[opendtv] 20051223 Free (almost) Friday Fragments (Mark's Monday Memo)
- From: Mark Schubin <tvmark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tvmark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2005 00:39:35 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
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:
- UK Freeview households - The roughly seven million I mentioned from =
the Ofcom report in the last memo were Freeview-ONLY households as of the e=
nd of September. Households with Freeview and cable were counted as cable =
households and those with Freeview and satellite as satellite households. =
Ofcom estimates that there were over eight million "DTT enabled TV sets" at=
the end of the third quarter and roughly seven million "homes capable of r=
eceiving DTT broadcasts":
<//www.freelists.org/archives/opendtv/12-2005/msg00199.html>
- Australian DTT models - A post from an Australian on the OpenDTV For=
um says the figures in the Digital Broadcasting Australia lists, which I ru=
n (including in this memo), represent the products of DBA members only, and=
there are actually even more receivers on the market:
<//www.freelists.org/archives/opendtv/12-2005/msg00273.html>
- ***The Technology Retreat***, February 21-24 in Rancho Mirage - Stan=
d back! This is the big one!
- The early-registration discount expires at the end of the year,=
and, as of today, we're already half-full. You may have been waiting unti=
l the program was posted before registering. It's posted now. Don't wait:
<http://www.hpaonline.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=3D25988>
And there's even more to come! It takes a while for additions to get =
added to the posted schedule. The program is pretty awesome (even to me!).
- The Tuesday afternoon ATSC/SBE seminar on digital newsgathering=
, alone (separate admission charge), is pretty spectacular. Do you want to=
know the latest activities of the Advanced Television Systems Committee or=
the Society of Broadcast Engineers? How about all you need to know about =
the data return link? Advanced codecs and what they mean for D-ENG? HD ne=
wsgathering? Next-generation satellite transmission? Come and hear the ex=
perts from ATSC, Boeing, Efficient Channel Coding, Hammett & Edison, Harmon=
ic, Merrill Weiss Group, Microwave Radio Corporation, SBE, and Tandberg Tel=
evision:
<http://www.atsc.org/seminars/2006/techretreat06.html>
- Do you know how differences in camera capture systems affect mo=
tion portrayal on different displays? Charles Poynton does. His (separate=
admission) seminar (concurrent with the ATSC/SBE one) will provide the bac=
kground you need to understand how to make pictures look good on a bewilder=
ing array of displays.
- Speaking of displays, they're the subject of the opening supers=
ession on Wednesday morning this year. ROAM's Peter Putman will provide a =
primer on LCD, plasma, DLP, and LCoS technologies. Then Landmark Color's R=
on Williams will explain color translations used for different displays. B=
ut there is other processing (de-interlacing, scaling, etc.) used to accomm=
odate different displays, and Jed Deame of Silicon Optix/Teranex will expla=
in it. And just how do the major display technologies do on the big four q=
uestions of contrast/grayscale, color, scaling, and de-interlacing/motion a=
rtifacts? A panel of experts will tackle the issues.
- There's too much on the schedule for a full lunch break on Wedn=
esday, so take a half-hour break and pick up a box lunch. You can eat it d=
uring the next two presentations: the Hollywood Post Alliance's introductio=
n, and the technology year in review, including the latest household penetr=
ation figures from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Nationa=
l Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), and the Consumer Electro=
nics Association (CEA). That will be followed by the broadcasters panel, w=
ith commitments thus far from ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and the WB, with more exp=
ected. What comes after the video-on-demand and mobile-device announcement=
s of this past fall? Ask these network vice presidents, and find out.
After a refreshment break, return to the video consumer marketplace pa=
nel, with a satellite-service provider (DirecTV), a consumer-electronics ma=
nufacturer (Sharp), and a member of the board of the Custom Electronic Desi=
gn & Installation Association (CEDIA) committed thus far. This was the pan=
el with the FCC chief of staff last year, and there are sure to be surprise=
s in 2006. And we already have a presentation on telephone-company TV from=
SBC Labs and another on mobile TV from Azcar, the people installing one of=
the major systems. Then Brad Hunt, chief technology officer of the Motion=
Picture Association of America (MPAA), will provide a status report on con=
tent protection and introduce the new MovieLabs.
- That will be followed by demo intros and the first demo session=
. This year, there will be two, neither concurrent with anything else. Pa=
rticipants can also make arrangements for private demos at other mutually c=
onvenient times. Each year we've had at least one brand-new item (both Pan=
asonic's Varicam and Sony's HDCAM SR, for example, were introduced at ***Th=
e Technology Retreat*** demo room), and this year will be no exception. I =
can't reveal much at this point, but you can expect a major unveiling by Bl=
u-Laser Cinema, and you can also expect to see a demonstration of lossless =
layered compression coding from Gary Demos, who showed a 72-fps HDTV camera=
at a ***Technology Retreat*** demo room years ago. =20
Oh, did I mention the first demo session includes drinks and hors d'oe=
uvres? Continue networking at a rooftop dinner under the desert stars (and=
, given the chefs' creativity, with the dessert stars, too). The first qui=
z prizes (including glow-in-the-dark statues of the patron saint of televis=
ion -- as recently mentioned in the New York Times) will be awarded then, t=
oo.
