certainly not suitable for a TV lift cabinet or wall-mounting.

It’s clear that TVs have come a long way in 90 years, but even clearer is that they have no intention in slowing down in terms of technological advancements.