Which High-Definition TV offers the best picture?
Answer: Plasma.
Well, according to the readers of TVPredictions.com.
In an online poll conducted over the last 24 hours, 35 percent of 931 respondents said a Plasma set delivers the best HDTV picture.
Thirty-three percent said a LCD HDTV has the best picture while 27 percent said a DLP rear projection set offers the best high-def images.
Five percent said the HD picture is the same on all the sets.
The poll is not scientific. But Plasma's narrow margin of victory is evidence of the uncertainty in the marketplace over which High-Definition sets are the best performers. Many people vigorously argue that one set's technology is better than another.
The flat-screen war between Plasma and LCD is the scene of most battles. Most industry observers say Plasma looks better in a darker setting while LCD fares better in well lit areas. But even that contention is disputed by some.
However, everyone seems to agree that HDTV -- regardless of which set you own -- looks better than what we all watched before.
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We have started a poll asking the question everyone wants answered:
Which HDTV has the best picture?
Your choices:
LCD
Plasma
DLP
None of the above; they are all the same.
To cast your vote, click Poll
Then, come back here and offer your comments!
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Time Warner Gets Versus HD Rights
But a spokesman says it's up to each system to add it.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 9, 2007) -- Time Warner Cable has obtained the rights to broadcast the Versus/Golf channel in High-Definition.
However, Mark Harrad, a Time Warner spokesman, says it's up to the individual Time Warner system whether to add the high-def channel.
Versus/Golf, which is owned by Comcast, carries National Hockey League games and some golf tournaments in HD. The network will broadcast NHL playoff games in high-def.
Harrad says he does not know which (if any) local Time Warner systems have added the HD channel.
"We do have the rights to carry Versus in HD," Harrad says. "I do not have information here regarding which divisions have added that to their line-up and which have not at this point in time. It's up to the divisions. Generally, we try to add as much HD programming as possible, but there has to be channels available on the appropriate tier and the channel line-ups differ from division to division."
With the NHL playoffs beginning this week, several Time Warner subscribers have contacted TVPredictions.com asking if the high-def Versus/Golf will be added.
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Porn Will NOT Determine HDTV DVD War
The industry has changed since adult films influenced the outcome of the Beta vs. VHS battle.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 9, 2007) -- Reuters is reporting this week that the adult film industry could determine the winner in the Blu-ray-HD-DVD high-def DVD war.
Noting that the porn industry sided with VHS over Beta in the 1980s, the wire service quotes industry observers as saying it could happen again with some large adult studios leaning to HD-DVD.
"If the porn industry wanted to break the logjam of HD-DVD and Blu-ray, it could," Forrester Research's James Mr McQuivey tells Reuters. "If they said 'We are going to go with HD-DVD' you would see a few million homes immediately go out and buy HD-DVD players. They have that power."
Actually, they don't. For two reasons:
1. Different Times
While porn clearly helped VHS defeat Beta, the adult business has undergone a dramatic change over the last two decades, lessening its possible impact on the HDTV DVD war.
In the 1980s, the advent of home video revolutionized the adult industry. Rather than crawling into a dank movie theater, adult fans for the first time could watch their favorite performers in the privacy of their homes. Consequently, they rushed out to buy VCRs, and videotapes, by the millions. With more films available in VHS, the impact on the format war was enormous
But now, the Internet has made porn immediate and varied. People can watch anything they want, whenever they want. Although Net video is not in high-def, it's hard to imagine millions of adult fans rushing out to buy a HDTV DVD player just to get a clearer picture. Some, perhaps, but not enough to impact the format war.
2. Different War
The Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD war is also quite different from the Beta-VHS battle. Videotape was the only way to watch movies at home in the 1980s, but now consumers can watch videotape, standard DVDs, premium movie channels and dozens of basic cable movie channels on cable and satellite. And some of those channels broadcast movies in high-def.
So, it's less likely that the HDTV DVD industry will grow at nearly the same pace as videotape in the 1980s. This lessens the possible impact that any one industry sector will have on the war.
Additionally, in the Reuters story, some executives say that Blu-ray is making it difficult for adult studios to make copies of their films in the format. They suggest this will give HD-DVD an edge.
But Blu-ray has the backing of seven of the eight major non-porn studios while HD-DVD has just four. Any advantage that HD-DVD would have in the porn industry is more than offset by Blu-ray's strength in the traditional film world.
So while it may be fashionable to repeat the theory that porn will once again determine a DVD format war, this time it's not true.
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Which TV provider will have the most High-Definition TV channels at the end of the year?
The answer: DIRECTV, according to the readers of TVPredictions.com.
