Stuff on HD

I just ran into a couple of articles related to High Definition and thought I'd package them here in this main topic. The first is kind of old, but still very useful: a comparison of LCD and Plasma television sets. I felt it was important because of certain manufacturers (namely, Panasonic) claiming the superiority of Plasma since their profit margin is higher on Plasmas. Of course I have a bias towards DLP and LCD, but that page actually has an unbiased comparison of LCD and Plasma, and it's very much worth the read (and probably a bookmark). I also ran into a similarly helpful article explaining the difference between 1080i (interlaced) and 1080p (progressive). Basically, it's just about how many lines on the screen are updated with each refresh cycle, half or all. In all likelihood, you can't ostensibly tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p, but some people are really anal about image quality. Personally though, I'd just go for the best and get a 1080p LCD set. If only I actually had money! Anyway, just thought those two articles would be helpful.

YouTube is hosting a big New Year's Eve bash on Sunday night replete with YouTube celebrities, music videos, and even concert footage. I don't know that any other online site has done something quite like this, but I'd definitely be checking it out if I didn't have a real party to help run. Speaking of online video, a site called VideoJug has sprung up with video how-tos including how to tie a tie and make a Mojito. It's a pretty neat site, definitely worth wasting some time at. If you've ever accidentally clicked on sketchy content while at work, you'll love the idea of a NSFW rel tag that is gaining support among geeks. No clue what the odds are of this actually getting implemented, but I think it'd be as good an idea as nofollow was. Lastly, if you like checking out oddball gadgets, this is a cool list of high-tech Japanese gadgets you can't buy.

Not much more in movies today than a couple of teasers. The first teaser is for Hairspray, and it's just a listing of cast members (though the cast is pretty good and includes Christopher Walken and John Travolta). The teaser for Hannibal Rising at Amazon (I know, weird place to premiere a teaser trailer) is much better. I don't know why everyone is so pessimistic about this movie, I think it sounds rather interesting. Lastly, here's a new, albeit less exciting, poster for Grind House:



I started this post on Friday, so here's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer
How do you usually celebrate on New Year's Eve?
With lots of booze and dancing. It's been with family every year since I'm still under 21, but this is the last year I'll be underage! So I'm hoping for something more exciting next year.

Soup
Name one thing unexpected that happened to you in 2006.
How about totaling my car =P

Salad
Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?
I guess Austin doesn't count, huh? Probably Dallas, but it's not like I've traveled much at all this past year.

Main Course
What resolution is your top priority for 2007?
Just becoming more outgoing and confident, really. Everything else will just fall in place. I mean I feel pretty good already, but more confidence and caring less about what other people think couldn't hurt.

Dessert
Using just three words, describe 2006.
Unexpected, weird, different.