Express Action Sports

We would be putting up spread sheets and the like on the screen as well as power point presentations.

What features should I look for?
Brands and models would be appreciated. We are looking in the 47" or so range.

You totally need to be careful about getting caught up in hype over features that make watching TV or movies or such better. That’s not going to be an issue for you. But can add significant cost. So you can ditch those things and save a tone of money.

So ignore 120Hz/240Hz rates. Great for sports, action movies, and gaming. Way overkill for your needs (and adds a lot of $). Ignore LED LCD. Again great for other types of uses, but way overkill for you (and huge expense). But do go with LCD. I think that’s far better suited for the kind of corporate uses you talk about (a Plasma would be good if you were a TV production company only).

But I disagree with the other comment about 720p. I think you should go for 1080p to get full 1920×1080 resolution. Your LCD TV is just there to serve as a really large scale computer monitor really. So I would go with one with greater resolution incase you need it. If you want to tone down the resolution you can, but at least you have the option to do 1920×1080 if you want.

Definitely look out for VGA or DVI ports. That way its easy to hook up laptops to the TV. Most sets in that size range will have such, but just double check.

I would look to Samsung, Sony, Sharp, or LG at that size. I think you’ll get a good option from any of them. They are all top tier brands. As for some example options,

Samsung LN46B530 – 46" CCFL LCD 1080p 60Hz – http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN46B530-46-Inch-1080p-HDTV/dp/B001U3Y8OU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257205600&sr=8-4 – $1,074 Amazon

Sony KDL-46V5100 – 46" CCFL LCD 1080p 120Hz – http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BRAVIA-KDL-46V5100-46-Inch-1080p/dp/B001T9N0EO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257205829&sr=1-1 – $1,099 Amazon (normally I wouldn’t bother with the 120Hz, but Sony gives it to you here at a decent price)

Sharp Aquos LC46D65U – 46" CCFL LCD 1080p 60Hz – http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-Aquos-LC46D65U-46-Inch-1080p/dp/B001E8YQ1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257205920&sr=1-1 – $950 Amazon

All of those have VGA PC inputs. So you’d be in good shape. Any of those would serve you well. I kind of like the Sony option as it falls within a similar price range as the others but adds in the 120Hz. Again, while not necessary for your needs, it could be had for a decent price and so if you ended up showing something with some fast motion on it for some reason, it would be a bit better suited than the other choices.

Also use cnet.com to do your own review checks if you want.

I am shooting with a Canon Rebel XT 350D. It is easy to stop action during the day, in the natural daylight. But what about when the sun goes down. I am finding it hard to stop action. The camera is not focusing as fast and my pictures are coming out blurry. So after a certain time I just quit shooting. What am I doing wrong. I have been using the auto/sport setting. And no I don’t have an external flash.

Try your ISO setting at 800 or 1600 if you don’t get to much noise at 1600. If you’re using the stock lens (17-85mm f/4-5.6) you are probably shooting at f5.6 depending on what sport you shooting; I am sure you’re zooming in. You may need to buy a lens with f2 or f2.8 (these may get expensive). As for your focus try different modes; the one shot AF mode may work faster than the predictive one. Ditch the flash also; I know you said you don’t have an external. I would not use an flash as depending on where the subject is your flash is probably not even getting there which will result in an under exposed shot. Also, if you are using the flash your out of focus may be due to the limits of the flash sync; the shutter can not exceed 1/200th so you will blur if you have a fast moving subject.

All in all, ditch the flash, use the widest aperture you have, and let the camera set the shutter speed (just watch out if there are big lights that you are getting in the shot; it will mess with the auto exposure and under expose you); or, get a meter and set the shutter speed yourself.

Hope this helps. Good luck!