[opendtv] 20051108 Twang's Tuesday Tribune (Mark's Monday Memo)
- From: Mark Schubin <tvmark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tvmark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2005 22:52:22 -0500 (EST)
Here are some very efficient (low-administrative-cost) relief
organizations (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:
- ***The Technology Retreat***, February 22-24 in Rancho Mirage -
- FAQs and online registration are now available:
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
Correction: "technical difficulties" have knocked out the registration
process for a while, but not before Discovery vp Peter Riordan managed to
become the first to register for the 2006 retreat.
- I caution you that, starting with the 2005 retreat we began
limiting attendance. Don't be left out. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- The main program, covering such areas as color management,
displays, large-format and beyond-HD imaging, digital-cinema packaging, and
more is still in flux, but the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and
the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) just announced a half-day digital-ENG
seminar to be held the day before the retreat, on February 21. It will be
concurrent with Charles Poynton's display-oriented seminar. Details will
follow.
- Dr. Nicholas Beser of the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns
Hopkins University and Ed Grogan of the Department of Defense will be doing a
follow-up to their popular roundtable on intelligence forensics. The 2006
roundtable will be on Department of Defense multimedia forensics.
- As you will soon read, it was a heck of an end of the week in
Washington. Things are bound to happen between now and the retreat, too. How
do you keep up with doings in Congress, the FCC, and other federal agencies?
Why, at the annual Washington update at the Technology Retreat, of course,
conducted by techno-speaking attorney Jim Burger. No questions are off limits!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- U.S. analog cut-off -
- The Senate officially approved the Digital Transition and Public
Safety Act of 2005 by a close vote of 52-47. The complete Broadcasting & Cable
story requires a paid subscription:
<http://tinyurl.com/9lgrx>
- The same day, the House Budget Committee approved their version
21-17. This story is from Mediaweek:
<http://tinyurl.com/aobza>
- Senator John McCain's amendment to move the date up by a year was
trounced 69-30:
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=8850>
His motivation was ostensibly improving emergency communications. The
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled Thursday that its Emergency Alert
System rules would now apply to cable, satellite, and DTT. Cable & DTT need to
comply by the end of next year; satellite has until May 31, 2007. The FCC also
wants to make sure hearing- and visually impaired viewers/subscribers and
non-English-speakers are covered:
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=8854>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262016A1.pdf>
Where did the television industry learn how to make programming (and even
DVD menus) accessible to the hearing- and visually impaired? Why, at ***The
Technology Retreat***, of course, where a team from the National Center for
Accessible Media offered a presentation and demos. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Senator John Ensign withdrew his amendment to cut the funding for
DTT-to-analog adapters. The full story requires a paid subscription:
<http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6281003.html?display=Breaking+News>
- The "tuner" mandate -
- The FCC has moved the 2007 deadline up from July 1 to March 1, and
it now covers all TV receivers, not just those 13-inch and above:
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=8849>
- The FCC (be still my heart) recognizes that it isn't really a
"tuner" requirement ("The digital television reception requirement, which is
also often termed the DTV tuner requirement..."):
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262013A1.pdf>
Here's the complete second order:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-190A1.pdf>
- I don't know whether the new requirement will cover TV-band radios.
It says it covers "other devices that receive broadcast television signals."
Where might one find out? Well, the 2005 ***Technology Retreat*** featured the
FCC chair's chief of staff. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Telco TV -
- The FCC began work on ensuring that local franchising authorities
don't unreasonably withhold permission for telephone companies to provide
cable-competitive services:
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=8853>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262033A1.pdf>
- The House telecommunications subcommittee has also scheduled a
hearing on the subject for Wednesday:
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=8873>
- Where can you find out more about telco TV? Well, the Telco TV
session at the 2006 ***Technology Retreat*** would be a good place to start.
BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Content protection -
- Appropriate for right after Halloween, the "broadcast flag" has
risen from the dead. This ZDNet story provides an overview:
<http://tinyurl.com/afet5>
- This time, it's not JUST the "flag." The House committee on
courts, the Internet, and intellectual property held a hearing on both a "flag"
bill and another to close the "analog hole":
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dailynews/one.php?id=3416>
You can watch the whole two hour hearing here:
<http://boss.streamos.com/real/hjudiciary/crime/courts110305.smi>
- I've seen the draft of the "hole" bill, and it's pretty bizarre.
