Casual Tech User 3: (Part 2) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; Simple TV vs. Home Theater Setup

This is the second episode in a series discussing many of the unexpected problems that might develop throughout the process of purchasing a new TV. Taking the time to understand your needs vs. wants and developing criteria any purchase must meet will help to save frustration and unexpected, budget-busting surprises.

Topics in this episode include:

• Simple TV setup vs. home theater environment
• Terrestrial antennae for local channels
• Basic cable/satellite service
• Additional cable/satellite costs;
• HD channel package
• DVR equipment
• Premium movie package
• Internet service
• Wired connection
• Wi-Fi equipment
• Additional equipment
• Blu-ray DVD
• Cable/Satellite box
• Gaming console
• Apple TV or Roku

Contact your local cable and satellite providers for packages and pricing.

Here are some links to help you plan your purchase.

Dolby.com: Home Theater Setup

http://www.dolby.com/us/en/consumer/setup/buying-guide/home-theater-basics/listing.html

This Old House.com: Setting Up a Home Theater

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,545420,00.html

HomeTheater.About.com: Top 10 Home Theater Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

http://hometheater.about.com/od/hometheaterbasics/tp/htmistakes.htm

Techterms.com: DVR (definition)

http://www.techterms.com/definition/dvr

DVR.about.com: Just 5 of the reasons a DVR should be your next CE purchase

http://dvr.about.com/od/dvrbasics/a/Just-5-Of-The-Reasons-A-Dvr-Should-Be-Your-Next-Ce-Purchase.htm

Apple.com: Apple TV

http://www.apple.com/appletv/

Roku.com: Roku 3

http://www.roku.com

Crutchfield.com: Power protection: How to choose http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lt7pdtEtTC6/learn/learningcenter/home/powerprotection.html

CNET: Are TV extended warranties worth it?

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57552223-221/are-tv-extended-warranties-worth-it/

Flipboard

The Flipboard app on my iPad and iPhone is one of my favorites I access almost everyday, if not several times during the day. A new feature is Flipboard magazine. The new magazine feature allows the user to create a content-sharing format which can be private or shared publicly with other readers.

I’m using the Casual Tech User Flipboard magazine I created to collect and share articles of interest for the casual tech consumer.  Flipboard.com offers insight into the various features.

My Links:

In addition to Casual Tech User.com, you can find me and subscribe:

hypeRbutton.com

ronstephenson.com

YouTube.com/hyperbutton

Snapguide.com/ron-stephenson

Twitter: HyperbuttonBlog

Facebook: hyperbutton

Google+ search: Ron Stephenson

Thanks for listening.