TVPredictions.com conducted an online poll over the weekend, asking the question: "On January 1, 2008, Who Will Have More HDTV Channels?"
The choices were:
1. My cable TV service
2. DIRECTV
3. EchoStar
4. All will have roughly the same number.
Approximately 57 percent of our readers said DIRECTV will carry the most high-def channels at year's end.
Twenty percent said all TV providers will have roughly the same number. Seventeen percent said EchoStar would have the most while six percent said their local cable TV operator would offer the highest number of HD channels.
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Celebrities In HD: You're So Vain
TV's top talent is evading the ultra-clear HD lens with some new tricks of the trade.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 7, 2007) -- "You're so vain; you probably think this story is about you."
I'm paraphrasing a lyric from the Carly Simon tune, You're So Vain, which supposedly described the narcissistic behavior of a certain celebrity. However, the lyric could easily apply to many of today's TV broadcasters and primetime stars.
Apparently scared silly by the introduction of High-Definition TV, which is so clear that it can expose the smallest facial flaw, some TV stars are now hiding behind special camera filters and other tricks of the trade.
The effect is to soften the realistic HD image so the on-air talent will look younger and appear to have fewer facial imperfections.
While network officials won't speak publicly about the trend, one high-ranking ABC executive tells TVPredictions.com that it's not anything new.
"For years, we've softened the image for certain performers," the executive said in an e-mail interview. "To do so in HD is just a continuation of that."
To protect the talent, the networks are using a new makeup application called airbrushing -- and new specially-made HD camera filters. Tiffen, one maker of the new filter, says it will definitely do the trick.
"This is the filter of choice for making people look great without evidence of filtration," the company says at its web site.
However, the decision to put the stars' image ahead of the image seen by viewers is upsetting many high-def owners who are expecting the sharpest picture possible for their investment.
For instance, NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams began broadcasting in high-def last month and HD owners began complaining immediately that the network was using a filter to make the anchor look better.
"I think NBC has hired Loretta Young's cinematographer," said one poster at the TVPredictions.com Reader Forum.
He was referring to the actress who only appeared in soft focus during her 1950s NBC primetime program, The Loretta Young Show.
"I was frustrated and disappointed," the poster added. "Come on, NBC, get real."
If Williams is hiding behind a camera filter, he's not alone. Meredith Vieira looks like a different person depending upon which lens she is viewed through during the HDTV broadcast of NBC's The Today Show.
When Vieira is shown in the studio, she looks 10 years younger than she does when the cameras swing outside for segments in front of 30 Rock. Apparently, the network is not using the filters on the outdoor HD cameras.
Diane Sawyer, the 61-year-old hostess of Good Morning America on ABC, seems to get the same favorable camera filtering during her program, which is also in HD.
But it's not just TV newscasters. Many primetime stars, such as Blythe Danner, who appeared on Showtime's Huff, are also freaking out over high-def and asking for help.
"I wasn't terribly conscious of it until we did Huff and they used this dreadful High-Definition which makes anybody over 50 look as if they are 80," says the 63-year-old actress. "So, I got very self-conscious about that. Yes, we all get a little help, a little bit of this or that, not tremendous amounts. There were some shots on Huff I was just appalled by. I don't think I am terribly narcissistic, but you don't want to look your worst."
Vanessa Williams, star of Ugly Betty on ABC, is no Ugly Betty in high-def or not. But the former Miss America is also complaining loudly about high-def's all-too-clear picture.
"It's horrifying," Williams, 43, tells CelebrityWeek.com, an online entertainment site. "My brother had (HDTV). I remember him being really excited about it -- and you could see every pore, every hair, every line on the actress’s face."
It's not known if Ms. Williams' cameras are filtered during the show.
Even today's top adult stars are asking for a little assistance when filmed in HD. Jesse Jane, star of such films as Pirates, told HDNet World Report recently that she was getting breast surgery to look better in high-def.
It's unclear where all this will go. High-def owners are demanding the sharpest pictures possible while the celebrities will likely increase their calls for more high-tech camouflage.
"Boy, I'm not a fan of HD personally. I'd like some Barbra Streisand gauze...I want the Barbara Walters soft-focus," Pat Sajak, host of Wheel of Fortune, which is produced in high-def., tells iVillage. " I want low-def. Low, lower and lowest def."
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From today's Ask Swanni:
Q. I have EchoStar and I keep hearing about DIRECTV adding all these new HD channels. Should I switch? -- Dennis A.
Well, you first might want to consider that EchoStar's Dish Network now has more national HD channels (31) than any other TV provider, including DIRECTV. A bird in the hand, you know. And don't underestimate EchoStar. While DIRECTV says it will have 100 national HD channels by year's end (including sports packages), EchoStar may have more than you think. We'll see at the end of the year.
