Popular online HDTV resource now to be published by HDTV Magazine

Perkasie, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/23/2009 -- In September, 2005, display industry expert Alfred Poor launched his HDTV Almanac at http://www.hdtvprofessor.com/HDTVAlmanac. This daily compendium of news and commentary about HDTV and related home entertainment topics has appeared five days a week since then. And today, July 24, 2009, marks the 1000th posting.

Over these thousand posts, Alfred Poor has offered his insights, expertise, and opinions on topics such as the inside story on HDTV, Blu-ray, and display technologies. He has helped tens of thousands navigate their way through the recent digital TV transition, and make sense out of the problems and solutions along the way. He has helped explain complex issues such as the importance of contrast ratios and 120 Hz refresh rates. He is well-known for his expertise on these topics, and has been quoted in many publications including Time Magazine and the New York Times. He has also been interviewed on a variety of television and radio shows nationwide.

And starting with this 1000th entry, the HDTV Almanac will also be published by HDTV Magazine (http://www.hdtvmagazine.com) in order to maximize our reach to as many interested readers as possible. HDTV Magazine's history in the field of HDTV and its brand recognition will solidify the HDTV Almanac as one of the most authoritative sources for readers searching for information on the topics of HDTV, home theater, and consumer electronics.

And as he sets to work on the next thousand posts, Alfred Poor will work to help HDTV Almanac readers understand the importance of OLED HDTVs, 240 Hz refresh rates, LED backlit LCD HDTVs, and the growing role of the Internet in HD video distribution.

About Alfred Poor:
Alfred Poor is an internationally-known expert in the display industry. He wrote for more than 20 years as a freelance writer with PC Magazine, serving as a Contributing Editor and their first Lead Analyst for Business Displays. He is Technical Editor with ECN (Electronic Component News) and has written for many industry publications including Computer Shopper, Family PC, and Information Display. He is a former Chair of the Society for Information Display's Delaware Chapter, and has written or co-authored many books including several for Microsoft Press.

About HDTV Magazine:
HDTV Magazine is the website for those who love HDTV. Its roots go back to 1984, when Dale Cripps founded The HDTV Newsletter, a dedicated professional publication distributed into 24 countries to those developing HDTV. On November 16, 1998, The HDTV Newsletter became the first online publication dedicated to HDTV -- HDTV Magazine. And on March 1st, 2005, HDTV Magazine was re-launched as HDTV Magazine, Ltd., a Partnership formed between Dale Cripps (Founder) and Shane Sturgeon (Chief Technologist). Today, HDTV Magazine provides the latest on all things HDTV, including news, articles, reviews, forum discussions, and HD programming information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Alfred Poor’s popular guide to HDTV is now priced 60% lower!

Perkasie, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/16/2008 -- Now available in paperback from Amazon and other book retailers, the best book on HDTV is now priced nearly 60% lower. Many satisfied customers paid $37 for the first and second editions of Professor Poor's Guide to Buying HDTV: How You Can Save Thousands of Dollars and Avoid Making an Expensive Mistake When You Buy Your Next TV. Now the book is available for $14.95.

The author, Alfred Poor, has more than 20 years experience in displays and related technology. He was a Contributing Editor and Lead Analyst for Business Displays for PC Magazine, where he developed the rigorous testing protocols used to evaluate projectors and computer monitors. His deep knowledge of HDTV and simple technological explanations give you the tools to choose the best HDTV for yourself, confident that you've made the right choice.

After two years of selling the book direct through his Web site, www.hdtvprofessor.com, he has chosen to end the direct marketing, and focus instead on standard retail outlets, including Amazon. As a result of the savings, he is able to greatly reduce the cover price for the book. This is not a limited time reduction; this is now the list price for the book.

Using a simple formula (display+signal+source=HDTV), Poor gently leads the consumer through the hows and whys of HDTV. As an independent expert, he strips away the distracting and misleading claims and counterclaims, showing what actually makes a difference in what you see. And, best of all, since he is not trying to sell any particular product or any particular technology, this is information you can trust.

Reader Praise for Professor Poor!

"After reading your material, I have become our company's resident expert on HDTV. Your book in general and chapter material on LCoS specifically steered me toward LCoS and I'm glad I went in that direction. Thanks for a great product that made me a much better informed-consumer."
Val Burzynski

"I just ordered your guide to HDTV, and it's great! It's far better than any HDTV book out there."
Joe Gabela

About the Author:

Alfred Poor spent more than 20 years writing reviews for PC Magazine, as well as other computer magazines including Computer Shopper and Family PC. He has more than a half dozen computer book titles to his credit, including several for Microsoft Press.

In addition, he is an internationally-recognized expert in the display industry, working as Senior Editor and a Senior Research Associate with Pacific Media Associates, a leading market research firm in the large screen display market, where he works on HDTV and related issues. Mr. Poor is also the co-host of "The Personal Computer Show" on WBAI on Wednesday evenings at 8 PM Eastern, where he helps thousands of listeners on the radio and on the Web with their computer problems.

