The Back relief Belt...

What is up with the retarded products they try to push on the lesser cable channels, commercials. I mean really, are we supposed to believe that the back relief belt is really the answer to our prayers. They could at least have the courtesy to produce these torturous commercials in HDTV. They run these low definition annoying commercials for the entire commercial brake. 1 commercial for a full length brake. I almost put my foot through my LCD HDTV television. It seems the TV stations are hell bent on driving everybody towards digitally recording programs so we can watch commercial free. Don't tell me a security tag they forgot to take off at the retail store is more annoying than a 7 minute back relief belt commercial.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

Flat panel televisions are the only way to go for remote monitoring. In an office or a retail store LCD TV and Plasma televisions flat panels make so much sense. Less space taken up by your TV monitor is a good thing. At this stage of the game it is flat panel or bust. CRT TV screens are done. DLP is way to big for the office, even rear projection LCD is to bulky. Rent is high enough without wasting space on your TV or CCTV system.

Loss prevention convention addicts

You've seen them at the convention hall bar, or putting for the free mazda. Loss prevention convention addicts are a dangerous breed. All they talk about are keynote speakers and shrinkage statistics. They may seem harmless to your average passerby, but I assure you, a fiendish dancing monkey similar to what you would think of lurking in the dark bowels of a three story jack in the box is less sinister.

Don't say I never warned you.

Two shoplifters heading back to their cave after a stealing spree. Used Sensormatic Superheroes unite! We must vanquish our mutant shoplifter enemies.

LCD TV and CCTV

Plasma televisions have been the dominant large screen flat panel technology for the past few years but we expect LCD TV options to trump Plasma in the future. This is particularly true in the retail security sector where CCTV and EAS systems integrate flat panels regularly.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Displays) monitors are taking over the EAS and CCTV market according to HarryG Security insiders. "Why would a person pay more for an equal technology" ponders Gui, HarryG Security's tech guru. LCD is considered to be superior to plasma television sets in some circles.

For business needs LCD has a clear advantage, price. Price is always a driving factor in business and LCD beats plasma flat panels at the value market. CCTV systems and flat panels are a natural fit because of the size requirements of most workplaces.

LCD monitors can be easily networked together to form a large screen DVR monitor. When multiple sets of eyes need to view the same image a bank of LCD monitors is a great solution. Most CCTV companies including the majors, i.e. Sensormatic or Checkpoint Systems, install systems that utilize LCD TV monitors. Remote monitoring is also frequently performed via LCD screen.

LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) was at one time expected to challenge LCD, but that thinking is changing. LCoS is said to have production difficulties where as LCD production is now routine, with innovations constantly being made.

A man tried to sell me 7,000 used sensormatic supertags, with 1 catch...

If I wanted the tags I had to also buy his mint condition collection of Miss piggy shower curtains. I asked what the emergency to sell the MPC(Miss Piggy Collection) was all about. What I was told will haunt me for the remainder of my days. No it was not a tale of an unprotected retail store with no checkpoint or sensormatic retail security tags. It was much, much worse. It was a story of human depravity. A story frothing with untoward behavior. It was a MPC shower curtain story that your average supertag superhero would run from.

The Stats on my Sony LCD TV

My 32" LCD TV has brought light into a dark HDless world. This was my first HDTV purchase and it has served me well. LCD is a good technology. I am flirting with an LCOS or liquid crystal on silicon TV set, but LCD is tried and true.