It singles out a particular technology, Video Encoded Invisible Light (VEIL),
previously applied to interactive toys in addition to the industry standard
CGMS-A (copy-generation management system - analog):
<http://www.veilinteractive.com/2003/index.html>
- How do you learn more about this? On one side is the Motion
Picture Association of America (MPAA); on the other is the Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA). MPAA chief technology officer Brad Hunt will be explaining
the latest at ***The Technology Retreat***; previous retreats have also
featured CEA officials. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Here's CEA's current position:
<http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=10867>
Longtime CEA member Thomson, according to Warren Communications News, says
the "analog hole" draft is "a good starting point." The story is no longer on
their site, but Thomson will be well represented at ***The Technology
Retreat***:
<http://www.warren-news.com/>
- In a somewhat related story, if you go to the Grokster web site, it
now says, "There are legal services for downloading music and movies. This
service is not one of them":
<http://www.grokster.com/>
- Other outlets for broadcast-network programming - CBS and NBC have now
joined ABC in offering some of their shows via outlets other than their owned
and affiliated stations:
<http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_46/b3959104.htm>
You don't need to be a subscriber to read this Multichannel News story:
<http://tinyurl.com/dpxgj>
What does it mean? Come to ***The Technology Retreat*** and find out.
All three of those networks (among others) will be on the broadcasters panel.
BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- July 1 -
- This week I've listed 89 ads for TVs 36-inch or larger. Of those,
64 (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 were supposed
to have integrated DTT-reception capability. I've also listed 56 ads for TVs
between 25- and 35-inch. Of those, 8 (14%) have integrated DTT-reception
capability. As of July 1, 50% of those manufactured in or imported to the U.S.
and equipped with tuners were supposed to have integrated DTT-reception
capability.
- See also the ads section for inexpensive non-integrated sets that
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 ISTV040924 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $209.99
- Magnavox 27MT3305 27-inch TV @ Circuit City $179.99
- Panasonic [?] 27H45 27-inch TV @ Universal $109
- Panasonic CT27SL15 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $309.99
- Panasonic PVDF2735 27-inch TV/DVD/VCR combo @ etronics.com $399
- RCA 27-inch TV @ Kmart $189.99
- Samsung TXR2735 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $284.99
- Sharp 27C241 27-inch TV @ Best Buy $159.99
- Sony 27S45 27-inch TV @ Universal $129
- Sony Wega 27FS10 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Universal $189
- Toshiba 27AF45 27-inch TV @ Sears $299.99
- Insignia ISTV040925 32-inch TV @ Best Buy $249.99
- RCA 32V550T 32-inch TV @ Circuit City $289.99
- Sony 32S45 32-inch TV @ Universal $189
- Sony Wega 32FS10 32-inch flat-tube TV @ Universal $309
- Sony KV32FS120 32-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $522.99
- Devices that would require DTT-reception circuitry in 2007:
- Konka 13-inch TV @ Universal $45
- Sylvania 13-inch TV @ Kmart $69.99
- Symphonic ST413E 13-inch TV @ Circuit City $59.99
- Toshiba 13A23/4/5 13-inch TV @ Best Buy $69.99
- Konka 19-inch TV @ Universal $59
- Insignia ISTV040920 20-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $114.99
- Symphonic ST420FF 20-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $119.99
- "Famous Makers" VCR @ Universal $22
- "Famous Makers" DVD/VCR combo @ Universal $44
- Memorex MVD4541 DVD/VCR combo @ Target $89.99
- Samsung DVDV5500 DVD/VCR combo @ Circuit City $99.99
- Samsung DVDV5500 DVD/VCR combo @ Sears $94.99
- Humax DRT800 TiVo/DVD recorder combo @ J&R $249.99 AR
- Magnavox MRV660/17 DVD recorder @ Best Buy $142.49
- Panasonic DMRES40VS VCR/DVD recorder combo @ Circuit City $299.99
- Panasonic DMR-ES20S DVD recorder combo @ J&R $189.99
- Panasonic DMR-ES40VS VCR/DVD recorder combo @ J&R $289.99
- Philips DVDR615 DVD recorder @ Circuit City $159.99
- Sony RDRGX315 DVD recorder @ CompUSA $299.99
- Gateway GT5014 computer w/TV tuner pkg. @ CompUSA $1099.97 AR
- HP M7250N computer w/TV tuner package @ Circuit City $1199.99
- Sony computer w/TV tuner @ Universal $699
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- Devices that would require dual DTT-reception circuitry in 2007:
- Symphonic SC724FDF 24-inch flat TV/DVD/VCR @ Circuit City $319.99
- Toshiba MW20F51 20-inch TV/DVD/VCR combo @ Sears $284.99
- Devices not covered by the mandate but receiving analog TV signals:
- Sangean DT-200V AM/FM/TV/weather radio @ J&R $49.99
- 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 - None of the lists I check were updated since the last memo.
