More High-Def Headlines

Travel Channel Commits to Hi-Def - TV Week

Travel Channel will be launching a high-definition simulcast in the first quarter of 2008, the network said. “HD is part of the proposition for doing business now,” said Pat Younge, president and general manager of Travel Channel. “Research has shown that consumers want to see travel in high definition.” Nearly 95 percent of next year’s schedule has been commissioned in high def, Mr. Younge said. New episodes of current shows on the Travel Channel lineup as well as new series will be shot in pure high definition, while previous episodes of existing series will be upconverted.

Not All HDTVs Can Keep Up With the Action - NY Times

Sit for the first time in front of a high-definition TV tuned to a nature program broadcast in HD, and the reaction is almost always the same: a dropping of the jaw. But if you’re a sports fan or serious video gamer, the same set showing the Super Bowl or a car-racing game might elicit a different response: the screen cannot keep up with the action. Fast movement results in a blur, what the TV industry calls ghosting, because the screen’s ability to refresh the image cannot keep up with the action.

Today's High-Def Headlines

TiVo Takes Hit From HDTV Growth - USA Today
TiVo's failure to anticipate how quickly consumers and retailers would fall in love with HDTV products added static to a fuzzy financial picture. The digital video recorder pioneer said late Wednesday that it took an $11.2 million write-down in the quarter ended in July for leftover standard DVRs. That drove results far below its guidance and analyst forecasts.

Philips Chief Says HD Video Catching on 'Somewhat Slower' Than Expected - IHT
High-definition video viewing is developing slower than the industry had expected, held back by a lack of HD content and competition between rival standards, the chief executive of the largest European consumer electronics company said Wednesday. But the executive, Rudy Provoost, of Philips Consumer Electronics, said the Blu-ray format developed by Philips and Sony is prevailing in its battle with a competing format called HD DVD developed by Toshiba, NEC and Microsoft.

Harmonic Adds 'Full HD' Compression - MCN
Harmonic has added support to its video-encoding platform for the 1080p high-definition format -- but the feature is available only in MPEG-4 format, which most digital-cable set-tops in the field today don’t support. The company said its DiviCom Electra 7000 platform will encode 1080p HD video at 24 frames per second, in MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (H.264) format, through a firmware upgrade.

Philips Unveils Aurea 1080p LCD TV - TWICE
Philips formally announced at the IFA Show in Berlin its new “Aurea” LCD TV technology which builds on the company’s Ambilight rear-panel lighting system for select LCD TVs by extending the surrounding light to the front of the screen. The system builds on the Ambilight experience by placing a lighting array into the face of the TV frame to “Seduce by Light” those watching programming on the screen.

DirecTV Debuts Local HD in Minn. Market - MCN
DirecTV Wednesday began offering local HD programming to customers in the Mankato, Minn., TV market, according to officials. The nation’s largest satellite provider had made KEYC, KARE, KMSP and KSTP available in HD. With the addition of Mankato, DirecTV now offers local HD broadcast channels in 61 cities, representing more than 70% U.S. TV households.

Big Ten Network Scores Insight Deal - MCN
The Big Ten Network has added depth to its distribution roster, finalizing a carriage deal with Insight Communications the day before the fledgling service kicks off. The agreement, details of which were not disclosed, calls for Insight to carry Big Ten Network on its Classic service (its version of analog basic) in Columbus, Ohio and Evansville, Ind. Moreover, the operator’s Digital 2.0 service (digital basic) will offer the network in its Kentucky markets of Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and the northern part of the state. All told, Insight said the service would be available to some 640,000 customers.

NEC Display Solutions Introduces Full-Line of Stylish, Versatile Flat Panel Displays at CEDIA Expo 2007
NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading stand-alone provider of LCD desktop and commercial large-screen LCDs, plasma displays and projectors, announced today a full portfolio of large-screen residential displays for every need and every feed of the house. The MultiSync Residential, PlasmaSync Residential and AccuSync Multimedia Series of displays will be unveiled for the first time at CEDIA Expo 2007.

Today's High-Def Headlines

Sony Pegs Flat-TV Hopes on High-Def - Reuters
Japan's Sony unveiled 15 new flat TVs and a new remote control for the domestic market on Wednesday as a part of a worldwide effort to win back market share during the year-end shopping season. Sony, the world's second-largest maker of liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs, is struggling to catch up to South Korea's Samsung Electronics, even as price falls hurt margins and home rival Sharp Electronics plans a new LCD plant.

Comcast Touts Big Ten Slate - MCN
Comcast wants football fans in its markets to know it will air plenty of games even if it doesn’t add the new Big Ten Network, which launches Friday. The nation’s largest cable operator -- with systems in Big Ten states Michigan, Illinois and Indiana -- said it posted on Comcast.com/sports a schedule of Big Ten contests slated to air on a variety of broadcast and cable networks this season. The games include Ohio State at Michigan, Michigan at Michigan State, Ohio State at Penn State, Purdue at Minnesota and Ohio State at Minnesota.

Revolutionary NXP Technology Creates Picture Perfect HD Viewing Experience
NXP, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, has launched the world's first video postprocessor with proprietary Motion Accurate Picture Processing technology, enabling TV manufacturers to drastically improve high-definition (HD) motion picture on LCD TVs. This technology on NXP's new PNX5100 video postprocessor combines movie judder cancellation (MJC), motion sharpness and vivid color management to successfully remove the visible halo and blur in fast moving scenes delivering an enhanced viewing experience for enjoying sports and action movies.

Chief Launches New Adjustable Speaker Adapters for Flat Panel Mounts
Chief Manufacturing, the industry leader in flat panel TV and projector mounts, introduces new side and center channel speaker adapters for easy integration into flat panel wall installations. Chief's new PACLR1 Left/Right Speaker Adapter and PACCC1 Center Channel Speaker Adapter offer a low-profile and light-weight design for easy installation. The innovative design features advanced adjustability to position speakers flush with the screen. For fast installation and a clean finish, both products ship pre-assembled and include cable management clips.

Today's High-Def Headlines

If There’s a High-Definition TV in Your Future, Wait Till After the Holidays - NYT
Consumers walking into an electronics store looking for a big-screen high-definition TV may find that the place looks and feels different from how it was last Christmas. They will see more name-brand models along the wall and a lot fewer of the second-tier brands that also happen to carry lower price tags.

