[opendtv] 20051010 Mark's Monday Memo
- From: Mark Schubin <tvmark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tvmark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 23:15:11 -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).
Sorry about the lack of memo last week.
- Follow-ups:
- ***The Technology Retreat*** - Things are starting to shape up. There WI=
LL be a half-day seminar by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC=
) on Tuesday, February 21, but I don't yet know the subject. We also expec=
t a seminar that day by Charles Poynton with a concentration on understandi=
ng how to deal with new display technologies. That will lead in to an expe=
cted Wednesday-morning session on display technologies, ranging from produc=
tion, through post, to consumer and digital-cinema presentation.
How do you deal with the new digital-cinema packaging? Charles Swartz=
of the Entertainment Technology Center at the University of Southern Calif=
ornia is putting together a tutorial session. How about authoring for Blu-=
ray, HD DVD, and whatever else is coming? We expect a session on that, too=
. Does Grass Valley's option of JPEG2000 in their Infinity line mean a shi=
ft in production and post? Come to the expected compression-update session=
, and find out.
What's the latest in large-format digital cinematography? Is it reall=
y possible to get 1080-line resolution from 1/3-inch cameras and lenses? I=
s there a way to objectively measure quality in compressed HD systems? Is =
IPTV a good thing? How important is 4:4:4? Want to see a complete camera-=
to-display 4K system? How about 8K? Those are just a few ideas from propo=
sed presentations (not counting the usual broadcaster and consumer-maketpla=
ce panels and Washington and Hollywood updates). Want to learn about Movie=
Labs?
So:
- SAVE THE DATES! Seminars on February 21, technical program and=
demos February 22-24. You'll probably be very sorry if you don't.
- If you want to have a presentation in the main program, CONTACT=
ME ASAP!
- If you want to moderate/present/interrogate a breakfast roundta=
ble on ANY subject Thursday and/or Friday mornings, please let me know.
- If you want to sponsor events, demo new technology, book rooms,=
etc., please contact Eileen Kramer at the Hollywood Post Alliance <ekramer=
@hpaonline.com>.
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Congress and the DTT transition -
- The hard date (and its lack of justification) - Former deputy d=
irector of Homeland Security Asa Hutchinson came out for an end-of-2007 har=
d date even though he agreed that the problem wasn't bandwidth but "inadequ=
ate radios and other devices." David Donovan, president of the Association=
for Maximum Service Television (MSTV), noted that there were no full-power=
stations on the proposed public-safety channels in the New Orleans area. =
The full Broadcasting & Cable story is for paid subscribers:
<http://tinyurl.com/dwztz>
TV Technology focused on the testimony of Dereck Orr, program manager =
of public-safety communications systems at the National Institute of Standa=
rds and Technology. He indicated that it wasn't spectrum but interoperabil=
ity that first responders needed, for which purpose the Telecommunications =
Industry Association launched Project 25 (P25) in 1990. Fifteen years late=
r, no systems comply with it:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dailynews/one.php?id=3D3283>
Then there was a story in Tom's Hardware. It quotes Dr. David G. Boyd=
, deputy director of the SAFECOM project of the Department of Homeland Secu=
rity on why there were problems in the Katrina-hit area. "Interoperability=
requires, before all else, simple operability." He, too, discussed P25, p=
rojected to be functioning in 2023. That led the writer, Scott Fulton, to =
draw this interesting conclusion. " If upgrading the technology for first =
responders isn't the fix-all solution to the problem of achieving interoper=
ability between federal, state, and local authorities and agencies, then th=
e key impetus driving the DTV transition date goes away":
<http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050930_175559.html>
A National Journal story by Lee Hall notes, "Although power outages r=
endered normal TV reception impossible for most New Orleans residents, some=
were able to use battery-operated portable receivers. Under current DTV t=
ransition plans, however, the smallest sets -- those most likely to be empl=
oyed during disasters -- would not have to receive digital signals. Analog-=
only sets still could be used but would require a separate set-top digital =
receiver that likely would not operate on batteries":
<http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-ZGEV1127161453771.html>
Another subscribers-only Broadcasting & Cable story notes that Senator=
Ted Stevens, head of the Senate Commerce Committee, is sticking to a 2009 =
date for the budget process, so he can pay for the improved public-safety r=
adios and DTT converters:
<http://tinyurl.com/8p2bw>
And, according to this Reuters story, so there will be three more holi=
day shopping seasons in which people can buy integrated DTVs so fewer conve=
rters will be necessary:
<http://tinyurl.com/9ovug>
Stevens also wants co-payments for the converters, according to this f=
ree-to-read Multichannel News story:
<http://tinyurl.com/bdmam>
But another TV Technology story begins, "If budget reconciliation is a=
ny indication, the government will have to pay someone to take the analog b=
roadcast spectrum in 10 years." That's because the value of the recovered =
spectrum is said to be only $10 billion now:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dailynews/one.php?id=3D3303>
Mediaweek agrees on the value:
<http://tinyurl.com/dzqba>
How important is TV for getting the news out? It depends on the ethni=
c group. According to Knowledge Networks' "Ownership and Trend Report from=
the Home Technology Monitor, 62% of African-American households have more =
than two TVs compared to 51% among non-Hispanic European-American household=
s and 44% among Hispanic-American households. Among households with comput=
ers, 30% of the non-Hispanic European-American households had broadband acc=
ess, 19% of African-American, and 16% of Hispanic-American. As for much fa=
mily time spent watching TV, that was 50% of Hispanic-American households, =
45% of African-American, and 29% of non-Hispanic European-American:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dailynews/one.php?id=3D3324>
- The other issues - The hard date will likely become an amendmen=
t to a budget bill. Then there are the broadcast flag (not dead yet) and m=
ulticast must-carry, likely to be discussed in separate legislation, but wi=
