Archive for the 'Business/Consumer' Category

Toshiba 37AV500U — An Impressive 37″ LCD HDTV

If you’re looking for a straight forward, no nonsense TV…this is it. I’m an “open box” junkie. So when I noticed the price on this TV, I thought for sure it was included in that category. But the Toshiba 37AV500U is a new TV, not ready for the OB shelf.

Toshiba 37AV500U: not just a pretty face

Before purchasing a TV, I like to see them in action…side by side…mano a mano. I compared this one to a 37″ Regza and a 37″ LG (both also new). The Regza was about $100 more and the only difference I could find was an extra HDMI slot. The LG was also impressive, but it was almost $300 more.

Aside from being aesthetically pleasing with its glossy black thin bezel, the Toshiba’s picture is sharp…crisp. Black screens are black instead of gray. And you’d never know it was only 720p without reading it on the specs first. But given that it’s only 37 inches, the resolution is sufficient. So far, I’ve watched everything from CNBC (moving tickers) to movies to San Antonio Spurs games…all in HD. Videophiles worried about response times and lag commonly associated with LCDs will be pleased (I’m using the HDMI connection). And the SD channels actually come through really nice compared to other HDTVs. Finally, the SoundStrip speakers actually provide clear and rich sound up to a certain volume. I expected it to sound like an alarm clock. But for a home theater setup, you’ll want to add speakers.

I’d rate this TV is a solid 8.0 out of 10.0. What the 37AV500U does lack in features, it definitely makes up for in picture quality and overall value! Like I said…this TV is easy to use, easy to hook up, and easy on the eyes!

Popularity: 80% [?]

Be Kind. Review Within 24 Hours!

Are you kidding me? Apparently I’m a little behind the curve on this news. Last night, my DIRECTV DVR list included a message regarding the recording of Pay Per View movies to my DVR. The message reads as follows:

Effective April 15, 2008, DVR recordings of PPV movies will be available for 24 hours of unlimited viewing after purchase. Major movie studios have required that satellite and cable providers alike may no longer allow their customers to view these recordings for longer than 24 hours. During the 24 hour viewing period, you will continue to enjoy all of your DVR features such as pause and rewind.

Um. Why on earth would anyone purchase a movie and record it to their DVR when in the same timeframe, they could hit up Blockbuster Online or Netflix for a movie…and then keep that movie for days without late fees? Luckily the movies I have stored on my DVR already won’t be deleted.

I can see it now. No more fast forwarding through commercials.

Popularity: 82% [?]

Bear Stearns Takes It In The Vault After Conference Call

Bear Stearns president and CEO, Alan Schwartz, was recently noted as saying that the “liquidity position [of the securities firm] has not changed at all” on a recent CNBC appearance. The reaction to the rumors about the firm’s liquidity and ability to fund its business came only a day after the resignation of Bear Stearns Director, Henry S. Bienen.

The stock has been down by over 40% today, and it’s taking everyone down with it. During the conference call, one Bear Stearns executive discussed the reaction of its clients to the rumors.

A lot of people acted to protect themselves from the possibility of the rumors being true. The concerns on the part of counterparties, on the part of customers and lenders got to the point where a lot of people wanted to get cash out.

The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. Conference Call

More than half the value of Bear Stearns, about $8.9 billion, was wiped out over the last 3 months…about $6 billion in the blink of an eye today. The market obviously reacting to the New York Fed bailout.

JPMorgan is providing secured funding to Bear Stearns for 28 days, and those loans will in essence be insured by the Federal Reserve. Schwartz said this move will help “restore confidence in us in the marketplace, strengthen our liquidity and allow us to continue normal operations.” Many market experts believe Bear Stearns will be purchased within the next few days either by JPMorgan or some other bank…or by a foreign entity, which is least likely.

Jimmy Eats Wad
James Cayne, Bear Stearns Chairman, blew his wad of cash (on paper) after today’s tumble. Check this out.

Date	$ Per Share	Value
Jan 12, 2007	$171.51	$992 million
March 14, 2008	$30.00	$166 million

I guess losing $800 million bucks on paper would suck. Heck, I’ll take his $166 million if he doesn’t want it.

Popularity: 100% [?]

Now This Is Happening — Lindsay Lohan Photos Trump $100 Oil

$100 Oil! C’mon…say it with me! “$100 OIL!!!” The crude (not refined) stuff ended above $100 per barrel yesterday for the first time ever. $100.10 to be exact. It’s up about 4% so far this year. Looks like Trump put that call into OPEC! “Get those prices down…and I mean now!” (6:01). Stockpile speculation on crude oil for March delivery dropped to $99.11 per barrel in after-hours electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and traded at $99.30 at 1:50 p.m. in Singapore.

