[opendtv] 20051029 Schubin's Saturday Stuff (Mark's Monday Memo
- From: Mark Schubin <tvmark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tvmark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 17:50:27 -0400 (GMT-04:00)
Here are some very efficient (low-administrative-cost) relief organiza=
tions (all have four-star ratings from CharityNavigator.org):
<http://www.americares.org/>
<http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html>
<http://www.directrelief.org/index.html>
<http://www.hopeww.org/>
<http://www.mercycorps.org/splash/>
I understand the Red Cross web site is often busy. Americans may also=
call 800 HELP NOW (800 435-7669).
- Follow-ups:
- Blu-ray and HD DVD -=20
- They are; they aren't; they are. Warner Bros. WILL release mov=
ies on Blu-ray (as well as HD DVD). This story is from Variety:
<http://tinyurl.com/9qg68>
- According to Electronic Engineering Times, only Universal has n=
ot yet announced that it will release in Blu-ray:
http://www.eet.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=3D172303018
- A few sources, such as Warren Communications News, reported tha=
t the Blu-ray camp made some concessions to win Warner's support, including=
a less restrictive "managed copy" technique. The story is no longer on th=
eir site:
<http://www.warren-news.com/>
- The HD DVD camp has taken that as a reason to crow:
<http://www.widescreenreview.com/news_detail.php?recid=3D10620>
- This Reuters story says disks may be on their way out:
<http://tinyurl.com/8jfrs>
- Where can you learn more? Try the 2006 Hollywood Post Alliance=
's ***Technology Retreat*** in February in the Palm Springs area:
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- TV spectrum and public-safety interoperability -
- Senator McCain has now laid "some of the human tragedy" of Hurr=
icane Katrina directly on what he sees as the too-slow U.S. DTT transition.=
This story is from InfoWorld:
<http://tinyurl.com/aeklw>
- Fortunately, the senator's proposal to move the hard analog cut=
-off date to the end of next year was soundly defeated (17-5) in the Senate=
Commerce Committee:
<http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,123136,00.asp>
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) testimony at a hear=
ing on ensuring operability during catastrophic events was much more reason=
able, noting that there are plenty of interoperability channels in bands ou=
tside the TV spectrum (though 2.6 MHz was allocated for that purpose in the=
700 MHz range):
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-261857A1.pdf>
- TV Technology again provides a number of interesting stories on=
the topic. Their Masked Engineer debunks McCain's (and, apparently, also =
John Kerry's) arguments about Hurricane Katrina and offers an interesting d=
isaster-communications scenario involving balloons:
<http://tinyurl.com/bhaxr>
Charlie Rhodes suggests good ways of extending the Emergency Alert Sys=
tem to DTT, including a mechanism for in-service testing without any need t=
o issue noticeable tests or alerts:
<http://tinyurl.com/bs83f>
Frank Beacham discusses the news:
<http://tinyurl.com/9gvw9>
- U.S. Analog hard cut-off date -
- The big news since the last memo is that the House and Senate C=
ommerce Committees have both passed draft legislation for an analog cutoff =
date at either the end of 2008 (House) or April 7, 2009 (Senate, a date fol=
lowing college basketball's "March Madness"). Both are also providing some=
subsidy for digital-to-analog adapters, said to be $40 of a supposed $50 c=
ost. The Senate version allocates $3 billion, enough for all the analog TV=
s even the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) says are out there (t=
hough not the VCRs). The House version allocates $990 million, which, afte=
r administrative costs, comes to $830 million, enough for more than 20 mill=
ion TVs but not to be allocated that way. Instead (according to what I've =
read), only the first 10.3-million households who request them will get cou=
pons (up to two per household), and the coupons will expire in three months=
. The Senate Commerce Committee vote was 19-3, the House a less lopsided 3=
3-17. Here are some links:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dailynews/one.php?id=3D3376>
<http://www.tgdaily.com/2005/10/18/senate_debates_463b_dtv_subsidy/>
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D8764>
- Mandatory multicast carriage, thought to have been a quid pro q=
uo for the broadcasters accepting a hard date, has not yet officially come =
up. It may be in a second bill that could also deal with TV-set labels, th=
e "tuner" mandate, and unlicensed broadband (which reportedly could be on T=
V channels 2-4). The second URL is for Broadcasting & Cable:
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D8748>
<http://tinyurl.com/74vk3>
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D8760>
- Representative John Dingell called the cost of adapters a "tele=
vision tax of $20 to $60 per TV set." "Why should ordinary people pay for =
a government decision that makes their television sets obsolete?":
<http://au.news.yahoo.com/051026/11/wikp.html>
The term "obsolete" was debated in the press, but such errors as an An=
drew Kantor USA Today story saying recovered spectrum was "because a digita=
l TV signal doesn't need a 6 MHz-wide" channel probably didn't help:
<http://tinyurl.com/7dzjo>
- Horowitz Associates and Points North Group also made a strange =
connection between the DTT transition and that of digital cable. According=
to Steward Wolpin of Points North, "Will the cable company be forced to gi=
ve you a box?" This story is from Media Post:
<http://tinyurl.com/7ag6q>
- EE Times Newsletter editor David Roman Editor's Note on Friday =
the 21st opined, "Every analog TV set in the United States will need a conv=
erter box to operate properly after broadcasts go completely digital. And =
this is progress?"