Dizzy From High-Def Duel? - USA Today
If you're thinking about buying into one of the new high-definition video disc formats, your decision just got tougher. That's because the studios are still shifting sides. Last week, Paramount and DreamWorks joined Universal in exclusive support of HD DVD, battling Sony's Blu-ray for space in your home theater setup.

Samsung-Sony JV Begins Shipping 52-Inch LCD Panels - AP
Samsung Electronics Co. and Sony Corp. on Tuesday began shipping panels for large-sized flat screen televisions from the newest production line at their liquid crystal display joint venture.
The eighth generation line at the venture, called S-LCD Corp., makes panels of 46 inches and 52 inches measured diagonally from corner to corner.

TVs, PCs Fight for Living Room Space at Tech Fair - Reuters
Internet TV, mobile TV and video on demand may be the talk of the technology sector. But when it comes to buying decisions at this week's IFA electronics fair, television sets are set to be bigger business than ever. Exhibitors from around the world will descend on Berlin hoping to tempt almost a quarter of a million visitors expected at the show to upgrade to slimmer, sleeker TV sets promising sharper pictures and helped by rapidly falling prices.

Comcast Demands Notre Dame - Detroit Free Press
While its negotiations with the Big Ten Network have stalled, Comcast has good news for Notre Dame fans. The cable service will offer Notre Dame On Demand to its subscribers at no added cost. Notre Dame On Demand will have hundreds of hours of exclusive programming, including coach/player interviews, pep rallies and press conferences.

Merger Talks for China's LCD Makers Almost Concluded - Reuters
Merger talks between major Chinese liquid crystal display makers are expected to wind up next month, an official at panel maker SVA said on Monday, as Beijing is eager to nurture a globally competitive panel-making giant. Beijing aims to merge domestic LCD panel giants BOE Technology Group, SVA and Longteng, a project of the government of Kunshan, a city near Shanghai, official media has reported.

Olevia Debuts New 65'' LCoS Full-HD 1080p HDTV
Syntax-Brillian, a manufacturer and marketer of LCD and LCoS HDTVs and digital entertainment products, today announced the debut of a new 65" LCoS HDTV, model number 665H in its popular Olevia brand of HDTVs. The Olevia 665H includes premium features and technology for the mainstream consumer and commercial markets.
The Olevia 665H features full-HD 1080p resolution.

Olevia Expands Line of Add-On Accessories with HDMI Switcher, Cables and Wall Mounts
Syntax-Brillian, a manufacturer and marketer of LCD and LCoS HDTVs and digital entertainment products, today announced the introduction of a variety of new add-on accessories designed and tested specifically to operate with Olevia HDTVs to create a convenient, guaranteed compatibility solution for Olevia HDTV buyers. The new Olevia brand add-on accessories include a Three-into-One Olevia HDMI switcher, Olevia HDMI cables and a series of wall mounts.

Monster Introduces the World's Only Speed-Rated HDMI Cables
Monster, the world's leading manufacturer of high-end cables, accessories and power conditioning products, is proud to announce the introduction of the world's first and only speed-rated HDMI cables. The introduction of the new Monster Speed Rated HDMI Cables is being accompanied by a consumer "Need for Speed" education campaign the company is launching in order to help clear up consumer confusion about the quality differences and benefits of speed-rated HDMI cables.

AMIMON Announces WHDI Chipset Availability
AMIMON Inc., an emerging leader in semiconductor technology for wireless transmission of high-definition (HD) video, has today announced the availability of its Wireless High-definition Interface (WHDI) chipset. The WHDI chipset can be embedded into CE devices such as LCD and plasma HDTVs, multimedia projectors, A/V receivers, DVD players (HD-DVD and Blu-ray), set-top boxes (STBs), game consoles, PCs and HD video accessories (wireless for HDMI dongles), allowing wireless streaming of uncompressed HD video and audio.

Today's High-Def Headlines

Big Ten Network Fails to Land Comcast Distribution Deal - MCN
Fox Cable Networks said Friday that it doesn’t expect that it’ll be able to strike a carriage deal for its Big Ten Network with Comcast before the network debuts on Aug. 30. While Big Ten Network has distribution agreements with 100 smaller Midwest cable operators – in addition to national deals with DirecTV and AT&T’s U-verse TV – the new sports channel wasn’t able to hook the nation’s largest cable operator.

AT&T U-verse TV Scores Football Programming Touchdown
When it comes to catching the excitement of Big Ten football, AT&T U-verseSM TV customers won't be left on the sidelines. AT&T Inc. today announced the availability of the Big Ten Network across all U-verse markets in the most popular U-verse TV programming packages.

Sony Unveils First All-In-One High-Def PC/TV With Blu-Ray Disc Technology
Fusing powerful PC performance with a stylish LCD, Sony today introduced a striking new high-definition PC/TV model. Featuring a floating glass design, the VAIO(R) LT HD PC/TV serves as a computer entertainment center, where you can watch and record analog, digital and cable television programming, including premium HD channels.

Akamai Brings High Definition to the Internet
Akamai Technologies, Inc., the leading global service provider for accelerating content and applications online, today announced that a consistent, high-definition video experience is now possible online via its global content distribution network. Akamai's customers are now delivering HD quality content on Akamai's uniquely distributed edge delivery network that is specifically tuned for optimal delivery of HD files online.

Reviewed: Samsung 1080p DLP Rear Projection HDTV with LED - Ultimate AV
Samsung's HL-T5687S ($2,599) employs DLP imaging, a technology not available to flat panels. But what is new here is the light source. This Samsung, like its stable mates in the 87S series, employs LEDs as a light source rather than the usual projection lamp.

Sony Unveils Shoulder-Mount HDV Camcorder - Yahoo/IDG
Sony Corp. is expanding its range of products based on the HDV high-definition tape format with its first shoulder-mounted HDV camcorder. The HVR-HD1000U is aimed at the low-end professional market and will be available in the U.S. in December.

