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By Les Scammell, September 28, 2009 2:25 pm

There is a lot to consider when buying a high-definition TV set. There is much more to it then going to the store and picking a model in the right size. A high definition TV set is a big commitment that can be expensive. There are things you should investigate and know before you go out and buy a high definition TV.

If you want a genuine HDTV then you need to know the definition between high definition and enhanced definition TV. A high definition TV will have a minimum resolution of 12800 x 720 while an enhanced definition TV has lower resolution. A genuine HDTV should have at least one 1080p HDMI port as well as has support for HDCP. These connections mean that you can connect a high definition DVD player or a Blue Ray player to the HDTV.

While the best screens for HDTV come with the “tube” TVs the style for HDTV is that slimmer is better and slim HDTV are flooding the marketplace. There are two different options for HDTV screens as you can have an HDTV or an LCD screen. LCD screens tend to be brighter and HDTVS are described as having truer blacks.

If you find an HDTV that you like then you should test it out. The best types of HDTV will show very colorful and fast paced movies at its best. A lesser quality HDTV will have jagged lines and a distorted picture using very fast scenes, so it is important that you test out all of the TVs you are interested. Also using an HDTV with non digital or high definition cable the picture will actually appear worse. If you are using an HDTV then you should have high definition cable.

You do not necessarily need to subscribe to high definition cable as it is possible to receive high definition network channels from your local television stations. You will need a built in tuner in your high definition TV to achieve this. If you are using higher cable packages and satellite cable then you will not need this option. You should also be aware of the number of component connections at the back of your HDTV as component connections can be used to connect an Xbox or other electronics.

Along with your HDTV you will need high definition connections and cables. The best connections for high definition are HDMI/DVI, though there are other connection options available. In order to connect a blue ray of high definition DVD player you will need an HDMI connection. Video game players and cable will require a component connection.

You can also chose between wide screen or full screen. Widescreen programs will give you the correct picture while most movies are changed and zoomed in for full screen. Make sure you know what you want before you go to the store.

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By les scammell, August 6, 2009 7:07 pm

The human touch company makes a broad range of massage chairs. One of their high-end models is the HT 1650. Unlike most massage chairs, the HT 1650 looks more like a traditional recliner. It is quite a large chair and provides full body massage capability. We peel back the layers of the HT 1650 to reveal some of its more important features.

The HT 1650 comes with a functioning to detect your acupoints in your back. This is accomplished by performing a scan of your neck, shoulders and back. This function must be activated by selecting a manual massage function.

The HT 1650 will perform a scan when it is in the manual mode. A remote control comes with the HT 1650 where different functions are located. Once the body scan is activated, then it will send the rollers up menu down your back. Sensors are mounted on the rollers to identify your acupoints.

You may also use the acupoint detection system with other types of massage techniques. It is commonly used in techniques such as shiatsu or acupressure massage. One of the drawbacks of the HT 1650 is that you must set your shoulder height. Many high-end massage chairs perform this automatically.

There are 8 programmed massages in the HT 1650. All of these massage programs provide a whole body massage. There are some specialized programs such as sports therapy and other more general like warming up. Each massage is designed to perform a different therapeutic treatment.

Human touch has also equipped the HT 1650 with four manual massage functions. These manual massage functions perform kneading, compression, rolling and percussion. Select the type of massage based on your needs. Kneading is great for listening up of muscles.

Another feature of the HT 1650 by human touch is being able to target the massage in a particular area. There are manual massage courses which can be selected to provide aid massage in a given area. You can also pinpoint massage in one specific area as well.

In order to make the HT 1650 look like a traditional recliner, the calf massager needed to be hidden. Human touch has an innovative flip design for the calf massager. One side of the massager is flat. The other side of the massager contains leg wells. The cats can be inserted into the leg Wells when a massage for them is desired.

The nice thing about the flipping ottoman designed by human touch is that you can flip it when not in use. The leg rest hides very nicely underneath with this design. This enables you to better match the type of back or in your house.

The HT 1650 also comes with a remote control. This remote control has buttons on two faces of the remote. This enables the remote to be much thinner than other traditional controls. The remote is hardwired to the chair and has a pocket for storage.

You get a wide variety of massage treatments with the HT 1650. Although, I liked the look of the recliner, the massage therapy is not quite as effective as I would like. It seems that it is a little light for a high-end massage chair. This can be a concern as you will build up tolerance to the massage chair through time. You want to make sure that your long-term needs are met.

The HT 1650 massage chair comes with three years warranty on the parts. Human touch also provides you with 90 days of in-home technician service. This means that if you had a problem, a service technician would be dispatched to your home to conduct the repair. This is important as massage chairs typically weigh over 150 pounds.

We liked the bold design of the HT 1650 massage chair by human touch. It is nice to see that many of the massage technologies can be successfully hidden and to a traditional looking recliner. The main concern that we have with the HT 1650 massage chair is the strength of its massage therapy. It has a number of different programs, but most are fairly weak from our therapeutic point of view. However, there are many solid features and the HT 1650 massage chair.