- New York Representative Eliot Engel initially asked for a delay=
for New York-market stations, some of which lost their DTT facilities when=
the World Trade Center fell. This story is from Broadcasting & Cable:
<http://tinyurl.com/9p7m2>
Connecticut stations objected, however, saying they would be at a disa=
dvantage where viewers can get signals from either market. The House ended=
up offering New York stations $30 million, which is nice, though I think t=
hey've all already built their post-9/11 DTT facilities. This story is als=
o from Broadcasting & Cable and was not restricted to subscribers when I re=
ad it:
<http://tinyurl.com/9ckua>
Yes, New York stations are considering a move to a different tower, bu=
t so are Chicago and Denver station, among others. Oh, well.
New York's "special" DTT status relates not only to 9/11, its being th=
e number-one market, and multipath issues. Public-radio broadcaster WNYC w=
as running a fund-raising campaign this past week to which Sony donated a 7=
0-inch Qualia 006 as a prize. The station's top talk-show hosts both expre=
ssed surprise at the sheer size of it. Brian Lehrer asked, "Did you say 70=
-inch? I don't think my apartment's 70-inch." Leonard Lopate later in the=
day came up with an almost idenical "My living room's not 70 inches":
<http://www.wnyc.org>
- The House bill also reportedly restricts set-top adapters to a =
maximum power draw of nine watts when "off," requires warnings of the shutd=
own at retailers, in cable invoices, and in broadcasts, and moves the 13-in=
ch-and-up "tuner" mandate from July 1, 2007 to March 1. It also reportedly=
allows cable downconversion of HD to an extent greater than allowed by the=
FCC:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dailynews/one.php?id=3D3393>
- Like the previous analog cut-off date legislation, which was pa=
rt of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, this one is also to be part of a bud=
get bill, passed by the Senate Wednesday. The full Broadcasting & Cable st=
ory is available only to subscribers:
<http://tinyurl.com/86ogr>
A Washington source I trust says that, at least in the Senate, there's=
an awareness that the hard date will not hold. It was necessary to put it=
in, however, to add the theoretical auction proceeds to the budget so taxe=
s wouldn't have to be increased. What was done in 1997 was similar. The 1=
997 law had a hard date of September 30, 2002 for auctioning the spectrum; =
it was withdrawn by Congress at the last moment. My source believes Congre=
ss will do the same with the new analog cut-off date as it approaches.
- DTT multicast carriage - Broadcasters want to enlist video-providing=
telephone companies in their fight. David Barrett, president of Hearst-Ar=
gyle Television, told the U.S. Telecom Association, "If telephone companies=
can help us secure multicast carriage for all television viewers, you will=
find broadcasters across America welcoming your arrival to the program dis=
tribution market":
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D8784>
Tribune's deal for telco carriage reportedly includes multicasts. The=
full Broadcasting & Cable story requires a paid subscription:
<http://tinyurl.com/ceysq>
On a side note, Verizon's zeal in installing fiber for its FiOS TV ser=
vice is drawing complaints about contractors severing other connections:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/hd_notebook/one.php?id=3D479>
Want to learn more about telco TV? Hear Brad Medford of SBC Labs (the=
parent company of which is buying AT&T) discuss it at ***The Technology Re=
treat*** on February 22:
<http://www.hpaonlne.com>
- Voom - CableWorld offers a story on the HD satellite service that wo=
uld not die:
<http://tinyurl.com/akvgk>
- 5th-generation LG boxes - The company's DirecTV set-top receivers wi=
ll reportedly include their 5th-generation DTT- reception circuitry, which =
-- in prototype form, at least -- is still the only one to allow set-top-an=
tenna reception of DTT signals in my apartment:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dlrf/one.php?id=3D1048>
- ***The Technology Retreat*** - The program is starting to fill. In =
addition to the broadcasters panel (ABC, CBS, and NBC firm so far with othe=
rs likely), the Hollywood, Washington, and consumer-electronic updates, the=
re will be a displays supersession, a digital-cinema how-to update, and a l=
arge-format digital-cinematography update.