- As part of its big Thursday, the FCC issued a Clarification Order and Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking on distributed DTT transmission systems (multiple
transmitters per station). Here is the press release:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262082A1.pdf>
Here is the full order and NPRM:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-192A1.pdf>
Where can you find out more about distributed DTT transmission systems? A
good place to start would be with Mr. Distributed DTT Transmission Systems,
himself, Merrill Weiss. And where might he be February 21-24? Might it be
***The Technology Retreat***? BE THERE:
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- A white paper saying that unlicensed TV-white-space transmitters will not
cause interference is being distributed:
<http://www.newamerica.net/Download_Docs/pdfs/Doc_File_2635_1.pdf>
The FCC last week granted Outland Wireless permission to experiment with
broadband-type transmissions in both low-VHF and UHF TV channels:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262033A1.pdf>
- The FCC also announced further steps to implement the Satellite Home Viewer
Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262022A1.pdf>
- The 4-Gpel camera: NTSC offers, at best, about 440x480 resolution, roughly
0.2 megapixels (Mpel). HDTV's 720p version is about 1 Mpel, and 1080i
(depending on how you count line averaging) about 2 Mpel. Again, depending on
how you count, the ARRI D20 is 6 Mpel, the Dalsa Origin is 8 Mpel, and the
Panavision Genesis is 12 Mpel. NHK's UDTV (ultrahigh-definition) system is 32
Mpel. Now try wrapping your mind around the idea of 128 times more pixels than
that! This EE Times story describes a camera that could capture an image that
could be seen 20-feet wide with the sharpness of a typical 6x4 photograph when
viewed from the same distance (about a foot away). The team is compiling a
photo of North America:
<http://tinyurl.com/8ayvn>
Here's the web site of the Gigapxl Project:
<http://www.gigapxl.com/>
Will the camera be at ***The Technology Retreat***? The Panavision
Genesis was there last year, the ARRI D20 was there two years ago, and the
Lockheed Martin 12-Mpel camera was described the year before that. There WILL
be an advanced-camera-technology session. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Sony used GLV projection technology at Aichi Expo 2005 in September:
<http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/cx_news/vol40/sideview.html>
- International H/DTV news:
- According to an article on Internet-protocol television (IPTV) in
Communications Technology magazine, here are some numbers of IPTV subscribers
outside the U.S.:
- Hong Kong - 416,000
- France ---- 260,000+
- Italy ----- 161,000
- Sweden ---- 117,000
- Japan ----- 80,000
- Spain ----- 40,000
- Taiwan ---- 40,000:
<http://www.ct-magazine.com/archives/ct/1105/1105_iptvthe.htm>
The same issue has a story on IPTV for cable in the U.S.:
<http://www.ct-magazine.com/archives/ct/1105/1105_doiwant.htm>
It also covers bandwidth savings through "switched broadcast":
<http://www.ct-magazine.com/archives/ct/1105/1105_buildingaswitched.htm>
There's also an overview of cable technologies:
<http://www.ct-magazine.com/archives/ct/1105/1105_fromhfcto.htm>
Although it's not an international story, SES Americom and the National
Rural Telecommunications Cooperative announced a deal today to deliver IPTV to
a thousand small U.S. telephone companies:
<http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6282422.html?display=Breaking+News>
- Digital Broadcasting Australia reports over a million (1,085,000)
DTT-reception devices sold to retailers by the end of September, over half of
them in the year ended then:
<http://www.dba.org.au/index.asp?display=news&newsID=788>
- According to UK distributor Midwich, 30% of flat-panel TVs sold there
are HD:
<http://www.vnunet.com/crn/news/2145615/defining-market-definition>