- Thursday morning starts with the first session of breakfast rou=
ndtables. There are 19, so far, for that session, with more expected:
Digital Creation Beyond (Real) 2K, Mark Chiolis, Grass Valley
The Workforce in Post, Kathleen Milnes, Entertainment Economy Institut=
e
Non-Linear Color Correction, Simon Cuff, Digital Vision
Data- & Video-Centric HD & 2K DI, Pat Howley, Digital Vision
HDV in Mainstream Production, Michael Silbergleid, Television Broadcas=
t
DoD Multimedia Forensics, N. Beser, Johns Hopkins and E. Grogan, DoD
The "Tipping Point" for HD Ads, Tom Fletcher, Fletcher Chicago
Lip Sync, Graham Jones, National Association of Broadcasters
Metadata and Workflows, Oliver Morgan, Metaglue
Does the DCI Spec Drive 4K Post? Jon Pannaman, Quantel
Next Discs: Production Impact, Mark Johnson, Technicolor, Chuck Crawfo=
rd
Independent Digital Production for Digital Cinema, Peter Wilson, HDDC
CRT vs. LCD Displays, Gary Mandle, Sony
XDCAM HD, Hugo Gaggioni, Sony
Universal DI Master: Reality or Fiction? Rainer Knebel, Ascent Media
Implementing PMCP for FCC PSIP Compliance, Chris Lennon, Harris
Scalable Software-based HD/SD Codecs, John Pittas, SeaChange
Blu-Laser Encoded D-Cinema Dailies, Robert Sullivan, Blu-Laser Cinema
Web-based Real-time Video Indexing, Jean-Denis Gingras, Lanterna Magic=
a
- Then comes the acquisition session, starting with large-format,=
high-resolution (beyond HDTV) imaging, coordinated by Stephen Stough of Lo=
ckheed Martin, whose experimental camera with IMAX-frame-sized imagers star=
ted the ball rolling. In addition to things you might have heard of, like =
ARRI's D20, there are sure to be some you haven't, like the latest research=
at NHK (which has already demonstrated cameras with 16 times more pixels t=
han HDTV), a 4K digital motion-picture camera from Olympus, and what it too=
k to process the 12-million-pixel-per-sensor images of the experimental Loc=
kheed Martin camera at Stargate Films. And then there's more! There will =
be a 3-D session covering everything from acquisition to display.
- By that point, you are bound to be hungry, so there will be a n=
ice long catered lunch for those who want to give their brains a rest. Tho=
se hungry for both food and more information will have half an hour to grab=
some grub and bring it to a special lunchtime seminar on small-format HD a=
cquisition. Do you understand the diffraction limits on imager size? How =
about dynamic range and depth of field? The effects of imager offsets on s=
harpness? And what does 75% MTF look like anyway?
- You will certainly be tired of acquisition by then, which is wh=
y the afternoon will concentrate on digital cinema, starting with "The Ques=
t for an Image Interchange Framework to Exchange Color Information." This =
will be the FIRST public presentation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts=
& Sciences (the people who give out the Academy Awards) Science and Techno=
logy Council's project committee investigating an image interchange framewo=
rk for the exchange of both film-originated and "born digital" imagery in d=
igital-cinema mastering. A presentation by committee chair Jim Houston of =
Pacific Title will be followed by a roundtable with post, digital-intermedi=
ate, and visual effects facilities.
That will be followed by a nitty-gritty session on getting from the di=
gital-intermediate stage to standardized digital-cinema packages, including=
some recent real-world experiences, such as Sony Pictures' "Rent" and Univ=
ersal's "Serenity." And that will be followed by a session called Internat=
ional Developments in Digital Cinema but going WAY beyond that. Computer-g=
raphics pioneer Tom DeFanti, whose work straddles the University of Illinoi=
s - Chicago and the University of California - San Diego, will join Pacific=
Interface's Laurin Herr in discussing CineGrid. Next, learn about the War=
ner-NTT 4K distribution trial. Find out about the digital-cinema initiativ=
e at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute. Discover the issues of interoperabili=
ty between the European Digital Cinema Forum's levels 2 & 3. There might e=
ven be more!
- You'll then have a few minutes to clear your head before the bu=
ses leave for Fenway Park (the one in the desert, not the one in Boston, bu=
t they look almost the same) for our beer & burgers ballpark buffet (hot do=
gs, chicken, sides, salad, and desserts, too) followed by our championship =
softball series. This year, it will be Compact vs. Regular vs. Large. Eve=
ryone gets a pack of the latest baseball cards, too, courtesy of Peter Putm=
an.
- The next morning features the second round of breakfast roundta=
bles -- 13 so far, with more sure to come:
5.1 to Stereo Downmixing, Mark Seigle, Neural Audio
Automated Restoration Workflow, Pat Howley, Digital Vision
Motion-Comp. Dust & Grain Reduction, Goran Appelquist, Digital Vision
HDV in Mainstream Production, Michael Silbergleid, Television Broadcas=
t
Digital Intermediates, Debra Kaufman, DI/Studio, Film & Video
MXF in Production, Post-production, & Archives, Oliver Morgan, Metaglu=
e
Broadcast & Remote Op Collaborative Workflow, Jon Pannaman, Quantel
Next Discs: Technologies & Status, Jim Taylor, Sonic Solutions
Is "Standardized Workflow" a Red Herring? Peter Wilson, HDDC
New Global Delivery for Tapeless Workflow, Thomas Bremond, SmartJog
SMPTE S22-10 Update: New Broadcast Workflow, Chris Lennon, Harris
ExCCI: Extended Content-Control Information, Merrill Weiss, MW Group
Reel-based Blu-Laser Post & Archives, Robert Sullivan, Blu-Laser Cinem=
a
- That's followed by our annual Washington update by tech-speakin=
g attorney Jim Burger, of D.C. law firm Dow, Lohnes & Albertson. Is the ne=
w analog cut-off date real? What do you need to do about closed captions? =
How about copy protection? Can the "analog hole" be plugged? Will cable-=
TV analog customers lose broadcast TV after February 17, 2009? Do laws aff=
ect picture quality? Come and learn.
- Both picture quality and copy protection come up often in discu=
ssions of next-generation consumer disks, such as Blu-ray and HD DVD (but d=
on't forget EVD, FVD, and holographic systems, among others). Who better t=
o explain all about them -- including such issues as choosing and using dif=
ferent codecs and dealing with giant files -- than the three authors of "DV=
D Demystified," Jim Taylor of Sonic Solutions, Mark Johnson of Technicolor,=
and Chuck Crawford of TPS?