th a vote reportedly scheduled for October 19:
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D8676>
This story is from Mediaweek:
<http://tinyurl.com/azqog>
This subscribers-only Broadcasting & Cable story says 20 representativ=
es have asked the heads of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee to rei=
nstate the broadcast flag:
<http://tinyurl.com/dpver>
Meanwhile, the Electronic Frontier Foundation is noting a European pla=
n for what looks like a broadcast flag:
<http://p2pnet.net/story/6466>
<http://www.eff.org/IP/DVB/>
And this story says Microsoft's new operating system could cause probl=
ems for existing displays due to rights-management issues:
<http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,122738,pg,1,RSS,RSS,00.asp>
- Here are some other related stories:
- Like it or not, TV Technology's Masked Engineer offers a c=
omplete scenario for the transition:
<http://tinyurl.com/da7mq>
In the same publication, Charles Rhodes describes how DTT could be use=
d for automatic emergency warnings:
<http://tinyurl.com/8qkxo>
Gary Arlen guesses enforcement of the "tuner mandate" is probably not =
a high priority at the moment:
<http://tinyurl.com/9z7eu>
And there's a chip overview by Claudia Kienzle:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/features/news/n_vendors_chip.shtml>
- IEEE Spectrum has a transition overview from frequent ***T=
echnology Retreat*** attendee Bob Rast, currently of Micronas:
<http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/oct05/1911/3>
- The mysterious lost audience of KCSM - No one has been able to expla=
in why KCSM in San Mateo, California lost 38% of its audience when it dropp=
ed analog despite being on cable & satellite in a well-penetrated market. =
Recent research by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) might shed so=
me light on the issue. Of non-cable/satellite households that would lose a=
nalog TV service after the shutdown date, 9% said they'd subscribe to cable=
or satellite, 42% said they'd buy a $60 converter (an option not available=
to KCSM viewers -- not at that price), and 22% said they'd buy an integrat=
ed TV. Another 22% said they'd do nothing, which CEA said was because they=
don't use the TV for receiving off-air TV:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dlrf/one.php?id=3D1010>
- The broadcasters box - The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB=
) and MSTV have selected LG and Thomson to make their prototype high-qualit=
y, low-cost DTT converters:
<http://tinyurl.com/dwgcl>
In a related story, a message on the OpenDTV Forum about Circuit City =
simply not providing set-top DTT converters anymore:
<//www.freelists.org/archives/opendtv/10-2005/msg00051.html>
led to a thread about an under-$90 converter being sold at Radio Shack -- w=
hen it can be found:
<//www.freelists.org/archives/opendtv/10-2005/msg00112.html>
I do not yet know how well it will work in my apartment.
- Blu-ray vs. HD DVD (vs. ?) -
- It's Dell & HP on the Blu-ray side vs. Intel & Microsoft on the=
HD DVD side:
<http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/29/news_6134745.html>
Warren Communications News reported last week that Blu-ray and HD DVD =
"writers abound" on the show floor at CEATEC, Japan's Combined Exhibition o=
f Advanced Technologies, "far outnumbering prototypes showcased for home th=
eater. The story is no longer on their site:
<http://www.warren-news.com/>
- Paramount, previously on the HD DVD side, said it would also re=
lease movies on Blu-ray:
<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/03/business/media/03disc.html?th&emc=3Dth>
More shocking, the Asahi Shimbun, a daily in Japan, reported that Warn=
er Bros. was also considering releasing on Blu-ray. The first URL is a sto=
ry about the story in Electronic Engineering Times:
<http://www.eet.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=3D171203844>
<http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200510080128.html>
- Toshiba's Hisashi Yamada reportedly has said, "HD DVD probably =
won=E2=80=99t contain any region playback controls":
<http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000873062235/>
- China, after EVD, is reportedly planning a next-generation disk=
based on HD DVD but not compatible with it. It's expected in 2008. Offic=
ials say 70-80% of DVDs are made in China, so this strategy avoids intellec=
tual-property fees:
<http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20051007/tc_nf/38558>
- Consumer Reports on HD vs. ED plasma displays - In March, they said =
"In our tests of 22 plasma TV models, the best ED set looked just as good w=
ith HD content as the HD sets. (One note: Sit closer than 8 feet away from =
an ED set and you're likely to see individual pixels, making the image appe=
ar coarse)":
<http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/articles/1340602.html>
Now they say, "Choose HD for the best picture." "...both HD content a=
nd DVDs still looked better on the top HD sets because of those models' hig=
her native resolution":
<http://tinyurl.com/9rg2o>
- The 2005 Consumer Electronics Show - This is probably the last repor=
t that will come out:
<http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/2005/09/highlights_of_c.php>
There's also a report on the DTT transition:
<http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/2005/09/2005_hdtv_repor.php?page=3D4>
- CableCARDs - Millions of digital-cable-ready TVs have been sold, but=
, according to Warren Communications News last week, the National Cable & T=
elecommunications Association (NCTA) told the Federal Communications Commis=
sion (FCC) that all of 67,000 have been installed to date, which they call =
a big success. Well, at least is 67,000 more than the PODs (point-of-deplo=
yment modules), the CableCARD predecessors. The story is no longer on thei=
r site:
<http://www.warren-news.com/>
A subscribers-only Broadcasting & Cable story by John Eggerton on the =
same subject said the cable operators said they were "making a good-faith e=
ffort," but there were "cards that did not receive all the channels and one=
s that did not receive any channels at all":
<http://tinyurl.com/9t7zf>
- July 1 -=20
- This week I've listed 166 ads for TVs 36-inch or larger. Of th=
ose, 128 (77%) have integrated DTT-reception capability. As of July 1, 100=
% of those manufactured in or imported to the U.S. with tuners were suppose=
d to have integrated DTT-reception capability. I've also listed 90 ads for=
TVs between 25- and 35-inch. Of those, 11 (12%) have integrated DTT-recep=
tion capability. As of July 1, 50% of those manufactured in or imported to=
the U.S. with tuners were supposed to have integrated DTT-reception capabi=
lity.