Today's High-Def Headlines

Cable Cos Test System to Expand HD, Keep Costs Low - Reuters
Cox Communications said on Wednesday it is testing a technology that allows cable operators to offer more bandwidth-hungry high definition (HD) programming by delivering a television station only when the user tunes in. The technology called switched digital video is just one step in a battle by cable companies to fight off competition from the advanced TV services of telecommunications rivals and from satellite operators who claim leadership in HD.

Mitsubishi Evolves 3D DLP Technology - TWICE
The Barclays PGA Tournament at the Westchester Country Club was the setting for Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, a key event sponsor, to unveil the next evolution in consumer-level 3DTV coming to consumer 1080p DLP HDTVs next year. David Naranjo, MDEA A/V products division product development director, brought the company’s new 73-inch 1080p DLP rear-projection set to the tournament site to show samples of 3D mastered content on the large screen.

Samsung Announces New Multi-Year Sponsorship as the Official HDTV of the NFL
Samsung Electronics America Inc., the market leader in HDTVs, is proud to announce the company will be continuing its successful sponsorship as the Official HDTV of the NFL with a new multi-year sponsorship contract. The NFL also chose Samsung HDTVs to be installed in select areas of all stadiums as part of the league's recent HDTV upgrade. For the first time, critical insights can be relayed to the field from the coach's booth based on viewing the game on Samsung High Definition Televisions.

Cox Gears Up HD Boost With Switched Digital Video - MCN
To shoot more high-definition programming to subscribers, Cox Communications has begun rolling out switched digital video systems from BigBand Networks in its Northern Virginia market and expects to deploy the technology in two other systems later this year. The technology should help Cox reach the HDTV goals set by president Pat Esser, who wants the multisystem operator to be able to offer at least 50 HD channels across all systems by the end of 2007 and then double that to 100 by the end of 2009.

Time Warner Cable and Cisco Launch 'HD Clear & Simple' Web Site
Time Warner Cable and Cisco announced today they have teamed up to give consumers a clear picture of how to purchase and enjoy true high-definition TV (HDTV). With the launch of Time Warner's "HD Clear & Simple" Web site ( www.twcinhd.com), the two companies are arming audiences with the information they need to help get the complete HDTV experience.

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.

Today's High-Def Headlines

Vizio Takes Q2 TV Lead - TWICE
Vizio ascended to the top of the flat-panel market share ranks in the second quarter of 2007, according to two separate TV market research reports released Monday. Austin, Texas-based DisplaySearch said the young flat-panel brand with predominately U.S. financial backing used its unusually focused retail distribution strategy and aggressive pricing to out sell all other brands in combined LCD TV and plasma sales during the period. El Segundo, Calif.-based iSuppli also showed Vizio holding the marketshare lead in LCD TV unit sales.

The Secret of Vizio's Success - CNET
If you don't know Vizio yet, you will very soon. The LCD TV maker has quickly staked out a place in the flat-panel market and has elbowed aside some of the biggest names in electronics in the process.

Still Waiting for OLED TVs - CNET
We've been hearing about the potential for OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TVs for several years now and Sony, Samsung and Seiko Epson have demonstrated the ability to make a prototype OLED panel. So when will TV manufacturers actually start selling OLED TVs and, more importantly, will those TVs cost way too much for the average consumer?

Fox and MGM Announce Blu-ray Titles - IGN
In what can only be described as a rather blatant - and shall we say "ineffective" - attempt not to be out-done on the day that Paramount and DreamWorks announce their HD DVD loyalty, Fox and MGM are banding together in the Blu-ray corner to announce "an aggressive global Blu-ray Disc release strategy" including 29 marquee titles.

Channel 9 Airs News in HDTV - Cincinnati Enquirer
High-definition TV owners were quick to discover WCPO-TV's local newscasts Sunday in HDTV, the first and only Cincinnati station to broadcast local news in the new wide-screen format. Cleveland, Columbus and Indianapolis stations have been airing local news in HDTV since early this year.

Building B Boasts of New Triple-Play Platform - MCN
Boasting that it plans to market a new television and Internet video service that could rival existing pay TV services from cable, satellite and telephone providers, startup firm Building B said it has raised $17.5 million in funding. The company, which plans to detail its commercial partners this fall, said it expects to begin marketing an HDTV programming platform that will combine programming from existing basic and premium cable networks with video delivered from Internet content providers during the second half of 2008.

Judge Orders DirecTV to Stop Ad Slamming Cable - Houston Chronicle
A federal judge in Illinois ordered DirecTV Group, the nation's largest satellite TV provider, to stop running ads that claim consumers and home-theater installers prefer the quality of satellite's high-definition TV over cable's. Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable TV operator, asked the court in July for a preliminary injunction. DirecTV and Comcast are suing each other, each claiming the other has either skewed HD-TV survey results or promoted studies that are unreliable.

Group Seeks Converter Box Alternative - TWICE
A group of independent cable TV operators has approached Congressional leaders about expanding the DTV converter box program with a proposal to provide free analog cable service for seven years to impacted residents. The movement, which is called the “Save Our Sets (SOS) Transition Plan Coalition,” (http://www.saveoursets.org/) proposes to encourage multichannel video service providers to offer free analog broadcast TV service to residents that currently rely on over-the-air TV signals.

Adobe Brings High-Definition to Flash Videos - CNET
Adobe Systems intends to add support for a video compression standard that will bring high-definition video to Flash-based streaming content on the Web. The company on Tuesday is expected to announce the release of a beta version of its Flash Player, code-named Moviestar, that adds support for H.264, the video compression portion of the MPEG 4 standard.

DIRECTV is the Only Place to See the Premiere of Disney's High School Musical 2 in HD
DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television provider, ends the summer on a high note with the exclusive HD broadcast of the premiere of Disney Channel's hit movie High School Musical 2 on August 24 at 6 p.m., 9 p.m., and midnight EST. Only DIRECTV customers can watch the three screenings in HD, with 5.1 digital audio, by tuning into DIRECTV's original entertainment channel, The 101.

Today's High-Def Headlines

DreamWorks Animation, Paramount choose HD DVD - Reuters
Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. said on Monday they will release their DVD titles exclusively on HD DVD, the high-definition digital movie format whose sales have lagged those of rival Blu-Ray so far this year. Paramount, which distributes DreamWorks Animation's DVDs, settled on HD DVD after determining that the format offers better quality and lower-cost players and lower manufacturing costs, the studios said in a statement.

