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Saat ini, harga LCD TV sudah sangat murah dibandingkan dengan beberapa LCD generasi awal. Namun bagaimana memilih sebuah LCD TV yang cost-effective ?. Sebenarnya tidak sulit mencari LCD TV berkualitas dan  optimal. Kuncinya adalah mengetahui fungsi dari spesifikasi yang ditawarkan oleh sebuah LCD TV. Nah, untuk mempermudah Anda mengambil keputusan dalam memilih LCD TV mana yang akan Anda bawa pulang, berikut kami berikan tips-tipsnya.

High Definition TV (HDTV)
Salah satu alasan orang beralih dari TV konvensional ke LCD TV adalah karena kualitas gambarnya. Dan memang LCD TV sudah terbukti mampu menampilkan gambar yang jernih, jelas, detail dengan noise yang sedikit. Anda dapat menggunakan besaran resolusi sebagai indikator untuk menentukan kualitas gambar sebuah LCD TV. Belakangan ini generasi LCD TV terbaru sudah sampai pada era High Definition Television (HDTV). Saran dari kami, carilah LCD TV yang termasuk dalam generasi ini. Resolusi tertinggi HDTV paling sedikit harus mencapai 1280 x 720 pixels sementara yang tertinggi mencapai 1920 x 1080 lines atau 1080 pixels.

Umumnya generasi HDTV yang banyak beredar punya resolusi 1366 x 768p. Burulah LCD TV yang sanggup menyediakan resolusi di level ini. Kalaupun Anda belum puas dengan resolusi sebesar ini, Anda tidak perlu khawatir. Pasalnya, beberapa manufacturer kenamaan model LG, Samsung, Sharp dan Toshiba bahkan sudah mampu memproduksi LCD dengan resolusi 1080p. Silahkan rasakan sendiri kenikmatan menonton layar LCD TV dengan resolusi sebesar ini.

Aspect Ratio
Semua bermula dari Hollywood yang ingin menarik kembali orang-orang ke bioskop dari layar TV. Maka diciptakanlah concept wide screen dengan aspect ratio 16:9. Ini jelas lebih tinggi dari TV yang waktu itu hanya 4:3. Sudah pasti orang-orang akan kembali ke bioskop akibat maneuver Hollywood ini. Sekarang ini ternyata bukan hanya layar cinema yang menggunakan concept wide screen. LCD TV pun sudah mampu menyediakan layar wide screen dengan aspect ratio selevel dengan layar cinema. Jadi pastikan Anda tidak lupa untuk memerhatikan hal ini ketika membeli LCD TV. Pastikan pula LCD TV yang Anda beli punya viewing angle up to 175 derajat agar Anda memliki keleluasaan lebih dalam menentukan sudut pandang Anda ketika menonton TV. Viewing angle yang flexible termasuk salah satu keunggulan LCD TV dibanding plasma TV.

Response Time Rendah
Hal yang satu ini penting diperhatikan bagi Anda yang punya hobi menyaksikan olahraga yang mengutamakan kecepatan seperti Moto GP atau F1. Penggemar sepakbola juga dapat mempertimbangkan tips yang satu ini. Pilihlah LCD TV dengan response time serendah mungkin agar Anda dapat menyaksikan object yang tengah bergerak dengan kecepatan tinggi tampil tanpa bayangan atau terdapat cahaya seperti ekor komet. Saat ini kebanyakan LCD TV yang beredar di pasaran memiliki response time antara 8 hingga 12 ms. Ada juga producer yang berani memasang response time sebesar 2 ms.

Spesifikasi Tambahan
Kalau Anda sudah mendapatkan LCD TV dengan spesifikasi seperti yang disebutkan tadi, maka Anda akan mendapatkan sebuah LCD TV yang berkualitas. Namun di tengah persaingan yang sangat ketat belakangan ini, ada beberapa manufacturer yang melengkapi LCD TV keluaran mereka dengan spesifikasi tambahan untuk menarik minat konsumen. Contohnya Toshiba yang memasang mesin pintar di dua LCD TV terakhir keluaran mereka, Stasia dan Regza. Jika dalam Stasia ada meta brain, maka di Regza nama mesin diberi tambahan pro menjadi meta brain pro. Adanya mesin ini tentunya akan sangat membantu LCD dalam menciptakan kesempurnaan gambar.

Sharp juga telah memperkenalkan a New Four Wavelength yang dapat mereproduksi warna merah menyala dalam Aquos. Sama hal nya dengan Samsung yang membenamkan New Blacklight with 92% Color Gamut dalam R7 series. Penambahan spesifikasi ini tentunya akan mempengaruhi kualitas gambar LCD TV. Dan Anda tak salah jika menjatuhkan pilihan LCD TV Anda pada produk-produk seperti ini.

Surfing Indonesia: where to find the perfect wave

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Surfers have long been known for a nomadic lifestyle spent scouring the globe in search of the perfect wave, and at some point in their search every self-respecting surfer will find themselves drawn to the wave gardens of Indonesia. Here’s where to find them, whether you’re a beginner or after something more challenging:

Bali

Bali, with its glut of world class surf spots, is the epicentre of Indonesian surfing. Any surf trip here almost invariably begins on Kuta beach, the original Indonesian beach resort. The waves here offer something for everyone; advanced surfers will revel in fun, peaky conditions whilst beginners will find the soft sand beach breaks, and numerous surf schools, the perfect setting for a first taste of surfing.
Not far from Kuta is the Bukit Peninsula where the best waves in Bali can be found. Padang Padang is one of Indonesia’s banner spots. It only comes to life on the biggest of swells but when it does you can expect one of the most intense lefthanders in the world. You can also expect serious crowds and lots of aggro in the water.

