Western Digital WD TV Live Plus 1080p HD Media Player

Western Digital WDBABX0000NBK Network Audio/Video Player WDBABX0000NBK-NESN Network Media Players

Price: $129.99

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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Five-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy)

Can anything keep Captain Jack Sparrow down? Well, as long as Johnny Depp plays the offbeat pirate of the high seas, as he does in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the answer is "Not bloody likely, mate!" This fourth installment of the Pirates franchise is jolly good fun--nearly as good as the first one, in fact. The writing is crisp, the action amazing--and there's the addition of a foe finally the match of Captain Jack: Ian McShane as the dreaded, and dreadful, Blackbeard. McShane seems to be having as much fun as Depp, and that's saying something--channeling his dastardly character on Deadwood but keeping his epithets rated PG-13. Adding to the festivities is the winsome Penelope Cruz, as Angelica, a woman with a past entwined with Jack Sparrow's. Angelica now might be a fearsome pirate herself--or maybe just a cunning con artist tugging at Sparrow's heartstrings.

The action in On Stranger Tides centers on the quest to find the legendary Fountain of Youth in the Americas. But the plot, of course, is incidental in the Pirates films. From the earliest scenes, it's clear the action, and Depp's winking at the camera, are the stars. Captain Jack stages a giant food fight in front of the King of England, culminating in a chandelier scene worthy of The Phantom of the Opera, and he's off at a gallop. Along for the ride are previous cast members Geoffrey Rush (who's sold out and is now an unctuous representative of His Majesty's Navy); loyal sidekick Kevin McNally, who narrowly escapes a death sentence, and then celebrates by leaping on board Captain Jack's fraught mission; and Keith Richards as Jacky's dad, who speaks few words, but wise ones. There are even zombie pirates, and a mysterious mermaid. Pirates of the Caribbean isn't suitable for viewers under 8 or so, because it's dark and intense in spots, but otherwise, it's a rollicking good popcorn film. --A.T. Hurley

Price: $49.99

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How to Compare TV Packages: A New User's Guide to Digital Television

For many people it means switching over from basic TV services to freeview, but with plenty more choices available for TV, it's worth being clued up on just what digital means, and how the switchover is going to affect the way you watch television.

Digital TV offers a much more efficient way of watching television, although most of this 'efficiency' stuff actually happens on the tech level so you won't notice it from just turning on your television. What you will notice is that even the most basic digital service like freeview has a large number of channels available to choose from rather than the standard 5 that came with the analogue signal. This is because digital signals can be compressed - made smaller - which means more of them can be fit in the same amount of airspace. This extra space also means information can be transmitted much faster, which means additional services like EPGs (Electronic Program Guides) are also made possible by digital technology.

So, what are the benefits of digital television for the consumer? Well, first off, more channels equals more choice. This means that you've got a wider range of things to watch at all times, and it makes it easier to find reruns and repeats of your favourite shows, which means you don't always have to be around a specific time to make sure you catch an episode of a series you might be watching. It also means easier access to different types of entertainment; rather than having lots of variety channels like BBC 1 which offer different content, you can find dedicated comedy or dedicated film channels which makes browsing for something watch much easier.

Digital TV also offers a wider range of features overall, so you interact with programs such as quiz shows and shopping channels, access information through an on screen program guide which lets you know what each channel is broadcasting that day, and more. This level of interactivity also means digital TV offers much more choice for people with vision or hearing problems. Digital TV is also the only way you can pick up a HD signal, although currently there are no HD channels available on the basic Freeview service.

There are a number of different options available for digital television. You can go for a basic Freeview box for under ￡20 and never have to pay anything again, although many people are using the digital switchover as a reason to look into a more varied TV package. You can compare TV packages from all the big providers online, as well as taking a look at the advantages and disadvantages to use services like satellite and cable television. Digital is all about choice; if you want more, it's available to you and if you don't, then you can just grab a freeview box and never have to worry about it again.

Whether you want a brand new Sky HD box or you just want to see what your options are for the digital switchover, Digital Choices can answer your questions quickly and simply. If you're looking at switching to a new TV service but don't know the difference between a Sky plus box and a V plus service, Digital Choices is the website for you.

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