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'The Hobbit' 3D tech divides our CNET reviewers

'The Hobbit' 3D tech divides our CNET reviewers

Now that Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" has opened in theaters around the world, the most controversial thing about it isn't even that he somehow is making three 3-hour movies out of a 300-page children's story. No, it's the way the movie has been shot that has the most people talking.

The "Hobbit" trilogy has been captured using James Cameron's 48-frames-per-second 3D technology (HFR 3D), which Jackson says leads to less eyestrain and a sharper picture.

Only a limited number of cinemas will be showing the movie in HFR -- Jackson says it's only 1,000 out of 25,000 theaters.

"On the first day of shooting 'The Hobbit' in 48 frames, there was not a single cinema in the world that could project the movie in that format," Jackson said, according to CinemaBlend.

While we're not going to go into how the technology works here, CNET editors David Katzmaier and Ty Pendlebury have just come out of a showing in HFR 3D and wanted to share their thoughts.… Read more

CES 2013 preview: The love and hate of the greatest (tech) show on earth

CES 2013 preview: The love and hate of the greatest (tech) show on earth

This will be my 13th CES. Fewer than many, more than some. It's a grueling marathon of press conferences, swarming crowds, and endless lines.

When it comes to TV tech, David's take on what we'll see in Vegas is spot-on. I'm going to go one better, though. I'm going predict with stunning, remarkable, mind-blowing accuracy, exactly what we'll see at the show of shows.… Read more

Sharp shows off $31,000, 60-inch Ultra HD TV

Sharp shows off $31,000, 60-inch Ultra HD TV

Sharp has unveiled a 60-inch Ultra HD television that will cost you a boatload of cash when it launches early next year.

Dubbed the ICC Purios, the television comes with a 3,840x2,160 resolution, allowing it to display over 8 million pixels. The LCD is also THX-certified.

Sharp's television is one of a growing number of Ultra HD sets. And the ICC Purios, like other UHD sets, is by no means affordable for the average consumer. According to the company, it will be selling the television for 2.625 million yen (about $31,000) starting on February 20. … Read more

Buy a TV now or wait?

Buy a TV now or wait?

Most new TV models are announced at the Consumer Electronics Show, held every January. It's usually a few months before they ship, arriving in stores sometime in the spring.

So with new models imminent, should you wait to buy a new TV? We break down what we expect to see, and figure out when is the best time to buy.… Read more

Don't mount a TV above a fireplace

Don't mount a TV above a fireplace

Mounting a TV up and out of the way above a fireplace seems logical, convenient, and undeniably cool. However, there are serious issues with such placement.

If you're planning on watching the TV only occasionally, that's one thing. But if this is your main TV and you're going to be watching it more than a few minutes at a time, beware.

Read more

What is 'Game mode'?

What is 'Game mode'?

If you've bought a TV in the last few years, it's likely that TV has a "Game mode." As you've discovered (or will discover, now that you're looking for it), this is not some supersecret hiding place for Angry Birds. That's a different section.

If you're a gamer, Game mode might improve your gaming experience, but it comes at a cost. … Read more

Five lies your TV salesperson will tell you

Five lies your TV salesperson will tell you

Using the time-honored tactics of obfuscation, misdirection, and a little bit of fear, the people who try to sell you TVs can hit you with some heavy-duty lies.

Now this isn't to say that all TV sales people are bad, nor that any necessarily do this out of malice (there's plenty of misinformation out there confused as truth). But when it's your dollar on the line, being prepared with some facts can only be a good thing.… Read more

PlayStation 3 is 'largest TV-connected platform' for Netflix

PlayStation 3 is 'largest TV-connected platform' for Netflix

Three years after Sony introduced Netflix for the PlayStation 3, the two companies jointly announced today that the gaming system stands as the most popular option for delivering the service to the living room.

"PS3 is our largest TV-connected platform in terms of Netflix viewing, and this year, at times, even surpassed the PC in hours of Netflix enjoyment to become our number one platform overall," Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said. "PS3 is a natural fit for Netflix in terms of developing and first deploying our most advanced features. We can transparently update our application with new features on a daily basis." … Read more

Steam Big Picture TV mode goes live

Steam Big Picture TV mode goes live

Steam's Big Picture mode is now available for all. Developer Valve announced today that the television-friendly version of its massive Steam digital video game distribution service is out of beta and available for Steam's 50 million members. This follows a trial period that began in September.

To mark the occasion, Valve is discounting numerous titles through Steam until December 10. Deals include Limbo for $2.50, Alan Wake for $7.50, and Left 4 Dead 2 and Portal 2 for $5. For more on the special promotion, check out Steam's Web site. … Read more

TV tech explainer: Every HDTV technology decoded

TV tech explainer: Every HDTV technology decoded

Shopping for a TV can seem like a nonstop flood of numbers and jargon: contrast, 1080p, 240Hz, HDMI, 3D, and more. While some of these terms are descriptive, others are designed to fool you into thinking one TV is better than another, when actually it isn't.

Compiled here is a directory of every term you'll need to navigate the TV waters. Instead of one long article describing it all, it's broken down into sections so you can find just what you're looking for.… Read more