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Cable Will Keep Extra Innings; HDTV Expected
But EchoStar could be left out of the game.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 5, 2007) -- Major League Baseball has agreed to a deal that will let cable TV operators carry its 'Extra Innings' package.
Comcast, Cox and Time Warner say they will carry the package, which includes up to 60 out of market games a week. Other cable operators are likely to announce their plans in the next few days.
However, less clear is whether EchoStar subscribers will have access to the package.
High-Definition plans were also not immediately known, but cable operators have previously shown some Extra Innings games in HD on INHD, which is owned by In Demand, the cable group that negotiated the new deal with the league.
MLB and DIRECTV signed an agreement last month that said the satcaster could have Extra Innings exclusively if other TV providers did not match the offer by last Saturday. (The satcaster plans to show most of the games in High-Definition by 2008.)
However, under pressure from congressional leaders, MLB agreed to extend negotiations with other TV providers past the Saturday deadline. In Demand and the league announced the new agreement last night.
As part of the deal, cable TV's top systems and DIRECTV, will carry MLB's Baseball Channel when it launches in 2009. In Demand, which is owned by Comcast, Cox and Time Warner, agreed that the cable operators would offer the channel to 80 percent of its digital cable subscribers.
That provision means that roughly 40 million cable and satellite viewers will have access to the Baseball Channel in 2009.
In Demand and DIRECTV will also both have an equity stake in the new channel.
"Our chief goal throughout the process was to ensure that fans would have access to as many baseball games and as much baseball coverage as possible," MLB President Bob DuPuy said in a statement. "With this agreement, the MLB Channel will launch with an unprecedented platform."
Rob Jacobson, president of In Demand, echoed that sentiment:
"We couldn't be happier that we have reached an agreement with Major League Baseball and are able to make these games available to baseball fans as we have for the past five years," he said.
DIRECTV issued a statement saying it was pleased that the cable agreement will provide the satcaster with "unique financial benefits." However, DIRECTV now loses the exclusive rights to the Extra Innings package.
A MLB spokesman said the league would continue to negotiate with satcaster EchoStar, according to the Associated Press. But DIRECTV said it expected to be the exclusive satellite carrier of the package.
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Every day, readers ask me when their TV provider will add one HDTV channel or another. They can't understand why Comcast, DIRECTV, EchoStar, Time Warner -- and every other TV service -- seems to refuse to add their personal favorites.
So, folks, here's your chance to shout off which channels you would like to see your satellite or cable provider add.
If you could require your TV provider to add just one HDTV channel, which one would it be -- and why?
Cable and satellite executives read this Forum so this is a great opportunity to make your voice heard.
So, which HDTV channel would you like to see added?
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Fox: Baseball In HD Not 'Scaled Back'
The network says "most" games will be in high-def.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 3, 2007) -- Fox Sports today denied reports that it's reducing the number of Saturday afternoon baseball games in High-Definition.
Fox will broadcast three Major League Baseball games every Saturday afternoon, starting this week.
Dan Bell, a Fox Sports spokesman, told TVPredictions.com today that the premiere game will always be in high-def and many of the "second" games will be as well.
"There is no scaling back," Bell said.
Fox Sports announced in February that "most" of the Saturday games would be in high-def. Bell said that description still applies.
"We never put a number on the games that would be in high-def," he said. "But most of the games will be in HD."
Rumors circulated last week that Fox was reducing the number of high-def games when an online guide posted a note saying that Fox was 'scaling back' its coverage due to insufficient HD production truck availability.
The report was quickly picked by some gadget blogs and message boards.
However, Bell said that some apparently misinterpreted the network's original announcement.
"We said most games, not all," he said. "The goal is to have all, but we will have most."
Fox's triple-header coverage begins this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET with the New York Mets playing the Atlanta Braves; the Minnesota Twins vs. the Chicago White Sox; and the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers-Giants game will be in high-def.
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Only 3 Baseball Teams Not In Local HD
The Nats, O's and Royals are not broadcast locally in high-def.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 3, 2007) -- Major League Baseball's 2007 season has begun and it's a Home Run for most High-Definition TV viewers.
According to a TVPredictions.com study, 27 of the 30 Major League Baseball teams can be seen this season in high-def on local or regional sports channels.
The remaining holdouts: The Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals, which are carried locally by the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), and the Kansas City Royals, which is broadcast by the team-held Royals Sports Television Network (RSTN).
