HDTV Lounge

Cable operators are expected to significantly boost the rollout of high-definition set-top boxes in the near future, and Pali Research analyst Richard Greenfield wrote in a report last week that while the acceleration of new services is always encouraging, there is a down side as well. Greenfield wrote that virtually every cable chief technology officer at the National Show in Atlanta earlier this month expressed a desire to step up the HDTV rollout.

But Greenfield wrote that he fears that operators will de-emphasize the move to all-digital networks while they concentrate on rolling out more HDTV. That could pose problems in the future because of bandwidth constraints moving to all digital would free up more spectrum to add more HDTV channels.

“At the NCTA convention, we sense cable operators were not interested in even considering all-digital [forced conversion] until digital penetration exceeds 70%,” Greenfield wrote, noting that only one operator, Cablevision Systems Corp., is anywhere near that level of digital penetration.

“We continue to believe consumers who buy new HDTVs will migrate toward whichever mutlichannel provider offers them the deepest HD programming,” Greenfield wrote. “While the bundle will be an advantage for cable versus satellite it will not prevent churn if programming is noticeably better elsewhere [over the past decade MSOs failed to accurately 'read' early consumer demand for digital programming and DVRs relative to the satellite industry].”

The home theatre environment has certainly come a long way over the past 60 years. Back then, the typical home theatre experience involved the entire family huddled around a black and white analogue set in the living room, watching the same TV programme as every other person in the country. It certainly is an archaic concept to most of us nowadays when, thanks to recent technological advancements, we can enthusiastically devour cinema theatre-quality experiences in the comfort of our own private spaces.

Enter the HD experience

The advent of high definition (HD) technology has resulted in HD TVs becoming a feature of our domestic spaces. Fifteen per cent of homes in the United States have an HDTV, with numbers growing steadily. As the insatiable appetite for the HD experience grows, the consumer market is expanding from niche to mainstream. But misconceptions surrounding the technology and capabilities of the product still abound.

The misconceptions

As a manufacturer of HD DVD players, we understand about consumers’ desires to reap all the benefits their HDTV’s promise. Some of the most frequently asked questions are ‘What resolution should I choose from my DVD player that is best suited to my LCD TV?’, ‘Will 1080i work well on my TV?’, and ‘How can I get the best high definition resolution from my TV?’

We have also noticed some misconceptions that have come into play. One common mistake is to wrongly interpret HDTV specifications that read something like ‘This TV supports 720p and 1080i high definition video input’ as meaning that the HDTV will support 720p and 1080i resolutions. The truth is, very few HDTV screens have a ‘native’ resolution that can match 1080i.

The thing to note is that each LCD, plasma and DLP TV has its own native resolution. To answer the above questions therefore, we must first find out what the ‘native resolution’ of the TV is. Older-generation plasma TV screens, for example, only have a resolution of 852 x 480, while the new generation plasma TV screens have a higher resolution of 1024 x 1024.

Step 1
The video source will output a resolution signal that is different to the HDTV’s native resolution.

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DIRECTV Continues to Expand Local HD Programming; Names 14 New HD Markets; Local HD to be Available to Customers in 50 Markets, Representing More Than 65 Percent of U.S. Television Homes.

Continuing its drive to lead the industry in thedelivery of HDTV to consumers, DIRECTV named 14 more markets where itwill offer local HD programming later this year. When the markets areadded, DIRECTV will offer local HD programming in 50 majormetropolitan areas, representing more than 65 percent of U.S. TVhouseholds. The rollout is scheduled to begin in the third quarter.

Local news, sports and popular primetime programming from ABC,CBS, FOX and NBC will be available in HD to customers who subscribe toany TOTAL CHOICE(R) programming package that offers local channels.There is no additional charge for local HD programming.

The 14 local markets to receive HD programming from DIRECTVinclude:
– Cincinnati — Madison, Wis.
– Austin, Texas — Memphis, Tenn.
– Albuquerque, N.M. — Portland, Maine
– Grand Rapids, Mich. — Portland, Ore.
– Green Bay, Wis. — Providence, R.I.
– Greensboro, N.C. — Reno, Nev.
– Las Vegas — San Antonio

“With the rollout of each new HD market, DIRECTV continues toaffirm its commitment to hold the competitive high ground in HDprogramming,” said Dan Fawcett, executive vice president, DIRECTV,Inc. “Our local HD expansion will continue through next year when weexpect to offer access to the crystal-clear picture and sound of localHD programming to nearly every household in the nation.”

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The Seura Television Mirror provides you with an HDTV LCD display that “hides” behind a bathroom mirror, projecting its picture onto the mirror’s surface. The TV Mirror is available in a variety of varying screen sizes (from 26 to 45 inches) and can either be recessed or easily retrofit with a surface mount unit. It comes fully loaded with a CableCARD enabled HD tuner and 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Whenever the HDTV is off, the display is completely hidden. You are even able to choose from a number of optional fancy frames, that help to further disguise the HDTV’s LCD picture display.

The Seura Television Mirror is expected to hit the market in the next several months, though no pricing is available yet.