• General
• Screen Size: 32"1
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• General Features
• Clean Wire Management: Yes
• Video Label: Yes
• Auto SAP: Yes
• ID1 Detection: Yes
• Closed Caption (CC): Yes
• Channel Fix: Yes
• Video

This is an important one...
• Display Resolution: 1366 x 768


• Native Resolution: 720p
• Contrast Ratio: 1000:1

Important for gamers...
• Display Response Time: 8 msec


• Viewing Angle: Right/Left: 170°, Up/Down: 170°
• Horizontal Scan (KHz) for PC: 31/ 31.5 / 35.2 / 37.9 / 46.9 / 47.4 / 47.7 / 47.8 / 56.5 / 60 / 60.3
• Vertical Frequency (Hz): 56 / 60 / 72 / 73 / 75
• Vertical Size: +10 to -10 (TV) +50 to -50 (PC)
• Vertical Center: +10 and -10 (Zoom) +10 and -10 (Wide Zoom)
• Horizontal Center: +10 to -10 (TV) +50 to -50 (PC)
• Overscan: Normal, +1, +2
• Video Features
• Screen or Display Technology: LCD
• Tuner: Analog
• Video Signal System: NTSC
• Video Processing: One-chip Video Processor
• Comb Filter: 3D Digital Comb Filter
• Video Processing: Motion Adaptive I/P Conversion
• CineMotion® Reverse 3:2 Pulldown Technology: Yes

Vital for LCD televisions
• Dynamic Picture™ Processor Circuitry: Black Corrector


• Noise Reduction: Yes
• Color Temperature: Cool, Neutral, Warm
• Light Sensor: Yes

Screen Modes
• Screen Modes (4:3): Wide Zoom, Normal, Full, Zoom
• Screen Modes (16:9): Wide Zoom, Normal, Full, Zoom, Off
• Wide Mode (16:9): Wide Zoom, Full, Zoom
• Wide Mode (4:3): Wide Zoom, Normal, Full, Zoom

Brightness is important.
• Phase (PC Only): Yes
• Picture Modes: Vivid, Standard, Pro

Sound
• Pitch (PC Only): Yes
• Audio
• Audio Power Output: 20W Total (10W x 2)
• Full Range Speaker Size: 42 x 150mm Oval)
• Speaker Type: Oval cone
• Speakers (Total): 2
• Audio Features
• SRS® TruSurround® Audio Effect: Yes
• Simulated Surround: Yes
• Sound Mode: Dynamic, Natural, Clear Voice, Mode Memory, Simulated
• Digital Amplifier: Yes
• MTS Stereo Decoder: Yes
• Tone Control(s): Treble and Bass
• Audio Mute: Yes
- Speaker On/Off: Yes

Extras
• Convenience
• Stand Tilt Range: Forward 3° / Back 8°
• Stand Swivel Range: L/R: 15°
• Convenience Features

Model Functions
• WEGA GATE™ Technology: Yes
• Freeze Memo™ Function (with sub screen viewing)
• Program Guide Access: Yes
• Favorite Channel: Yes
• Channel Jump: Yes
• Channel Label: Yes
• Channel Skip/Add: Yes
• Speed Surf™ Channel Selection: Yes
• Auto Channel Programming: Yes
• Multiple Language Display: English; Español; Français
• Mode Memory: Yes
• Info Banner: Yes
• Programmable Timer: Yes
• Sleep Timer: 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, Off
• Timer Events: Timer 1, Timer 2
• Clock: Yes
• Power Save Mode: Standard, Reduced, Picture Off

Plugins and outputs
• Built-In AC Adaptor: Yes
• Inputs and Outputs
• HDMI™2 Connection Input(s): 1 (Rear) with Analog Audio
• PC Video Input(s): 1 (Rear) - D-sub 15
• PC Audio Input(s): 1 (Rear)
• Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr ) Input(s): 1 (Rear) 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
• S-Video Input(s): 3 (1 Side / 2 Rear)
• Composite Video Input(s): 3 (1 Side / Rear)
• Audio In: 5 (1 Side / 4 Rear)
• Audio Out (Variable/Fixed): 1 (Rear)
• Headphone Output(s): 1 (Side)
• RF Connection Input(s): 1 (Rear)
• Power
• Internal Power Supply: Yes
• Power Consumption (in Operation): 155W
• Power Consumption (in Standby): Less than 1W
• Power Requirements: AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz
• Regulation and Standard Compliance
• Energy Star® Compliant: Yes
• VESA: VESA FDMI Compliant Mounting Holes; Energy Star™