The BBC plans HD programming soon:
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4417202.stm>
The BBC (as well as ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Pax, PBS, UPN, and the WB) has
been represented at ***The Technology Retreat***. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Those considering the House's two $40 coupons to convert ten million
U.S. households to DTT might want to consider recent figures from Ofcom, the UK
regulator. DTT converters are expected to cost UKP26 each (US$45), but Ofcom
figures each household ought to have at least two, plus a PVR, for a total of
UKP132 (US$230) in equipment. Then there's another UKP125 (US$218) for
installation and possibly as much as UKP40 (US$70) for an antenna, plus as much
as UKP8 (US$14) extra per year in power costs. Final analog switchoff is not
planned in the UK until 2012, the DTT transition is already much farther along
there than it is here, and they have only about a quarter as many households,
but Ofcom has estimated the cost of helping 10% of households make the
transition at UKP572 million (US$997 million):
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4417432.stm>
- NHK (the Japan Broadcasting Corporation) has demonstrated intercity
Super Hi-Vision (8k x 4k):
<http://www.eet.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=173402762>
We ARE trying to get a demo at ***The Technology Retreat***. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- At a time when many 27-inch TVs are selling for under $200, Panasonic has
introduced frames for its plasma TVs, starting at $399.99. This story is from
TWICE (This Week in Consumer Electronics):
<http://tinyurl.com/82w9m>
- Based on figures from CEA, sales to U.S. dealers of non-H/DTV television sets
for the first 41 weeks of 2005 were down 10.2% from the same period in 2004; my
ten-week running average was down 10.9%.
Sales of so-called non-flat-panel "Digital Televisions" to U.S. dealers
for the 41st week were 87,789 units and for the first 41 weeks 3,150,530
(compared to 15,443,559 for non-flat-panel sets not called "digital" by CEA).
For 14 of the last 17 weeks, the number of non-flat-panel "digital televisions"
sold to U.S. dealers was lower than in the same period last year.
"Digital Televisions" (most of which are HDTV displays without
DTT-reception capability) accounted for about 16.9% of the non-flat-panel TVs
sold to U.S. dealers through the 41st week this year. Based on CEA's report of
unit sales through the end of June including flat-panel displays, the total
"digital" percentage (assuming no flat-panel non-"digital" TVs) would be 32.2%.
It may be worth noting here what that means. About 68% of the TVs sold
through the 41st week this year were still plain non-H/DTV direct-view TVs with
picture tubes, and that percentage is increasing slightly.
To qualify to CEA as a "Digital Television," a display need only be
capable of dealing with at least 480p; it need not be capable of either
receiving digital signals or displaying them. Devices actually capable of
receiving DTT signals are still a small fraction of those numbers. CEA says
that, through June, about 85% of "digital televisions" were HDTV.
- Ads for set-top DTT receivers: I'm aware of only the DirecTV PVR at Video &
Audio Center:
- Ad confusions: Flat Universe used the designations "HDTV Ready" and "HDTV
Comp;" I don't know what the latter is supposed to mean, but it was applied to
two non-HD non-DTT products. Ultimate's ad had a banner headline, "Largest
HDTV selection available" right over two non-HD sets.
- 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.
There was no Best Buy supplement in my New York Times this week -- or that
of my neighbors. The Best Buy information I've used was sent by my
Minneapolis-St.Paul-area correspondent. Best Buy's supplement had an
informative banner headline saying, "Without an HD signal it's just TV."