After a refreshment break, the in-the-trenches useful information cont=
inues to flow. Stick 4:3 material in a 16:9 show, and when that show is se=
en in letterbox, the original material shrinks to the size of a postage sta=
mp. ABC's Bill Miller will explain a way of "Cancelling the Postage Stamp"=
at the 2006 NAB convention in April; get an advance look at the standardiz=
ation work under way at ATSC, CEA, and SMPTE from NAB's Graham Jones. And =
what about lip-sync? Discover the latest work on fixing that problem from =
Clarity Image's Bill Hogan and consultant Michael Smith.
One way of helping lip-sync issues is shipping audio and video togethe=
r, but what happens when the video is something beyond HDTV? Come hear Bel=
den's Steve Lampen explain 10-gigabit A/V networking.
It might not be directly lip-sync related, but broadcasters are requir=
ed by law to transmit audio metadata, and, if it doesn't flow all the way f=
rom the producer to the viewer, there can be terrible repercussions. If it=
DOES flow all the way, there are golden opportunities. Learn what they ar=
e from Dolby's Ken Hunold.
Then there's another lip-sync affector, the video-compression codec. =
What's going on? Is MPEG-2 dying, or is it good enough? What's happening =
with H.264, VC-1, and JPEG2000? What about other codecs, including some we=
may never even have heard of? Come to the compression update session, coo=
rdinated and moderated by SMPTE vp Peter Symes. And, speaking of codecs yo=
u've never heard of, Gary Demos will explain his lossless layered system.
- That will be followed by the second demos-only session (not Dem=
os-only, although he'll be there), not concurrent with anything else. It's=
a chance to apply your newfound knowledge hands on.
- That's almost it (so far). We had about five times more submis=
sions this year than we had slots for, so we've offered the ones who didn't=
make it the opportunity to post their proposed presentations on a wall so =
you can read them during breaks. I don't know which will be posted, but ma=
ybe you'll learn when to use 24.000 and when to use 23.976. Maybe you'll l=
earn about long-GOP editing in a personal computer. Maybe you'll discover =
a crash-proof storage system or a way of NOT having to fix things in post. =
Then there's the American Society of Cinematographers color decision list,=
content traceability, production asset management, LCDs as primary color m=
onitors, picture-quality analysis, automatic audio down-mixing, automated t=
ape-to-digital-file archiving, 4:4:4 production, acceleration of advanced c=
odecs with reconfigurable silicon, routing based on workflow analysis, and =
much, much more. I look forward to those myself. And then there are the o=
ther quiz prizes, the door prize, the networking, the warm and sunny weathe=
r, etc.
- So, please don't hate yourself for the rest of your life! Regi=
ster NOW! You have been warned:
<http://www.hpaonline.com>=20
- U.S. analog cutoff -=20
- There was one more attempt to create a 2007 date:
<http://broadcastengineering.com/newsletters/bth/20051218/#>
- The reconciliation committee chose a date about halfway between=
the original House and Senate versions, February 17, 2009. It also chose =
a DTT-adapter purchase-assistance fund between the two, generally described=
as about $1.5 billion (I haven't seen the new bill yet) but the House syst=
em of distributing the money ($40 vouchers, up to two per household, and yo=
u need to ask for them). First the House narrowly passed the bill; then th=
e Senate did even more narrowly (51-50, with Vice President Cheney casting =
the deciding vote). But there were still differences in non-DTT portions o=
f the bill requiring the House to vote again on the Senate version. By the=
n, the House had left on its year-end break, so nothing more will happen un=
til the new year. The first URL is from EE Times:
<http://tinyurl.com/8as5a>
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D9069>
<http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D9087>
<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/technology/22digital.html>
- Unfortunately, some of the language removed in committee allowe=
d cable operators to convert DTT signals to analog. So, unless it's restor=
ed, those losing broadcast TV signals on the cutoff date will include not o=
nly those receiving analog signals directly from antennas but also perhaps =
all those with analog TVs connected to cable:
<http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-XSII1135113513585.html>
<http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA6293786.html>
- Warren Communications News reports that public-safety interests=
now want 700 MHz spectrum for all sorts of purposes, including streaming v=
ideo. The story is no longer on their site:
<http://www.warren-news.com/>
I think they are referring to this FCC report to Congress on public-sa=
fety communications:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262865A1.pdf>
I note that, unlike previous FCC reports on the subject, this one seem=
s to make no mention of the fact that public-safety communications have bee=
n sharing TV spectrum for decades (utilizing unoccupied channels).
- So Congress wants consumers to buy DTT adapters, but states are=
restricting their power levels to much less than what current boxes draw. =
It sparked a thread on the OpenDTV Forum:
<//www.freelists.org/archives/opendtv/12-2005/msg00275.html>
Page 120 of California's Appliance Efficiency Regulations, CEC 400-200=
5-012, Apr05, for example, calls for a maximum draw of one watt in standby =
and eight watts when on for digital-TV adapters, effective 2007:=20
<http://tinyurl.com/cr679>
- Congress is also trying, once again, to "plug" the "analog hole=
."
