# The Computer Revolution/Personal Technology/TV
## The History of the Television

In 1900 at the world fair in Paris, France they named this new technology the television. "The 'first' generation of television sets were not entirely electronic. The display (TV screen) had a small motor with a spinning disc and a neon lamp, which worked together to give a blurry reddish-orange picture about half the size of a business card!" retrieved Jan 30, 2007 from http://www.tvhistory.tv/pre-1935.htm.
Little did society know that in time the television would become a part of the family. Televisions are now commonplace. In fact, it is nearly unheard of not to have one. According to one study, "by the late 1990s, 98 percent of U.S. homes had at least one television set, and those sets were on for an average of more than seven hours a day" (M. Stephens) Retrieved 30 Jan 2007 from http://www.nyu.edu/classes/stephens/History%20of%20Television%20page.htm
With the onset of the television came commercials and sponsorship. John Cameron Swayze, an early news anchor was required by the tobacco company sponsor to have a burning cigarette always visible when he was on camera (M. Stephens).

## How TVs vary

TVs vary in size, shape, quality and most importantly price. Depending on how much time one dedicates to TV will depend on how much one should invest money and research time in their TV purchase.
Today, TVs are getting bigger and better, in the market there are Plasmas, Protection Plasma, HDTV, Flat screens, Widescreen LCD, and much more.
TV comes in all sorts of sizes such as 12", 16", 32", 36", 42", 52", 126",and custom made TV's. There are brand names such as:
* Sony
* Panasonic
* Nexus
* Fujitsu
Today many people are purchasing Plasma TVs. Plasma TV is a high definition TV. The plasma TV as hundreds of thousands of tiny tubes of inert gas. These tiny tubes are placed in between two electrically charged plates. Once electric current is passed through these tiny tubes glow. The computer controls the electric current for multiple combos of color to glow. Since the plasma has hundreds of more pixels than CRT TV, the display is sharper, colors are deeper. Some downsides to Plasma TV’s are the high output of heat, increased change of burned in images and reflectiveness.

## Uses of the TV

The TV can be used for both good and evil. It's not only a distraction but a learning tool - you decide how you would like it to be used in your environment. Television, is not only a visual means of expression but is an effective communication tool. Companies have paid trillions of dollars to entice the average viewer. For an prime example the Superbowl here's the link should you want more information regarding their advertisements <http://www.superbowl-ads.com/2007/index.html>
A television is a monitor that sends messages to its viewer; these messages are subjective to the viewer and should not be interpreted as truth for the masses.
Movies, short programs, commercials, educational programs, and games, are just some examples of output that TV offers its viewers to watch. Methods are via cable from a local service provider, creating a input/output between other devices such as a DVD player will allow the user to watch other programs like movies. As well attaching other sources such as a gaming system i.e. Xbox 360
Remember the television can be utilized for good educational programming and for waste of time evil so ensure that your intentions of TV watching are monitored.
For further research on TVs and their uses please visit <http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/short/usegrat.html>

#### HDTV

In 2005 a recent survey discussed through the local radio that only 8% of the population owned a high definition television (HDTV). This level was expected to rise by 12% in 2006. There has always been a constant technological improvement throughout history. In the last couple of years technological advances have revolutionized the way we watch television. The invention of HDTV offers great picture quality. The old tube TVs are becoming obsolete as time progresses. New technology is being offered in high definition. This includes video cameras, DVD players, game systems and even the local cable providers offer HDTV cable boxes and channels. Many television service carriers offer high definition TV channels, and the channels offered are increasing. The difference between the old tube TV quality and HDTV quality is the picture resolution is clearer and more real.