Despite the struggling economy, the U.S. flat-panel TV industry continues to flourish, according to research released at the DisplaySearch HDTV 2008 Conference in Hollywood. Paul Gagnon, DisplaySearch North American TV research director, said TV unit sales will continue to grow through the remainder of 2008, although a slightly lower pace than in 2007, causing the research firm to revise its forecasts slightly upward. However, accelerated declines in average selling prices (ASPs) will challenge dollar volume growth.
Hitachi to Clip Plasma Panel Production - Washington Post
Japan's Hitachi Ltd. said it will shrink production of plasma panels and buy them from Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. in a bid to cut losses on its flat TVs in a market dominated by rival LCD technology. The world's No. 4 plasma TV maker will buy fabricated glass panels -- the high-end part of a plasma TV -- from Matsushita in a step that some analysts say could be part of a slow withdrawal from the business.
Japan's Hitachi Ltd. said it will shrink production of plasma panels and buy them from Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. in a bid to cut losses on its flat TVs in a market dominated by rival LCD technology. The world's No. 4 plasma TV maker will buy fabricated glass panels -- the high-end part of a plasma TV -- from Matsushita in a step that some analysts say could be part of a slow withdrawal from the business.
New TiVo DVR Records 150 Hours of HD Fare - MCN
TiVo has launched a new digital video recorder, the TiVo HD XL, which can record up to 150 hours of HD content — the largest recording capacity of any DVR currently in the market. The new box, which retails for $599.99, works with CableCard technology in digital cable and telco households and in homes receiving digital over-the-air signals but does not currently allow satellite subscribers to record content in HD.
TiVo has launched a new digital video recorder, the TiVo HD XL, which can record up to 150 hours of HD content — the largest recording capacity of any DVR currently in the market. The new box, which retails for $599.99, works with CableCard technology in digital cable and telco households and in homes receiving digital over-the-air signals but does not currently allow satellite subscribers to record content in HD.
Obama And McCain On 60 Minutes, In HDTV - CBS News
America's most-watched news program takes a hard look at the presidential candidates on its 40th anniversary broadcast much as it did when its very first edition on Sept. 24, 1968, featured Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey. Forty years later, however, 60 Minutes will debut a vivid, new look thanks to digital technology that would have been science fiction in 1968. 60 Minutes' 40th anniversary program - a special broadcast in high definition and devoted entirely to interviews with Barack Obama and John McCain - will be broadcast this Sunday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
America's most-watched news program takes a hard look at the presidential candidates on its 40th anniversary broadcast much as it did when its very first edition on Sept. 24, 1968, featured Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey. Forty years later, however, 60 Minutes will debut a vivid, new look thanks to digital technology that would have been science fiction in 1968. 60 Minutes' 40th anniversary program - a special broadcast in high definition and devoted entirely to interviews with Barack Obama and John McCain - will be broadcast this Sunday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
Changes Seen In HDTV Adoption - TWICE
As penetration of HDTV sets reaches half of all homes in the United States, the second half of the adoption phase is likely to look a lot different than the first half, according to The NPD Group. Ross Rubin, The NPD Group industry analysis director, said this to attendees at the DisplaySearch HDTV 2008 Conference here Tuesday. Rubin said HDTV penetration levels are now at about 46 percent of U.S. households, with 34 percent of homes having only one HDTV and 13 percent owning multiple HDTVs.
As penetration of HDTV sets reaches half of all homes in the United States, the second half of the adoption phase is likely to look a lot different than the first half, according to The NPD Group. Ross Rubin, The NPD Group industry analysis director, said this to attendees at the DisplaySearch HDTV 2008 Conference here Tuesday. Rubin said HDTV penetration levels are now at about 46 percent of U.S. households, with 34 percent of homes having only one HDTV and 13 percent owning multiple HDTVs.