When a Television Is Suitable for Framing - NY Times
Many people like the look of a flat-panel television hanging on the living room wall — so long as something’s on. Turn the set off, though, and the blank screen becomes an eyesore to those who want a TV to disappear when they aren’t watching it. Fortunately for those consumers, aesthetic ways to camouflage that huge L.C.D. or plasma panel, and perhaps even enhance the room’s décor, are on the market.

Radiient's New Repeat-6 HDMI Distributor Simplifies Delivery of HD Content
Radiient Technologies, Inc., a recognized emerging growth leader in the HDTV and Home Theater markets, announced today the release of its new Repeat-6(TM) Six Output HDMI Distributor, which facilitates easy set-up and playback of audio-video media from any HDMI source. Specifically, Repeat-6 allows delivery of a signal from a single HD source, such as a Blu-ray disc player, to as many as six displays or receivers simultaneously.

WeaKnees.com Adds More Weight to New TiVo HD DVR
To accommodate the needs of potential new TiVo HD DVR customers, WeaKnees.com is now shipping TiVo HD DVRs with added storage capacity. WeaKnees upgraded TiVo DVRs provide far more capacity than the Series3, at a fraction of the Series3 price.

Today's High-Def Headlines

DISH Unveils Turbo-Charged HD DVR - MCN

EchoStar Communications and its Dish Network Thursday officially introduced their newest HD DVR, which can store up to 500 hours of programming for on-demand, and is meant to support the satellite provider’s expanded HD offering of 38 channels. The ViP722 is an advanced version of the EchoStar’s ViP622 DVR, and will complement Dish Network’s recently ramped-up HD lineup, which the satellite provider claims is the largest in the nation.

A Way to See DVDs in (Almost) High Definition, Without Choosing a Format - NYT

No one knows when the battle between the HD-DVD and Blu-ray video formats will end, but what’s an early adopter to do without ending up like the poor folks who bought Betamax? Until one format is the clear winner, you could try improving the video from your current DVDs instead. The Oppo DV-980H plays standard DVDs but sharpens and improves the image for big-screen high-definition TVs.

Kane Forms HD Education Joint Venture - TWICE

Joe Kane Productions and The DVD Acquisition and Development Group said they have entered into a strategic joint venture to create home theater calibration programming and education for consumers and industry professionals.

Today's High-Def Headlines

Sharp Unveils Thin-Bezel Aquos TV Line - TWICE
Sharp Tuesday took the wraps off its new entry 1080p LCD TV line, featuring slim-depth and -width bezels and a reduced footprint to fit into more cabinet spaces. The new models are part of the D64 series, which will replace the current D62 series, and feature the 42-inch, 46-inch, 52-inch and 65-inch screen sizes. All have new cabinet designs that measure 3.75 inches deep, or 25 percent slimmer than models in the D62 series, which they will replace.

Sony Launches Its Largest Integrated Marketing Campaign
Sony Electronics launched its largest integrated marketing campaign in the U.S., centering on its high definition DNA known as "HDNA." The campaign, featuring Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt, Jr., focuses on how Sony's high-definition technology in a variety of product categories comes together to bring consumers unparalleled HD entertainment experiences.

Ken Crane's Debuts World's Largest Plasma Television - TV Week
Ken Crane’s, an electronics store specializing in high-end luxury televisions and home theater systems in Los Angeles, unveiled the world’s largest plasma television Wednesday. The TV, manufactured by Panasonic, is 1080p, 103 inches and weighs 485 pounds, with its stand adding another 250 pounds. Four 50-inch plasmas could fit inside the one screen.

Is HDMI Finally Ready? - Dealerscope
HDMI supporters claim the worst is over for the relatively young specification, so if dealers and their customers want 1080p and the newer audio and video features coming down the pike - like Deep Color and Dolby TrueHD - it might be time to approach the technology with new confidence. But it’s not going to be easy to convince an industry singed by early HDMI and High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) compatibility issues and complexity-not to mention HDMI plugs popping off during and after system installation-to forsake familiar, stable DVI and component connections.

IBM To Handle DTV Coupons - TWICE
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on Wednesday said it has awarded IBM a contract to provide services for the implementation and administration of the nation’s digital-to-analog converter box coupon program. The Coupon Program, authorized by the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, provides for distribution and redemption of coupons that consumers may apply toward the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes.

Denon Adds Blu-ray, HDMI 1.3, HD Radio, More - TWICE
Denon has added the following features to all new A/V receivers: dedicated port for an optional iPod dock, XM-ready port and HDMI 1.3a connectivity, even if used only for switching high-definition video signals up to 1080p resolution. All three features start at a suggested $349. The company also brought 1080p up-scaling in receivers down to a suggested $849.

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LCD Continuing March Toward DTV Dominance Reports In-Stat
LCD will continue its ascension to market dominance in the worldwide digital TV (DTV) market, reports In-Stat. LCD will have almost 75% of the market in 2011, with plasma fading to less than 15%, the high-tech market research firm says.

Disney Adds Kids’ LCD TV Line - TWICE
Disney Consumer Products said it is adding this fall its first line of Disney LCD TVs, a Disney Flix video camera and iPod-compatible speakers. Products will feature themes from some of the studio’s top franchises including “Disney Princess” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” and Disney Channel’s “High School Musical” and “Hannah Montana.”

Cable Bandwidth Crisis Approaching, Says ABI Research
Escalating demand for bandwidth-hungry services such as HDTV and online gaming is gradually leading to a critical lack of capacity in cable operators' networks. Several solutions are available and, according to a study from ABI Research, collectively they will account for some $80 billion worldwide in investment over the next five years.

LG Cuts 'Super Blu' Price - TWICE
Faced with the imminent arrival of a competitive dual-format HD disc player from Samsung, LG Electronics has cut the price of its BH-100 Super Blu player to $999, according to a company spokesperson. The unit, which is the first player capable of playing back both Blu-ray Discs and HD DVDs, in addition to standard DVDs, was originally priced at a $1,199 suggested retail.

Sony: Blu-ray Growing in Developing Markets - Video Business Online
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is touting Blu-ray Disc strength in developing markets, noting that format title sales in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Eastern Europe, South Africa and the Middle East now account for 10% of the company’s overall business. Individually, South Africa represents the largest share of these markets’ Blu-ray sales, with more than 15,000 units shipped to the country to date.