Akimbo, a VOD (video on demand) provider will begin offering select titles from HDNet’s extensive library for prices beginning at $9.95 per month.

In order to receive Akimbo’s service, you may either purchase their set-top box ($69.99) or subscribe through a PC running the Windows XP Media Center Edition. You can also use a peripheral “Media Center Extender” such as XBox. As long as you have one of the three afore mentioned receivers connected to a high speed network along with a display source, you’re ready to receive Akimbo’s HD content.

Currently there are well over 100 channels and 8000 programs available through Akimbo, covering every viewing category: full length features, sports programming, documentaries, music videos, travel videos and TV series. Much like basic cable TV, some of the programming included with Akimbo’s HD service is free.

Premium programming offers subscribers a number of options that can be easily tailored to their specific viewing needs. Users can subscribe to specific channels for between $6.99 and $9.99 per month, or only view specific programming on an as needed basis for $0.99 to $2.99 per viewing period. Viewing periods differ, but range anywhere from 7 to 30 days. Some programming is even available for an unlimited amount of time. After choosing your desired program, the material is downloaded to either your Akimbo player or the hard drive of your computer. Programming may be easily played, paused, fast forwarded or rewound during viewing.

Akimbo’s HDTV “custom programming” is a great option for HDTV lovers and, unlike typical cable programming, allows you to really personalize and customize your option according to your own viewing needs.
Source: http://www.hidefster.com/HDTV_blog

Hitachi is spearheading its latest campaign to promote its new TV range with giant posters spread across London.

The company is using Ocean’s 9 x 9 metre backlit sites at Aldgate, The East Cross route and St Paul’s Church Hammersmith to promote the range, which is equipped for High Definition TV.

The campaign, which uses the tagline “Japan’s best kept secret”, will run for the next two weeks in a poster campaign that also includes 96 sheets, 48 sheets and digital escalator panels.
Banner Ad

Creative and media are being handled by the Banner Corporation, which is running its first campaign for Hitachi since winning the account earlier this year. The poster specialist is Kinetic.

The outdoor push is running alongside Hitachi’s pan-European corporate brand advertising campaign using the strapline “Hitachi’s technology and know-how improves your life”. The drive encompasses TV, press and online.

In preparation for its transition to HDTV next year, Alabama Public Television (APT) took delivery of three Hitachi SK-3010P HDTV cameras, which they began using in March for a multitude of high-quality, local television broadcasts.

Since last month, APT has gone on-air with the cameras to broadcast several, local live in-studio programs in Montgomery, including a nightly live news and public affairs program; a 30-minute weekly legislative show; and on-air membership pledge drives, which are broadcast three times a year.

APT’s network operations are based in Birmingham, with nine local PBS stations throughout the state.

“The SK-series of HDTV cameras are world-renowned, high-performance studio and field production cameras. Advanced digital signal processing and Hitachi’s expertise in camera design provide pristine picture quality in both HD and SD,” said Emilio Aleman, Product Manager, Broadcast & Professional, Hitachi Kokusai Electric America, Ltd. “The ease of use, intuitive interface and overall ‘bang-for-the-buck’ are the primary reasons why APT and other users are so satisfied with our SK-3010p HDTV cameras.”

“Our purchase of Hitachi’s SK-3010P HDTV cameras allows us to easily continue our digital upgrade and eventual transition to full HD integration by next year,” said Harvey Wilson, Assistant Director of Broadcast Services, APT. “Our goal is to produce more local programs in HD, and the new Hitachi cameras start us on our way. We’ve been very pleased with the service from Hitachi. Richard Melton, a local Hitachi representative, has been working closely with us to put the cameras into our network’s production system.”

APT’s transition to HD will also include selecting an HD production switcher and other peripheral equipment for production control. APT currently has an HD non-linear editing system, enabling efficient field production, and is also using three HD cameras in the field.

Hitachi’s SK-3010p series cameras now offer 720p and 1080/24p native scan video output formats. For its 1080i/60 cameras, optional down-converted 720p and 480i video outputs are provided from its camera control unit (CCU).

The SK-3010p is deliverable now and ranges in price from $85,000 to $105,000, depending on the system configuration.

Q: Many agree that HDTV shows up best using an antenna. However, many people do not have a TV with a built-in HD tuner, so they cannot enjoy the antenna broadcast and must pay for some set-top box that deteriorates the picture. Also, I’ve found that with antenna digital tuning the picture is either great or not good at all — unlike antenna analog tuning, which varies all over the place.

A: It’s easy to add an HDTV receiver to a set that doesn’t have one. And it’s not expensive. RadioShack, for instance, sells an HDTV receiver for $69.97. Just ask for the RadioShack HDTV Receiver with HDMI Output Jack, Model: HTS 6000, catalog number 16-3499. I’m not recommending for or against that receiver, just using it as an example of a serviceable receiver for a low cost.

A Web search for HDTV receivers will turn up dozens of models. And some experts believe it’s smart to buy a set with a separate receiver. That way, as advances in the technology are made, you can simply replace the receiver without the need to buy a new set. I’m neutral on that issue — my HDTV does have a built-in tuner — but the argument is a good one.