Not Jake Shimabukuro

Eat your heart out, Don Ho (R.I.P.). Jake Shimabukuro is better than you at the ukulele. Be sure to check out his recent performance on Conan O’Brien. It’s like Monte Montgomery at chipmunk speed. Pretty cool!

Lindsay Lohan’s mom, Dina, is ok with “LL”s nude photo shoot. The photos in New York Magazine are photographer Bert Stein’s recreation of his legendary 1962 nude shoot with Marilyn Monroe titled “The Last Sitting”. What a relief! I was waiting for Mrs. Lohan’s blessing before I checked those out. And by “those”, I mean her photos. If you’re at work, you might want to wait until you get home to see “those”.

Shaquille O’Neal will return to the hardwood tonight against his old crew, the Lakers. Shaq wasted no time talking Shmaq…calling out everyone from Kobe (of course) to Phil Jackson to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Shaq questioned Kareem’s lack of conversation and attention with regard to his place in the Lakers organization. Hey, Shaq. Hakim (see Game of Death) owns Kazaam.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Bummed About The Foreclosure Crisis?

Numerous buying opportunities have developed in the wake of the recent foreclosure crisis. Websites such as ForclosureRadar.com provide up-to-date information on every foreclosure opportunity available in California, including exclusive daily updates on every auction. However, the real beneficiaries of the increased foreclosure supply are the homeless.

Think about it. A newly foreclosed home may still have running water, electricity, and other working utilities. Finally! A way for the homeless to keep up with the Joneses…a shopping cart in every driveway. The foreclosure supply obviously varies from town to town. I know San Antonio isn’t nearly as bountiful as it is in Cleveland where this phenomena is taking place. There are an estimated 15,000 single-family homes vacant due to foreclosure in Cleveland and suburban Cuyahoga County.

“Many homeless people see the foreclosure crisis as an opportunity to find low-cost housing (FREE!) with some privacy,” Brian Davis, director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, said in the summary of the latest census of homeless sleeping outside in downtown Cleveland.

Unfortunately “privacy” may potentially translate into “crime”…drugs and prostitutes. Sorry, Hugh Grant. You’re about 12 years too late to take advantage of one of these safehouses. Present celebs take note! Cleveland is the place to be!

Courtesy AP via Yahoo! Finance.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Warren To Da Wescue!

Does it look like I’m bluffing, bitch?

While catching my recommended daily allowance of CNBC this morning, Becky Quick (aka. “Summer Teeth”) spoke with Warren Buffett about his offer to rescue bond insurers by providing re-insurance on up to $800 billion in municipal bonds. Via Berkshire Hathaway, the offer was extended to New York Superintendent of Insurance, Eric Dinallo, for his blessing. Subsequently, the offer was made last week to Ambac Financial (NYSE:ABK), MBIA (NYSE:MBI) and Financial Guaranty Insurance Co (FGIC). The plan would ensure that the bond insurer would be backed by Berkshire Hathaway in the event that the municipality and insurer both fail.

Buffett addressed the pricing disparity of these “14% bonds” versus Triple A-rated Treasuries below 4%, and added that the muni bond market appears as if it has “lost their Triple A…they’re trading as if they’re uninsured now.” The Buffett Bailout would certainly free up some capital for these bond insurers to deal with their CDO woes.

Apparently one of these firms has already rejected the plan. So, they’re probably gonna tank. Hey, Warren…I hear Latrell Sprewell is broke. Hook a brotha up!

Popularity: 24% [?]

Ford Will Drop 9,000…Then Add 26,000

Ford (NYSE: F) may eliminate another 9,000 U.S. factory jobs via buyouts and early-retirement offers. The company’s initial goal was to cut 8,000 jobs, but according to an article on Bloomberg.com, Ford won’t limit the number who leave if more than the target range of 8,000 to 9,000 opt for the offers. If Ford reaches its goal of eliminating 8,000 jobs, it will have cut 44% of its North American hourly jobs in three years.

Courtesy Autoblog.com

The good news? Ford will turn around and add 26,000 libs to its lineup. What happened to the whole “green” thing? The Alton Manufacturing F-650 XUV features a Caterpillar 7.2L C7 ACERT engine, hardwood floors, a few big screens, and triple train horns. And just to be sure you can make it around the block at least 3 times, it includes a 45-gallon fuel tank…all for about $200k. Somebody call Shaq! For those of you that don’t have $200k in dispoable income, do what my friend, Eddie, did. Buy a diesel Excursion, lift it, throw some 22s on that b!+c#, add some drop screens, and your own train horn (which is alot of fun, BTW)…and voila!

Popularity: 21% [?]

BlogRoll

• Milk Was A Bad Choice
• CrackBerry.com
• Stock Trading 101
• For The Love Of Sports
• Project Spurs
• Busted Coverage
• WallStreetFighter

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