Today's High-Def Headlines

DirecTV Adds 21 HD Networks - MCN

Executives at Smithsonian HD were right: The channel and 20 other high-definition TV services launched this morning on DirecTV, raising the satellite TV provider’s national HDTV service array to 31 channels. DirectTV's Web site lists the services, which also include newbies CNN HD and TBS HD (ahead of the Major League Baseball playoffs on that service) and sports outlets Big Ten Network and NFL Network HD.

Scripps, Comcast Unveil Carriage Deal - MCN

Scripps Networks and Comcast officially announced Wednesday that they had reached a broad multi-year carriage agreement that includes the right to distribute HGTV HD and Food Network HD. Comcast already has launched the networks in Boston and parts of New Jersey, and will continue to expand availability to markets over the coming year.

Comcast Adds 5 HD Networks in Philly - MCN

Comcast said that Tuesday it has added A&E HD, Food Network HD, HGTV HD, National Geographic HD and NFL Network HD in most of its hometown market and surrounding counties. Comcast, which like other cable TV operators is facing an HD-centric marketing onslaught from satellite-TV provider DirecTV, said the five HD networks have joined the lineup in Philadelphia and nearby Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties and in New Castle, Del.

High-Definition TBS Feed Should Please Red Sox Fans - Boston Globe

Comcast Corp. is giving Red Sox fans a bonus next week, adding the TBS network to its high-definition lineup on Tuesday, a day before Major League Baseball's playoffs start. TBS signed a seven-year deal with Major League Baseball last year, for a reported $110 million annually, to broadcast the first round of the playoffs and share the second round of the playoffs with the Fox network, which will continue to air the World Series.

Sharp's Blu-ray Recorder to Reach 1 Terabyte - Reuters

Sharp plans to launch a Blu-ray recorder with a 1-terabyte hard drive, as it competes with the HD DVD camp. The model will have the largest storage capacity of any Blu-ray player thus far. The 1-terabyte model, capable of recording 127 hours of high-definition digital programming, will go on sale December 1 in Japan for about $2,615 (300,000 yen).

FAQ: What Does the Digital-TV Switch Actually Mean? - CNET News

Federal officials say American households will have plenty of time to make sure their gadgets are ready for the congressionally mandated switch to all-digital broadcasts after February 17, 2009. The key is knowing what your options are. As the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission stage back-to-back public events here this week, CNET News.com has compiled a list of questions and answers designed to ward off a DTV D-Day.