That said, one of my purchases is a new TV. It's an HD digital TV with all kinds of inputs, including an iPod dock. My old TV is fine; in fact, it still works, and strictly speaking I didn't need to get rid of it. In fact, I hardly ever watch TV, opting instead for iTunes or Hulu. But then, that's where we get into the nebulous crossover between once-discrete media: computers and consumer electronics.
I had considered spending money to buy a computer for myself for school; perhaps a laptop with an inexpensive display, or an iMac. Having obtained a 13" Macbook for free, it was hard not to consider spending the money on other big ticket items. Why I didn't consider clothes - well, I did, and I did buy some new items this spring - I am not entirely sure. In any case, the jump from spending $200 for a computer display to twice that for a new television wasn't hard to make.
I bought a Panasonic Viera X-series 32" LCD display. It has 3 HDMI ports, which is a lot at this price point. It's 720p, which I am told is acceptable at this scree size. What gets me, however, sit he convergence of media. I can drop an SD card - the same kind I use in my Canon camera - and splash photos; the TV becomes a giant digital photo frame. I don't need this on my own, but when I entertain guests, it's kind of a neat way to quietly demonstrate my life (or something. I admit, it's weird).
The iPod interface is pretty neat. It works with my iPhone 3G, though I have to unlock it and enter my passcode first. Once in, the TV automatically switches to controls for the iPod. Using the TV remote, I can navigate a very un-Appleish interface to bring up music, videos, TV shows, whatever. Now, I could do the same with my laptop, and save myself the hassle of moving media to the phone; however, that would mean moving the laptop from its perch on my desk.
Truly, I am overmediated. I listen to music and podcasts more than anything else. I routinely complain of not having time to watch movies or read books or magazines. ALl the same, it's nice to have options. The only thing I can't do is watch actual television, because the digital antenna is a separate purchase.