Nusa Tenggara

Just south of Bali is the island chain of Nusa Tenggara, which is rammed with surf spots. Lombok, the closest island to Bali, is the most visited by surfers and the jewel in the surf crown here is the legendry Desert Point; possibly the best wave in the world. It’s a highly fickle wave but when all the elements come together this near endless, freight train lefthander offers tube rides of up to twenty seconds. For something a little more beginner friendly try either Don Don or Inside Ekas both of which are found on the south coast of Lombok.

Java

The most famous wave on Java, Bali’s northern neighbour, is G-Land (also known as Grajagan). This is one of those freak of nature waves against which all other waves are measured. Endlessly long, flawlessly perfect and super consistent, G-Land is most commonly reached via boat charter from Bali.
For something less nerve-wracking, try the long, mellow sand bottom right point in Batu Karas. Needing a really solid swell to get going this is probably the most user-friendly spot in Indonesia and though experienced surfers might find it a little uninspiring it seems almost tailor made for learners and intermediates. There are a couple of surf schools and board hire places here as well as a few cheap places to stay.

Sumatra

Surfing Sumatra is all about the necklace of islands that lie off the west coast. Nias, in the far north, is the most famous. An almost hypnotically perfect righthander, this wave has always been considered perfect, but following the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami the wave actually improved dramatically after the reef rose upward by around a metre and made the wave hollower, faster and much more consistent.
Good as Nias is though if you ask the average surfer where they’d most like to go surfing the answer will almost invariably be the Mentawai Islands. These islands are home to more world class surf spots than any other place on Earth and it’s almost a given that on any single day of the year unbelievable waves will be breaking somewhere in the Mentawais. Surf trips here have long been the preserve of (expensive) boat charters and (equally expensive) surf resorts, but for the adventurous it’s still possible to charter a local fishing boat and put together your own Mentawai adventure.

When to go

Indonesia is basically a year-round surf destination, but it’s the dry season (May-October) – when the offshore southeast trade winds blow and the swell, pouring out of the Southern Ocean, is at its biggest and most consistent – that is far and away the best time to venture here.

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8 Things to Avoid in Bali

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Bali is without a doubt a budget-travellers mecca in South-East Asia and at the moment Bali is buzzing with tourists and it’s a great time to visit this beautiful island. The weather is perfect and even better, the exchange rates for most currencies is higher than it has been. The shopping is ideal and bargains abound at every corner. Even better, great deals are to be had for package tourists.
Unfortunately in Bali there can be a lot of hassles. Apart from the usual getting ill from eating a bad plate of prawns or getting in a collision on your motorbike, there are several other things you should be aware of. Don’t misunderstand me, Bali is perfectly safe but like anywhere you travel in this world, shit happens. Here are just seven of the things to avoid so your holiday isn’t marred.

1. Arguments with Customs: Most of us at one time or another have been hassled by Customs at Ngurah Rai International airport upon arrival. It is useless to argue with them if they want to check your bags even though you know you don’t have that extra bottle of booze stashed away or that extra carton of fags. Arguing with them or refusing them will only give you more headaches. The best thing to do is be polite and comply with their requests.
2. Taxis that don’t use the Meter: It has happened go me on occasions and you can argue with them till you are blue in the face but it will only end up in big hassles, not only from their ‘friends’ but from the cops. Before you enter a taxi it is best to ask them to use the meter. In fact, to avoid all hassles with crappy and devious taxis, just use the Bluebird taxis. They always use the meters and the drivers are polite.
3. Unregistered Money-Changers: Find yourself a good moneychanger and make sure they are registered. You will definitely know this as their exchange rate will be the same as most of the other moneychangers. Any one that has an exorbitantly high rate is guaranteed to rip you off.
4. Walking Home by Yourself at Night: Always be careful walking back to your hotel late at night. It is far better to get a recognised taxi and if you have to walk, then walk back with friends. There are unscrupulous people out there who would take advantage of a lone woman under the influence of alcohol.
5. Avoid Flashing Money: Definitely don’t flash your money in public. Opening your wallet or purse in an obvious manner for all to see will only invite trouble. Yes, there are pickpockets and thieves in Bali. Let’s get this clear, it’s NOT the Balinese but others who come to this island to make money and, do it anyway they can. If that means ripping off tourists then they will do that without feeling guilty whatsoever.
6. Buying Drugs: Never carry drugs into Bali or the rest of Indonesia. There is a high probability that you will be caught. You only have to read about those people squandering in Bali prisons to realise it is fucking stupid. Also, don’t buy drugs on the streets. Nine times out of ten you will be arrested.
7. Hustlers on the Streets: It’s an unfortunate part of traveling in developing countries that you will be hassled by street beggars. Maybe some of them are genuine but, a majority are not. Giving money to them is actually not going to them per sae but another party. The same applies for those kids on the streets trying to sell you leather wristbands. They get a mere pittance from their ‘boss’.
8.Avoid the Heat of the Day: It can get really hot during the middle of the day and late afternoon. If you are not drinking enough fluids [and I don’t mean beer!] then dehydration can set in quicker than you realise. If you are going to walk around the streets shopping then do it first thing in the morning or at night.

Source : Baliblog