- 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:
- Toshiba 36E60 36-inch TV @ Royal $298
- Toshiba 36455 [?] 36-inch TV @ Center City $289
- RCA ZA46 46-inch projection TV @ Royal $397
- Toshiba 50A60 50-inch projection TV @ Royal $428
- Sony 53S65 53-inch projection TV @ Center City $598 SS
- Sony 53S65 53-inch projection TV @ Royal $498
- Sony 61S75 61-inch projection TV @ Royal $598
- Toshiba 61H60 61-inch projection TV @ Royal $618
- Sony 61S75 [?] 65-inch projection TV @ Center City $698 SS
- Sony 65S65 65-inch projection TV @ Royal $739=20
SS - price includes surround-sound system
- TV sets that required DTT-reception circuitry starting 2005:
- RCA 25-inch TV @ Royal $98
- Insignia ISTV040923 27-inch TV @ Best Buy $159.99
- Magnavox 27MS3404 27-inch TV @ Circuit City $177.99
- Magnavox 27MS4504 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $239.99
- Magnavox 27MS4504/17 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $229.99
- Magnavox 27MT3305/17 27-inch TV @ Best Buy $169.99
- Panasonic CT-27SL15 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $299.99
- Panasonic PVDF2735 27-inch TV/DVD/VCR combo @ etronics $399
- RCA 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Kmart $249.99
- Sharp 27F541 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $259.99
- Sony 27S45 27-inch TV @ Center City $139
- Sony 27S45 27-inch TV @ Royal $144
- Sony KV27FS120 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $329.99
- Sony Wega 27FS10 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Royal $229
- Sylvania 6427TFY 27-inch TV @ Sears $169.99
- Symphonic ST427F 27-inch TV @ Circuit City $159.99
- Toshiba 27FA30 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Royal $249
- Toshiba 27H50 27-inch TV @ Center City $129
- Toshiba 27H50 27-inch TV @ Royal $139
- Insignia ISTV040925 32-inch TV @ Best Buy $249.99
- JVC AV32WF36 32-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $429.99
- Magnavox 32MT3305 32-inch TV @ Circuit City $289.99
- Panasonic CT32SL15 32-inch TV @ Circuit City $504.99
- RCA 32V420T 32-inch TV @ Circuit City $269.99
- Sony 32S45 32-inch TV @ Center City $238
- Sony 32S45 32-inch TV @ Royal $239
- Sony KV32FS120 32-inch flat-tube TV @ P.C. Richard $499.97
- Sony Wega 32FS10 32-inch flat-tube TV @ Royal $389
- Toshiba 32A35 32-inch TV @ Best Buy $299.99
- Toshiba 32H50 32-inch TV @ Royal $239
- Sony 35S45 35-inch TV @ Center City $319
- Sony 35S45 35-inch TV @ Royal $329
- Devices that would require DTT-reception circuitry in 2007:
- Sansui TVM1316 13-inch TV @ Royal $49
- Advent Q1435A 14-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $94.99
- Magnavox 14MS2331 14-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $99.99
- Sansui TVM1916 19-inch TV @ Royal $68
- Sylvania 19-inch TV @ Kmart $89.99
- Toshiba 19A25 19-inch TV @ P.C. Richard $99.97
- Truetech DW-19T 19-inch TV @ Target $84.99
- Magnavox 20MS2331/17 20-inch TV @ Best Buy $99.99
- Magnavox 20MS3442/17 20-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $129.99
- RCA 20FS512T 20-inch flat-tube TV @ P.C. Richard $129.97
- Sylvania 6420FF 20-inch flat-tube TV @ Sears $119.99
- Symphonic ST420FF 20-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $119.99
- GoVideo DV2150 DVD/VCR combo @ Royal $59
- JVC HR-XVC18B DVD/VCR combo @ J&R $99.99
- Sansui S35EV VCR @ Royal $29.99
- Samsung DVDV5500 DVD/VCR combo @ Circuit City $99.99
- Toshiba SD-V393 DVD/VCR combo @ Best Buy $99.99
- CyberHome CHDVR1600 DVD recorder @ Circuit City $99.99
- GoVideo VR3930 VCR/DVD recorder combo @ J&R $199.99
- Humax DRT-400 TiVo/DVD recorder @ Best Buy $249.99 AR
- Humax DRT400 TiVo/DVD recorder @ Circuit City $249.99 AR
- Magnavox MRV700VR/17 VHS/DVD recorder combo @ Best Buy $199.99
- Philips DVDR615 DVD recorder @ Circuit City $159.99
- Samsung DVDR120 DVD recorder @ Best Buy $179.99
- Sharp DVRW550U VCR/DVD recorder combo @ Circuit City $199.99
- Sony RDR-GX300 DVD recorder @ J&R $229.99