Want to learn about digital content creation beyond (real) 2K? Come t=
o the roundtable moderated by Mark Chiolis of Grass Valley. Interested in =
the workforce in post-production? Come to the roundtable moderated by Kath=
leen Miles of the Entertainment Economy Institute. Frazzled by the horrors=
of downmixing 5.1-channel audio to stereo and mono? Let Mark Seigle of Ne=
ural Audio show you how to do it simply.
This is only the beginning. ATSC and Charles Poynton seminars on Febr=
uary 21, main retreat February 22-24, Marriott Rancho Las Palmas Resort, Ra=
ncho Mirage, California (where the weather is fine):
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- July 1 -=20
- Later in this memo, there is a more thorough report on the Cons=
umer Electronics Association (CEA) Fall HDTV Guide figures, but I thought i=
t worth noting a few here. According to their charts (some updated in Sept=
ember and others in October), there are now 312 TV models with integrated D=
TT reception capability for sale in the U.S., but there almost as many -- 3=
08 models -- that have dropped analog tuners rather than add DTT. Furtherm=
ore, there are another 64 models 36-inch or larger that have NTSC tuners bu=
t no DTT-reception capability, clearly violating the "tuner" mandate. I di=
d not do any calculations on 25-inch to 35-inch models, only 50% of which a=
re currently under the mandate.
- This week I've listed 95 ads for TVs 36-inch or larger. Of tho=
se, 68 (72%) have integrated DTT-reception capability. As of July 1, 100% =
of those manufactured in or imported to the U.S. and equipped with tuners w=
ere supposed to have integrated DTT-reception capability. I've also listed=
53 ads for TVs between 25- and 35-inch. Of those, 3 (6%) have integrated =
DTT-reception capability. As of July 1, 50% of those manufactured in or im=
ported to the U.S. and equipped with tuners were supposed to have integrate=
d DTT-reception capability.
- See also the ads section for inexpensive non-integrated sets th=
at are HD and/or widescreen.
- TV sets that required DTT-reception circuitry starting 2004:
- Sony 36S45 36-inch TV @ Universal $289
- Sony Wega 36FS10 36-inch flat-tube TV @ Universal $479
- Toshiba 36H45 36-inch TV @ Universal $259
- Toshiba Da50 50-inch projection TV @ Universal $409 DV
- Sony 53S65 53-inch projection TV @ Universal $479
- Sony 65S75 65-inch projection TV @ Universal $749
- Toshiba 65H65 65-inch projection TV @ Universal $689
DV - price includes DVD player
- TV sets that required DTT-reception circuitry starting 2005:
- Insignia ISTV040923 27-inch TV @ Best Buy $169.99
- JVC 27-inch TV @ Kmart $219.99
- Magnavox 27MS4504/17 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $229.99
- Panasonic PVDF2735 27-inch TV/DVD/VCR combo @ etronics.com $399
- Panasonic PVDF2735 27-inch flat TV/DVD/VCR combo @ Circuit $459.=
99
- Sharp 27F541 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $259.99
- Sony 27S45 27-inch TV @ Universal $129
- Sony KV27FS120 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $334.99
- Sony Wega 27FS10 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Universal $189
- Sylvania 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Kmart $239.99
- Symphonic ST427F 27-inch TV @ Circuit City $159.99
- Toshiba 27AF45 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $329.99
- Toshiba 27AF45 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Sears $304.99
- Toshiba 27H45 27-inch TV @ Universal $109
- Philips 32PT5441/37 32-inch TV @ Best Buy $289.99
- RCA 32-inch TV @ Circuit City $259.99
- Sony 32S45 32-inch TV @ Universal $189
- Sony Wega 32FS10 32-inch flat-tube TV @ Universal $309
- Sylvania 6432TFY 32-inch TV @ Sears $259.99
- Devices that would require DTT-reception circuitry in 2007:
- Konka 13-inch TV @ Universal $45
- RCA 13-inch TV @ Kmart $69.99
- Konka 19-inch TV @ Universal $59
- Magnavox 20MS3442/17 20-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $139.99
- Memorex MT2012/24 20-inch flat-tube TV @ Target $113.99