<http://tinyurl.com/8vlje>
If you're concerned about the analog hole, come to the MPAA content-pr=
otection update at ***The Technology Retreat***. For more about EVERYTHING=
going on in the government (with respect to TV, audio, video, and cinema),=
come to Jim Burger's Washington update at the same event. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- People with HDTVs not getting HDTV - Jupiter Research's recent study=
confirms the Scientific-Atlanta numbers. Only about half of HDTV owners h=
ave any way to watch HDTV on their sets:
<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/19/business/19drill.html>
- Next-generation disks -=20
- HP has joined the HD-DVD Promotions Group, which, despite the h=
yphen, promotes HD DVD, not Blu-ray. It might seem this was done in retali=
ation of the Blu-ray Group's rejecting HP's call to adopt iHD. But HP's Ma=
ureen Weber suggested it might be about royalties, reportedly $30 per compu=
ter drive for Blu-ray vs. free with Microsoft's Vista operating system for =
HD DVD:
<http://www.eet.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=3D175004773>
- TDK is shipping four types of blank Blu-ray media. This story =
is from informatics online:
<http://tinyurl.com/bta47>
- Fewer CRT projection TVs - Warren Communications News reported Monda=
y that 3M Precision Optics is dropping 188 jobs in Cincinnati and moving it=
s CRT projection-lens manufacturing to China. The story is no longer on th=
eir site:
<http://www.warren-news.com/>
- Mobile displays - The 2.2-inch vertically oriented screen of the Pix=
ela pocket TV is supposed to be intended for watching HDTV in Japan:
<http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/337/C5665/>
- July 1 -=20
- This week I've listed 122 ads for TVs 36-inch or larger. Of th=
ose, 88 (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 liste=
d 70 ads for TVs between 25- and 35-inch. Of those, 10 (14%) have integrat=
ed 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 integr=
ated 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 w/PIP @ Universal $289
- Sony Wega 36FS10 36-inch flat-tube TV w/PIP @ Royal $579
- Sony Wega 36FS10 36-inch flat-tube TV @ Universal $459
- Toshiba 36E60 36-inch TV @ Royal $298
- Toshiba 36H45 36-inch TV w/PIP @ Universal $259
- RCA ZA46 46-inch projection TV w/PIP @ Royal $397
- Toshiba 50A60 50-inch projection TV @ Royal $428
- Toshiba Da50 50-inch projection TV w/PIP @ Universal $409 DV
- Sony 53S65 53-inch projection TV w/PIP @ Royal $498
- Sony 53S65 53-inch projection TV w/PIP @ Universal $479
- Sony 61S75 61-inch projection TV w/PIP @ Royal $598
- Toshiba 61H60 61-inch projection TV @ Royal $618
- Sony 65S65 65-inch projection TV w/PIP @ Royal $739
- Sony 65S75 65-inch projection TV w/PIP @ Universal $749
DV - price includes DVD player
- TV sets that required DTT-reception circuitry starting 2005:
- RCA 25-inch TV @ Royal $98
- Insignia ISTV040923 27-inch TV @ Best Buy $154.99
- Magnavox 27MS4504 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $228.99
- Magnavox 27MS4504/17 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $199.99
- Panasonic 27H45 27-inch TV w/PIP @ Universal $109
- Panasonic PVDF2735 27-inch flat-tube TV/DVD/VCR @ Circuit $437.9=
9
- RCA 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Kmart $249.99
- Sony 27S45 27-inch TV w/PIP @ Royal $139
- Sony 27S45 27-inch TV w/PIP @ Universal $129
- Sony Wega 27FS10 27-inch flat-tube TV w/PIP @ Royal $229
- Sony Wega 27FS10 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Universal $189
- Sony Wega KV27FS120 27-inch 4:3 flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $319.99
- Sylvania 6427FF 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Sears $199.99
- Sylvania 6727DF 27-inch TV/DVD/VCR combo @ Best Buy $279.99
- Toshiba 27AF45 27-inch flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $299.99
- Toshiba 27H50 27-inch TV @ Royal $119
- JVC AV32F476 32-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $427.99
- Magnavox 32MT3305 32-inch TV @ Circuit City $268.99
- Philips 32PT5441/37 32-inch TV @ Best Buy $279.99
- Sony 32S45 32-inch TV w/PIP @ Royal $239
- Sony 32S45 32-inch TV w/PIP @ Universal $189
- Sony Wega 32FS10 32-inch flat-tube TV w/PIP @ Royal $389
- Sony Wega 32FS10 32-inch flat-tube TV @ Universal $309
- Sony Wega KV32FS120 32-inch 4:3 flat-tube TV @ Best Buy $449.99
- Toshiba 32A35 32-inch TV @ Best Buy $284.99
- Toshiba 32AF45 32-inch flat-tube TV @ Sears $449.99
- Toshiba 32H50 32-inch TV w/PIP @ Royal $239
- Sony 35S45 35-inch TV w/PIP @ Royal $298
- Devices that would require DTT-reception circuitry in 2007:
- Vector VEC135 5-inch TV/AM/FM/weather/light @ Home Depot $59.99
- Insignia ISTV040917 13-inch TV @ Best Buy $58.99
- Konka 13-inch TV @ Universal $45
- Sylvania 13-inch TV @ Kmart $59.99 AR
- Daewoo DTQ14U5SC 14-inch flat-tube TV @ Sears $89.99
- Magnavox 14MS2331 14-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $88.99
- Konka 19-inch TV @ Universal $59
- Samsui [sic] TVM1916 19-inch TV @ Royal $68
- Insignia ISTV040919 20-inch TV @ Best Buy $89.99
- Symphonic ST420FF 20-inch flat-tube TV @ Circuit City $99.99
- "Famous Makers" VCR @ Universal $22
- "Famous Makers" DVD/VCR combo @ Universal $44
- Philips DVP3050V DVD/VCR combo @ Circuit City $89.99
- Samsung DVDV5500 DVD/VCR combo @ Samsung $99.99
- Toshiba SD-V393 DVD/VCR combo @ Best Buy $99.99
- CyberHome DVR1600 DVD recorder @ Best Buy $89.99 AR
- LiteOn LVW-1101HC1 DVD recorder @ Best Buy $89.99 AR
- Mystery brand DVD recorder w/$10GC @ Circuit City $79.99
- Panasonic DMRES40VS VCR/DVD rec. w/$30GC @ Circuit City $299.99
- Samsung DVDR120 DVD recorder w/$10GC @ Circuit City $179.99