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By les scammell, July 28, 2009 4:21 am

Human Touch offers a diverse range of massage chairs. This product review will focus on the HT 1650 massage recliner. This is a high end, luxury massage chair from by Human Touch. Our review will evaluate the chair in 5 separate categories ranging from warranty coverage to ease of use to massage therapy. We then provide an overall rating, so that it is easy to compare between other massage recliners. Here is our evaluation of the HT-1650 massage chair recliner.

Warranty & Customer Service: Your long term product protection is a function of the length and breadth of the warranty on the product you buy. Big ticket items like a massage chair need to have adequate coverage to offset the money you are paying. The HT 1650 comes with the following warranty coverage: you get 5 years on the structure; you 3 years of parts; you get 1 years of labor (factory service) and in field service is covered for 90 days. The warranty coverage provided by Human Touch for this luxury massage recliner is fairly good. Customer service is through a national call center and they are pretty responsive. We give the HT1650 a 17 in warranty coverage and customer service.

Comfort & Ergonomics: It is particularly important for a massage chair to be comfortable and fit your body. You need to be able to relax. The HT 1650 is both a recliner and a massage chair. When not being used as a massage chair, it looks just like a regular leather recliner chair. It has soft, luxurious leather which is a big plus. The layout of the massage recliner and its functions are well designed and thought out. The controller fits in a side pocket, so there is not remote stand. We rate the comfort and ergonomics of the HT 1650 a 19.

Ease of Use: I don’t know about you, but I have always struggled trying to program my VCR. Thank goodness Tivo has finally saved me. We are critically concerned with the ease of use with massage chairs. These chairs increase in features and functionalities every year. The challenge is to keep it simple. We are happy to announce that the HT1650 has managed this. It has a remote that uses two different faces for buttons. This keeps it small and easy to hide in the side pocket. We give the 1650 19 of the 20 for ease of use.

Key Features: One of the unique features and a patented one at that is the hidden calf and foot massager. When not in use, you cannot see the calf and foot massage. When you want to use it, you simply flip it over and it exposes the calf wells. This is a great feature in that the massage chair looks like a regular leather upholstery recliner. The other interesting feature is the acupoint detection system. This can be used prior to using a manual massage function. When activated, it will scan your back and determine the almost 100 trigger points. It records their location and then prioritizes them when the massage begins. This acupoint detection enables the chair to zero in on these points to provide you full body relaxation. We give the key features of the HT-1650 an 18.

Massage Therapy: The moment of truth with any massage is chair is how effective is the massage therapy. We were very skeptical with this chair because it does not look like your traditional massage chair. In fact, it looks like your traditional leather recliner. However, Human Touch manages to squeeze in 8 automatic pre-programs. These range in intensity and vigor depending on the one selected. There are also manual techniques. Four in all. This give you quite a selection to meet many needs you may have. Do not forget that the hidden calf massager works both for your feet and your calves. The HT 1650 gets a 17 in this category.

The HT-1650 is definitely a one of a kind massage chair or should we say leather recliner? Overall it gets a 90/100 points. This recliner comes with a solid warranty giving you long term protection. It has the unique flipping ottoman which enables you to put the chair in most rooms. The massage therapy is effective and comes with an excellent selection of treatments to choose from. If you do not want the traditional massage chair look, then you can have the traditional leather recliner look and have the best of both worlds.

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By les scammell, May 15, 2009 7:39 am

When it comes to choosing a new crib for your infant the most important feature you should consider is safety. You may be overwhelmed by all the choices available including whether to buy a bassinet, co-sleeper, or cradle. In addition to that, you might also notice that there’s a variety of styles to choose from including traditional, trendy, and cost-effective.

Some parents like the option of being able to convert the baby crib into a day bed or toddler bed once the baby outgrows the crib. This is usually a good idea only if you don’t plan on having more children after the baby grows up. If the toddler is using the crib for a bed you’ll have to get another crib if you have another baby. Either that, or the toddler will need a new bed!

You might have heard of drop side baby cribs. These are baby cribs with one side that drops down so you can easily place your baby in the crib with minimum fuss and effort. However, Consumer Reports has recently come out with a statement that drop side baby cribs might not be totally safe or reliable. They advise purchasing only cribs with stationary sides until more safety standards have been established for drop side cribs.

Co-sleepers have also been used in the past as a way to keep an infant in close proximity to the mother for breast feeding. However, it’s important to recognize the potential risks involved with using this type of crib. Co-sleepers have one side lower than the other which allows the crib to be pushed up against the edge of an adult bed. The baby has a separate sleeping area but there’s always the possibility that loose bedding from the adult’s bed could smother the infant on accident.