- "Famous Makers" VCR @ Universal $22
- "Famous Makers" DVD/VCR combo @ Universal $44
- Insignia IS-DVD040924 DVD/VCR combo @ Best Buy $79.99
- JVC HR-XVC19S DVD/VCR combo @ J&R $99.99
- CyberHome DVR1600 DVD recorder @ Best Buy $99.99
- Humax DRT-400 TiVo/DVD recorder combo @ Best Buy $249.99 AR
- Humax DRT800 TiVo/DVD recorder combo @ J&R $249.99 AR
- GoVideo R6740 DVD recorder @ J&R $149.99
- Memorex MVDR2100 DVD recorder @ Target $169.99
- Mystery brand DVD recorder @ Fry's $87
- Panasonic DMRES20S DVD recorder @ Circuit City $199.99
- Panasonic DMR-ES20S DVD recorder @ J&R $199.99
- Samsung DVDVR320 VCR/DVD combo @ Best Buy $249.99 AR
- Sony RDRGX315 DVD recorder @ CompUSA $299.99
- HP M7260N computer w/TV tuner pkg. @ CompUSA $1299.98 AR
- HP ZD8220US computer w/TV tuner @ CompUSA $1649.99 AR
- Sony computer w/TV tuner @ Universal $699
- Sony VGC-42G computer w/TV tuner @ J&R $899.99 AR
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- Devices that would require dual DTT-reception circuitry in 2007:
- Konka 20-inch TV/DVD/VCR combo @ Universal $149
- Toshiba MW24F51 24-inch flat-tube TV/DVD/VCR combo @ J&R $349.99
- Devices not covered by the mandate but using analog TV broadcasts:
- Readers have asked how to get hold of some of the non-national =
retailers, so look for their phone numbers at the bottom of the memo.
- May 1 -=20
- Neither the FCC nor the NAB updated their lists since the last =
memo.
- Doug Lung's RF Report notes 814 licensed U.S. DTT stations in t=
he FCC's CDBS database as of October 23. The FCC is currently using 1722 t=
o represent 100% of DTT slots:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dlrf/one.php?id=3D1051>
- There will be two FCC meetings next week. The first, on Monday, is the p=
ostponed October meeting. It has no DTT items on its agenda:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-261760A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-261928A1.pdf>
The second, on Thursday, includes the DTT "tuner" mandate, distributed=
DTT transmission, and franchising for telco TV:
<http://www.fcc.gov/DOC-261908A1.pdf>
Again, you can hear Brad Medford of SBC Labs discussing telco TV at **=
*The Technology Retreat*** on February 22:
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- DirecTV is offering local-channel HDTV in Detroit. Set-top boxes are fre=
e after a $200 mail-in rebate. This story from Warren Communications News =
is no longer on their web site:
<http://www.warren-news.com/>
- MTV Networks has established the position of chief digital officer. The =
full Broadcasting & Cable story requires a paid subscription:
<http://tinyurl.com/aagdx>
- International H/DTV news:
- Canalys reports more than 50 million digital-TV households in wester=
n Europe as of the end of June, 50% satellite, 24% DTT, 22% cable, and 4% I=
PTV. More than one in five get digital TV free:=20
<http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=3D10869>
- ProSieben and Sat.1 began offering HDTV in Germany last week:
<http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7000723291>
HD Hit, a university science channel, beat them by one day:
<http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1757286,00.html>
- UK regulator Ofcom is considering removing free-to-view requirements=
from DTT multiplexes:
<http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/paytv/paytv.pdf>
- In Australia, there are now 75 models of DTT set-top receivers from =
23 brands starting at A$99 (US$74). Of those, 23 from 16 brands are HD, st=
arting at $A499 (US$374):
<http://www.dba.org.au/index.asp?sectionID=3D18>
- CEA's Fall HDTV Guide is available. The cover has a very strange picture=
of CEA president Gary Shapiro and the headline "HDTV: Debunking the Myths.=
" I was unable to find either anything called a myth or the debunking of i=
t in the associated article. There were, nevertheless, many interesting it=
ems in the Guide:
- The definition of HDTV now includes Dolby digital surround sound.