- Samsung DVDVR320 VCR/DVD recorder combo @ Best Buy $199.99
- Samsung DVD-VR320 VCR/DVD recorder combo @ J&R $189.99
- Sansui VCR/DVD recorder combo @ Universal $79
- Sony RDR-GX515 DVD recorder @ J&R $236.99
- Sony RDR-VX515 VCR/DVD recorder combo @ J&R $299.99
- Hauppauge WinTV USB2 TV tuner @ Circuit City $39.99 AR
- HP M7248N computer w/TV tuner pkg. @ CompUSA $1044.98 AO
- HP M7250N computer w/TV tuner pkg. @ Best Buy $1099.97 AR
- HP M7260N computer w/TV tuner pkg. @ CompUSA $1074.98 AO
- HP ZD8215US computer w/TV tuner @ Best Buy $1449.98 AR
- HP zd8230us computer w/TV tuner @ J&R $1949.99 AR
- Sony computer w/TV tuner @ Universal $699
- Sony LF-PK1 streamer w/TV tuner @ Best Buy $299.99
- Sony LF-PK1 streamer w/TV tuner @ Sony $349.99
- Sony VGN-AX570G computer w/TV tuner @ Best Buy $2149.99 AR
- Toshiba G25AV513 computer pkg. @ Circuit City $2349.99 AR
AO - price after rebate requiring AOL subscription
AR - price after mail-in rebate
GC - price includes gift card of amount shown
- Devices that would require dual DTT-reception circuitry in 2007:
- Sylvania 6313CEY 13-inch TV/VCR combo @ Sears $99.99
- Devices possibly not covered but receiving analog TV signals:
- eton FR300 AM/FM/TV/weather/light/crank/charger @ 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 -=20
- The NAB updated its list today to 1550 U.S. DTT stations operat=
ing in 211 markets:
<http://www.nab.org/newsroom/issues/digitaltv/dtvstations.asp>
- But Doug Lung's RF Report notes only 831 licensed U.S. DTT stat=
ions in the FCC CDBS database as of the 18th, so almost half of those 1550 =
stations are operating on temporary authority at low power:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/dlrf/one.php?id=3D1113>
- Here's an unusual view of digital cinema, presented in Sunday's New York =
Times business section by Silicon Valley historian Randall Stross:
"People in the theater exhibition industry know what many outside it m=
ay not: that the transition from film to digital will not improve the visua=
l experience for theater customers. Nothing yet invented can match the rich=
ness of film. When digital projection arrives, the best selling point that =
theater owners can offer may be, 'Don't worry about it; you probably won't =
notice'":
<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/18/business/yourmoney/18digi.html>
To find out everything you need to know about digital cinema worldwide=
, come to the digital-cinema sessions at ***The Technology Retreat***. BE =
THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- International H/DTV news:=20
- According to a study commissioned by Digital UK, the group overseein=
g the transition to DTT there, 43% of the British public have not heard of =
the analog cut-off, but that's down considerably from previous surveys:
<http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1669310,00.html>
- China's "digital TV industrial policy" will come out in 2006, accord=
ing to the president of the Digital TV Industry Alliance of China:
<http://english.people.com.cn/200512/20/eng20051220_229560.html>
- Hong Kong wants to be compatible with the Chinese system, so they'd =
like to know what it will be. If they don't find out by July, they might g=
o DVB-T:
<http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=3D35911>
- Taiwan is adopting a phased-in "tuner mandate" similar to the one in=
the U.S. Unlike the one in the U.S., it calls for clear labeling of all s=
ets and specifies substantial fines for non-compliance. It's also faster. =
Sets 29-inch and up need DTT reception starting next month, 21-inch and up=
in 2007, and all sets in 2009:
<http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-eastasia.asp?parentid=3D36099>
- This story is about HD on cable in Korea:
<http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200512/kt2005121918450411880.htm>
- The DBA list of DTT adapters in Australia was updated three times si=
nce last week's memo. There are now 79 models from 24 brands starting at A=
$99 (US$72). Of those, 24 from 17 brands are HD, starting at A$299 (US$218=
):
<http://www.dba.org.au/index.asp?sectionID=3D18>
There are 36 integrated DTVs from 7 brands starting at A$1099 (US$800)=
. Of those, ten from three brands are HD, starting at A$2799 (US$2038):
<http://www.dba.org.au/index.asp?sectionID=3D78>
There are 19 brands of widescreen TVs:
<http://www.widescreentv.com.au/>
- Caveat editor: Consumers can now edit HD on their computers for under $1=
00:
<http://www.physorg.com/news9100.html>
Better brush up on your industry knowledge. There's no better place t=
o do it that ***The Technology Retreat***. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- There's an interesting story in Digital TV Design Line about using percep=
tual tricks to increase display brightness without increasing power:
<http://tinyurl.com/9nz74>
That sounds like something to ask Charles Poynton about at ***The Tech=
nology Retreat***. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Pacific Media Associates reports that, although individual flat-screen pr=
ices have been falling, the average "shelf price" rose three percent in Oct=
ober to $2840 due to a slant towards more expensive models:
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/hd_notebook/one.php?id=3D561>
- There was DVI. Then there was HDMI. Now UDI, the unified display interf=
ace, is coming, with a greater data rate:
<http://www.eet.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=3D175007096>
- Based on figures from CEA, sales to U.S. dealers of non-H/DTV television =
sets for the first 48 weeks of 2005 were still down 12.2% from the same per=
iod in 2004; my ten-week running average was down 15.3%.
