Today's High-Def Headlines

Sharp: We've Developed Thinnest, Lightest LCD TVs - CNET
Sharp said it has developed the world's thinnest and lightest LCD TVs with enhanced picture quality, in a pre-emptive move before the release of organic light-emitting diode TVs, known for their thin displays and crisp images. The prototype 52-inch liquid-crystal display TV, which is just over three-quarters of an inch thick and weighs 55 pounds, consumes half as much electricity as comparable existing models, the Osaka-based company said on Wednesday.

DirecTV to Debut Disney Channel HD - MCN
DirecTV will launch Disney Channel HD, a simulcast channel, early next year, the satellite provider said Tuesday. Disney Channel HD will feature the channel’s original movies in HD, as well as original live action and animated series for older kids and Playhouse Disney programming for preschoolers. DirecTV also has deals in place to launch three other Walt Disney Co. HD services, namely ABC Family HD, ESPNews HD and Toon Disney HD.

NAB Proposes Vague DTV Education Plan - MCN
The National Association of Broadcasters -- partly in concert with a TV industry coalition that includes cable operators and programmers -- plans to provide local TV stations later this year with four to six public service announcements (PSAs) designed to educate the public about the analog TV cutoff on Feb. 17, 2009. According to NAB, 60% of Americans – 180 million people – are “completely unaware” of the move to all-digital broadcasting.

Panasonic Delivers World's First LIFI HDTV
Panasonic has started to ship a new line of High Definition LCD Rear Projection Display televisions featuring the revolutionary long-life LIFI(TM), a first-of-its kind light fidelity projection display application that ensures image brightness over an extended period of time as well as greatly reduced start-up time. The LCZ series, available in three large-screen screen sizes, 61-inches, 56-inches and 50- inches, feature 1080p resolution and an elegant glossy black finish with a new floating panel design.

HDTV's Quest for the Perfect Companion Ends With TiVo HD
TiVo Inc., the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced consumers have widespread access to TiVo(R) HD, the new affordably priced high definition DVR, at retailers across the country. Now, fully stocked at leading retailers such as Best Buy and Circuit City, TiVo HD has staked its claim as the ultimate HDTV companion since launching for pre-order in late July.

Pioneer Plasma: Editors' Choice - CNET Reviews
So why did we like the Pioneer PDP-5080HD so much? This 50-inch plasma produces the darkest shade of black we've ever seen or measured from a non-CRT TV, whether plasma, LCD, or projection. It also offers a "smooth" video-processing mode that works quite well, one of the best antireflective screens we've tested, and numerous picture controls. If you can stomach the extra payout, the Pioneer PDP-5080HD delivers a jaw-dropping home theater picture.

TI Introduces Two High Performance HDMI Switches
Texas Instruments today introduced two new video switches for digital video interface (DVI) or high definition multimedia interface (HDMI). The new devices connect either two or three digital video signals coming from devices such as game consoles, digital video switch boxes, set-top boxes or DVD players to a single HDTV display.

NXP Enhances HDTV Viewing With World's First Quad-Input HDMI1.3 Receiver
NXP, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, today introduced a new HDMI 1.3 receiver chip, the TDA19978HL, which improves the audio and video performances and lowers the costs of high-definition (HD) audio/video receivers. The TDA19978HL is industry's first HDMI 1.3 receiver with four inputs, eliminating the need for an external HDMI switch, reducing overall system cost and design cycles, enabling faster time-to-market while meeting the Industry's demanding performance and application requirements for HDTV viewing.