Today's High-Def Headlines

Magid Study Finds Increased DTV Awareness - MCN
According to research firm Frank N. Magid Associates, the efforts by broadcasters, cable companies and consumer-electronics manufacturers to educate consumers about the implications of the Feb. 17, 2009, turnoff of analog signals, which will mark the end of the United States' digital-television transition, are starting to pay off. Six out of 10 Americans are now aware of the February 2009 turnover, according to Magid Media Futures, which conducted an online survey of some 1,200 adults 21 and over to measure their awareness of the DTV transition and their adoption of HDTV. That was a sharp rise from a similar survey in September 2007, which found that consumer awareness of local broadcasters' digital signals was only 34%.

Study: 65.7% of market to go HD by 2012 - Hollywood Reporter
SNL Kagan said Monday that its most recent study, "Economics of High Definition Cable Networks," estimates that cable and satellite high-definition subscribers will penetrate 65.7% of U.S. multichannel households by 2012, up from 18.8% in 2007. More than one-third of homes now have HDTV sets, with that number growing each year, so "cable networks will face increasing pressure to offer more HD content," said SNL Kagan, adding that 74 high-def networks have launched since 2003.

Even at Megastores, Hagglers Find No Price Is Set in Stone - NY Times
Shoppers are discovering an upside to the down economy. They are getting price breaks by reviving an age-old retail strategy: haggling. A bargaining culture once confined largely to car showrooms and jewelry stores is taking root in major stores like Best Buy, Circuit City and Home Depot, as well as mom-and-pop operations.

Sharp Rolls Out New 2.1 Home Theatre System - Smarthouse
Sharp has released a 2.1 channel home theatre system which, the company claims, will provide ‘state of the art sound and picture reproduction to enhance the home cinema experience.’ The HTDV40H comes with two front speakers and a subwoofer which is supported by Dolby's Audistry technology. This technology offer features such as Sound Space Expander, Natural Bass (optimised bass without distortion) and Intelligent Volume Control in order to deliver an impressive level of audio performance, the company says.

US TV Viewers Embrace High Definition (Sort of), According to ABI Research Survey
NEW YORK, Mar 25, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In December of 2007 ABI Research conducted an online survey of 1002 television and video consumers in the United States. 41% of TV owners have a high-definition TV, but surprisingly, only 56% of this group subscribe to a HD service package.