Sales of so-called non-flat-panel "Digital Televisions" to U.S. dealer=
s for the 48th week were 88,325 units and for the first 48 weeks 3,888,697 =
(compared to 18,929,893 for non-flat-panel sets not called "digital" by CEA=
). For 21 of the last 24 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) again accounted for about 17% of the non-flat-panel TVs =
sold to U.S. dealers through the 48th week this year. Based on CEA's repor=
t 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 32.4%. It may be worth noting here what that means. About 67% of the =
TVs sold through the 48th week this year were still plain non-H/DTV direct-=
view TVs with picture tubes, and that percentage is still increasing slight=
ly.
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 only the DirecTV units at Be=
st Buy, Circuit City, and Video & Audio Center.
- Ad confusions: Again, J&R called the Canon LV-5220 800 x 600 4:3 project=
or "HDTV Supported."
- 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.
- Best Buy (HD disclaimers only):
- DirecTV H20 DirecTV/ATSC receiver/decoder $0 AS
- DirecTV HR10-250 ATSC/DirecTV receiver/PVR $399.99 AS
- [Hisense] TL2020 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $349.99
- Insignia IS-LCDTV32 32-inch wide LCD TV $999.99
- JVC HD56G786/HD56BP6 56-inch wide integr. D-ILA proj. DTV $2699.99
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4999.99
- Magnavox 42MF230A/37 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1799.99
- Maxent MX-42VM11 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $1499.99
- Mystery brand 815120027 7-inch [wide?] LCD TV $139.99
- Philips 30PW9100D/37 30-inch 16:9 integrated CRT DTV $699.99
- Philips 42PF9630A/37 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2799.99
- Philips 50PF9630A/37 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3999.99
- Samsung HLR5067W 50-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2249.99
- Samsung LNR268W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1399.99
- Samsung LNR408D 40-inch 16:9 integrated LCD DTV $3099.99
- Samsung TXR3079WH 30-inch 16:9 integrated CRT DTV $799.99
- Sharp LC15B8US 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $499.99
- Sharp LC20B8US 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $799.99
- Sharp LC37DB5U 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2599.99
- Sony HDRHC1 camcorder $1799.99
- Sony KD36FS130 36-inch 4:3 flat-tube integrated DTV $849.99
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1799.99
- Sony KLVS26A10 26-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1499.99
- Toshiba 27HLV95 27-inch widescreen LCD DTV/DVD combo $1699.99
- Toshiba 42HP95 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2999.99
- Toshiba 50HP95 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3999.99
- Toshiba 62HM95 62-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $2879.99
- Westinghouse LTV-27W2 27-inch 16:9 LCD monitor $699.99
AS - price after mail-in rebate requiring a subscription to DirecTV
- Circuit City (HD IDs only):
- DirecTV H20 DirecTV/ATSC receiver/decoder $0 AS
- DirecTV HR10-250 ATSC/DirecTV receiver/PVR $399.99 AS
- Hitachi 55VF820 55-inch widescreen integrated projection DTV $2429.99
- LG 50PX1D 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3419.99
- Magnavox 32MF605W 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $999.99
- Panasonic PT44LCX65 44-inch wide integrated LCD proj. DTV $1799.99
- Polaroid FLM1507 15-inch LCD TV $199.99
- Polaroid FLM2011 20-inch LCD TV $429.99
- Polaroid FLM2601 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $699.99
- Polaroid FLM3701 37-inch widescreen LCD TV $1699.99
- RCA HD52W59 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $999.99
- Samsung HLR5067W 50-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2249.99
- Samsung HPR4252 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $2499.99
- Samsung LNR238W 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV $899.99
- Samsung TXR2779H 27-inch 4:3 integrated CRT DTV $549.99
- Sharp LC13SH4U 13-inch 4:3 LCD TV $329.99
- Sharp LC20B8US 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $719.99
- Sharp LC26GA5 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1079.99
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1799.99
- Sony KV30HS420 30-inch 16:9 CRT TV $749.99
- Sylvania 6620LDF 20-inch LCD TV/DVD combo $449.99
- Sylvania 6842PE 42-inch widescreen plasma TV $1299.99
AS - price after mail-in rebate requiring a subscription to DirecTV
- CompUSA (appropriate disclaimer):
- HP LC3200N 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1999.99
- HP Z556 digital entertainment center w/ATSC reception $1274.99 AO
- Mystery brand 15-inch LCD TV $0 AO
- Syntax Olevia 26-inch 15:9 TV $599.99 AR
AO - price after rebate for subscription to AOL
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- CompUSA w/Good Guys inside (Los Angeles Times, appropriate disclaimer):=
=20
- Panasonic TH-42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1999
- Dell (Los Angeles Times, IDs):
- Dell 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $799
- Dell 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $999
- Dell 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1999
- etronics.com (Village Voice, no disclaimer necessary):
- Samsung LT-P2045X 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $569.99
- Great Indoors (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Mitsubishi WD-62627 62-inch 16:9 integr. proj. DTV w/stand $4199
- Westinghouse LVM37W1 37-inch widescreen LCD monitor w/mount $1999
- Harvey (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Fujitsu P50XHA40US 50-inch 16:9 plasma TV $5999 AR
- Pioneer PRO930HD 43-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $4999
- Samsung HPR5072 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $4199
- Sharp LC37D6U 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2899
- Howard's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Mitsubishi WS-48515 48-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $1299
- Mitsubishi WS-65815 65-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $1999
- Panasonic PT61LCX65 61-inch widescreen integr. LCD proj. DTV $2799 AR
- Panasonic TC32LX50 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1899