The Orioles were available locally in high-def last season when their games were carried by Comcast Sports Net. However, MASN, which is owned by Oriole owner Peter Angelos, now has the rights.
MASN also got the rights to the Nats' games as a concession when the league decided to move the Montreal Expos to Washington D.C. prior to the 2005 season.
The Royals next year will be carried by Fox Sports Midwest, which is expected to show their games in high-def.
However, MASN has told several publications, including TVPredictions.com, that it is uncertain when it will begin broadcasting in HD.
Of the 27 teams that will broadcast locally in high-def this year, all have announced HD schedules except for the Milwaukee Brewers, whose games can be seen on Fox Sports North. However, the regional sports channel is expected to carry some Brewer games this year in HD.
Fox and ESPN will also carry dozens of national broadcasts of MLB games in high-def this season.
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The 'Mad' Mystery of the HDTV Basketball Blur
High-def sleuths in Kentucky investigate why the picture breaks up during March Madness.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 2, 2007) -- When Ohio State's Greg Oden jumps for a rebound in tonight's NCAA college basketball championship, HD viewers in Kentucky say their picture will likely "break up" or become blurry.
And it won't be the first time. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the picture distortions have been trying March Madness fans mad during tournament action.
"People have asked us about the TVs: 'Is there something wrong with my television' 'Is there something wrong with our cables?'" Tony Spires, a local electronics retailer, tells the newspaper. "We just have to do a lot of explaining."
High-def sleuths in Kentucky are pointing to everything from the local CBS station's (WKYT) decision to divide its signal into three channels (called, "multicasting") to CBS' source feed to the transmission of the local cable and satellite providers.
Regardless of the problem's cause, Spires says the picture break-up "can be really annoying."
Picture break-up, or sudden blurring, is not uncommon to high-def viewers in any area, particularly during sports broadcasts which feature sudden movement. (This reporter, in fact, has noticed occasional break-up during DIRECTV's broadcast of this year's Madness games; however, Comcast, my local cable operator, has not had the same problem.)
The distortions can be caused by a variety of factors (including the ones stated above).
But the Herald-Leader reports that WKYT's break-ups during March Madness games are a special case.
The newspaper reports that WKYT, the CBS affiliate in the greater Lexington area, which is broadcasting the NCAA tournament in high-def. airs three digital channels: the CBS feed; a 24-hour weather channel, and a feed from the CW network.
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DIRECTV to Test VOD; Will Include HD Movies
Full service expected to roll out in July.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2007) -- DIRECTV says it will begin testing its Video on Demand service this month and it will include High-Definition movies.
That's according to a report in Multichannel News.
TVPredictions.com reported last year that DIRECTV was preparing an on-demand service that would include high-def. But the satcaster has been uncertain about launch dates.
Multichannel News writes that DIRECTV plans to roll out the on-demand service in July after the initial testing, which begins this month. The publication did not report whether the testing would take place in consumer homes or employee homes.
The VOD service will be available via Broadband lines connected to DIRECTV's HD DVRs.
The satcaster says it has signed about 12 networks to offer dedicated on-demand channels, including the Food Network and Discovery Channel.
In addition, 2,000 movies will be available on demand, many of which will be in high-def.
DIRECTV is hoping the VOD offering will counter cable TV's On Demand lineup, which includes thousands of hours of programming.
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Reader Poll: Blu-ray Will Win
The high-def DVD format trounces its rival HD-DVD in an online survey.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2007) -- Sony's Blu-ray will be the ultimate victor in the HDTV DVD format war against Toshiba's HD-DVD.
So says an online reader poll conducted by TVPredictions.com.
The poll, which was posted Friday, asked: "Who Will Win the HDTV DVD War?"
Sixty-five percent of poll respondents said they thought Blu-ray would win. Twenty-one percent said HD-DVD would emerge victorious. And roughly 14 percent said neither format would win. (725 readers of TVPredictions.com participated in the poll.)
While not scientific, the poll reflects a growing consensus that Blu-ray now has the momentum. Blu-ray disc sales have outpaced HD-DVD by about 2-1 over the last two months.
However, Toshiba is firing back with the release of several new titles -- and it has just cut the price of its entry-level player to $399.
Blu-ray has the exclusive backing of four major film studios while HD-DVD has just one (Universal) supporting it exclusively. This has given Blu-ray more titles and bigger-name films.
Sony said last week that it has shipped 100,000 Blu-ray copies of Casino Royale.
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Is Microsoft Retreating From HD-DVD?