- Charts of models as of September 8 show the following:
- 312 integrated DTVs from 33 brands, ranging from $449.95 to $20=
,999.99
- 10 microdisplay-based rear-projection TVs from three brands, ei=
ght with no analog tuners, from $1899.99 to $9995.00
- 299 flat-panel "HDTV monitors" from 59 brands, 108 with no anal=
og tuners, 29 in violation of the "tuner" mandate, ranging from $349 to $44=
,900.00
- 79 flat-panel "EDTV monitors" from 47 brands, 26 with no analog=
tuners, 17 in violation of the "tuner" mandate, from $299.95 to $12,995.00=
:
<http://www.ce.org/PDF/HDTVGuideFall05.pdf>
- Other charts updated October 10 are available at different URLs:
- 28 "EDTV monitors" from 16 brands, 24 of them without analog tu=
ners, ranging from $479.99 to $8500.00:
<http://www.ce.org/PDF/Charts_EDTVmonF05.pdf>
- 192 "HDTV monitors" from 39 brands, 142 of them without analog =
tuners, 18 in violation of the "tuner" mandate, ranging from $399.00 to $29=
5,000 (40 of them over $20,000, two -- from two different brands -- over $2=
00,000):
<http://www.ce.org/PDF/Charts_HDTVmonF05.pdf>
- 20 (ever so rare) set-top DTT receivers from 12 brands, ranging=
from $299 to $2199 (compare above to Australia's 75 models from 23 brands,=
starting at A$99 =3D US$74):
<http://www.ce.org/PDF/Charts_SetTopDecodersF05.pdf>
- seven computer DTT-reception cards from five brands, ranging fr=
om $149 to $399:
<http://www.ce.org/PDF/Charts_PCTunerCardsF05.pdf>
- six D-VHS recorders from three brands, ranging from $449 to $14=
99.95 and 16 HD PVRs from 10 brands, ranging from $299 to $999.95:
<http://www.ce.org/PDF/Charts_HDTVPVRsF05.pdf>
- 15 HD cable boxes from 4 brands, $299 or contact your cable op:
<http://www.ce.org/PDF/Charts_CableBoxesF05.pdf>
- Here is a white paper on CEA's view of the DTT transition:
<http://www.ce.org/PDF/DTVWhitePaperV2FINAL.pdf>
- Based on figures from CEA, sales to U.S. dealers of non-H/DTV television =
sets for the first 40 weeks of 2005 were down 10.4% from the same period in=
2004; my ten-week running average was down 13.4%.
Sales of so-called non-flat-panel "Digital Televisions" to U.S. dealer=
s for the 40th week were 77,313 units and for the first 40 weeks 3,062,741 =
(compared to 14,976,914 for non-flat-panel sets not called "digital" by CEA=
). For 13 of the last 16 weeks, the number of non-flat-panel "digital tele=
visions" sold to U.S. dealers was lower than in the same period last year.
"Digital Televisions" (most of which are HDTV displays without DTT-rec=
eption capability) accounted for about 17% of the non-flat-panel TVs sold t=
o U.S. dealers through the 40th week this year. Based on CEA's report of u=
nit sales through the end of June including flat-panel displays, the total =
"digital" percentage (assuming no flat-panel non-"digital" TVs) would be 32=
.3%. It may be worth noting here what that means. About 68% of the TVs so=
ld through the 40th week this year were still plain non-H/DTV direct-view T=
Vs with picture tubes, and that percentage is increasing slightly.
To qualify to CEA as a "Digital Television," a display need only be ca=
pable of dealing with at least 480p; it need not be capable of either recei=
ving digital signals or displaying them. Devices actually capable of recei=
ving DTT signals are still a small fraction of those numbers. CEA says tha=
t, through June, about 85% of "digital televisions" were HDTV.
- Ads for set-top DTT receivers: I am aware of NONE this week, the 20 mode=
ls listed in CEA's chart notwithstanding.
- The ads - Readers have asked how to get hold of some of the non-national =
retailers, so look for their phone numbers at the bottom of the memo. I fi=
nd it interesting that the Toshiba MW26G71 at Best Buy, said to be HDTV rea=
dy, includes an ordinary VHS VCR.