- Best Buy (HD disclaimers only):
- Insignia IS-LCDTV26 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $799.99
- Insignia IS-TVHD30 30-inch widescreen TV $499.99
- JVC HD52G786/7BP6 52-inch wide integr. D-ILA proj. DTV $2374.99
- JVC HD56G786/7BP6 56-inch wide integr. D-ILA proj. DTV $2849.99
- JVC LT32X576 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1699.99 BS
- JVC LT40X776 40-inch wide integr. LCD DTV $2749.99
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4749.99
- LG DU-37LZ30 37-inch 16:9 integrated LCD DTV $2499.99 BS
- Magnavox 30MW5405/17 30-inch widescreen TV $549.99
- Magnavox 42MF230A/37 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2184.99
- Mitsubishi WS-65517 65-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $2184.99
- RCA D52W23 52-inch 16:9 projection TV $999.99
- Samsung HLR5667W 56-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2849.99
- Samsung HPR4252 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $2849.99
- Samsung LNR268W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1329.99
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2374.99
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1139.99
- Sony KV32FS120 32-inch 4:3 CRT TV $499.99
- Westinghouse LVM-37W1 37-inch widescreen LCD monitor w/$50RC $1614.99
- Zenith Z50PX2D 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $3324.99
BS - price "before savings"
RC - price includes "reward certificates" of amount shown
- Circuit City (HD IDs only):
- Hitachi 42HDF52 42-inch 16:9 integr. plasma DTV $2564.99
- Hitachi 51F710S 51-inch 16:9 integr. CRT proj. DTV $1614.99
- Hitachi 55VF820 55-inch widescreen integrated projection DTV $2849.99
- LG 50PX1D 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3799.99
- Magnavox 17MD255V 17-inch widescreen LCD TV/DVD combo $539.99
- Magnavox 26MF605W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $899.99
- Magnavox 42MF130A 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1599.99
- Panasonic PT44LCX65 44-inch wide integrated DLP proj. DTV $1899.99
- Panasonic TC20LA5 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $639.99
- Panasonic TC26LX50 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1299.99
- Panasonic TC32LX50 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1804.99
- Polaroid FLM1511 15-inch LCD TV $289.99
- Polaroid FLM2011 20-inch LCD TV $479.99
- Polaroid FLM3201 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1299.99
- Samsung HLR4266W 42-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $1899.99
- Samsung LNR238W 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV $949.99
- Samsung TXR2779H 27-inch 4:3 integrated CRT DTV $649.99
- Samsung TXR3079WH 30-inch 16:9 integrated CRT DTV $874.99
- Sharp LC13SH4U 13-inch 4:3 LCD TV $349.99
- Sharp LC15B8US 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $522.99
- Sharp LC20B8US 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $854.99
- Sharp LC26GA5U 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1139.99
- Sharp LC32DA5U 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1519.99
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2374.99
- Sony KDLV26XBR1 26-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1899.99
- Sony KDSR60XBR1 60-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $4749.99
- Sony KLVS15G10 15-inch LCD TV $479.99
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1139.99
- Sony KLVS26A10 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1424.99
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1899.99
- CompUSA (HD disclaimer only):
- HP LC3200N 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1999.99
- HP PL4200N 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma TV $3299.99
- HP Z556 computer w/TV tuner $1399.99
- Sony KLV-23M1 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $999.99
- Syntax Olevia LT26HVE 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $699.99 AR
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- Dell (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Dell 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma TV $2549 DC
- Dell 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma TV $3799 DC
DC - discount (rebate) available to those subscribing to Comcast HD
- Dell (New York Times and USA Today, no disclaimer):
- Dell W1900 19-inch widescreen LCD TV $649
- etronics.com (Village Voice, no disclaimer):
- Samsung LT-P2045X 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $569.99
- Flat Universe (Metro NY, no disclaimer):
- Pioneer PDP42MV 42-inch widescreen plasma display $1699.95
- Pioneer PDP-504CMX 50-inch 16:9 plasma display $2799.95
- Samsung LNR238W 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV $799.95
- Sharp LC-32GA5U 32-inch LCD TV $1399.95
