ArsGeek

While Ben has been on vacation, I’ve had my own little adventure: Foot being crushed by a powered chair lift that prompted me to take meds for the pain; which caused me to sleep walk resulting in moving my son’s wheelchair that got tangled up in my television wires which caused it to fall screen first- but not until it knocked over my potted plant where the clay shards placed holes in my favorite 4 year old Gotham looking 27″ Magnavox (not smart, very not smart). Staring at the hole in the frame caused tears to well up in my eyes and I cringed as I listened to it hiss for a bit after I unplugged it.

(Sniff) I knew it was time to up the television game as so much has changed in the past few years and so much more is prepping to change in under a year… perhaps the technology Gods were pushing me to upgrade, the hard way.

I could possibly do without a set because I’ve been watching more and more shows/film via Netflix and Hulu on my laptop- but my boy requires his console games (okay… kind of me too.)

I had an offer for a free television set- old style 36″ screen (I’m not positive on the screen size, but the entire television set was gigantic and the only catch was that I’d have to move it up some narrow stairs that two men had issues getting into the dwelling in the first place.) After a few days of playing musical televisions with Jonathon’s set and the injured one (I had to keep swapping them around because he falls asleep watching a movie each night).

After a few days of doing this, I saw that my back was eyeing a noose and sleeping pills so I decided it was time to find a replacement.

Enter Rent-a-Center. I’ve lectured people on places like that, I’ve vowed never to fall prey… but it was so easy to do (I have horrible credit and store cards are not options). I thought about it and decided that perhaps a temporary solution would be to rent a TV, possibly own. Hence “rent to own”. I know I’ll wind up paying a zillion dollars more than its worth, but I had no choice… I had just bought a couple games on top of a few games that were sent to me so I can give a review.

I went for a humbled set. In this world where hand held gadgets and mobile phones are getting smaller, the standard sized television set is getting huge (probably because everyone’s eyes are shot by the mini-gizmo’s and pride prevents them from getting glasses). Well my eye sight is perfect, my living room is a humbled size- so a large screen is silly. I had opted for a Sony Bravio 32″ HD LCD Digital PC Compatible OMG I’m freaking in love television set.

The non-HD channels are hideous and I can’t find a fix (yet), however… I feel like a guilty little kid when I noticed through my regular cable outlet I was able to pick up a TON of extra channels… FOR FREE! Shhh don’t tell Comcast.

I had no idea what add on channels were hidden in the fiber optics of my cable wire that my normal set could not pick up. HD versions of the regular channels, channels I’ve never heard of before and even music channels!

Playing video games on it has me completely giddy and revisiting that same feeling when the Super Nintendo upped the bar, and I realized that there was a whole other world that I had missing out on.

The NYC trip had me on a natural high and returning to Salem Oregon was NOT exactly ideal (feeling like an idiot at my other job, having my foot crushed, car issues, wrenching my back… and it hadn’t even been 3 days). This television set has saved me from scowliing at and punching random people.

My Gotham television has made it’s way into my bedroom (which I felt was SO un-feng shui) because it works… it just scares the hell out of me (I’ve had a vacuum blow up, a battery charger blow up, a curling iron blow up in my hand, even my musical birthday candle!!!!) basically, if it’s going to go KABOOM- it will happen to me. I figure it “might” be okay as a temporary bedroom set and it’s also prompted me to put my laptop in my room at because for the first time in for ages my room is for more than just sleeping.

I’ve no idea what television experiences you readers have had, but please share your wisdom and assist me in my basking glow of thinking the new generation of tv is the best thing EVER! (if you’re into televisions, game play… using your 32″ as a computer monitor). I’m looking forward to getting the hardware to connect my sleeping desktop PC to the Bravia and using it as a monitor.

I can’t recall the last time I felt this way! Because of the rent to own price I feel like it’s this guilty pleasure… I’m a complete idiot, but I love it! I also think it has subliminal messages because I want bigger, better and even more free channels that I will never watch!

Product Features
Built-In HDTV Tuner: Add HD-capable antenna to receive over-the-air high-definition broadcasts, where available. Optional set-top box required for high-definition cable or satellite programming.
31-1/2″ measured diagonally
1366 x 768 pixel resolution supports 720p signals for stunning image clarity
16:9 widescreen aspect ratio with normal, full, zoom and wide zoom viewing modes
BRAVIA Engine video processor produces crisp, vibrant images with enhanced color and contrast
3D comb filter brings out fine picture detail and enhances color purity
3 picture modes, including vivid, standard and cinema, provides custom viewing options for a variety of programming
Ultrafast 5 ms response time for enhanced displaying of fast-action scenes
High dynamic contrast ratio (1000:1) for an arresting viewing experience
Wide 178° viewing angles provide comfortable viewing from almost any seat in the house
Light sensor with backlighting control adjusts the screen brightness to match ambient room light conditions for improved picture clarity
Ultraslim (4″ deep), lightweight design is ideal for wall mounting (with optional mounting kit, not included); VESA-compatible
Bottom-mount speakers with built-in digital amplifier provide a cinema-quality sound; MTS stereo decoder and Dolby Digital sound
PC video input lets you connect your computer to experience high-resolution images
Inputs: 2 HDMI (rear), 1 S-video (rear), 1 PC (rear), 3 composite video (2 rear, 1 side), 2 component video (rear) and 5 analog audio (4 rear, 1 side), 1 RF
Outputs: 1 headphone (side), 1 digital audio (rear), 1 audio (rear)
V-Chip parental controls keep children from being exposed to undesirable material
ENERGY STAR compliance assures a high standard of energy efficiency
Other convenient features include favorite channel, channel labeling, clock and sleep timer
What’s in the box: 32″ flat-panel LCD HDTV, stand, 2 AA batteries, support belt and screws and remote