- Bang & Olufsen (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 5 42-inch 16:9 plasma TV $19,900
- Best Buy (HD disclaimers only):
- JVC HD52G786/7BP6 52-in. wide integr. D-ILA proj. DTV w/$200GC $2499.=
99
- JVC HD56G786/7BP6 56-in. wide integr. D-ILA proj. DTV w/$200GC $2999.=
99
- JVC LT26X506 26-inch widescreen LCD TV w/$50GC $1199.99 BS
- JVC LT40X776 40-inch wide integr. LCD DTV w/$100GC $2999.99
- Magnavox 30MW5405/17 30-inch widescreen TV $599.99
- Magnavox 50ML8105D/17 50-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $1999.99
- Maxent MX-42XM11 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $1999.99
- Panasonic PT-61LCX65 61-inch wides integr. proj. DTV w/$200GC $2999.9=
9
- Philips 50PF9630A/37 50-inch 16:9 integr. plasma DTV w/$300GC $3999.9=
9
- RCA D52W23 52-inch 16:9 projection TV w/$50GC $999.99
- Samsung HLR4266W 42-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV w/$100GC $1999.99
- Samsung HPR4252 42-inch wide integrated plasma DTV w/$200GC $2999.99
- Samsung LNR268W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV w/$50GC $1399.99 TW
- Sharp LC20B8US 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV w/$50GC & $25RC $899.99
- Sharp LC26DA5U 26-inch widescreen LCD DTV w/$50GC & $35RC $1199.99
- Sharp LC37DB5UU 37-inch wide integr. LCD DTV w/$200GC & $85RC $2599.9=
9
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1999.99
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integr. LCD proj. DTV w/$200GC $2499.99
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV w/$100GC $1999.99
- Toshiba 30HF85 30-inch 16:9 flat CRT TV $799.99
- Toshiba MW26G71 26-inch wide integr. DTV/DVD/VCR combo w/$50GC $699.9=
9
- Westinghouse LTV-19W3 19-inch LCD monitor $499.99
- Westinghouse LTV-32W1 32-inch widescreen LCD monitor $999.99
BS - price "before savings"
GC - price includes gift card of amount shown
RC - price includes "reward certificates" of amount shown
TW - price includes DVD box set of The Who in concert
- Circuit City (HD IDs only):
- Hitachi 42HDF52 42-inch 16:9 integr. plasma DTV $2699.99 WS
- Hitachi 51F710A 51-inch 16:9 integr. CRT proj. DTV $1699.99 HT
- Hitachi 55VF820 55-inch wide integrated projection DTV $2999.99 HT
- LG 23LX1RV 23-inch widescreen LCD/DVD combo $999.99
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4999.99 CC WS
- Magnavox 15MF605T 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $299.99
- Magnavox 26MF605W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $899.99
- Panasonic PT44LCX65 44-inch wide integrated DLP proj. DTV $1999.99
- Panasonic TC20LA5 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $649.99
- Panasonic TC32LX50 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1899.99 WS
- Philips 26PF5320 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1099.99
- Philips 42PF7320A 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2499.99 WS
- Polaroid FLM2011 20-inch LCD TV $479.99
- Polaroid FLM3201 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1299.99
- Samsung HLR4266W 42-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV pkg. $1999.99
- Samsung TXR3265 32-inch 4:3 flat-tube CRT TV $669.99
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2499.99 HT
- Sony KDLV32XBR1 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2699.99 WS
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1099.99
- Sony KV30HS420 30-inch 16:9 CRT TV $849.99
- [Sylvania] 6842PE 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $1499.99
CC - price includes up to 24-month or $300 rebate of CableCard fees
HT - price includes home-theater sound system
WS - price includes wall mount or stand
- CompUSA (HD disclaimer only):
- Syntax Olevia LT32HV 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1199.99 AR
- ViewSonic N2750W 27-inch widescreen LCD TV $749.99 AR
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- Dell (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Dell 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $2499
- Dell 3400MP projector $1299
- Dell W2600 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $999
- Dell W4200 42-inch 16:9 plasma TV $2599
- etronics.com (Village Voice, no disclaimer):
- Samsung LT-P2045X 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $569.99
- Flat Universe (metro New York, no disclaimer):
- Norcent LT2722 27-inch LCD TV $799.95
- Pioneer PDP42MV 42-inch plasma TV $1599.95
- Samsung LNR238 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $824.95
- Sony KLV-26HG2 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1069.95
- Sony KLV-S23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $889.95
- Sony KLV-S32A10 32-inch wide LCD TV $1599.95
- Sony PFM42X1/S 42-inch wide plasma TV $2299.95
- Zenith Z32LZ5R 32-inch wide LCD TV $1299.95
- Fry's (Los Angeles Times, some HD IDs):
- Mystery brand 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $849
- Mystery brand 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $1299