- Sony FWD-42PV1 42-inch widescreen plasma display $1699.95
- Sony KLV-26HG2 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1049.95
- Sony KLV-S32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1599.95
- Fry's (Los Angeles Times, HD IDs only):
- Mystery brand 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $899
- Mystery brand 37-inch widescreen LCD TV $1499
- Viewsonic 27-inch widescreen LCD TV $849
- J&R (am New York, no disclaimer):
- Hewlett-Packard LC3700N 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV
- Hewlett-Packard MD5880 58-inch widescreen integrated projection DTV
- Hitachi CMP4211 42-inch plasma monitor $2399.99
- HP LC3700N 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV
- Panasonic TH-37PX50U 37-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2299.99
- Philips 50PF9630A 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3599.99
- Syntax Olevia LT42HVi 42-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2299.99 AR
- Westinghouse LVM-37W1 37-inch widescreen LCD monitor w/$100GC $1699.99
AR - price after mail-in rebate
GC - price includes gift card of amount shown
- J&R (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Canon LV-7230 projector $1049.99
- HP MD5880N 58-inch widescreen integrated projection DTV
- JVC HD52G786 52-inch wide integrated D-ILA proj. DTV $2099.99
- LG 23LX2R 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $799.99
- Panasonic TC-20LB30 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $499.99
- Panasonic TH-42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1799.99
- Samsung HL-R6168W 61-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV
- Samsung LNR-408D 40-inch 16:9 integrated LCD DTV
- Samsung TX-R3079 30-inch 16:9 integrated CRT DTV $799.99
- Sony KLV-S32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV
- Sony KV-32FS120 32-inch 4:3 CRT TV $479.99
- Syntax Olevia LT32HVE 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $449.99 AR
- Syntax Olevia LT42HVi 42-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2299.99 AR
- Toshiba 27HL85 27-inch widescreen LCD TV
- Westinghouse LVM-37w1 37-inch widescreen LCD monitor $1699.99
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- Ken Crane's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- HP PE4200N 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma TV $1998
- LG DU-42PX12 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2798
- Panasonic TH-50PX50U 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3998
- Sony KDF-E50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2498
- P.C. Richard & Son (New York Times, appropriate disclaimers):
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1799.97
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2249.97
- Sony KDFE55A20 55-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2699.97
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1169.97
- Sony KLVS26A10 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1349.97
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1799.97
- Sears (Minneapolis Star Tribune, some HD disclaimers only):
- Hitachi 51F710A 51-inch 16:9 integr. CRT proj. DTV $1499.99 2T
- Panasonic TH50PX50U 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3599.99 2T
- Samsung HL-R5067W 50-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $2249.99 2T
- Samsung LNR268W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1399.99 2T
- Samsung SP-R4232 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1979.99 2T
- Sharp LC37D4U 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2519.99 2T
- Sony KD36FS130 36-inch 4:3 integrated DTV $854.99
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1999.99 2T
- Toshiba 23HLV85 23-inch widescreen LCD/DVD combo $1199.99 2T
- Toshiba 34HF85 34-inch 16:9 CRT TV $949.99
- Toshiba 42HP95 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2699.99 2T
- Toshiba 52HM95 52-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2249.99 2T
2T - price includes two tickets to Disney/Touchtone movies
- Target (Minneapolis Star Tribune, no disclaimer):
- Sony KLV-S15G10 15-inch LCD TV $479.99
- Ultimate Electronics (Minneapolis Star Tribune, some disclaimers):
- Akai PDP4206EM 42-inch 16:9 plasma TV $1498.95
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4624.95
- Magnavox 27MT5405 27-inch 4:3 flat-tube TV $398.95
- Mitsubishi WD62628 62-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $4069.95
- Panasonic PT44LCX65 44-inch wide integrated DLP proj. DTV $1799.95
- Panasonic TC23LX50 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $999.95 BS
- Panasonic TH42PD50 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1849.95
- Panasonic TH42PX50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2774.95