Some parents might also consider purchasing a cradle, co-sleeper, or bassinet for their newborn but according to safety experts your baby is safest in a crib. To date cribs must meet stringent safety requirements while the other options do not. This is an important factor to consider when choosing where your baby should sleep. Make sure you have established a safe and restful area for your newborn to sleep before you bring him home from the hospital.

While a baby crib is often the first purchase parents make when they find out the mother is expecting a lot of care and consideration should be put into what type is chosen. Your baby will spend quite a bit of time in his crib so you want to make sure it’s both comfortable and safe.

In addition, you should also read up on SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) even though it might not be a pleasant thing to think about. Be sure your infant is always placed on his back while sleeping to prevent possible breathing complications. Also, don’t put anything soft in the crib like quilts, blankets, stuffed animals, or pillows.

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By les scammell, March 21, 2009 6:53 am

For a product reviews to be effective, it should cover the salient aspects of the purchase. This helps buyers to better know their options. We created a structured approach using 5 categories. Each category can earn 0 to 20 points. The categories we rate are as follows: Warranty & Customer Service, Comfort/Ergonomics, Ease of Use, Features and Massage Therapy. We then add up the total to give an overall rating. In this massage chair review we analyze the M-2 Orion Massage Chair from Omega Massage. This entry level lounger is in the price range of $1,500 and under.

Warranty & Customer Service: Warranty and customer service comes from the manufacturer of the massage chair. Warranty is important, since it protects the customer in the workmanship of the product. The other side of this is customer service. Customer service must solve issues one may have. With the M-2 Orion, Omega Massage covers 1 year on the frame, 6 months on parts, and 6 months labor and shipping for 6 months. For an entry level massage chair, Omega provides the most comprehensive warranty and exceeds the other manufacturers in this category. With the M-2 Orion, Omega provides strong warranty coverage. Now on the customer service side, Omega overall is responsive and competent. They have quick turnaround times when issues do arise. The M-2 Orion is an 18 in Warranty & Customer.

Comfort & Ergonomics: A massage chair needs to be designed to fit the body and provide comfort. The chair is a place of relaxation. One does not want to be pre-occupied with non-intuitive functions. Let us take a look at the Orion. The Orion has a remote control holder under the armrest which is very convenient. You can recline the chair from 115 degrees to 170 degrees. There is the calf massage built into the footrest. The leg rest can be extended 4 extra inches. This allows the calf massager to be adjusted to where you like. The Orion is pretty comfortable with fully padded side armrests, extra seat cushion. You also get a plush back pad with a detachable shoulder pillow. The M-2 earns a 17 in this category.

Ease of Use: How easy and intuitive is the use of a given product is another important area. Products need to be designed with the user in mind. The M-2 Orion shiatsu massage has a pretty simple controller. Just push the main power and select the auto massage to enjoy a massage. The M-2 comes with manual controls for the backrest and the footrest. The backrest and footrest are attached to a manual piston. When released, it raises the footrest or raises the chair back. The M-2 does the heavy lifting for you. The remote has 3 automatic programs and 3 manual programs with 3 back courses. The remote also controls the calf massage, seat vibration and seat massage. Omega creates a chair with features of a higher end massage chair while still providing an easy to use recliner. Our rating in this category is 19.

Key Features: What are the key features of the Orion M-2 massage chair? This chair comes with the very relaxing sway massage which is based on Hawaiian massage. Hawaiian massage is known for its flowing strokes and swaying motion. There is thorough back coverage with the back massage. The Sway massage penetrates deeper and deeper around the back. This massage chair recliner comes with an eight massage head system for the buttocks and thighs. These eight massage heads provide an invigorating massage. An extra seat cushion is provided to moderate the penetration of the seat massage. Coupled with vibration therapy in the seat, the M-2 has a very good seat massage. The Omega M-2 Orion earns an 18 for key features.

Massage Therapy: The massage therapy is what a massage chair is all about. How does the M-2 Orion rate? Let us find out. There are both automatic and manual massages to choose from. Select from 3 timed automatic massages of 5, 10 or 15 minutes in duration. There are 3 back course and 3 manual massages for your back. Manual massages performed by the Orion are Kneading, Swaying and Finger Press. The seat with its eight rotary massage heads really delivers thorough massage to the thighs and buttocks. If you do a lot of sitting, this chair relieves those aches and pains. The adjustable leg rest allows great targeting of the legs with the mechanical rollers. Adjust them to exactly where you need relief. We rate the M-2 an 18 for its massage therapy.

Overall, we are very impressed with the Omega M-2 Orion. Let us sum up all the categories. The M-2 scores an impressive 90/100. Some unique features are the Sway Massage and the full seat therapy. These are therapeutic and relieving massages that can penetrate deeply to relieve soreness. The manual controls are good. The hydraulic assist that omega uses to lift the leg rest and chair back work effectively. With Omega, the M-2 has terrific warranty coverage. If you are looking for a great entry level massage chair, the M-2 is one of your best bets. The Orion gives a full body massage that is thorough and invigorating.