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July 24, 2005

The New TV Dinner

This last week we heard that Gerald Thomas, a C.A. Swanson & Sons executive, died. He was credited with inventing the TV Dinner and changing America's eating habits ever since. Now, the WSJ reports a new trend - flat panel televisions "prices have dropped precipitously, making such displays more popular" and replacing CD's music as background ambiance.

"In both homes and restaurants, televisions are being turned on -- not off -- once the first guests arrive. Café Europa, a Bethesda, Md., restaurant known more for its romantic atmosphere and Continental cuisine, recently installed a flat-panel TV above the fireplace in its lounge."

Ah, but beware for that same story recounts many evening entertainment disasters arising from this trend.

PRIVATE VIEWING
Not all homeowners want their television front and center in their living room. Below, some strategies for camouflaging even the thinnest displays.
Picture-frame cover Around $2,500 TV hides behind wood frame and artwork, which rolls up via remote-control signal to reveal display.
Motorized stand Around $3,500 Monitor is mounted on hydraulic stand and recedes into cabinet, chest or floor.
Front-projection system $750 to $65,000 Retractable screen (or bare white wall) displays images from a projector that can hide in floor or ceiling.
Two-way mirror TV $3,000 to $14,000 TV is hidden behind special glass that works as mirror when display is off and shows image when TV is on.
Source: WSJ
Posted by Martino Mingione on July 24, 2005 09:56 AM

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