Sharp Looks to Increase LCD Production

Sharp, having just opened its eighth-generation LCD production plant in Japan last month two months quicker than it planned, is now considering increasing the capacity at that plant to accommodate demand for larger screen LCDs. The company has its eye on 52-inch glass substrates that can be cut more efficiently in the new plant than in the older factories.

Home Depot Now Selling HDTVs

I got an email the other day advertising HDTVs now available online at HomeDepot.com. Here's the link from the email. I don't know if they'll start selling electronics in the stores or if it's just confined to the website, but I'll post more info as I get it.

In related news, Wal-Mart has been running a national ad campaign during football games promoting its HDTVs.

These are just two more examples of retailers not traditionally known for strength in the consumer electronics arena hopping on the HD bandwagon...

More Help in Choosing an HDTV

The New York Times ran a piece last week comparing plasma and LCD. This passage in particular is worth noting:

"The ultimate choice depends largely on where the TV resides and what it displays. Movies in dark rooms will probably look better on plasmas; games in bright rooms should look better on L.C.D.’s. But even the differences that do remain are smaller than they used to be. So screen technology is only one factor in choosing a set, along with price, style, brand and the particular level of quality in the particular model."

DIRECTV Adds Local HD Nets in 3 More Markets

DIRECTV said last week that it has rolled out local high-def channels in three new markets: Memphis, Portland and San Antonio. The satcaster now offers HD locals in 39 markets and is closing in on its year-end goal of 50.

Comcast to Offer More HD On Demand

Comcast last week announced that it will beef up its HD VOD offerings to the tune of about 100 hours of programming, at least 20 titles of which will be delivered by Starz. The initial offering, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, premiered last week.

Finally, a Standalone HD TiVo

TiVo today finally took the wraps off its stand-along HD DVR, a much-anticipated move that took much longer than the company ever planned. It'll set you back $800, but for TiVo fanatics who have been craving the ability to record and play back in high-def, it's likely worth every penny. The new Series 3 has two tuners, meaning that users can record two programs while watching one they have already recorded. There is enough hard-drive space to record 32 hours of HD programming and THX has certified the device, the first time it has done so for a DVR.

To give a brief history lesson, TiVo initially rolled out its first HD DVR about two years ago but it was only available if you subscribed to DIRECTV satellite service. Reviews were favorable; however, as with the new Series 3 announced today, pricing was much higher than anything else on the market. It was never clear to me why TiVo shortly thereafter didn't release an HD DVR that didn't require a DIRECTV subscription, although the most likely scenario seems to be that the satellite giant had some sort of exclusive rights to the technology.

Now, of course, DIRECTV has replaced TiVo with DVR products from one of its sister News Corp. companies, NDS. TiVo needs new innovative products to survive as a standalone business and the Series 3 HD DVR should help fill that void left by the breakup with DIRECTV. But the real question is how many people will pony up $800 for the high-def TiVo when they can get one from their cable company for $10-15 a month with no upfront purchase required? I for one love TiVo's interface and other innovations that have yet to be duplicated by cable DVR offerings. But $800 is a lot to spend after coughing up a few grand on an HDTV, receiver, speakers and DVD player.

Is TiVo's Emmy-winning technology worth the price premium? Consumers will soon decide, as the HD version hits stores next week.

Manufacturers Expect 20-30% LCD Price Drops

LG and Sharp executives told attendees at the IFA conference that increased production will lead to 20-30% declines in LCD prices next year. Don't expect to see those kind of drops on the new 1080p LCD displays, though, as supply of the highest-resolution models still remain tight.

Sharp Intros Six New LCD TVs

Sharp last week introduced six new LCD TV models that will make their debut on October 1st, thanks to an increase in capacity from its new plant in Kameyama, Japan. The screen sizes of the new models are 52-, 46- and 42-inches. According to the company:

"These models also offer an advanced interface with the AQUOS Familink*5 that enables viewers to comfortably use the push of a single button on the accessory remote control to operate the AQUOS HD Recorder*5 and the AQUOS Surround*5 sound system connected to the AQUOS TV via an HDMI cable. These new AQUOS models will also provide whole new styles of viewing with the simultaneous release of an optional Flush-to-Wall Stand*6 that allows these large-screen LCD TVs to be set up conveniently and stylishly in the family room or living room. "