3D TV sets work in somewhat theewhat the way, one way or another they transmit two special images to your eyes in a very precise way that it knows your brain will alter the incoming image into 3D after processing it.

Tricking the brain like this is no easy task, and for for some time now the simple and cheap technology was to wear colored glasses that had a large drawback of limiting the number of colors that you could enjoy a movie in.

Today, bigger TV manufactures such as Sony have improved on the process that with shutter glasses the full spectrum of colors can be enjoyed. Panasonic is one of the manufactures that has manufactured an auto stereoscope system that will make it possibleke it possible make 3D viewing possible without the need of uncomfortable glasses at all.

All in all, the 3D TV industry is still in its first phase, but many leading companies are investing seriously into it in hopes that it will be the next big business. If movies such as Avatar are anything to go by, the chances of success are pretty extreme. Now it is up to the industry to improve technology and make it less of a burden, reduce prices, and generate enough content through 3D games, 3D movies, 3D episodes of popular series, and 3D TV channels.

A. Do you have plans of using the fireplace after installation? If yes, then continue to reading this guide to learn if you would want to install your TV above your fireplace. On the other hand, if your answer is no, you are able to have your TV installation above your fireplace as long as the wall can support the weight of the TV and wall mount.

B. Use a thermometer above your fireplace on a mantel where you’re going to install your TV. Get your fire going in full blaze for a fair amount of time, if it does not get to or above the TV manufacturer’s heat level recommendation, then you are good to proceed with your TV installation . If you do not have a thermometer, get your fireplace blazing hot then touch the wall above it to see if it’s warm. If it’s too hot to touch, then you do not install your TV there.

C. Another consideration aside from heat above the fireplace willthe mantel wall, you’ll need to know if the facade has brick that is actually a part of your chimney. If it is a part of your chimney, if you’ve done a heat test, it should be hot. Most homes built from the 70’s have facades. If your fireplace has brick facade, heat is forced to small smoke stack that’s insulated from heating the surrounding walls. This chould protect you from chipping paints and drywalls from totally deteriorating.

D. When you are not sure, call a professional who is able to determine if you are able hang your TV above your fireplace. HD installers have installed more TVs above the fireplace from any other companies in the Toronto area. Most of the time you can put an LCD TV above a fireplace, however, HD installers will not install big screen TVs once they determine that it is unsafe and will damage the TV.

Yes, reality TV. It is the biggest thing on television since, well, since real TV. You have to give the first person credit who thought even for a moment that anybody would spend a half hour or an hour of their time sitting in front of their television watching a bunch of nobodies doing just about anything and everything, from singing to eating bugs. Most of these people have drifted into obscurity but there have been a few who have become very popular and there names will always be known to millions of people around the world.

One of these such people is a gentleman by the name of Richard Hatch. In case you have been living in a cave and don’t recognize the name, which is doubtful, Hatch was the original survivor of the show by that name. He has since gone on to tour the world as a spokesperson and motivational speaker. Ever hear of a show called “Entertainment Tonight?” Of course you have. Well, Hatch has worked as a correspondent for that show. He did this for the “Early Show” as well and if that isn’t enough, he appeared as a guest star on the hit comedy “Becker”. He still runs his own business as a corporate trainer and a consultant, but he is probably one of the most popular real people celebrities that ever was and will ever be.

But don’t think the reality craze ends with Richard Hatch because it doesn’t. During the 2004 season of American Idol two singers went into the final round as the two most popular finalists in American Idol history. Their names were Ruben Stoddard and Clay Aiken. Going into the last week it was a toss up as to who was going to actually be the next American Idol. Eventually Stoddard was named the next American Idol. And while he did achieve a level of popularity, he never did match the popularity of clean cut boy Aiken who went on to guest at many events including parades and ultimately at Dick Clark’s “Rockin’ New Year’s Eve”. Aiken has since become an ambassador to UNICEF and has pretty much dropped out of the show biz arena. But during his time as an American Idol runner up, nobody was more popular than Clay Aiken.

These are just a couple of the many “stars” who have come about because of reality television. As of this writing another American Idol winner is just a week away. Will this person become the next Richard Hatch or Clay Aiken? Or will the runner up become the more popular? Or will they both just drift into obscurity?

Only time will tell.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Celebrities