- Sony RDRGX315 DVD recorder @ Circuit City $299.99
- Sony RDR-VX500 VCR/DVD recorder combo @ J&R $299.99
- Toshiba D-R4 DVD recorder @ Best Buy $179.99 XM
- Toshiba RS-TX20 TiVo/DVD recorder combo @ J&R $279.99 AR
- Zenith ZRY316 VCR/DVD recorder combo @ CompUSA $249.99
- HP M1254N computer w/TV tuner pkg. @ CompUSA $819.98 AR
- HP M7160N computer w/TV tuner pkg. @ Best Buy $1149.97 AR
- Sony VGC-RB34G computer w/TV tuner @ J&R $699.99 AR
- Sony VGC-RB36G computer w/TV tuner @ J&R $799.99 AR
- Sony VGC-RB42G computer w/TV tuner @ J&R $879.99 AR
AR - price after mail-in rebate
XM - price includes ten-pack of blank media
- Devices that would require dual DTT-reception circuitry in 2007:
- Sylvania 6719DF 19-inch TV/DVD/VCR combo @ Best Buy $199.99
- Toshiba MW20F51 20-inch flat-tube TV/DVD/VCR @ Sears $284.998
- Devices not covered by the mandate but using analog TV broadcasts:
- Eton FR300 AM/FM/TV/weath./light/siren crank portable @ J&R $49.=
99
- Mystery brand 10-inch LCD TV/DVD combo @ Fry's $999
- Sony D-NS707F AM/FM/TV/weather CD portable @ J&R $79.99
- Sony ICF-CD555TV 7-inch TV/AM/FM clock radio @ J&R $299.99
- Sony ICF-DVD57 9-inch TV/AM/FM clock radio @ J&R $425.99
- Sony SRF-HM03V AM/FM/TV/weather portable @ J&R $54.99
- 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 -=20
- According to the NAB, which has said its figures are based on t=
he FCC's, there were, as of today, 1525 U.S. DTT stations operating in 211 =
markets:
<http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/issues/digitaltv/DTVStations.asp>
- The FCC posted its updated lists today, said to be as of Octobe=
r 3. 1695 stations have been grated either construction permits or license=
s. That's more than the original April 1997 number but 98.4% of the new to=
tal the FCC is using, 1722:
<http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvsum.html>
There has been no official change in the status of the top-10-market, =
top-4-commercial-network stations due on the air May 1, 1999; 38 are fully =
licensed, and two (the ones knocked out when the World Trade Center fell) a=
re still said to be operating under temporary authority:
<http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvstat.html>
Similarly, of the 79 similar stations in markets 11-30 (the 80th is in=
Mexico) due on the Air November 1, 1999, 74 are licensed and five are oper=
ating on temporary authority:
<http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvstat11.html>
This chart shows that although the DTT on-air percentage for commercia=
l (89.4%) and non-commercial stations (88.7%) is nearly identical, of the o=
nes on the air, 68.3% of the non-commercial ones are fully licensed vs. onl=
y 42.8% of the commercial ones:
<http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvonairsum.html>
Here is a list (which seems to be working now) of the 803 stations tha=
t are operating at full power either fully licensed or on program-test auth=
ority:
<http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvonair.html>
Here is a list of the 734 stations operating at low power on temporary=
authority:
<http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvstas.html>
- According to Doug Lung's RF Report, the FCC listed 777 fully li=
censed stations in its CDBS database as of September 26:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dlrf/one.php?id=3D1021>
- The FCC has issued its channel utilization tables and, once again, gave a=
n incorrect URL (leading to the defunct Mass Media Bureau):
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-261230A1.pdf>
Here are the correct URLs for analog utilization:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-261230A15.pdf>
and digital utilization:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-261230A16.pdf>
- Here is a list of the first-round DTT channel elections:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2649A2.pdf>
There are 48 low VHF, 418 high VHF, and 1246 UHF.