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1797
- Harvey (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Fujitsu P55XHA40US 55-inch 16:9 plasma TV=20
- Howard's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Mitsubishi WS 55815 55-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $1799
- Mitsubishi WS65815 65-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $1999
- Panasonic TH42PD50UP 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1999
- Philips 50PF7320 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3499
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1999
- Toshiba 50HPX95 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3899
- Toshiba 51H84 51-inch 16:9 projection TV $1199
- J&R (am New York, no disclaimer necessary):
- Panasonic PT-44LCX65 44-inch wide integrated DLP proj. DTV $1699.99
- Philips 50PF9630A 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV
- Sharp 65DR650 65-inch widescreen integrated DLP projection DTV $2399.=
99
- Sharp LC-45GD4U 45-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3999.99
- Syntax Olevia LT42HVi 42-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2299.99 =
AR
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- J&R (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Canon LV-5220 projector $949.99
- Canon LV-7230 projector $1049.99
- HP LC2600N 26-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV
- HP PL4200N 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma TV=20
- JVC LT-32X576 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1499.99
- JVC LT-37X776 37-inch widescreen integr. LCD DTV $2399.99
- JVC LT-40X776 40-inch wide integr. LCD DTV=20
- Optoma MovieTime DV10 DVD/projector combo w/screen $1499.99
- Panasonic TC-20LB30 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV=20
- Panasonic TH-37PX50U 37-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2299.99
- Philips 50PF9630A 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV
- Pioneer PDP-4360HD 43-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV=20
- Samsung 242mp-Silver 24-inch 8:5 LCD TV $1399.99 AR
- Samsung HL-R5688W 56-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV
- Samsung HP-R4252 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV
- Sharp 65DR650 65-inch widescreen integrated DLP projection DTV $2399.=
99
- Sharp LC15-B6U-S 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $399.99
- Sharp LC-45GD4U 45-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3999.99
- Sony KD-36FS130 36-inch 4:3 integrated DTV $699.99
- Sony KDE-42XS955 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2999.99
- Sony KV-27FS120 27-inch 4:3 CRT TV $299.99
- Sony KV-30HS420 30-inch 16:9 CRT TV $749.99
- Syntax Olevia LT42HVi 42-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2299.99 =
AR
- Toshiba 52HM95 52-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV
- Westinghouse LTV-30w2 30-inch widescreen LCD monitor $949.99
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- J&R (Village Voice, no disclaimer):
- Samsung HL-R5067W 50-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV=20
- Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV=20
- Ken Crane's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- "Famous Maker" 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $1598
- Panasonic TH42PD50 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1998
- Panasonic TH50PX50U 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3998
- Sony 55-inch widescreen integrated projection DTV $2998
- Sony KDF-E42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1998
- Paul's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Mitsubishi WD-52825G 62-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $3499
- Mitsubishi WD-62825G 62-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $3999
- Sears (Minneapolis Star Tribune, HD disclaimers only):
- Hitachi 42HDF52 42-inch 16:9 integr. plasma DTV $2699.99
- Samsung LNR268W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1399.99
- Sony KD36FS130 36-inch 4:3 integrated DTV $899.99
- Sony KDS-R50XBR1 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $3999.99
- Sony KLV23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1199.99
- Target (Minneapolis Star Tribune, HD disclaimer only):
- Magnavox 32MF605W 32-inch widescreen LCD TV w/$200GC $1299
GC - price includes gift card of amount shown=20
- Ultimate Electronics (Minneapolis Star Tribune, appropriate disclaimers=
):
- Akai PDP4206EM 42-inch 16:9 plasma TV $1498.95
- LG 17LX1R 17-inch widescreen LCD TV $649.95 BS
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4624.95
- Mitsubishi WD52627 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $3234.95
- Panasonic PT44LCX65 44-inch wide integrated DLP proj. DTV $1799.95
- Panasonic TC26LX50 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1294.95
- Panasonic TH42PD50 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1849.95