I’ve found that even inexpensive digital receivers, just because of the nature of digital transmissions, do a fine job.

Source: AJC.Com Business

BUY SMART | Plasma screens. Flat panels. High definition. With a dizzying array of choices, here are factors - from price to size - you need to know to decide which television is right for you.

The future is here. And it’s expensive and complicated.

But don’t let the shock of buying a new television throw you. By keeping some basic principles in mind you can walk into that big-box electronics retailer ready to make a smart decision.

“It’s not like buying your grandfather’s TV anymore,” says Jim Barry, spokesman for the Consumer Electronics Association. “It’s a new digital age.”

Manufacturers are constantly introducing new and improved sets. That makes it hard to pin down a perfect price, though for about $1,000 you should be able to buy at least a 42-inch high-definition TV, or HDTV, that will last a long time.

Barry says the first task is thinking about how you use your current TV and what you want do with a new set.

You also must consider the size of the room you plan to put your TV in. A 30-inch, flat-panel display might be big enough for a small room, or too small for a large family room.

The next TV you buy will most likely be digital. Manufacturers are phasing out analog sets, and the federal government has required all stations to switch to digital broadcasts by April 7, 2009. “The good news is digital takes out the ghosts and the snow,” Barry says. Still, even a small set will cost more than $100.

Remember, not all digital TVs are high-definition, though all high-def TVs are digital. HD refers to the set’s resolution and screen.

WORDS TO KNOW

Here are some key issues to be aware of when buying:

HDTV|There are HDTV monitors, or “HD-ready” sets, which means they can display HDTV through the use of an external tuner, such as a cable or satellite set-top box. These TVs are generally cheaper than Integrated HDTVs, which have the tuner built in.

RECEPTION| You don’t need to have cable or satellite TV or a plasma or LCD set to watch HDTV channels. People who shun pay TV can watch local and network programs (KUSA-Channel 9 News or “Desperate Housewives”) on any HD set by purchasing an off-air HD antenna, which costs about $50.

FLAT PANELS| A third fuzzy area for many buyers is what to look for in a flat-panel display. Flat panels are popular for their sleek, thin look. They come in plasma and LCD versions, though Barry says many shoppers incorrectly assume that all flat-screen TVs are plasmas.

PLASMA AND MORE| The smallest plasmas are no less than 37 inches, according to CNET.com’s HDTV guide. The other most popular flat panel - LCD, or liquid crystal displays - use liquid crystals on a backlight within the set to illuminate and generate images. They’re popular because they come in sizes smaller than 37 inches and can fit almost anywhere. You will also see flat-screen sets called DLP (Digital Light Processing), and LcoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon); all are fast replacing the traditional cathode-ray tube (CRT) sets. Some CRT sets, though, do come in high-def versions.

LIGHTING| Another consideration is the room’s lighting. The type of HDTV you buy should be determined by the “daytime lighting in the room you’ll be watching” TV in, says Philip Garvin, general manager and co-founder of HDNet, a Denver-based network consisting of all high-definition programs.

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Voom HD is the little network that’s trying hard to push high-definition programming to the masses.

At one point they were struggling to get channel space, until EchoStar — the folks behind DISH Network — purchased a large stake in the company. Now a few months later Voom finds itself in a stronger position and recently announced the launch of 15 new HD channels that take niche content to new levels.

The new offerings include channels devoted to horror films, martial arts, video gaming and a live-music showcase. And the service is one of only a handful to broadcast in 100-percent high definition 24/7.

Last week UPI interviewed Greg Moyer, the general manager of VOOM HD NETWORKS, which produces content exclusively in HD for distribution in the United States through satellite and cable operators.

Q. How did you end up at Voom?

A. I was one of the earliest people at the Discovery Channel, and was 18th employer hired. In 1999 I moved to New York to take a job with Rainbow Media. What I enjoyed the most about Discovery was that I was able to travel the world to get great content. Voom gives me the sense of being on the cutting edge of technology and content. HD is as revolutionary as the introduction of color to the experience of watching television.

Q. About five years ago, this correspondent purchased a beautiful HDTV set, but there was no content available for it and to this day I have yet to actually watch anything in HD on it.

A. The actual sale of the sets outpaced the available content. This showed that people did want the larger sets with the wide angle screens and flat panel displays. They wanted the whole appearance and high performance of the sets but very little programming made. And still today, there isn’t much content available for HDTV, that’s why Voom HD is entering the market with so many different HD channels at one time. There aren’t enough dependable sources of HD content.

Q. Which goes to my question of who is silly enough (besides me) to purchase an HD set at this stage? Do you think the delay of available content is impacting the sale of HD sets?

A. I think the reason hasn’t been more HD content is that program producers don’t have a unique HD revenue stream that would justify them converting from standard definition to HD production. Broadcasters have a firm federal mandate to upgrade their equipment to digital by 2009. If it was up to them they would stay with their current equipment until it broke. They aren’t getting any more money from advertisers because they are putting out an HD signal. So, it was all expense without any revenue. Cable networks like Discovery was very friendly to HD because it’s visually driven, but even then they weren’t making any money off their programming, other than getting a little from the cable networks to be part of their HD tier of service.
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