CEA Mulls Spec for 1080p Over Component Video - CE Pro
It’s not such a dirty little secret that many home systems integrators prefer component video over HDMI, particularly for installations that include multiple high-def components. Yet there is no official standard for delivering 1080p over analog, even though it can be done. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) may change that.

Sizing Up Blu-ray and HD DVD - Washington Post
Way back in the technological dark ages (that'd be the '80s), VHS and Betamax competed to become the format of choice for people watching movies at home. The former eventually won that battle, while everyone who had bought a Betamax player became the proud owner of a very expensive paperweight. Then DVDs came along and replaced tapes altogether. Now, couch potatoes everywhere face another choice in format: HD DVD or Blu-ray.

Vizio: 1080p LCD for Less - CNET Reviews
Vizio has sold a lot of HDTVs by undercutting the competition's pricing with key technologies at popular screen sizes. The GV42LF is another example, bringing 1080p resolution to a 42-inch screen at a price that's tough to beat. As usual, we found a lot to like about the GV42LF's picture, especially considering its price.

OJsys Announces Its Digital HDTV Set-Top Box Device Available
OJsys, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of home media technologies, including a Digital HDTV Set-top Box, announced today that it has successfully contracted with Pegasus International to provide the device at retail outlets in Southern California. Pegasus International paid OJSY $130,000 as an initial payment for distributing OJSY's Digital HDTV Set-top Boxes.

Today's High-Def Headlines

Ergen Downplays DirecTV’s 100 HD Channels - MCN
EchoStar Communications CEO Charlie Ergen Friday touted quality over quantity when it comes to HDTV content. During a second-quarter conference call, analysts asked Ergen about DirecTV’s coming HDTV expansion, which will translate to 70 channels by the end of the third quarter and 100 HD channels by the end of the year.

Onkyo Readies HD DVD Player - TWICE
Onkyo USA plans fall shipments of its first HD DVD player, which will retail for a suggested $899. The DV-HD805 features decoders for all of the disc format’s optional and mandatory surround-sound formats, which will travel over the player’s HDMI 1.3a output in native form to Onkyo receivers equipped with HDMI 1.3a inputs.

HDTV Consumer Electronics Sales in China Have Skyrocketed
China's HDTV industry is being shaped by two forces: a relatively stubborn service industry and a very energetic and enthusiastic equipment industry. Although it has been offering HDTV service for two years, the service industry's progress in persuading consumers to adopt HDTV has been slow, with only a quarter of a million consumers having subscribed to HDTV service by 2006. This number is expected to grow to over two million by 2011.

Today's High-Def Headlines

DirecTV CEO Carey Promises 70 HD Channels - MCN
DirecTV plans to have more than 70 HD channels when it launches its expanded HDTV package the end of the third quarter, and to have 100 HD services by the end of the year, officials said Thursday.

Cuban upping ante on HD VOD - Daily Variety
If Mark Cuban has his way, Brian De Palma's forthcoming Iraq war movie "Redacted" will be available to digital subscribers two or three weeks before the pic reaches the multiplexes. The strategy is called Ultra HD Video on Demand.

Plasma-Panel Revenue About To Peak: iSuppli - TWICE
Plasma-panel vendors will see their revenue peak in 2008 primarily due to competition from LCD and price erosion, according to the research firm iSuppli.

'300' Sets Blu-ray/HD DVD Sales Record - Hollywood Reporter/GameDaily BIZ
Warner Home Video may have delayed the launch of its dual-format Total HD disc until the first part of next year, but in the meantime the studio's policy of releasing titles on both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD continues to pay off. The studio Tuesday announced it had sold through to consumers more than 250,000 high-def disc copies of the epic actioner "300," which was released on both next-generation formats July 31, the same day as the standard DVD.

HBO Picks Motorola For HD Encoding - MCN
Motorola will implement a high-definition MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding system for HBO as the premium network moves to deliver all 26 of its channels to operators in HD format by mid-2008 -- and the system also will let HBO continue to deliver four main high-definition feeds in MPEG-2.

NuVision Adds 10 Lucidium 1080p LCD Flat Panels - TWICE
NuVision U.S. has launched its Lucidium Deep Black LCD HDTV line with models ranging from 22 inches to 65 inches.

San Diego Padres Continue HD Leadership

Three years ago the San Diego Padres established themselves as the professional sports franchise that appeared in HD more often than any other, thanks to cable channel Cox 4 that broadcasts virtually all of the team's games. Every home game was in HD -- this at a time when most teams were available in high-def for only a quarter or a third of the season -- but not only that, all of the team's in-division road games were in HD as well. This effort showed a tremendous commitment by Cox 4 to high-def broadcasting in the relatively early days of HD.

The news only gets better for Padres fans with the recent announcement that all of the team's games for the remainder of the '07 season, home and away, in-division and out, will be in HD. To my knowledge, only the New York Yankees YES Network has a similar commitment, which to their credit has been the case for this entire season. However, not all of the Yankees games are on YES (some are on WWOR My9) so it's unclear to me whether every Yanks game this season has been in HD -- although it seems likely that is the case.

If you know of any other baseball teams whose games are all in HD, please let me know. As with the Padres and Yankees, I want to give credit where it is due!

Today's High-Def Headlines

TV's Digital Switchover Has a Downside - USA Today
Until now, millions of TV viewers who use reliable rooftop antennas and rabbit ears to get their signal have not been affected by the nation's transition to digital TV. That's about to change. By Feb. 18, 2009, the signals the sets receive will be shut off. Those old analog channels, which have been used for 60 years, will be reclaimed by the government and auctioned for billions of dollars to other communications services.

Panasonic Rates Its 1080p Plasma HDTV Line to Play 100,000 Hours to Half Brightness
Panasonic, the market leader in Plasma TVs, today announced that it is rating its best-selling line of 1080p Plasma HDTVs to play for 100,000 hours before reaching half brightness. Based upon the U.S. average daily viewing time of six and a half hours, Panasonic 1080p Plasma HDTVs could on average take more than 42 years before they reach half of their original brightness level.