Size
• Weight
• 45 lbs. 4 oz. (205. kg) with stand
• 30 lbs. 14 oz. (16.7 kg) without stand
• Dimensions (WxHxD)
• 31 1/4" x 24" x 12 1/4" (792 x 608 x 309 mm) with stand
• 31 1/4" x 22 1/4" x 4" (792 x 564 x 99 mm) without stand

Accompany
• Supplied Accessories
• Remote Control (RM-YA001)
• Table Top Stand
• Operating Instructions
• Quick Setup Guide
• Battery (Type AA, x2)
• AC Power Cord
• Support Belt
• Securing Screw
• Warranty Card
• On-line Registration Card
• Optional Accessories
• Wall Bracket

I found the ipod nano spot

I was researching HDTV plasma televisions the other day when I discovered something quite special. Hidefster.com which is a HD TV buyers guide and information resource has a huge amount of ipod nano deals. Most of the time they link to circuit city which has 24 minute guaranteed in store pick up. They look for discounted ipod nano's and regular ipod's. Hidefster also has the ipod shuffle on the HDTV buyers guide page. It's not just about plasma TV it is obviously also about the ipod nano..

Nice Sensortags.

The Sensormatic supertag II is the greatest of all sensortags. Other technologies have come and gone, but the Supertag has been on top for a long time and shows no sign of relinquishing its position. Why is the supertag so good? It has a patented locking mechanism that is not defeated by a magnet. The supertag pin is extremely difficult to cut off illegally. Most metal products will not affect the supertags functionality. Best of all, the supertag hand detacher is manufactured with built in security measures to prevent shoplifting.

Sensormatic or Checkpoint?

They are both very high quality manufacturers, with reputable product lines. Sensormatic supertags are with out question the best hard tag on the market. Checkpoint 410 labels on the other hand are considered by many to be the best paper tag on the market. Both companies make great systems that fight for dominance. For a 3 foot door drug store I would use a checkpoint QS2000. For a six foot door clothing store I would use a sensormatic ultrapsot. For a 4 foot door CD store I would use either the Checkpoint QS4000 or the Sensormatic Digital Promax.

What to do with Jeffrey Goines

What happens when a raving lunatic walks into your retail store? Stay calm! When a nut job invades your space, the first thing to do is make sure they are not a customer. Insane customers spend a lot more than sane customers. Just because he or she is crazy, does not mean they are a shoplifter.

If you do have a non shopping, thieving whako in your store what do you do. The police are not a power to call upon lightly, but if you need them call. Don't let an employee or loved what be hurt by a psycho when the police can protect you from this shoplifting scourge.

Drug addicts can act like insane people, so you should be wary of shoplifters stealing for drug money.

The safest and most effective shoplifting deterrent (even for crazy people) is Electronic Article Surveillance. Sensormatic security systems or Checkpoint systems are the best in retail security. Putting on a hard tag or soft tag and waiting for the criminal to reveal themselves is so much better than "Hawk Position". Let security tags take the next shift. I promise, you will thank me.

HDTV Bowl games and Plasma Television

It just keeps getting better. Thank you scientists, working away in your labs around the world. The end result is a viewing experience that is amazing. Or, a global communicator in your pocket. The best is a worldwide network connecting everything in the world. Plasma televisions are so far superior to the TV's of 10 years ago, it is incredible. Cellular phones and the internet have changed the world. How different life is, and will become. What is next? We cant imagine the real changes over the next twenty years.

Medicine, technology, industry, philosophy we are truly amazing. Most people can not comprehend how most of the products they use everyday actually work. People cant understand how these things are manufactured. Some people believe these products are provided to us by our alien slave masters as a part of an incubation program of the human race. I am not in this camp, but I sympathize for those who are.

Being trapped between galaxies galaxies can be tough, but it is a great way to learn to look at the other side of the issue. If your questioning what that means, think about it until next time.