OT: Technology and Geek Stuff Thread

[Daytona John]

I'm assuming you're using CD-R, not DVD-R.

That be correct Larsky.

[Larsky]

A little bit of information I came across in my research re: mobile phone carriers and their coverage areas.

Up until 2005, T-Mobile did not utilize the GSM 850 frequency (aka "cellular, aka "analog"). It used the GSM 1900 frequency (aka "PCS," aka "digital") only.

What that means in real terms is that T-Mobile worked fine in the metro areas, where they had lots of GSM 1900 towers around. But the carrier worked less well in (1) rural areas, and (2) inside buildings.

GSM 850, being a lower frequency, travels farther (think of how far "shortwave" transmissions can travel) and gets better penetration through walls. It's also the "ancient" standard across the US, having been in place for over 20 years.

Anyway, in 2005, T-Mobile added GSM 850 coverage, which (by the end of 2005) increased its coverage throughout the US by 56% (according to their own website). So, if you used T-Mobile prior to 2006, you did indeed have crappy coverage in non-metro areas.

[froot loops]

I had T-Mobile up until July 2006 and didn't see the increase in coverage.

[Panoptes]

My pay as you go T Mobile phone has almost no coverage within my home but I don't care. I don't need to use it within my own home. It has worked great in most areas that I travel to alot.

[froot loops]

I'm looking at the pay as you go option Gonz. We pay 60 bucks a month for two phones. My phone is useless since I have a phone from work now. My wife needs a phone but I bet she doesn't use more than 20 minutes a month.

[Panoptes]

I highly recommend the pay as you go option from T Mobile because they don't hit you with a daily use fee and their minutes roll over if you re-up in the correct time frame like the others (Cingular for sure).

I have turned my parents and several of my co-workers on to this plan. My parents ran out their Cingular plans late last year and joined the affordable plan saving them about $60/month.

With T-Mobile, you can buy a $100 fill up card that gives you 1000 minutes that are good for one full year. Break that expense down over 12 months and you are paying a whopping $8.33/mo (83 minutes/mo).

That $ number is much more in line for us when we each use maybe 20 minutes a month (in a heavy use month).

The added bonus with their plan is when you buy the $100 refill card, when the years worth of minutes are due to expire, if you add more dollars to your balance before the expiration date, say add $10 more, the roll over minutes and newly added minutes renew for another full year.

You could techically get two full years of cell use for $110.00 or $4.58/mo.

Lets see any contracted cell phone have taxes alone beat that cost.

[froot loops]

Well I couldn't use a T-Mobile pay as you go phone because of coverage issues, we need a phone to be able to work in the Thumb and T-Mobile doesn't work there. But I'm going to do some investigating on other companies pay as you go plans. Thanks for some insight on it, it looks like I'll have to really investigate the fine print.

[Panoptes]

Good luck with that

[Daytona John]

Would like to get some opinions on picture quality between LCD's and Plasma's. I have deliberately stayed away from looking at the new Flat Screens cause, knowing me, I would have to have one immediately and have to pay through the nose for it. I like all the bells & whistles on new stuff.

What got me thinking about a Flat Screen was last week at the Billiards Parlor the owner had installed some VIZIO 32" LCD monitors in the club. I was watching a Hockey Game on it and was absolutely blown away by the color/sharpness of it. He got the monitors at Sams Clubs pretty reasonable.

Is their much difference in picture quality between a LCD & Plasma? Anyone own a Panasonic Plasma? If so, how do you like it?

What I bought is a Commercial Quality 42" Panasonic Plasma, which is one of the highest rated Plasmas out there. It is strickly a Monitor, no stand, speakers, or tuner. Nice thing about it is that Panasonic threw in a full 5yr warranty as a special deal for free.

Ive got a Satellite & a Cable Box. Will run sound through my Stereo set up. I'm really excited about it, just got to wait for delivery.

Bet the Wings, Tigers, Pistons and even the lowly Lions will look mighty good on it.

[Timmy]

Plasmas have a much deeper black than any LCD. The downside to them is image retention/burn-in. If you're not careful you'll have a CNN logo permanently etched into yours like we do at work. :D

I love the pic quality on a good plasma! For me it was a matter of cost and I got a sweetheart deal on a 1080P LCD.

[Panoptes]

It will look alright but it won't pop until you get a High Definition feed from your satellite (or cable) company.

I still swear by Sony HDTV (LCD's only, they don't do plasma).

[Daytona John]

Timmy: Panasonic has new technology that pretty much does away with burn-in. Most MFG's recommend you not leave a stationary picture on too long for the first 100 hours with a Plasma.

According to all the customer reviews I have read about this model, all are extremely pleased with it and have had no problem with burn-in.

Not too keen on Sony Gonz. The quality isn't what it used to be and the prices for what you get are out of line.

[Panoptes]

TIMMY,

Sharp Develops 1,000,000:1 Contrast Ratio LCD Display

Sharp announces that it has developed a LCD display with the world's highest contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1.

The Sharp ASV Premium LCD display panel has a size of 37 inch, 1920x1080 pixel resolution and a brightness of 500cd/m2.

No word on when this new Sharp ASV Premium LCD displays.

[Daytona John]

Gonz: Sharp HDTV's are not too highly rated according to what I've read. I own a Sharp 27" standard color TV and just love it. Never had a problem with it, nor has my mother, who owns one.

[Panoptes]

I would never own a Sharp but I remember seeing on TV some reviews of new LCD's coming out soon from the CES show in Las Vegas.

1mm:1 contrast ratio on an LCD will smoke any plasma out there in terms of deep blacks.