Toshiba Gives More Details On New HD DVD Decks - TWICE
Toshiba America Consumer Products provided more details on its HD DVD players for the U.S. market, which it announced last week. The decks in the new line, which are all priced under $500 at retail, have selected features such as 1080p/24 fps support, 1080p, CE-Link connectivity and high bit-rate audio capabilities, the company said.

Sharp Files LCD Infringement Lawsuit Against Samsung - TWICE
Sharp Corp. filed a lawsuit today alleging infringements of five of its patents on LCD-related technology by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung) and its U.S. subsidiaries Samsung Electronics America (SEA) and Samsung Telecommunications America (STA) in the U.S. District Court in Marshall, Texas.

Chinese HDTV Market Developing Slowly, Reports In-Stat
With companies in the Chinese HDTV service market generally adopting wait-and-see strategies at present, investment and marketing efforts on HDTV in China have been small, reports In-Stat. As a result, HDTV subscriber growth will be slow in China over the next several years, reaching a modest two million by 2011, the high-tech market research firm says.

LG Electronics is Spending Summer at the Beach
LG Electronics has moved to Malibu this summer and is featuring the hottest new products from mobile phones to plasma HDTVs at "LG House Malibu" -- over 3,500 square feet of pure oasis for Hollywood celebs. For those that are tired of the red carpet or being tracked by the paparazzi, LG House Malibu is the place to be.

Today's High-Def Headlines

HDNet's Exclusive Live HDTV Coverage of the Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour Rescheduled for 5:30 P.M. ET, Wednesday, August 8 HDNet's exclusive live coverage of the lift off of NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-118 has moved to Wednesday, August 8 at 5:30 p.m. ET with the planned liftoff set for 6:36 p.m. ET. HDNet will be the only television network to bring viewers the launch coverage in stunning high definition television.

Spiderman Coming To Blu-ray - TWICE
“Spider-Man 3” will swoop into retail stores in multiple DVD and Blu-ray Disc versions starting Oct. 30, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment said Friday. Versions available for collectors will include a single-disc release, a two-disc Special Edition release, PSP, and a three-pack DVD release which will include “Spider-Man” and “Spider-Man 2” on DVD with collectible O-Ring packaging.

Toshiba to Debut Third Generation HD DVD Players
Toshiba today announced its third generation of HD DVD players for the U.S. market. Continuing to outpace the competition in sales of dedicated high definition players and responding to increased consumer demand, Toshiba revealed three new sleek and stylish models for an ultimate HD home movie experience.

LCD Panel Shortages Impact LCD TVs - TWICE
Vendors and analysts tell TWICE that tightness in LCD panel shipments during the second quarter of 2007 has limited supplies of certain LCD TV screen sizes, particularly among third-tier brands without direct control over factory production.

Key Digital Introduces the Digital FatCATs for HDMI
Key Digital, Inc., the leader in video technology and solutions introduces the digital FatCAT series of high quality precision baluns for distributing HDMI video and audio signals over CAT5/6 wiring. The FatCAT series incorporates Key Digital's exclusive HDMI Path technology, which prevents EDID miscommunication, resulting in flawless HDMI signal transfers form source to display.

DisplaySearch Announces Detailed Agenda for Expanded 5th Annual HDTV Conference

AUSTIN, TEXAS, July 25, 2007--DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in display market research and consulting, is pleased to announce the detailed agenda and initial speaker line-up for its 5th Annual HDTV Conference to be held on October 10-11, 2007 at the Hilton Universal in Los Angeles.

This year’s conference has been expanded to include dedicated sessions on:

The Future of Filmmaking
HD Broadcasting Outlook
HD Content Distribution Outlook
HD Gaming Outlook

In addition, the conference will update its coverage on the following topics:

HD Format War
Next Gen DVD Hardware Outlook
HDTV Market Outlook
New Display Advances
Home Connectivity
Enhancing the HDTV Experience
Retailer Panel

According to DisplaySearch Founder and President Ross Young, "This year we will bring together executives representing all sources of HD content and most types of HD hardware. I don’t believe any other market research conference can provide its attendees with as comprehensive of a view of HD market and technology trends. Attendees will not only benefit by hearing from and networking with industry leaders but will also be able to take advantage of sell-through, sell-in, supply chain and consumer research from DisplaySearch, The NPD Group and other market research firms."

Conference sessions include
Keynote Session: Legendary Filmmakers Discuss the Impact of HD and Other New Technologies on Timeless and Future FilmsFilm fans are notorious for collecting their favorite must-own classic in every format it was ever released in, from VHS to Laserdisc to DVD and now HD and possibly 3D in the future. What does a director have to consider when bringing a 25 or 50 year old movie for presentation on a flawless 50" 1080p screen, knowing that owners can press their noses against the screen to scrutinize every detail? What about the sound? What wowed audiences back in the '70s is well below expectations for even a moderately impressive home audio system. Come hear the creators of the best content ever discuss what it takes to bring it to the best screens ever.

The Format War Is Over! No Wait, This Just In…

The battle to become the next packaged medium to succeed DVD has been a passionate, hard-fought effort from both sides. The scrappy HD DVD group has fallen behind many times, yet always seems to pick up speed to stay in the race. However, the formidable Blu-ray force of 190+ companies could finally be reaching the finish line. Or, will consumers simply be content to support both formats as long as the competition spawns attractive consumer benefits? Hear the latest from all sides in what always results in a lively debate.
Ken Graffeo, EVP, Marketing, Home Entertainment, Universal
Steve Nickerson, SVP, Market Management, Warner Home Video
Russ Crupnick, Vice President, Senior Industry Analyst, The NPD Group
Vito Mandato, Executive Consultant

HD Broadcasting Outlook

There are now 58 HD channels being broadcasted in the United States with 47 additional HD channels to begin broadcasting between September and June. When over 100 HD channels are available, how will the dynamics and economics of broadcasting change? Are broadcasters able to generate higher revenues with their HD content or are they expanding their HD channels to secure spectrum? When will the majority of commercials on HD channels appear in HD? What are the obstacles and when will they be overcome? The majority of HDTVs are not yet receiving HD service. When and how will this change? These and other questions will be answered by executives from three of the leading HD networks.
Keynote: Bryan Burns, VP, Strategic Business Planning & Development, ESPN
Karl Meisenbach, Director of Advertising, HDNet