Here's info on round two:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2649A1.pdf>
- Chi Mei Optoelectronics has a 3840 x 2160 56-inch LCD panel:
<http://www.digitimes.com/displays/a20050927A6028.html>
- International H/DTV news:=20
- Australia's analog shut off might be delayed for six years, accordin=
g to this story in the Sydney Morning Herald:
<http://tinyurl.com/9suyz>
GfK Australia, which tracks retail sales, says the 320,000 DTT boxes s=
old this year by August represent only 20% of the 1.55 million TVs sold in =
the same period, according to this story in the Sydney Morning Herald:
<http://tinyurl.com/9zsof>
- In New Zealand DTT has yet to begin:
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3424230a28,00.html>
- In Sweden, except for one public channel, analog TV has ceased on th=
e island of Gotland, despite reports that "many Gotland residents have not =
bought the necessary equipment to continue watching television":
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dlrf/one.php?id=3D1012>
- The Mainishi Daily News reports Japan's retailers have been asked to=
put stickers on TVs, starting the 22nd, telling them that analog transmiss=
ions will cease on July 24, 2011:
<http://tinyurl.com/9dg53>
Speaking of labeling, Japan's manufacturers have called displays with =
at least 660 active scanning lines HD, so now 1920 x 1080 is being called "=
full-specification HD":
<http://www.eet.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=3D171203007>
- According to Informa Telecoms & Media, at the end of 2004, 46% of No=
rth-American households had some form of digital television (includes digit=
al cable and digital satellite), 25% of western Europe, 9% of Israel and Tu=
rkey, 5% of Latin America, 3% of the Asia-Pacific region, and 1% of eastern=
Europe:
<http://tinyurl.com/cj3wc>
- France has gathered about 700,000 DTT households since the service l=
aunched on March 31. Last week the service area increased to a potential 1=
2 million (50% of the country). This story is from the Hollywood Reporter:
<http://tinyurl.com/76pfp>
- ORF in Austria is in no rush to provide HDTV, according to this stor=
y in Sat+kabel (in German):
<http://tinyurl.com/c7vxs>
- A report by Britain's Ofcom says less than a tenth of UK households =
will still rely on analog TV by the 2012 cut off:
<http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1585293,00.html>
- I like this story, in which Panasonic touts "the world's smallest 1080p p=
lasma display panel." It's 50-inch:
<ttp://www.twice.com/article/CA6262985?display=3DBreaking+News>
- Based on figures from CEA (revised September 30), sales to U.S. dealers o=
f non-H/DTV television sets for the first 36 weeks of 2005 were down 11.2% =
from the same period in 2004; my ten-week running average was down 23.8%. =
For the first 37 weeks, they were down 10.4% and 19.4%. For the first 38 w=
eeks, they were down 11.1% and 20.2%.
Sales of so-called non-flat-panel "Digital Televisions" to U.S. dealer=
s for the 36th week were 62,303 units, for the 37th week 82,306 units, for =
the 38th week 95,750, and for the first 38 weeks 2,849,446 (compared to 14,=
008,765 for non-flat-panel sets not called "digital" by CEA). For 11 of th=
e last 14 weeks, the number of non-flat-panel "digital televisions" sold to=
U.S. dealers was lower than in the same period last year.
Non-flat-panel "Digital Televisions" (most of which are HDTV displays =
without DTT-reception capability) accounted for about 16.9% of the TVs (not=
counting plasma or direct-view LCD) sold to U.S. dealers through the 38th =
week this year. Based on CEA's report of unit sales through the end of Jun=
e including flat-panel displays, the total "digital" percentage (assuming n=
o flat-panel non-"digital" TVs) would be 32.1%. It may be worth noting her=
e what that means. About 68% of the TVs sold through the 38th week this ye=
ar were still plain non-H/DTV direct-view TVs with picture tubes.
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'm aware of the DirecTV units at Best Bu=
y and Video & Audio Center and the Sony at Great Indoors. If Radio Shack i=
s advertising its box, it's not in any paper my correspondents or I have se=
en.
- Ad confusions: In one of its ads, CompUSA said of the ViewSonic N3250W L=
CD TV that it has "NEW! HD Built-in!" But ViewSonic's site says it has on=
ly an NTSC (analog) tuner. One of J&R's ads said the Sharp LC-32DA5U was d=
igital cable ready; Sharp's web site mentions no such feature.
- 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.
- Bang & Olufsen (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 5 42-inch 16:9 plasma TV $19,900
- Best Buy (HD disclaimers only):
- DirecTV H10 DirecTV/ATSC receiver/decoder $199.99
- DirecTV HR10-250 ATSC/DirecTV receiver/PVR $499.99 AR
- JVC HD567BP6 56-inch wide integrated D-ILA projection DTV $2999.99
- JVC LT26X506 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1139.99
- JVC LT32X576 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1899.99
- LG 23LX1RV 23-inch widescreen LCD/DVD combo $1044.99
- LG 42PX4D 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3299.99
- LG 50PX1D 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3799.99
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4749.99
- Magnavox 17MF200V/17 17-inch 16:9 LCD TV $399.99
- Magnavox 30MW5405/17 30-inch widescreen TV $599.99
- Maxent MX-42XM11 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $1899.99
- Mitsubishi WS-65517 65-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $2299.99
- Panasonic PT-61LCX65 61-inch widescreen integr. proj. DTV $2649.99 AR
- Philips 37PF7320A/37 37-inch 16:9 LCD TV $2499.99 BS
- Philips 42PF9630A/37 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2999.99
- Philips 50PF9630A/37 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3999.99
- Pioneer PDP-4361HD 43-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $4274.99
- Pioneer PDP-5061HD 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $5699.99
- RCA D52W23 52-inch 16:9 projection TV $999.99
- Samsung HLR4266W 42-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $1999.99
- Samsung HLR5067W 50-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2374.99
- Samsung HPR5052 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $4199.98 IN
- Samsung LNR268W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1399.99
- Samsung SPR4232 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2199.99
- Samsung TXR2765WH 27-inch 4:3 integr. flat-tube DTV in pkg. $829.96
- Sharp LC20B8US 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $899.99
- Sharp LC26DA5U 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1299.99
- Sharp LC32DA5U 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1799.99
- Sharp LC37GB5U 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2799.99
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2499.99