Company may be sending signals that it's hedging its bets in the format war.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 30, 2007) -- Microsoft has arguably been the leading supporter of the HD-DVD format, other than Toshiba, the company behind the technology.
The software titan has added a $199 HD-DVD attachment drive for its XBox 360 video game console and it even has an employee (Kevin Collins) with the title, "Director of HD-DVD Evangelism."
However, in the last week, Microsoft has taken steps that have led some to speculate whether it's hedging its bets in the Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD high-def disc war.
First, Microsoft unveiled its new XBox 360 Elite game console that can play high-def movies downloaded from the XBox Live Marketplace.
However, the console, which will be available next month for $479, does not include a HD-DVD player, unlike Sony's PlayStation 3, which has a Blu-ray player inside.
With a price tag comparable to PS3's entry point of $499, it's surprising that Microsoft also did not match Sony's high-def player feature.
The omission might seem unimportant if Microsoft Europe's senior regional director did not make some news this week as well.
In an interview with GamesIndustry.Biz, Neil Thompson discounted the progress of the high-def disc market, but left open the possibility that XBox 360 could support Blu-ray at some point.
“I’m not sure the market has moved to High Definition (movies) yet,” Thompson said. “And if and when it does, then the way that we’ve constructed the offering we’ve made means we’ll be able to go whichever way we want.”
Presumably, Thompson's remarks reflect the thinking at Microsoft headquarters. In recent months, Blu-ray player and disc sales have easily outpaced HD-DVD and many industry observers are concluding that Blu-ray could be reaching the stretch drive.
“Whatever format wins it is highly likely we will offer a solution," Thompson said in an interview with the BBC. "The only debate is if you want to watch Blu-ray movies and pay the extra money for that feature. We prefer to offer the consumer choice.”
The question now is: Will that choice soon include Blu-ray?
We have a poll running at TVPredictions.com on who will win the HDTV DVD format war:
Blu-ray or HD-DVD?
Cast your vote by clicking Poll
Then come back here and offer your comments!
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DIRECTV: 100 HD Channels Will Include Sunday Ticket
The satcaster says it has 70 standalone HD networks under contract.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 29, 2007) -- DIRECTV says its upcoming lineup of 100 High-Definition channels will include feeds from sports packages such as the NFL Sunday Ticket.
That's according to an article by Multichannel News.
DIRECTV has said it will offer 100 national HDTV channels by year's end. Multichannel News reports that DIRECTV CFO Michael Palkovic says the satcaster has 70 high-def channels under contract.
The company has announced deals with several HD channels yet-to-be launched, including CNN, USA Network, Sci-Fi Channel, the Cartoon Network and The Weather Channel.
But Palkovic added that the 100-channel lineup will include feeds from Sunday Ticket, MLB's Extra Innings and other sports packages. In 2008, DIRECTV is planning to show most (if not all) of the games available in pay packages in high-def.
For example, Palkovic said the Sunday Ticket, which offers 13 different NFL games each week, would count as 13 HD channels.
“That’s the way you would count that,” Palkovic told Multichannel News.
He said that about 70 or 80 channels would be 24/7, year-round high-def channels.
Palkovic also discounted speculation that DIRECTV would add the 15-channel high-def lineup from Voom.
“First of all, there are no Voom channels, there is nothing like that that people would consider not really quality channels,” Palkovic said. “We’re talking USA, Sci Fi, some of the Turner networks, The Weather Channel, mainstream programming that’s been around for a long time that’s going to make the leap to HD.”
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Rush Limbaugh Is Wrong -- About HDTV
The conservative commentator says he loves high-def, but he apparently doesn't know when a show is in high-def.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 28, 2007) -- Recent studies have found that millions of High-Definition TV owners are unsure when a show is broadcast in high-def. Many assume that a program's in HD because it's on a high-def set and/or a high-def channel.
Apparently, you can count Rush Limbaugh in that group.
The conservative commentator has made a number of recent statements on his nationally syndicated radio show that indicate that he doesn't know when a show or segment is really in high-def.
This is a bit surprising considering that he's a vocal HDTV supporter, frequently telling his listeners how wonderful it is. But it appears that he may not always be aware of what he's watching.
For instance, Limbaugh yesterday said on the air that NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams began broadcasting in high-def on Monday night.
That is true. But Limbaugh added that a Nightly News interview segment with Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez during Monday's broadcast was in high-def.
It was not. Nightly News is airing the studio segments with anchor Williams in high-def. Most of the field reports, including Justice Department correspondent Pete Williams' interview with Gonzalez, are shown in standard definition.