HD Content Distribution Outlook

"100 national HD channels by the end of 2007." "Capacity for 500 HD channels by the end of the year." "800+ HD viewing choices by the end of 2008." "Virtually unlimited HD channel capacity." As HD service providers maneuver to one-up each other in the battle for consumers’ living rooms, cable, satellite and telco experts will share their HDTV content distribution experiences and offer insights into the technologies that will enable the vast expansion of HD channel offerings.
Mark Kersey, Principal Analyst, Kersey Strategies

HD Gaming Outlook

While the Nintendo Wii stole the thunder from the Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 during the 2006 holiday season and the first half of 2007, the next generation gaming platform war is far from over as Sony and Microsoft reduce prices, introduce more games, add more compelling games, and offer additional functionality such as downloading movies. Are HD gaming platforms destined to become the center of our home networks or will they be stand-alone devices? Where are the game software suppliers putting their resources?
Michael Pachter, Managing Director, Research, Wedbush Morgan Securities
Microsoft - TBD
Sony - TBD

New Display Advances

This session will examine the strategies that LCD, PDP and DLP suppliers are employing to improve performance and reduce costs. It will also examine the rise of LEDs as backlight sources and the use of 2D dimming to deliver high dynamic range performance to dramatically improve LCD contrast ratios. DisplaySearch will also present its view of industry performance roadmaps as well as its cost, price, supply/demand and shipment forecasts.
Ross Young, Founder and President, DisplaySearch
Adam Kunzman, DLP HDTV Business Manager, Texas Instruments
Paul Meyhoefer, VP of Display Marketing and Product Planning, Pioneer
Samsung LCD Business, TBD
Bharath Rajagopalan, Business Line Director, Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

Next Gen DVD Hardware Outlook

As competition heats up in the format battle, how are the new second and even third generation HD DVD and Blu-ray players stacking up against their real foe: the $79 up-converting DVD player? What are the hot new features? Is there still a need for firmware updates? Has true connectivity been realized? Will interactive content via these new machines truly enhance the consumer movie-watching experience? What has the research shown in terms of consumer satisfaction with these new players relative to DVD, the most successful consumer electronics product ever. With prices much lower and awareness much greater this year, how much better will the 2007 holiday season be for next generation DVD players? When will next generation players overtake standard definition players? Can dual format players be successful? Leading DVD manufacturers will debate these and other questions.
Moderator: Paul Erickson, Director of DVD and HD Market Research, DisplaySearch

Enhancing the HDTV Experience

This session will address advances in digital audio technology and an emerging video certification for Flat Panel HDTV's. As users demand a better sound and visual experience, the session will take a look at a new video certification designed to ensure image quality and simplify consumer purchasing decisions. In addition to the visual side, session participants will examine the latest digital audio surround sound technologies, including virtualized and simulated surround sound techniques, as well as other areas for audio enhancement, such as video-audio synchronization.
Moderator: Vish Nayak, Vice President of TV and Display Electronics, DisplaySearch
Alan Kraemer, Chief Technology Officer, SRS Labs
Patrick Dunn, Director, Display Technology, THX Ltd.
TBD, Dolby Labs
TBD, Analog Devices

Home Connectivity

Better access to content from a wider variety of sources, particularly HD, brings with it a challenge to seamlessly move that content around the home. A variety of new and traditional technologies look to make that user experience easier without sacrificing the HDTV quality experience. The session will address wired and wireless solutions while keeping an eye towards ease of use for the consumer.
Jim Sanduski, VP, Digital TV Solutions, HP
John LeMoncheck, President and Chief Executive Officer, SiBeam
Joe Lee, Evangelist, HDMI

TV Market Outlook

After the dust settled from a fast and furious 2006, leading brands are each developing unique strategies to thrive in the 2007 market environment and beyond. A whole new landscape of technologies and retailers awaits. This session will address and highlight each brand’s unique approach to this new marketplace.
Eddie Taylor, VP of TV Market Research and TV Team Leader, DisplaySearch
Jeff Cove, VP of Technology and Alliances, Panasonic
Frank DeMartin, VP of Marketing, Audio/Video Division, Mitsubishi
Vinny Sollitto, CEO, Syntax-Brillian

Retailer Panel

Join a panel of leading retailers as they discuss the challenges of selling HDTVs, HD service and next generation DVD players and gaming platforms. How can manufacturers and retailers collaborate to develop better in-store displays that deliver the value proposition of HD to the consumer? How can retailers move from selling products and towards selling an HD solution to consumers? Where are attachment rates going for HD peripherals such as HD-DVD and Blu-ray players, HD service, and home installation? As retailers more aggressively expand their service and installation areas, how will this impact pricing and sell-through? What are expected to be the hot products and price points this holiday season? Is there enough supply? Will the pricing environment be as chaotic as last year and how will retailers respond? Can another price war be avoided? Are there nuances to the HD market (like regional pricing or marketing) that retailers and manufacturers can collaborate on to drive profitable sales?

Moderator: Stephen Baker, VP, Industry Analysis, The NPD Group
Noah Herschman, Director of Audio & Video, Amazon.com

There are a limited number of presentation slots remaining. If interested, please contact Heather Boudreau at Heather_Boudreau@displaysearch.com.

Register for both HDTV and the DVD Forum North America DVD Conference and Save!DisplaySearch has co-located the HDTV Conference with the DVD Forum North America DVD conference, which takes place on Tuesday, October 9, 2007. Register for both events and save $100. For more information on both events, please visit www.displaysearch.com/hdtv2007
Both events take place at the Hilton Universal in Los Angeles, California. A special conference hotel rate of $165 per night is available when you book online or by referencing the Group Code DIS when calling the Hilton Universal at 800-498-5416. The special conference rate is only available until September 14, 2007 or until the room block is filled. Click Here for hotel details.
Sponsorship OpportunitiesA limited number of sponsorships and exhibits remain. All sponsors will have their company’s name distributed to over 20,000 recipients in conference collateral and press releases. In addition, sponsors receive a conference item with logo distributed to all paid attendees. Contact Heather Boudreau for more information on a sponsorship by calling 516-625-6133 or via email at heather_boudreau@displaysearch.com.

Sponsors of the event include: Global Platinum - DolbyPlatinum – Analog Devices, Samsung and Syntax-BrillianSilver – LCD TV Association, Micronas and SRS
Media Sponsors of the event include:CustomRetailer, Dealerscope, HDTV Magazine, Home Toys and Veritas et Visus

About DisplaySearch DisplaySearch, an NPD Group company, has a core team of 46 employees located in Europe, North America and Asia who produce a valued suite of FPD-related market forecasts, technology assessments, surveys, studies and analyses. The company also organizes influential events worldwide. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, DisplaySearch has regional operations in Chicago, Houston, Kyoto, London, San Diego, San Jose, Seoul, Shenzhen, Taipei and Tokyo, and the company is on the web at www.displaysearch.com.

About The NPD Group Inc.The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,600 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions. Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, visit www.npd.com.
Company Contact: Arie Braun DisplaySearch 512-687-1505 (ph) 512-459-3127 (fax) E-mail: arie@displaysearch.com Media Contact: Patti D. Hill BlabberMouth PR 512.218-0401 E-mail: patti@blabbermouthPR.com

Today's High-Def Headlines

Pioneer to launch full HD plasma TVs in October - Reuters
Japan's Pioneer Corp. said on Thursday it will launch its first full high-definition plasma televisions in October, playing catch-up with larger rivals such as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. Pioneer's plasma operations swung to a quarterly loss in April-June, hit by fierce price competition in the flat TV market, where plasma televisions are losing market share to rival liquid crystal display (LCD) models.

Q2 LCD Grows As Plasma Slows - TWICE
The NPD Group’s DisplaySearch company said worldwide LCD TV panel shipments rose a record 32 percent quarter-to-quarter and 65 percent year-to-year to 19.6 million panels in the second quarter of 2007. For the first time, twice as many over 40-inch LCD TV panels were shipped as 40-inch plasma panels.

Independent Cable Ops Eye Opportunities from DTV Transition - MCN
Independent cable operators agreed that they need to have a voice and a role in the looming digital-TV transition, but they haven’t reached a consensus yet on exactly what their strategy should be.

Canon Intros Hard-Drive-Based HD Camcorder - TWICE
Canon announced its first hard-disk-drive-based high-definition camcorder yesterday. The AVCHD-based HG10 features a 10x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization and Canon’s DIGIC DV II processor. The camcorder’s CMOS sensor records 1920 by 1080i video to a 40GB HDD. It can snap 3-megapixel still images to a miniSD card and isolate 2-megapixel stills from video footage during playback with the Photo Grab feature.

Panasonic Launches "Living In HD" Project - TWICE
Panasonic kicked off a promotional campaign, called “Living In High Definition,” that seeks to bring, people, families and communities together through the use of its high definition consumer electronics products. The effort will award $20,000-plus complete Panasonic A/V and IT product suites to a total of 30 families across the country through March 2008.

Qwest CEO: No Need for New U-verse - Light Reading
Dick Notebaert: "Why in the world would you go do that [build a new broadband TV platform] and incur all that expense when you've got YouTube and the direction the world is heading and can still do the broadcast model with more HD than anywhere else with DirecTV. I can't find any logic for us doing it."

Today's High-Def Headlines

Sharp Plans 10th Generation LCD Plant - TWICE
Sharp will build a new plant in Sakai City, Japan for the combined production of 10th-generation LCD panels and thin-film solar cells. The new $3.2 billion plant will “incorporate relevant infrastructure and facilities, as well as attract material and production equipment manufacturers to construct plants on the same site,” Sharp said.

Time Warner to Offer In Demand’s ‘Mojo Mix’ - MCN
Time Warner Cable picked up Mojo Mix, a five-hour, HD video-on-demand programming block from In Demand Networks. Content, which will be refreshed each month, includes music videos; episodes of Mojo original HD series such as Three Sheets, King of Miami and Wall Street Warriors; various specials; and short-form content.

Small, Midsized Cable Operators Ponder HDTV - MCN
HDTV may be a bandwidth hog, but it’s a compelling product that independent cable operators need in order to compete against satellite, several cable executives said Monday. The group described bandwidth constraints as one of their top issues, especially in an era when they need to be offering more HDTV services to compete with rivals such as DirecTV, which boasts -- and is heavily advertising -- its promise to launch more than 100 HDTV services.

AT&T to Offer TV Service in N.C. - Raleigh-Durham News-Observer
AT&T will spend $350 million to offer television to North Carolina households, creating a major competitor for cable and satellite companies and a new choice for channel surfers. The phone company's investment in the state over the next several years, announced Tuesday in Raleigh, will pay for fiber-optic network upgrades needed to transmit TV signals over phone lines. AT&T wants to sell bundled packages of phone, Internet, wireless and TV service, which could help reduce prices and spur more technology.

Adelstein: Digital Transition Could Spark ‘Tsunami of Consumer Complaints’ - MCN
Federal Communications Commission member Jonathan Adelstein Tuesday called for the creation of a digital-TV-conversion task force to head off a potential “tsunami of consumer complaints” when analog TV sets are rendered useless in February 2009. Adelstein, via a recorded keynote address at The Independent Show, joined the crowd of officials who are fearfully warning that the public needs to be made aware of the implications of the move to digital-only broadcast signals come Feb. 17, 2009.

Pioneer Reports Lower Q1 Sales, Operating Income - TWICE
Home electronics sales were down 14.3 percent to $564.5 million due to the drop in plasma TV sales due to “fierce competition” in North America and Europe. Plasma sales accounted for about 34 percent of home electronics sales. Operating loss was $42.2 million, about 12 times greater a loss this year than the same time last year, again mainly due to profits lost in plasma displays.

AVerMedia Launches New HD and Analog Hybrid Express Card TV Tuner
AVerMedia(R) Technologies, Inc., the leading provider of digital multimedia and presentation technology announced today the release of the AVerTV Hybrid ExpressCard High Definition and Analog ExpressCard TV Tuner for laptops. Utilizing the latest component technologies, the new AVerTV Hybrid ExpressCard is the perfect TV Tuner solution for laptops with an Express Card interface a hybrid world-wide Analog and ATSC tuner.