- Samsung HLR6178W 61-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $4159.95
- Samsung HPR4272 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $2959.95
- Samsung LNR3228W [?] 32-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1754.95
- Sony KDE50XS955 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $4999.95
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2309.95
- Toshiba 23HLV85 23-inch widescreen LCD/DVD combo $1109.95
- Toshiba 46HM95 46-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2034.95
BS - price "before savings"
- Universal Computers & Electronics (am New York, no disclaimer):
- Panasonic TH42PE506 42-inch widescreen flat-panel TV $1199
- Pioneer [?] HPP4298PP 42-inch widescreen flat-panel TV $1599
- Samsung 42-inch [projection?] TV $999
- Samsung HLN5636DLP 56-inch widescreen [projection?] TV $1299
- Sharp 37G5U 37-inch widescreen LCD TV $1499
- Sony KED4235 42-inch widescreen flat-panel TV $1599
- Sony KDF55B25 55-inch LCD [projection?] TV $1499
- Video & Audio Center (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- LG 23LX1RV 23-inch widescreen LCD/DVD combo $1097 BS
- Panasonic TH42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1994 BS
- Panasonic TH42PX50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3994 BS
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1997 BS
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2497 BS
- Sony KDLV40XBR1 40-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3497 BS
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1997 BS
BS - price "before savings"
- An HD AV Network Alliance has reportedly been formed by Charter Communica=
tions, Mitsubishi, NBC, Samsung, Sun Microsystems and Warner Brothers:
<http://www.twice.com/article/CA6277426?display=3DBreaking+News>
You can discuss it with at least some of its members at ***The Technol=
ogy Retreat***, February 22-24 in the Palm Springs area:
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Sony's XL1 Digital Living System is supposed to be a home entertainment c=
enter:
<http://www.twice.com/article/CA6275560?display=3DBreaking+News>
It is reportedly neither HD nor DTT capable, according to this story i=
n Digital TV Design Line:
<http://tinyurl.com/dw7ef>
- DVD news:
- According to CEA's figures, sales of DVD players to U.S. dealers for=
the first 40 weeks of 2005 were down 25.5% from the same period in 2004; m=
y ten-week running average was down 22.3%. VCR sales were down 43.1%.
- According to NPD, CyberHome was the top DVD-player brand in Septembe=
r, with Sony a close second. In TVs, Sony is still number one:
<http://www.npdtechworld.com/techServlet?nextpage=3Dindex.html>
- Here's a story in Forbes on the end of broadcasting:
<http://tinyurl.com/aw6po>
- Upcoming Dates (DTV and non-DTV) - I've had requests to separate the "Tas=
te of NAB Road Show" dates, so I've done so below this section:
- November 3, Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, HD Expo <http:/=
/www.hdexpo.net/>.
- November 9-12, New York Hilton, SMPTE Technical Conference & Exhibit=
ion <http://www.smpte.org/conferences/>.
- November 15-17, San Jose Convention Center, Streaming Media West <ht=
tp://www.streamingmedia.com/west/>.
- November 15-17, Javits Center, New York, NAB Post+ <http://www.nabpo=
stplus.com/>.
- November 16-18, Makuhari Messe, InterBEE 2005 <http://bee.jesa.or.jp=
/en/index.html>.
- November 30-December 1, Washington, D.C., Convention Center, Governm=
ent Video Expo <http://www.gvexpo.com/>.
- January 5-8, Las Vegas, Consumer Electronics Show <http://www.cesweb=
.org/default_flash.asp>
- ***February 21, Rancho Las Palmas Marriott, Rancho Mirage (Palm Spri=
ngs area), California, pre-Technology Retreat seminars <http://www.hpaonlin=
e.com>.
- ***February 22-24, Rancho Las Palmas Marriott, Rancho Mirage (Palm S=
prings area), California, HPA's 12th-annual Technology Retreat <http://www.=
hpaonline.com>.
- February 28, Dorchester Hotel, London, Collaborative Conferencing Su=
mmit <http://sites.securemc.com/folder22719/>.
- June 27-29, Javits Center, New York, Entertainment Technology Allian=
ce <http://www.etaexpo.com/>.
* - new or revised listing
- Taste of NAB Road Show calendar - Please check their site:
http://www.tech-notes.tv/2005/2005-2.htm
TTFN,
Mark
PS Permission is granted to forward this or any other Monday Memo. Next w=
eek's memo might be late.
Phone numbers of some retailers mentioned (the ones starting +1 will work f=
rom outside the United States):
- eTronics.com: +1-212-475-3149
- Flat Universe: +1-212-600-0654
- Harvey: +1-212-575-5000, 800-2-LISTEN
- J&R: +1-212-238-9000, 800-221-8180
- Paul's: +1-714-529-2314
- Universal Computers & Electronics: +1-718-784-8000
Have a question about the memo? Before contacting me, please try the FAQs =
and glossary in the second postscript to the January 10 memo:
<http://www.digitaltelevision.com/mondaymemo/mlist/frm02163.html>
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