Professor Poor's Guide to Buying HDTV:
How you can save thousands of dollars and avoid making an expensive mistake when you buy your next TV
by Alfred Poor

Softcover
$14.95
ISBN 978-0-9651975-2-6
Available from:
Amazon.com and other fine booksellers

For a review copy or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Desktop Wings, Inc.
700 East Walnut St.
Perkasie, PA 18944
215-453-9312
alfred@hdtvprofessor.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Professor Poor's HDTV Hourly Cost Index for 2007 shows that it now costs $.33 per hour to watch HDTV

Perkasie, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/06/2007 -- All across the country, football fans are trying to figure out how to convince their spouse or significant other that they really should get a new HDTV for the upcoming football season. So in time for tonight's opening kick-off to start the NFL's regular season, here is "Professor Poor's HDTV Hourly Cost Index for 2007", or the "PPHHCI2007".

As a public service last year, Alfred Poor published a calculation of the hourly cost for HDTV in his free, daily "HDTV Almanac" on the Web. The item was a huge hit, so here is this year's update to that calcuation.

Using data derived from Nielsen Media Research's benchmark figures, he assumes that two people will watch the new screen for an average of 4.5 hours per day. Based on a comprehensive review of cable and satellite services, he estimates an average monthly cost of $65 for high-definition service. (This takes into account that you will buy more than just the basic package in most cases, as well as the fact that some people will watch high-definition programming over the air for free.) The calculation is based on the purchase of a 42″ LCD or plasma flat panel HDTV. Using figures from Pacific Media Associates, the average price paid for the HDTV is $1,497. (Many people will get their 42″ set for under $1,000.) Finally, he assumes that you'll keep the set for five years. (The fact is that many people keep their sets much longer, but he wanted to make this a conservative estimate.)

Turn the crank, and the results say that you can watch your new HDTV for $.33 per hour over the five year period. Last year, the PPHHCI2006 was $.37, so this is an 11% decrease. (Aren't you glad you waited? You just saved 11%!)

Now, a number of factors could be applied to make the costs lower. For example, you may be paying for some cable or satellite service already; the full subscription cost is included in the index. Also, it's possible that HD service rates will decrease due to increased competition. Since this accounts for nearly three-quarters of the overall cost, that could result in significant savings. But the intent of the PPHHCI2007 is to give a snapshot for now.

Since a typical football game lasts three hours, you can now tell your significant other that it will cost less than $1 for you to enjoy it on a new HDTV.

About Alfred Poor's HDTV Resource Center

Alfred Poor's HDTV Resource Center (http://www.hdtvprofessor.com) is one of the fastest-growing sites on the Internet for independent information about HDTV from an industry expert that you can trust. His free, daily HDTV Almanac (www.hdtvprofessor.com/HDTVAlmanac) provides news and commentary about HDTV and other related consumer electronics topics. Alfred Poor's book "Professor Poor's Guide to Buying HDTV" is also available at the Web site.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The updated version of this popular e-book has been completely revised for Fall 2007, and gives readers all the information they need to make a confident decision about buying the best HDTV for their needs and budget.

Perkasie, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/04/2007 -- Desktop Wings, Inc. announces the release of the second edition of "Professor Poor's Guide to Buying HDTV" by Alfred Poor. The first edition of this popular e-book was released in December 2005. It has now been updated in time for the fall buying season of 2007.

The new edition covers the same information as the original, including detailed explanations of the three types of HDTV displays: direct view, front projection, and rear projection. It provides detailed explanations of the various displays and their strengths and weaknesses, including LCD and plasma flat displays. It also shows how you can evaluate the available choices and choose the best HDTV for your needs and budget, without having to rely on others.

The content has been completely updated, including current pricing information for the various types of HDTVs. There is new information about the different "sweet spots" and new features and technologies. It covers 1080p resolution - and whether it's worth the extra cost - and advances such as the 120 Hz refresh rate for LCD panels. It has the latest information on new designs, such as the fact that we're unlikely to see SED flat panels any time soon, but that Laser TVs should be on the market before the end of this year.

The e-book is formatted for 8.5 by 11 inch pages, and is more than 100 pages long. (An equivalent trade paperback format would be more than 150 pages.) It comes in Adobe PDF format.

The book is sold with a lifetime money-back guarantee, with no questions asked, so there is no risk to the buyer. And since it's an e-book, you can download it and start reading immediately after you purchase it. The book can be purchased online at www.hdtvbuyguide.com.

Professor Poor's Guide to Buying HDTV
by Alfred Poor
e-book: 118 pages
ISBN: 978-0-9651975-1-9

Published by Desktop Wings, Inc.
700 East Walnut Street
Perkasie, PA 18944
215-453-9312
http://www.hdtvbuyguide.com

Note: editorial review copies of the book are available on request

About Alfred Poor

Alfred Poor is the editor and publisher of Alfred Poor's HDTV Resource Center (http://www.hdtvprofessor.com). The site includes the HDTV Almanac (www.hdtvprofessor.com/HDTVAlmanac) that provides free daily news and commentary about HDTV and related consumer electronics topics.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm