Today's High-Def Headlines

Satellite Snafu Will Delay Dish Network’s HD Expansion - MCN
In another competitive setback, Dish Network’s high-definition launches, particularly some local HD debuts, will be delayed by a snafu in a satellite launch, the company said Monday. The postponement stems from last Friday’s problematic launch of AMC-14, which Dish Network planned to lease in order to expand its local HDTV and international offerings. Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett issued a report Monday on the problem with AMC-14 entitled “Dish Network High-Definition Plans…Lost in Space.” He called the “anomaly” with AMC-14 “a major blow” to Dish Network’s planned HDTV expansion -- from 70 national HDTV channels to 100 by the end of the year, as well as having local HD in 100 markets – especially in terms of competing with DirecTV.

DirecTV Satellite Launch Delayed - MCN
The launch of DirecTV’s newest satellite, slated to take place Monday, has been delayed, according to officials. Late Sunday afternoon Sea Launch, the sea-based mobile launching system, put a hold on the countdown for the launch of DirecTV 11, which had been set for 3:49 p.m. (PT) today, “to allow the team to study an issue,” according to the Sea Launch Web site. “This is not expected to have any impact on our HD expansion plans,” DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said.

Custom Faces Big Challenges, CEA Tells Installers At EH Expo - TWICE
All those A/V specialists who dropped retail to focus on custom installation just may want to rethink their business decision. Custom installers are facing big challenges because of a new-housing market that won’t return to its peak levels for a few years; a depressed home-remodeling market that likewise reduces the potential for custom-install sales; inroads by electrical contractors into the custom market; and home builders who, despite an apparent need to aggressively differentiate themselves, still do very little to promote custom-installed systems, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) economist Sean DuBravac told installers here during last week’s EH Expo.

Japanese Electronics Makers Shrink Screens - MarketWatch
Japanese flat-panel television manufacturers are shifting their focus to smaller models due to low consumer demand in North America and the weakening dollar, according to a published report. A story in the Tuesday edition of the Nikkei Business Daily quoted Sharp Corp. President Mikio Katayama as saying, "We changed the strategy in July because of a plunge in North American sales of large-screen TVs." A decline in consumer demand for televisions with screens of 40 inches or more is leading companies such as Sharp, Sony Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. to focus on models with screens between 26 and 40 inches, the Nikkei said.