The previous day, Limbaugh made the same error when he joked that "Mrs. Bill Clinton had a town meeting today on Good Morning America. I was watching this, and it was on High Definition. And I'm saying to myself, 'Mrs. Clinton, stay away from HD.'"
However, the joke was actually on Limbaugh. While Good Morning America airs its studio segments (and some outdoor shots) in high-def, most field reports (such as Mrs. Clinton's Town Hall meeting) are not in HD.
An ABC spokeswoman confirmed today that the Clinton segment was not in high-def.
Limbaugh's error is common, and understandable, considering that a network will frequently say a program is in high-def although some of its segments are not. For viewers not familiar with the industry or the technological aspects of high-def, it's easy to assume that it's all in HD.
But it's a bit embarrassing for Limbaugh, a broadcast veteran of multiple decades, to make such a mistake.
I tried to contact the commentator to explain the situation. However, at his web site, you have to sign up for a pay service for the privilege of sending him an e-mail.
So, consider this my effort to set him straight.
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Microsoft's XBox For HDTV: Fuzzy Future
The new console will transmit high-def video, but will struggle to gain acceptance.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 28, 2007) -- Microsoft next month will sell a new XBox 360 that can display High-Definition video downloads on a high-def set.
The XBox 360 Elite, which will be launched on April 29, will be available for $479.99.
The set-top will come with a 120-gigabyte hard drive and HDMI port and cable. Microsoft says the console can store games, songs and high-def movies and TV shows downloaded from its XBox LIVE web site.
The company says the XBox 360 Elite will meet the growing demand for more high-def content, with HDTVs now in roughly 30 million U.S. homes.
"Today's games and entertainment enthusiast has an insatiable appetite for digital High-Definition content," Peter Moore, a Microsoft vice president, said in a statement.
The XBox 360 Elite's hard drive will be detachable, meaning consumers can store content once it's been downloaded. Additional hard drives can be purchased for $179.99 each.
Owners of the $399 XBox 360 20-gigabyte model will be able to buy the hard drive and attach it.
The new console will compete with a variety of emerging HD-based products such as Blu-ray and HD-DVD players, Apple's new Apple TV and MovieBeam.
Swanni Sez:
At $479, Microsoft will struggle to make XBox Elite a success. Just ask Sony, which has experienced disappointing sales with its PlayStation 3, which starts at $499 because it has a Blu-ray player inside.
Plus: While high-def owners want more content, they are unlikely to shell out $479 on a new device that includes a technology (online downloads displayed on a TV) that is foreign to most. At least with a HDTV DVD player -- or the PS3 -- people are familiar with the concept of playing a DVD.
However, if the video quality is good -- and the lineup is large -- the XBox Elite might find a small niche with the high-def elite.
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Brian Williams In HD: Hard News; Soft Image
NBC Nightly News' high-def debut is a disappointment.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 27, 2007) -- NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams last night began broadcasting in High-Definition TV, the first evening news program to do so.
But while the news was hard, the image was soft.
The debut was a disappointment for HD enthusiasts who have been waiting for years for a network newscast to go high-def.
From Mr. Williams' opening segment on unnecessary heart surgeries to a piece on global warning, the high-def studio shots lacked crisp details and the colors were oddly muted. The effect was to put greater distance between the viewer and Mr. Williams, lessening the immediacy and realism that's provided by a well-done HD production.
Seen by this reviewer on Comcast cable and DIRECTV in the Washington, D.C. area, it appeared that the network was scaling back the clarity of the HD picture. Which was a bit of a surprise. NBC's studio broadcast of its pre-game Sunday night football show is a stunner, serving up sparkling clarity and color.
Whether last night's soft focus was done to preserve the image of Mr. Williams is also less than clear. NBC seems to be using protective camera filters for the 50-plus Meredith Vieira on the network's high-def broadcast of The Today Show. But one would think that Mr. Williams, who is younger and considered one of broadcast news' leading men, would have less concern here. But perhaps not.
Also disappointing: The NBC Nightly News broadcast only featured studio segments in high-def. The field reports are done in standard definition and cropped for the widescreen.
While the HD Nightly News is more pleasing to the eye than a standard definition broadcast, it's not the showcase for the new picture technology that many had hoped for.
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What's your favorite primetime show in high-def?
Favorite sport in HD?
Favorite network?
Any hidden HD treasures you want to share?
Or, simply, what are you watching now in HDTV?
Let us know! If you see something interesting in high-def, share it here with your fellow high-def owners.
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HDTV Review: Apple TV
CNET says the streaming video is "bad analog cable quality."
