Monday, November 29, 2010

Flat Screen TV reviews

Model: Sony KDL-52XBR9
Description: 52" LCD TV 1080p resolution
Reviewer: Robert Wiley with Jack Burden
Date: Fall/Winter 2009

Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9 Review
A shot of an SI Swimsuit edition clip of Marissa Miller on the set - available from the Sony XBR's Bravia Internet connection.

Test and Optimum Viewing Distance: 15 feet
Calibration
See full
calibration results

Calibration Notes: The XBR9 was more difficult to calibrate than many recent TVs. There is error occuring in varying ire points creating a condundrum in where to tighten up color and where to just allow it to fall where it will. Gain controls may only be reduced on the XBR9, when we needed to drive blue up. We ended up with error in the 40, 50, 60 range opting to let the middle float and keep the ends of the scale on scale. Off axis viewing dramatically affects blacks and grays when calibrating - making calibration difficult when color shifts at varying angles. See Viewing Angle section for more.
Sony KDL-52XBR9 Picture Settings
Backlight 7
Picture 85
Brightness 55
Color 49
Hue R1
Color Temp Warm 1
Sharpness Minimum
Noise Reduction Off
Motion Flow On
For complete picture settings including white balance settings, see the calibration page.
HQV Processor Testing
See full HQV
test results

720p/1080i/1080p Picture Quality: HD picture quality was much crisper and colors are more saturated. Blacks become slightly hazy at side angles but straight appear plenty saturated. I beleive the anti glare technology introduced into the LCD panel creates most of the weakness issues with color calibrations and off angle viewing. Dont misunderstand, the HD picture from Blu Ray and Broadcast HD was clear, vivid and colorful as always, but alas the image does not appear as deep as some of the better pictures we've viewing lately.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Tall Women Fashions

f you're a taller than average woman it can sometimes be a frustrating experience when you are trying to find the styles of clothing that suit your body structure. When you are looking for women's clothing it shouldn't be a guessing game or a gamble. You will end up wasting a lot of money on clothes that don't suit your height or figure. You should know exactly the kind of women's clothing that suits your body structure and what kind of clothing to stay away from. Below are some helpful tips for taller women so they can fill their wardrobes with the proper types of women's clothing.

Tall women should avoid wearing Women's clothing that have bright and wild prints. Wear a different coloured top than what you wear below. Wearing two different colours above and below will help break up your height. Stick to outfits that have both light and dark colours. As much as possible, stay away from monochromatic women's clothing. Tall women look attractive and appealing with wide belts because it makes their torso appear shorter. A wide belt can be the perfect accessory to a simple a-line dress, a skirt, or even trousers. Belts help define the waist on a tall figured woman so she doesn't seem like one big endless mass. When searching for the right pair of trousers look for those which have cuffs on the bottom. Cuffs at the bottom of your pants will help make you appear shorter than you actually are.

Wear dresses and skirts that end at your shins. Do not bother with dresses that end at your ankles because they will accentuate your height. Other ideal clothing that end below the knee are capris. Shin skirts and dresses and capris are the types of clothing that will reduce the elongated look of your body. Whatever womens clothing you decide to wear make sure they are neither too loose nor too fitted. Your tops should be longer than what you wear below. By wearing a long top and something short below you make you give the impression that you are shorter. Wearing low heeled shoes such as ballet flats will avoid adding height to your already tall frame.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Baby Clothes Deal

Highlights
Haunt garage sales and thrift shops
Host a clothes swap
Consider cheaper brands and buy big
Watch for post-purchase price drops
Register (or drop hints) for gifts
Make the Web work for you

Tiny dresses, pants, shirts, overalls, and one-piece outfits can bust a family budget faster than you can say "Baby Gap." And of course, kids grow like weeds, so those cute outfits have a short life of usefulness. What's a parent to do?

Secondhand clothes are a great way to save dough, especially when kids are young and not yet fashion-picky. Make sure to check these guidelines on clothing safety from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. But if you're also dying to buy cute new duds, coupons, overstock sales, and other methods can land you new kids' clothes for a lot less. Read on for more ideas!
Haunt garage sales and thrift shops

To get high-quality baby clothes for a fraction of retail prices, search the classified ads in your local newspaper or online for people selling them by the box load. Garage sales and children's thrift stores can also be gold mines, with items selling for as little as 25 cents apiece. You might get lucky and find brand-name clothing in mint condition.

And while everyone loves to find those perfect, worn-once items, don't hesitate to buy a few gently used outfits as well. That way you won't mind if your baby gets them dirty at daycare or during playtime. You can also use iron or sew-on patches to cover spots or other small imperfections.

"You can get one-piece outfits really cheap at yard sales, but they're usually yellowed or stained. I tie-dyed the ones I bought that weren't perfectly white, and they're adorable." — Narshkite

"The best part about going to resale shops is that when your children outgrow the things you buy, you can take them back to the shop and basically make your money back." — Lori Ward
Host a clothes swap

Have a "freshen up your kid's wardrobe" party where you ask friends and family to bring old clothes their children no longer wear. Toss everything into the middle of the room and do a big trade. Everyone usually goes home with something new and it's absolutely free.