- Panasonic TH-42PD50UP 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 51H84 51-inch 16:9 projection TV $999
- Toshiba 52HMX95 52-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection TV $2499
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- J&R (am New York, no disclaimer):
- Canon LV-5220 projector $899.99
- Canon LV-7230 projector $999.99
- Canon LV-7240 projector $1099.99
- Canon LV-X5 projector $999.99
- InFocus ScreenPlay 61 md10 61-inch 16:9 DLP proj. TV w/PIP $2999.99
- Pioneer PDP-42A3HD 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2499.99
- Samsung HL-R5087W 50-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $2499.99
- J&R (New York Times, no disclaimer):
- Canon LV-5220 projector $899.99
- Canon LV-7230 projector $999.99=20
- Epson PowerLite S3 projector w/$75GC $749.00
- HP MD5020 50-inch widescreen integrated projection DTV
- JVC LT-40X776 40-inch wide integr. LCD DTV $2499.99
- Pioneer PDP-42A3HD 42-inch 16:9 integr. plasma DTV w/$100GC $2499.99
- Samsung 910MP-Silver 19-inch 5:4 LCD TV $429.99
- Samsung HL-R6767W 67-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $3399.99
- Samsung LN-R268W 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $999.99
- Samsung LN-R408D 40-inch 16:9 integrated LCD DTV=20
- Samsung TX-R3079 30-inch 16:9 integrated CRT DTV $699.99
- Sharp LC-37DB5U 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2099.99
- Sharp LD-23SH1U 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV $749.99
- Sony KDF-E60A20 60-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2499.99
- Sony KLV-S23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $879.99
- Sony KV-30HS420 30-inch 16:9 CRT TV $649.99
- Sony KV-32HS420 32-inch 4:3 CRT TV $749.99
- Syntax Olevia LT37HVS 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1199.99 =
AR
- ViewSonic N3250W 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $799.99 AR
- Westinghouse LTV-19w3 19-inch LCD TV $399.99
- Westinghouse LTV-27w2 27-inch 16:9 LCD TV $699.99
AR - price after mail-in rebate
GC - price includes gift card of amount shown
- Ken Crane's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- "Famous Maker" 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $2998 AR
- HP PE4200N 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma TV $1998
- Mitsubishi PD-6150 61-inch 16:9 plasma TV $9998
- Mitsubishi WD52327 52-inch 16:9 projection TV $1998
- Sony KDSR50XBR1 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $3498
- Sony KDSR60XBR1 60-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $4498
AR - price after mail-in rebate
- Magnolia (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Mitsubishi WD52528 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $2699 BS
- Mitsubishi WD62628 62-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $4398 BS
- Panasonic TC23LX50 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $999 BS
- Panasonic TH-42PD50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $1999
- Panasonic TH42PX50U 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2999 BS
- Samsung HLR-5678 56-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $3999 BS
- Samsung HLR6178 61-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $4498
- Samsung HPR-4272 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $3199 BS
- Samsung HPR-5052 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $4198 BS
- Sharp LC26D6U 26-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1599
- Sharp LC37D6U 37-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2898 BS
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1999 BS
- Sony KDSR50XBR1 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $3998 BS
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $1199 BS
- Sony KLVS26A10 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $1499 BS
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1999 BS
BS - price "before savings
- Paul's (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- Panasonic TH-42PA25 42-inch 16:9 plasma TV $1895
- P.C. Richard & Son (am New York, appropriate disclaimers):
- Audiovox FP1505 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $288.97
- Philips 42PF9630 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2499.97
- Samsung HCR5245W 47-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $999.87
- Samsung HPR5052 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $3599.97
- Samsung LNR238E 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV $899.97
- Samsung LNR328W 32-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1599.27
- Sharp LC20SH4U 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $499.47
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1799.97
- Sony KLVS15G10 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $494.97
- Sony KLVS20G10 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $699.27
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $989.97
- Toshiba 42HP95 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2599.17
- P.C. Richard & Son (New York Times, appropriate disclaimers):
- Samsung LNR238W 23-inch 16:9 LCD TV $899.97
- Samsung LNR328W 32-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1599.27
- Samsung LNR408D 40-inch 16:9 integrated LCD DTV $2699.97
- Sharp LC13SH4U 13-inch 4:3 LCD TV $349.17
- Sharp LC20SH4U 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $499.47
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1799.97
- Sony KLVS20G10 20-inch 4:3 LCD TV $699.27
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $989.97
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1799.97
- Toshiba 42HP95 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2599.17
- Royal Computers and Electronics (am New York, no disclaimer):
- Panasonic TH42P50U 42-inch plasma TV $1099
- Samsung SPN3215K 32-inch [plasma?] TV $749
- Samsung SPN4215 42-inch plasma TV $999
- Sony KLV270 27-inch [LCD?] TV $599
- Sears (Minneapolis Star Tribune, HD disclaimers only):
- Magnavox 26MF605 26-inch widescreen LCD TV $799.99
- Sony KV-30HS420 30-inch 16:9 CRT TV $759.99
- Sylvania 6615LFP 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $249.99
- Toshiba 17HLV85 17-inch widescreen LCD/DVD combo $699.99
- Sony (no disclaimer):
- Sony KDL-V26XBR1 26-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $1999.99
- Sony KDL-V32XBR1 32-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $2699.99