- Samsung HLR5078W 50-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $3234.95
- Samsung HPR4272 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $2959.95
- Sharp LC26D4U 26-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1479.95
- Sony KDLV26XBR1 26-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1999.95 BS
- Sony KDLV32XBR1 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2699.95 BS
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1849.95
- Toshiba 30HF85 30-inch 16:9 flat CRT TV $799.95 BS
- Toshiba 37HLX95 37-inch wide integrated LCD DTV/DVD combo $3234.95
- Toshiba 42DPC85 42-inch 16:9 plasma monitor $1849.95
- Toshiba 46HM95 46-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $2034.95
- Toshiba 62MX195 62-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $3699.95
BS - price "before savings"
- Universal Computers & Electronics (am New York, no disclaimer):
- Panasonic TH42PE506 42-inch widescreen flat-panel TV $1199
- Panasonic [?] HPP3298PP 42-inch widescreen flat-panel TV $799
- Samsung 42-inch widescreen TV $999
- 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):
- DirecTV HR10250 ATSC/DirecTV receiver/PVR $599
- Mitsubishi WD73727 73-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $5497 IS
- Mystery brand 50-inch widescreen plasma TV $2997
- Panasonic TH42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1997 IS
- Sony KDF60XS955 60-inch 16:9 integrated LCD projection DTV $3597 IS
- Sony KDLV40XBR1 40-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3497 IS
IS - price inclusive of sales tax
- DVD news: According to CEA's revised figures, sales of DVD players to U.S.
dealers for the first 41 weeks of 2005 were down 23.9% from the same period in
2004; my ten-week running average was down 17.8%. VCR sales were down 42.5%.
For the 41st week DVD player sales were actually UP 32% over the same week in
2004.
- TiVo and Yahoo are joining forces. Initially, the agreement will allow users
to program their TiVo PVRs via Yahoo web pages. Next to come are photos,
weather, and traffic from Yahoo via the TiVo PVRs:
<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/07/technology/07yahoo.html?th&emc=th>
This could sound familiar to those who heard TiVo describing it at a
***Technology Retreat*** years ago. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- EchoStar added 255,000 net new subscribers in the third quarter for a total
of 11.7 million:
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=8877>
DirecTV added 263,000 to 14.9 million (they hit 15 million in October):
<http://tinyurl.com/aw8nx>
- It's-tough-to-be-a-broadcaster department: The number of radio & TV
broadcasting complaints to the FCC increased from 6429 in the second quarter of
this year to 26,368 in the third quarter, almost all of them related to
supposed indecency:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262020A1.pdf>
- Upcoming Dates (DTV and non-DTV) - I've had requests to separate the "Taste
of NAB Road Show" dates, so I've done so below this section:
- Through November 12, New York Hilton, SMPTE Technical Conference &
Exhibition <http://www.smpte.org/conferences/>.
- November 15-17, San Jose Convention Center, Streaming Media West
<http://www.streamingmedia.com/west/>.
- November 15-17, Javits Center, New York, NAB Post+
<http://www.nabpostplus.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, Government
Video Expo <http://www.gvexpo.com/>.
- January 4, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, HDTV Business Conference
<http://www.hdtv-bc.com/program.htm>.
- January 5-8, Las Vegas, Consumer Electronics Show
<http://www.cesweb.org/default_flash.asp>.
- ***February 21, Rancho Las Palmas Marriott, Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs
area), California, pre-Technology Retreat seminars <http://www.hpaonline.com>.
- ***February 22-24, Rancho Las Palmas Marriott, Rancho Mirage (Palm
Springs area), California, HPA's 12th-annual Technology Retreat
<http://www.hpaonline.com>.
- *February 27-28, Park Central Hotel, New York, Collaborative
Communications Summit <http://sites.securemc.com/folder4073/>.
- February 28, Dorchester Hotel, London, Collaborative Conferencing Summit
<http://sites.securemc.com/folder22719/>.
- June 27-29, Javits Center, New York, Entertainment Technology Alliance
<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
week's memo might be late.
Phone numbers of some retailers mentioned (the ones starting +1 will work from
outside the United States):
- eTronics.com: +1-212-475-3149
- Flat Universe: +1-212-600-0654
- J&R: +1-212-238-9000, 800-221-8180
- P.C. Richard: +1-212-979-2600
- 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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