Comcast, HDNet Strike Carriage Deal - MCN
Comcast Cable will offer Dallas-based HDNet on its high definition programming lineup as part of a carriage agreement announced last week. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The agreement enables Comcast to provide both HDNet and HDNet Movies in many of its systems, according to HDNet.
Comcast Cable will offer Dallas-based HDNet on its high definition programming lineup as part of a carriage agreement announced last week. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The agreement enables Comcast to provide both HDNet and HDNet Movies in many of its systems, according to HDNet.
CES Continues Courting Content - B&C
The Consumer Electronics Association announced Wednesday that major content companiesNielsen, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, MTV Networks and Buena Vista Home Entertainment all secured exhibition space for the 2009 International CES, which runs Jan. 8-11 in Las Vegas. For the past few years, the CEA has been pursuing major programmers, studios and cable companies to take a larger role in CES, which has traditionally been a tech-focused showcase for HDTV sets and other electronic gadgets.
The Consumer Electronics Association announced Wednesday that major content companiesNielsen, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, MTV Networks and Buena Vista Home Entertainment all secured exhibition space for the 2009 International CES, which runs Jan. 8-11 in Las Vegas. For the past few years, the CEA has been pursuing major programmers, studios and cable companies to take a larger role in CES, which has traditionally been a tech-focused showcase for HDTV sets and other electronic gadgets.
DirecTV has expanded the deployment of Harmonic’s video-processing systems to support its high-definition national channel service. DirecTV upped its national HD roster to 130 channels in August. The satellite operator cited the high-definition service as driving subscriber growth in recent quarters: DirecTV had 17.16 million subscribers as of June 30, a 5% increase from 16.32 million a year earlier.
RCN To Roll Out All-Digital Cable In NYC - MCN
RCN will begin switching its New York City video service to all-digital starting next month, officials said Monday. RCN executives said the change, which the company has already enacted in Chicago and Boston, will enable it to reclaim existing analog channels, improve picture quality, make the network easier to maintain, and dramatically increase the number of standard and high-definition channels it can offer to subscribers, to more than 75 in HDTV.
RCN will begin switching its New York City video service to all-digital starting next month, officials said Monday. RCN executives said the change, which the company has already enacted in Chicago and Boston, will enable it to reclaim existing analog channels, improve picture quality, make the network easier to maintain, and dramatically increase the number of standard and high-definition channels it can offer to subscribers, to more than 75 in HDTV.
Digeo Looks To January Rollout Of Retail STB - TWICE
Cable TV set-top solutions manufacturer Digeo said it is preparing two Moxi digital set-top boxes for market including a version intended for retail distribution early in 2009. Greg Gudorf, Digeo president, said the first device to reach the market will be distributed through cable operator Charter Communications later this month to be followed shortly by "a second MSO." The device will incorporate an HD DVR and the Moxi integrated user interface.
Cable TV set-top solutions manufacturer Digeo said it is preparing two Moxi digital set-top boxes for market including a version intended for retail distribution early in 2009. Greg Gudorf, Digeo president, said the first device to reach the market will be distributed through cable operator Charter Communications later this month to be followed shortly by "a second MSO." The device will incorporate an HD DVR and the Moxi integrated user interface.
MASN Steps Up With HD Channel - MCN
Regional sports network MASN will step to the plate with a full-time high-definition channel next March. Building on the 40 Baltimore Orioles and 40 Washington National Major League Baseball games it offered this season in the high-definition format, MASN’s HD channel will air up to 200 of the clubs’ contest in the enhanced format next year. In addition, the HD service will present preseason Baltimore Ravens National Football League games, select college football, basketball and lacrosse contests, and ESPN News fare.
Regional sports network MASN will step to the plate with a full-time high-definition channel next March. Building on the 40 Baltimore Orioles and 40 Washington National Major League Baseball games it offered this season in the high-definition format, MASN’s HD channel will air up to 200 of the clubs’ contest in the enhanced format next year. In addition, the HD service will present preseason Baltimore Ravens National Football League games, select college football, basketball and lacrosse contests, and ESPN News fare.
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