• Entertainment & Gaming

    Are the Features on Expensive HDTVs Worth The Money?

    By Posted on 6.2.2009 6 Comments

    Yes indeed. The sticker shock you're experiencing usually does translate to better performance. The priciest TVs are full-HD 1080p (the highest resolution). Less-expensive 720p sets still deliver an outstanding picture, and most high-def TV service is 720p or 1080i, but 1080p is your best bet for watching Blu-ray movies and for smoother up-close viewing. Telltale measurements such as contrast ratio (the range of bright to dark colors — look for at least 3,000:1) and the refresh rate (which reduces motion blur) can also improve demonstrably as the price increases. A 60-hertz refresh rate is common, but 120 hertz provides smoother fast-action rendering for sports.

    6.2.2009 at 11:40am - Comment by beep213

    Do you want to know what i don't get? How are ads for HDTVs useful? If the ad shows you how amazing the HDTVs picture is wouldn't the picture only be as good as the TV you own?

  • The Environment

    Happy Earth Day! Videos, a Gallery, and Our Biggest Giveaway Yet

    By Posted on 4.22.2009 55 Comments

    Earth Day is a big deal here at PopSci. It's a time for admiring our incredible planet, and for giving back-- to the Earth, and to our readers (that means you). We've teamed up with the BBC to bring you a gallery of stunning images from the popular Planet Earth series, video clips (so you can appreciate the full affect), and our most extravagant giveaway yet.

    4.22.2009 at 11:59am - Comment by beep213

    Planet Earth is one of the greatest documentaries ever made. Happy earth day everyone!

  • Science

    A Conversation with Len Fisher

    By Laura Silver Posted on 1.15.2009 69 Comments

    Chances are you've played Rock, Paper, Scissors, but how do you calculate your strategy, if you have one at all? In Rock, Paper, Scissors: Game Theory in Everyday Life, physicist Len Fisher points out that putting yourself in your opponent's mindset is a key to success in the game.

    1.9.2009 at 11:36am - Comment by beep213

    I have not read the book so don't know if the book mentions why people choose rock first. I think the reason people choose rock usually is because unless someone has thought out what they are going to play before the game starts they might panic and choose what word comes to their mind first. Since in RPS you say rock first they might choose rock.



Download Our iPhone App

Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone with full articles, images and offline viewing



Follow Us On Twitter

Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed



Become a Fan On Facebook

Share links with friends, comment on stories and more


December 2009: Best of What's New

In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.

Check out the best of what's new here.

Popular Science Photo Pool


Share your photos in the Pop Sci pool at www.flickr.com!
tags_sprite.png
POP_embeddedForm_cover_May09.jpg