- Sony KDFE55A20 55-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2849.99
- Sony KDLV40XBR1 40-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3324.99
- Sony KDP51WS655 51-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $1709.99
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1199.99
- Sony KLVS26A10 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1424.99
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1899.99
- Toshiba 30HF85 30-inch 16:9 flat CRT TV in package $799.99
- Toshiba 46HM95 46-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $2089.99
- Toshiba 51HC85 51-inch widescreen projection TV $1299.99
- Toshiba 62HM95 62-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $3199.99
- Westinghouse LTV-27W2 27-inch 16:9 LCD monitor $799.99
- Westinghouse LTV-32W1 32-inch widescreen LCD monitor $1299.99
AR - price after mail-in rebate
BS - price "before savings"
IN - price includes basic installation
- Center City Computers & Electronics (am New York, no disclaimer):
- Panasonic [TH]42PD50 42-inch 16:9 plasma TV $1699
- Samsung HCP4741W 47-inch 16:9 projection TV $999
- Samsung HCR5145W [?] 52-inch 16:9 projection TV $1199
- Samsung HLR6167W 61-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2599
- Samsung LNR328W 32-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1579
- Sony (model number unreadable) 50-inch widescreen LCD TV $1999
- Sony KP57WS520 57-inch 16:9 projection TV $1499
- 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 57F710S 57-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV 1899.99
- LG 23LX1RV 23-inch widescreen LCD/DVD combo $1099.99
- LG 50PX1D 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3799.99 FI
- Magnavox 15MF605T 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $299.99
- Magnavox 17MD255V 17-inch widescreen LCD TV/DVD combo $569.99
- Magnavox 26MF605W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $899.99
- Magnavox 32MF605W 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1399.99
- Panasonic PT44LCX65 44-inch wide integrated DLP proj. DTV $1999.99
- Panasonic TC20LA5 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $664.99
- Panasonic TC26LX50 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1329.99
- Panasonic TH42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1899.99
- Polaroid FLM2011 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $449.99=20
- Polaroid FLM2601 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $899.99
- Polaroid FLM3701 37-inch widescreen LCD TV $1899.99
- RCA HD52W59 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $999.99
- Samsung HLR4266W 42-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $1899.99
- Samsung HLR5067W 50-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2374.99
- Samsung HLR5667W 56-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2999.99
- Samsung HPR4252 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $2849.99
- Samsung LTP2045 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $649.99
- Samsung TXR3079WH 30-inch 16:9 integrated CRT DTV $949.99
- Sharp LC15B8US 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $529.99
- Sharp LC15SH4U 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $349.99
- Sharp LC32GA5U 32-inch LCD TV $1709.99
- Sony KDFE55A20 55-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2849.99
- Sony KDLV40XBR1 40-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3499.99
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1234.99
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1999.99
- Sony KV30HS420 30-inch 16:9 CRT TV $854.99
- Zenith Z20LA7R 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $499.99
- Zenith Z50PX2D 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $3324.99=20
FI - price includes up to $300 towards installation or furniture
- CompUSA (appropriate disclaimers):
- Sharp LD26SH3U 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1199.99
- Sharp 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1799.99
- Syntax Olevia LT20S 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $449.99 AR
- Syntax Olevia 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $699.99 AR
- Syntax Olevia 27-inch widescreen LCD TV $799.99=20
- ViewSonic N3250W 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1299.99
- Zenith 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $1899.99
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- Dell (am New York, no disclaimer):
- Dell W4200 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $2499
- Dell (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Dell W1900 19-inch widescreen LCD TV $640
- Dell W2600 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1199
- Dell W3201C 32-inch 16:9 integrated LCD DTV $1799
- Dell W4200 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $2499
- Dell W4200HD 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $2999
- Dell W5001C 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3799
- etronics.com (Village Voice, no disclaimer):
- Samsung LTP227W 22-inch widescreen LCD TV $989.99
- Samsung LT-P2045 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $569.99
- Fry's (Los Angeles Times, HD ID only):
- Mystery brand 27-inch widescreen LCD TV $649
- Mystery brand 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $899
- Mystery brand 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $1399
- Great Indoors (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4999 MB
- Mitsubishi WD-62827 62-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV/PVR $5299
- Mitsubishi WD-73827 73-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV/PVR $6799
- Panasonic TX[?]42PX50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2999
- Panasonic TX[?]50PX50U 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3999
- Sharp LC26GA5U 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1299 MB
- Sharp LC32D7U 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2199 MB
- Sharp LC32GA5U 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1799=20
- Sharp LC37D7U 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3099 MB
- Sony DHG-HDD250 HD PVR/receiver/decoder $799
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1999
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2499
- Sony KDLV32XBR1 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2699
- Sony KDLV40XBR1 40-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3499
- Toshiba 23HLV85 23-inch widescreen LCD/DVD combo $1299
- Toshiba 42HP95 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2999
- Westinghouse LTV-27W2 27-inch 16:9 LCD monitor $799
- Westinghouse LTV-32W1 32-inch 16:9 LCD monitor $1499
MB - price includes mounting bracket
- Harvey (New York Times, no disclaimer necessary):
- Sharp LC37GD4U 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV
- Howard's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Mitsubishi WD52527 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $2499
- Mitsubishi WD62527 62-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $3499
- Mitsubishi WS 48515 48-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $1299
- Mitsubishi WS-55517 55-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $1999
- Mitsubishi WS 55815 55-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $1899
- Mitsubishi WS-65517 65-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $2499
- Mitsubishi WS 65815 65-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $2299
- Panasonic TH42PD50UP 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1999
- Panasonic TH50PX50UP 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3999
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2499
- Sony KLVS[23]A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1999
- J&R (am New York, no disclaimer):
- HP LC3700N 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV
- JVC LT-26X576 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1199.99
- LG 23LX2R 23-inch widescreen LCD TV
- Panasonic TH-42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1599.99
- Sharp 65DR650 65-inch wide integr. DLP proj. DTV w/stand $2399.99
- Sony KDE-42XS955 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2999.99
- Sony KLV-S32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1799.99
- Syntax Olevia LT42HVi 42-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2699.99
- J&R (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Epson PowerLite S3 projector w/$100GC $799.00
- HP LC2600N 26-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV=20
- HP LC3200N 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV
- HP LC3700N 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV
- HP PE4200N 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV
- HP PL4200N 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma TV
- HP PL5000N 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma TV
- Optoma MovieTime DV10 projector $1399.99
- Panasonic TC-20LB30 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $499.99
- Panasonic TC-23LX50 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $799.99
- Panasonic TH-42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1599.99
- Samsung HL-R5067W 50-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV=20
- Samsung HL-R5688W 56-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV=20
- Samsung LT-P227W 22-inch widescreen LCD TV $649.99
- Sharp 65DR650 65-inch wide integr. DLP proj. DTV w/stand $2399.99
- Sharp LC-32DA5U 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1499.99
- Sharp LC-45GD4U 45-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3999.99
- Sony KD36FS130 36-inch 4:3 integrated DTV $699.99
- Sony KDE-42XS955 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2999.99
- Sony KLV-S23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $899.99
- Sony KV-34HS420 34-inch 16:9 CRT TV $1169.99
- Syntax Olevia LT37HVE 37-inch widescreen LCD TV $1499.99
- Syntax Olevia LT42HVi 42-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2799.99
- Toshiba 24AF45 24-inch flat-tube 4:3 CRT TV $249.99
- Toshiba 52HM95 52-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV=20
- Westinghouse LTV-30w2 30-inch widescreen LCD monitor $999.99
- Westinghouse LTV-32w1 32-inch widescreen LCD monitor $999.99=20
GC - price includes gift card of amount shown
- J&R (Village Voice, no disclaimer):
- Panasonic TC-20LB30 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $499.99
- Sharp LC37GB5U 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2199.99
- Ken Crane's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- LG 17LX1R 17-inch widescreen LCD TV $798
- LG 26LX2D 26-inch 16:9 integrated LCD DTV $1598
- LG 50PX1D 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3998
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4998
- LG DU-37LZ30 37-inch 16:9 integrated LCD DTV $2798
- LG DU-42LZ30 42-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3798
- LG DU-42PX12 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2798
- Panasonic TH-42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1998
- Panasonic TH-50PX50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3998
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1998
- Kmart (Minneapolis Star Tribune, no disclaimer):
- Magnavox 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $329.99
- Magnolia (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Mitsubishi WD52527 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $2499
- Mitsubishi WD62725 62-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $2999
- Panasonic TH42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1999
- Pioneer PRO920HD 43-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3999
- Samsung HLR4266 42-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $1999
- Samsung LNR268W 26-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1199
- Samsung LNR328W 32-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1699
- Sharp LC26D6U 26-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1799 BS
- Sharp LC32D6U 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2299 BS
BS - price "before savings"
- Paul's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Mitsubishi WD52327 52-inch 16:9 projection TV $1995
- Panasonic PT44LCX65 44-inch wide integrated DLP proj. DTV $1995
- P.C. Richard & Son (am New York, HD disclaimers only):
- RCA HD50LPW175 50-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $1999.97
- Samsung HCR5245W 47-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $1199.97
- Samsung SPR4232 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1799.99
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2199.37
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1169.97
- Toshiba 42DPC85 42-inch 16:9 plasma monitor $1799.97
- P.C. Richard & Son (New York Times, HD disclaimers only):
- Audiovox FP1505 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $288.87
- Panasonic TH42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1799.97
- Philips 42PF7320 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2399.97
- Philips 42PF7320A 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2429.97
- Samsung LNR238W 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV $899.97
- Sharp LC20B6US 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $799.17
- Sharp LC37B5U 37-inch widescreen LCD TV $2499.27
- Sony KLVS15G10 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $499.47
- Sony KLVS26A10 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1349.97
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1799.97
- Toshiba 42DPC85 42-inch 16:9 plasma monitor $1799.97
- Royal Computers & Electronics (am New York, no disclaimer):