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 23, 2007) -- Apple TV, which can stream High-Definition video from your PC to the TV, offers a sleek design but suffers from a sub-par picture and a limited amount of available content.
That's the conclusion of a review by CNET.com.
Apple TV, which retails for $299, can wirelessly transmit your PC media to a widescreen TV. Apple this week began shipping the set-top to pre-orders and it's expected to be available at retail in a week or so.
CNET says the Apple TV box offers a "sleek external design and elegant user interface." The technology web site adds that it can stream music and video files purchased from Apple's iTunes store and the streaming is "hiccup-free."
On the down side, CNET notes that Apple TV can only stream iTunes content, not videos from other sites such as YouTube or Yahoo. (There is no HD content at the iTunes store.)
"If it's not in iTunes, the Apple TV can't see it. So it's up to you to get your media files into iTunes--an easy task for music (CDs and MP3s), podcasts, and photos, but a much bigger challenge for videos," the review states.
The device also can not connect to a non-widescreen set and "the current crop of iTunes movies and TV shows look much worse on a big-screen TV."
But the technology web site gives the set-top a score of 7.7 out of a possible 10.
"Although the current lack of high-quality video at the iTunes Store is a major shortcoming, the Apple TV delivers a simple and elegant streaming media solution," CNET writes.
The web site also took aim at the video quality when displayed on the widescreen set.
"Unfortunately, the excellent streaming performance is offset by a drawback that's more the fault of iTunes than Apple TV: generally disappointing video quality," the review states. "Movies and TV shows in iTunes are currently available in what Apple calls "near-DVD quality"--a maximum of 640x480. Perhaps 'bad analog cable quality' would be more descriptive."
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Did Sony Sacrifice PS3 to Save Blu-ray?
Sales of the video game console are trailing its rivals.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 22, 2007) -- Nintendo's Wii and Microsoft's XBox 360 outsold Sony's PlayStation 3 in February by a wide margin.
According to the NPD Group, Wii sold 335,000 units while XBox sold 228,000 and PS3 sold 127,000.
The numbers are staggering considering that PS3's launch last November was accompanied by a media blitz and long lines of shoppers at retail stores.
However, most industry observers believe that PS3's price ($499 and $599) has dampened enthusiasm for the console. The Wii is just $249 while the XBox 360 is $399. Perhaps even more damaging, Sony's PS2 costs just $129 and it continues to sell well.
So why did Sony price the PS3 the way it did?
To save Blu-ray.
Last year, Blu-ray was locked in a death struggle with its rival high-def DVD format, the HD-DVD. The latter format launched earlier and offered player prices roughly 50 percent less than Blu-ray. While most of the studios were backing the Sony-supported Blu-ray, it appeared that the format was headed for difficult times.
But Sony had an ace in the hole.
The company had decided to include a Blu-ray player inside the PS3. The decision forced the company to increase manufacturing costs and, consequently, the suggested retail price. However, Sony believed that game players would embrace both the game player and the high-def DVD player, even at the higher prices.
For Blu-ray, it appears that Sony's decision was a home run. While PS3s sales are not meeting expectations, there are still about 1.1 million in U.S. homes.
That has given the format a big advantage over HD-DVD, which has been demonstrated in disc sales. Shortly after the launch of PS3, Blu-ray title sales begin outselling HD-DVD by a 2-1 margin. Now, some industry observers are saying that Blu-ray may be enroute to a format victory.
But the price of that victory may be long-term difficulties for the PS3. One Wall Street firm is speculating that Sony will soon drop the price of the PS3 to enhance sales.
That gambit might work, but it might not. Game players may have been forever alienated by PS3's original lofty price tag.
And if that's the case, PS3 may be a permanent third-place finisher.
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Why DIRECTV's Baseball Deal Is Good For You
The exclusive agreement will force cable operators to expand their high-def lineups.
By Phillip Swann
Washington (March 22, 2007) -- Major League Baseball yesterday rejected cable TV's offer to carry its Extra Innings package, increasing the likelihood that DIRECTV will get the games exclusively.
MLB and DIRECTV signed an agreement this month that said the satcaster could have Extra Innings exclusively if other TV providers did not match the offer. The deal has sparked outrage from lawmakers and newspaper columnists who say cable viewers will be denied access to the package, which includes up to 60 out of market games a week.
However, while the DIRECTV-MLB deal may upset some baseball fans, it will turn out to be a major plus for High-Definition TV owners. And here's why:
1. DIRECTV plans to broadcast most -- if not all -- the games in high-def by 2008. With two satellites launching this year or early next, the satcaster will have all the capacity it needs for the extra high-def coverage.
