Today's High-Def Headlines

Two HDTV Technologies Worth Waiting For - PC World
If you're planning an HDTV purchase this fall (or looking ahead to one this winter), keep an eye out for two emerging technologies. 1080p is now everywhere, LCD HDTVs are taking over, and 40-inch displays are evolving into the new sweet spot. But new sets slated for this fall and winter are will be among the first mainstream displays to incorporate two new technologies that can significantly improve picture quality: 120-Hz refresh rate and LED backlighting.

Enhanced Qwest Choice TV Offers More High-Def Program Choices
Qwest today announced that it has added new high-definition (HD) programming to its Qwest Choice(TM) TV video offering in Phoenix. The new channels offer a wide variety of programming, including Fox Sports Net (FSN) Arizona, Universal HD, Golf/VERSUS HD, ASUtv and KPHE-TV, to meet the wide range of television viewers' interests.

Panasonic Introduces Two New HD Camcorders
Panasonic today announced two new High Definition video camcorders that match the growing consumer demand for large-screen, high-image-quality TVs and the continued evolution toward High Definition video. The new HDC-SD5 and HDC-SX5 camcorders employ cutting-edge imaging technology to capture video recordings that are breathtakingly clear and vibrant, especially when viewed on a high-quality, large screen TV.

IOGEAR Expands HDMI Product Family
Consumers can now simultaneously control and connect up to four High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) devices to television sets, thanks to IOGEAR's new 4-Port Automatic HDMI Switch. IOGEAR's patented HDAS (High-Definition Automatic Switch) technology instantly locks and transfers the active audio and video content to the connected HD display.

Sony Profit Doubles In Q2, Despite TV, PS3 Struggles - TWICE
Sony’s TV unit posted a wider operating loss of $323.6 million for the quarter on a sales decline of 10 percent. Sony said it had to lower prices more than expected this spring as the high-definition television market grew more competitive. The company said its rear-projection television business was off, as plasma and LCD TV prices continued to drop.

WFTS-TV First in Tampa to Broadcast Local News in High Definition
WFTS-TV/ABC Action News is Tampa's first television station to broadcast its local news in High Definition (HD). This allows viewers to see a sharper and clearer picture. Coupled with enhanced audio, the viewing experience is improved dramatically, regardless of what type of television set (high definition or standard) you watch.

Editors' Top Televisions: Best HDTVs Overall - CNET
We review a lot of high-definition televisions here at CNET, but the list below represents the best of the best. It collects our current highest-recommended televisions arranged in order of overall score, regardless of TV type, technology, brand, or size.

Circuit City CEO Pitches Concept Stores - Multichannel News
The CEO of Circuit City Stores pitched cable-operator partnerships at the CTAM Summit in Washington last week, describing the concept stores the retailer is testing in partnership with companies including Comcast and Ethan Allen furniture stores in an effort to provide a more complete customer experience.With partnerships, Circuit City associates could sell entertainment and HDTV sources in the store with the hardware and the retailer’s service division, firedog, could provide the installation and help, he added.

Lawmakers Fret Over Digital TV Transition - Reuters
Some lawmakers are worried that too few Americans know that the analog TVs they have been using for years could become big cathode-ray paperweights after February 18, 2009, when broadcasters shut off their analog signals. During a Senate Commerce Committee hearing Thursday examining the government-mandated transition to digital TV, lawmakers aired their views that too little was being done to get the message to Americans.

RFD-TV Goes HD - Multichannel News
Rural-lifestyle network RFD-TV will launch an HDTV service this fall. RFD HD will offer programming on areas such as rural lifestyle, equine, agricultural and video auctions, as well as traditional music and entertainment.

Blu-ray v. HD DVD: Where Do We Stand? - CNET NewsBlog
The expected next-generation DVD format war isn't quite the deadlock many expected. Target's announcement Thursday that it would sell a Sony Blu-ray player in its stores alongside Blu-ray discs in a special feature promotion is important because the second-largest retailer in the U.S. doesn't sell HD DVD players in its stores, outside of the external HD DVD drive made for Microsoft's Xbox 360. It does sell a Toshiba HD DVD player on its Web site, however.