- Samsung SPN4215K 42-inch 16:9 plasma TV $1099
- Sears (Minneapolis Star Tribune, HDTV disclaimers only):
- Hitachi 42HDF42 42-inch 16:9 integr. plasma DTV $2699.99
- Hitachi 50V720 50-inch 16:9 integrated LCD projection DTV $2070.99
- Panasonic TC32LX50 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1710.99
- Panasonic TH42PX50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2700.00
- Samsung SP-R4232 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1989.99
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1800.99
- Sony KDF-E50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2499.99
- Sony KV-30HS420 30-inch 16:9 CRT TV $854.99
- Sony KV32HS420 32-inch 4:3 CRT TV $949.99
- Sylvania 6842PE 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $1499.99
- Toshiba 27HL85 27-inch widescreen LCD TV $1399.99
- Ultimate Electronics (Minneapolis Star Tribune, appropriate disclaimers=
):
- Akai PDP4206EM 42-inch 16:9 plasma TV $1298.95
- JVC LT32X576 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1849.95
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4624.95
- Mitsubishi WD52627 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $3234.95
- Mitsubishi WD62628 62-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $4069.95
- Panasonic CT32HL15 32-inch 4:3 CRT TV $849.95 BS
- Panasonic PT44LCX65 44-inch wide integrated DLP proj. DTV $1799.95
- Panasonic TH42PX50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2774.95
- Samsung HLR5688W 56-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $4159.95
- Sharp LC20SH4U 13-inch 4:3 LCD TV $599.95
- Sony KDE50XS955 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $4999.95
- Sony KDSR50XBR1 50-inch widescreen LCD projection DTV $3699.95
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1109.95
- Toshiba 26HF85 26-inch 16:9 flat CRT TV $599.95 BS
- Toshiba 46HM95 46-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $2034.95
- Toshiba 52HMX95 52-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection TV $2589.95
- Zenith Z42PX2D 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $1754.95
BS - price "before savings"
- Video & Audio Center (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- "Brand Name" 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $1697
- DirecTV HR10-250 ATSC/DirecTV receiver/PVR $497 AR
- Fujitsu P55XHA40US 55-inch 16:9 plasma TV $8497
- LG 17LX1R 17-inch widescreen LCD TV $597 BS
- LG 23LX1RV 23-inch widescreen LCD/DVD combo $1097 BS or TI
- LG 32LX1D 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1997 TI
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4997 TI
- LG 52SX4D 52-inch wide DLP integrated projection DTV $2297 BS or TI
- LG 62SX4D 62-inch widescreen DLP integrated projection DTV $3297 TI
- LG DU42PX12X 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2797 TI
- LG RU52SZ61D 52-inch 16:9 DLP projection TV $1797=20
- Mitsubishi WD52627 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $3497 BS
- Mitsubishi WD52637 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $3497 BS
- Panasonic TH42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1997 BS
- Pioneer PRO1130HD 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $6497 BS
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1997 BS
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2497 BS
- Sony KDFE60A10 60-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $3497 BS
- Sony KDLV40XBR1 40-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3497 BS
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1997 BS
- Zenith Z32LZ5R 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1497 BS
- Zenith Z42PX2D 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $1897 BS
- Zenith Z50PX2DL 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $3497 BS
AR - price after mail-in rebate
BS - price "before savings"
TI - price includes any sales tax (normally 8.25%)
- DVD news: According to CEA's revised figures, sales of DVD players to U.=
S. dealers for the first 36 weeks of 2005 were down 24.4% from the same per=
iod in 2004; my ten-week running average was down 19.2%. VCR sales were do=
wn 44.6%. For the first 37 weeks they were down 25.9%, 22.9%, and 45.1%. =
For the first 38 weeks, they were down 24.8%, 20.4%, and 43.9%.
- PVR news: According to a study my Leichtman Research Group, 8% of U.S. h=
ouseholds used PVRs as of last month, up from 3% last year, and 88% of thos=
e skipped commercials. But 56% of PVR users skipped commercials before get=
ting PVRs:
<http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05204/542228.stm>
- Household average viewering last season, according to Nielsen, hit a new =
record: 8 hours and 11 minutes per day. This story is from Reuters:
<http://tinyurl.com/dpnje>
- 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:
- October 11-13, Marriott, Madison, Wisconsin Broadcasters Clinic <htt=
p://www.wi-broadcasters.org/cgi-bin/wi-toc.pl>.
- October 12-14, Hotel Washington, Washington, D.C., IEEE Broadcast Sy=
mposium <http://www.ieee.org/organizations/society/bt/symp.html>.
- October 19-20, Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center, Broadca=
st Engineering Expo 2005 and SBE National Meeting <http://www.bee2005.org/>=
.=20
- *October 20, Pittsburgh Radisson in Greentree, SBE Regional Expo, fe=
aturing "What Is HDTV and Who Can See It?" <http://www.broadcast.net/~sbe20=
/convention/attendeepage.htm#Special%20Events>.
- October 24-25, Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco, Collaborative =
Communications Summit <http://sites.securemc.com/folder4073/>.
- October 24-25, Sofitel Paris Forum Rive Gauche, DVD Forum Europe <ht=
tp://www.uands.com/pg04.htm>.
- October 24-27, Orlando World Center Marriott, ShowEast <http://www.v=
nufilmgroup.com/filmgroup/showeast/index.jsp>.
- October 25, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland, Taste of NAB Road =
Show <http://www.tech-notes.tv/2005/73-Portland.htm>.
- October 25-26, Best Western Royal Plaza, Marlborough, Massachusetts,=
Bos-Con <http://www.bos-con.com/>.
- 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 <h=
ttp://www.streamingmedia.com/west/>.
- *November 15-17, Javits Center, New York, NAB Post+ <http://www.nabp=
ostplus.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 Allia=
nce <http://www.etaexpo.com/>.
* - new or revised listing
- Taste of NAB Road Show calendar - Please check their site:=20
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):
- Center City Computers & Electronics: +1-718-272-6474
- eTronics.com: +1-212-475-3149
- Harvey: +1-212-575-5000, 800-2-LISTEN
- J&R: +1-212-238-9000, 800-221-8180
- Paul's: +1-714-529-2314
- P.C. Richard: +1-212-979-2600
- Royal Computers and Electronics: +1-718-646-2100
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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