2. With Extra Innings, DIRECTV will have the exclusive rights to carry baseball; football (NFL Sunday Ticket); NASCAR (HotPass); and college basketball (March Madness) in high-def. The addition will give the satcaster a powerful HD sports lineup.
3. Seeing that DIRECTV is building a high-def sports dynamo, rival satcaster EchoStar and the cable TV operators will be forced to respond. They will explore ways to expand their high-def sports coverage, particularly on a regional/local basis (where cable still has an advantage over satellite). If your cable operator doesn't broadcast a local team in HD now, it probably will a year from now when DIRECTV has expanded its sports high-def lineup.
4. Seeing that TV providers are expanding high-def sports coverage, the professional leagues (and college) will push for better facilities and innovations to broadcast HD.
5. To counter DIRECTV's sports lineup, EchoStar and cable will also move to bolster their non-sports HD offerings. Comcast, for instance has already hinted it has big plans for movies in high-def.
So while you will hear plenty of griping over the next few weeks about DIRECTV and Extra Innings, keep in mind that, for high-def owners, it will be a home run.
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Why Apple TV Will Bomb
By Phillip Swann
Washington (March 21, 2007) -- Apple has finally begun shipping pre-orders of its Apple TV wireless set-top, according to news reports. The device can stream media stored on your PC to your TV including music, pictures and 720p High-Definition video.
The company has set the price at $299, but I'm here to tell you that it will ultimately have trouble giving them away.
Yes, Apple TV will bomb -- and here's why:
1. Limited Uses
Apple TV can not receive or record cable or satellite signals, meaning it can not deliver the programming that 85 percent of Americans watch every night. The set-top also does not operate as a DVD player, which people are watching when they are not watching cable or satellite. Now, you might argue that Apple can sell $1.99 episodes of cable or satellite programming, but thus far, the company has not been able to do that successfully on iTunes (or via the video iPod.) TV viewers have not demonstrated that they will pay for programs that could have been watched for free on broadcast networks or recorded for free on their DVRs when they originally aired.
2. Set-Top Fatigue
Americans are tired of buying set-tops for TV-based purposes. They already have a DVD player; a cable and/or satellite set-top; possibly a standalone TiVo DVR and/or DVD recorder; a video game console; and in some cases, a Audio/Video receiver connected to their TVs.
And now Apple is telling them to get another box so they can stream videos, music and photos from their PCs?
Fat chance -- even if the set-top will send the signals wirelessly; Americans have set-top fatigue.
3. Compatibility & Confusion
The device is set for a widescreen so it will not work with most older analog sets. But even more damaging, the device's concept is too confusing for most Americans. Buy a set-top that will sit in the corner and send files to my TV? Do you really see a large number of people in this country actually doing that? Come on, the Media Center PC, which the Apple TV emulates, has not taken off so why should Apple TV? Despite what some might think, this is not a tech-savvy nation.
4. Inconvenient
Apple TV requires you to download your content to your computer before you can send it to your TV. In other words, if you want to watch a music video from iTunes, you must first purchase it online, then download it, then store it on your Apple TV and then transmit it to your television. Sound like fun?
So, although the tech-intelligentsia will slobber over Apple TV and call it the Second Coming, Apple TV will fail to reach beyond the cultish Mac audience, probably topping off at about three million homes.
Do you agree? Disagree? Let's hear from you!
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Earlier today, I posted a commentary on why so many people seem to hate DIRECTV. Despite having 16 million subscribers -- and an impressive history of innovation and service -- the satcaster is frequently flamed on Internet message boards and in blogs. (After my commentary was published, many DIRECTV haters reinforced the point by addressing their complaints here about everything from DIRECTV's HD picture to its controversial HD DVR to its sometimes-shaky Customer Service department.)
But if so many people hate DIRECTV, why does everyone seem to love TiVo?
The DVR service has been around now for nine years, but has less than five million subscribers. While its DVR is widely regarded as the best on the market, it's not without its faults. TiVo has also been accused several times of invading their subscribers' privacy by publicly releasing surveys of how their customers use the device.
And the company's HD DVR is priced at a Trump-like $799. Not exactly the toy for the common man.
But unlike DIRECTV, TiVo is rarely criticized at Internet message boards and in blogs. Just the opposite. The company is treated with almost a religious like respect. Almost every day, I get an e-mail from someone saying that DIRECTV should once again start using TiVo's HD DVR rather than its own.
TiVo=God. DIRECTV=Devil.
If you can explain this to me, please do so by commenting below.
-- Swanni
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