- Sony KDL-V40XBR1 40-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV $3499.99
- Sony KDS-R50XBR1 50-inch widescreen integrated LCD proj. DTV $3999.99
- Sony KDS-R60XBR1 60-inch widescreen integrated LCD proj. DTV $4999.99
- Sony MFM-HT75W 17-inch widescreen LCD TV $599.99
- Sony MFM-HT95W 19-inch widescreen LCD TV $799.99
- Ultimate Electronics (Minneapolis Star Tribune, appropriate IDs):
- JVC LT32X576 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1529.95
- LG 50PX4DR 50-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV/PVR $4499.95
- LG DU37LZ30 37-inch 16:9 integrated LCD DTV $2519.95
- Mitsubishi WD52627 52-inch 16:9 integrated projection DTV $3149.95
- Panasonic TC19LX50 19-inch 16:9 LCD TV $749.95
- Philips 42PF7320A 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $2249.95
- Samsung HLR6178W 61-inch 16:9 integrated DLP projection DTV $4049.95
- Samsung HPR4272 42-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $2879.95
- Sharp LC32D6U 32-inch integrated LCD DTV $1799.95
- Sharp LC45GD7U 45-inch widescreen integrated LCD DTV=20
- Sony KDE42XS955 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3149.95
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1799.95
- Sony KLVS23A10 23-inch widescreen LCD TV $999.95
- Toshiba 27HL85 27-inch widescreen LCD TV $1249.95
- Toshiba 37HLX95 37-inch wide integrated LCD DTV/DVD combo $2969.95
- Toshiba 42HPX95 42-inch 16:9 integrated plasma DTV $3149.95
- Toshiba 46HM95 46-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $1999.95
- Toshiba 72MX195 72-inch 16:9 integr. DLP proj. DTV $4769.95
- ViewSonic N2750W 27-inch widescreen LCD TV $714.95 AR
- Zenith Z15LA7R 15-inch 4:3 LCD TV $349.95
- Zenith Z37LZ5D 37-inch widescreen LCD TV $1999.95 HT
- Zenith Z50PX2D 50-inch widescreen integrated plasma DTV $3149.95
AR - price after mail-in rebate
HT - price includes home-theater sound system
- Universal Computers & Electronics (am New York, no disclaimer):
- Panasonic TH42PE506 42-inch widescreen flat-panel TV $1149
- Panasonic [?] HPP3298PP 32-inch widescreen flat-panel TV $749
- Philips 42-inch widescreen TV $1049
- Samsung 42-inch widescreen TV $899
- Samsung HLD5020 50-inch TV w/PIP $1029
- Sony KED4235 42-inch widescreen flat-panel TV $1399
- Sony KDF55B25 55-inch LCD [projection?] TV $1399
- Video & Audio Center (Los Angeles Times, no disclaimer):
- DirecTV HR10250 ATSC/DirecTV receiver/PVR $399 AR
- Sony KDFE42A10 42-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $1997 IT
- Sony KDFE50A10 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2497 IT
- Sony KDFE55A20 55-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $2997 IT
- Sony KDFE60A20 60-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $3297 IT
- Sony KDSR50XBR1 50-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $3997 IT
- Sony KDSR60XBR1 60-inch wide integrated LCD projection DTV $4997 IT
- Sony KLVS26A10 26-inch 16:9 LCD TV $1497 IT
- Sony KLVS32A10 32-inch widescreen LCD TV $1997 IT
- Sony KLVS40A10 40-inch widescreen LCD TV $3497 IT
AR - price after mail-in rebate
IT - price includes sales tax
- DVD news:
- According to CEA's revised figures, sales of DVD players to U.S. dea=
lers for the first 48 weeks of 2005 were down 20.4% from the same period in=
2004. My ten-week running average was down 13.1%. VCR sales were down 42=
.7%.
- PVR news:
- Nielsen plans to release PVR-based ratings starting January 4 in thr=
ee categories: live viewing, live plus playback by 3:00 am, and live plus p=
layback within seven days. Nielsen says 90% of PVR shows are viewed within=
a week. This story from Multichannel News does not require a paid subscri=
ption:
<http://tinyurl.com/dyfvy>
- DirecTV's own PVRs have been getting complaints, and the software ha=
s already been upgraded twice in a month. This story is from USA Today:
<http://tinyurl.com/7hkyg>
- Thinking of spying? A recent Sony Ericsson patent, Warren Communications=
News reported Monday, reduces camera-phone size by combining lens and spea=
ker. The story is no longer on their site:
<http://www.warren-news.com/>
You could ask about the latest in spy gear at the forensics roundtable=
at ***The Technology Retreat***, where both moderators do work for the NSA=
. BE THERE!
<http://www.hpaonline.com>
- Upcoming Dates (DTV and non-DTV):
- January 4, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, HDTV Business Conference <http://ww=
w.hdtv-bc.com/program.htm>.
- January 5-8, Las Vegas, Consumer Electronics Show <http://www.cesweb=
.org/default_flash.asp>.
- *January 10, Millennium Maxwell House, Nashville, SBE Nashville Enne=
s Workshop <http://www.sbe.org/documents/2006NashvilleEnnes.pdf>.
- January 29-February 1, Hollywood Renaissance Hotel, SMPTE Advanced M=
otion Imaging Conference and VSF VidTrans <http://www.smpte.org/conferences=
/vidsmcfp.cfm>.
- *February 16, BAFTA, London, 3rd European HDTV Summit <http://www.tv=
conferences.com/>.=20
- ***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 27-28, Park Central Hotel, New York, Collaborative Communic=
ations Summit <http://sites.securemc.com/folder4073/>.
- February 28, Dorchester Hotel, London, Collaborative Conferencing Su=
mmit <http://sites.securemc.com/folder22719/>.
- March 21-23, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego, DisplaySearch fla=
t-panel display conference <http://www.displaysearch.com/usfpd2006/>.
- April 6-7, Las Vegas, IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Mult=
imedia Systems and Broadcasting <http://www.ieee.org/organizations/society/=
bt/index.html>.
- *April 9-11, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, the National Sh=
ow (NCTA2006) <http://www.thenationalshow.com/?ref=3DnctaMenu>.
- *April 22-27, Las Vegas Convention Center, NAB2006 <http://www.nabsh=
ow.com/>.
- *May 20-23, Porte de Versailles, Paris, 120th AES convention <http:/=
/www.aes.org/events/120/>.
- June 7-9, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Infocomm <http:/=
/www.infocomm.org/>.
- June 27-29, Javits Center, New York, Entertainment Technology Allian=
ce <http://www.etaexpo.com/>.
* - new or revised listing
Happy holidays!
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
- 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
- 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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