Jonathan Takiff: New sound systems enhance TV viewing

THE GIZMOS: Bose Lifestyle V30 Home Theater System; Onkyo TX-NR905 A/V Receiver.

EVERY PICTURE TELLS HALF THE

STORY: So you were sold on an HDTV by that knockout picture you saw at the electronics store. But I'll bet the salesperson didn't demonstrate the sound from the TV.

In today's ultrathin flat panel sets, there's precious little room for speakers to bloom. And even top TV brands cut corners in the audio, presuming that buyers will match up the screen with a separate surround-sound system for optimum home enjoyment of sporting events and movies - in which literally half the story is often "told" through sound.

But what's that? You say you haven't yet taken the plunge on a high-definition sound system, to match up with that new TV? Today let's look at a couple of freshly minted and pretty darned terrific a/v products that might get you off the fence.


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ADRs in Focus: China Digital TV plunges

Shares of China Digital TV Holding Co. plunged on Thursday after posting first-quarter profit that climbed 84 percent on new contracts and better sales of its smart cards.

Late Wednesday, China Digital said its net income rose to $11.4 million, or 19 cents per share, from $6.2 million, or 13 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.

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TVU Networks to Announce Enhanced Copyright Protection for Live Internet TV at The Cable Show 2008

NEW ORLEANS, BUSINESS WIRE -- At its exhibit booth #437 at The Cable Show, TVU Networks will announce the availability of a groundbreaking end-to-end content delivery platform with enhanced security for live Internet TV broadcasting.

TVU Networks is the leading global service for live Internet TV. A user base of 18 million viewers in 200 countries enjoys some 300 channels on its downloadable TVUPlayer, on www.tvunetworks.com and through its syndication partners. Channels include the Cartoon Network from Turner Broadcasting, ANTV from News Corp., a host of up-and-coming cable and satellite channels, and niche programming not available through traditional distribution.

For broadcasters and content owners, TVU Networks offers a cost-effective turnkey solution to reach a global viewer base with an unlimited channel capacity and very low broadcasting costs.


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Don't dump your old TV on the curb — recycle it

Out with the old, in with the new.</p><p>As the switchover from analog TV signals to digital looms, more people are upgrading their home electronics.</p><p>That also means thinking about what to do with their old TVs, VCRs and DVD players.</p><p>Don't, repeat, don't just put them out on the curb for bulky-item pickup! So pleads Bob Akers of the nonprofit <strong>Surplus Exchange</strong>, which provides recycling services.</p><p>Electronics are particularly challenging because products contain large quantities of lead and other toxic materials.</p><p>“We have to think what we're doing with all of these materials, some of which are highly toxic and leaving nasty land mines for people of future generations to deal with,” Akers said.</p><p>In 2005, Surplus Exchange recycled 655 tons of electronics, and in 2006 that number jumped more than 22 percent to 805.1 tons, a figure that was matched in 2007.


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Infineon Introduces DECT 6.0 / CAT-iq Chipset with Texas Instruments' Puma 5 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem Solution

Today at the 2008 Cable TV Show, Infineon Technologies AG (FWB:IFX) (NYSE:IFX) announced a cost-effective DECT solution, which when combined with a DOCSIS 3.0 chipset, produces a platform for North American cable service providers to deploy next-generation Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services operating over DECT 6.0 cordless telephones. The resulting platform, which combines Infineon's COSIC(TM)-Modem and DUSLIC(TM)-xT with Texas Instruments' (NYSE:TXN) PUMA-5 chipset, enables system integrators to develop eMTA (Embedded Terminal Media Adapter) products that conform to the latest standards in DOCSIS(R) 3.0 (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification), and the latest DECT 6.0 / CAT-iq(TM) cordless telephony standards.

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Samsung unveils first 82 inch Ultra Definition 120Hz LCD Panel

You think full HD looks great? Think again. The 82 inch Ultra Definition panel Samsung has unveiled already looks awesome in the photo.

The resolution of the UD (aka 4k x 2k) LCD Panel is 3,840x2,160px. Samsung managed to get 120Hz technology and LED backlighting into this 82 inch UD panel.

There are no details yet on when Samsung will be able to ship a HDTV with this kind of panel. On the other hand we do not have media with that kind of resolution available yet anyway. Still, the future of TV is going to be even sharper and bigger.
Samsung is apparently showing this UD LCD Panel at the SID 2008 that starts today in LA.

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THOMSON : Thomson Reaches Milestone of 1.5 Million Digital Cable Set-top Boxes Shipped to Latin America's Largest ...

Thomson Reaches Milestone of 1.5 Million Digital Cable Set-top Boxes Shipped to Latin America's Largest Cable Operator, NET Serviços

Thomson (Euronext 18453; NYSE:TMS) today announced that it has delivered 1.5 million digital cable set-top boxes to Brazilian cable operator NET Serviços. This milestone underscores both Thomson's position as one of the leading providers of convergent premises solutions to operators worldwide and its key role in supporting NET Serviços' expansion plans in the Brazilian market.

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Guidance Solutions Innovation, Live Gameshow and Celebrity Appearances . Highlight Activity at Macrovision s TV Guide ...

Highlight Activity at Macrovision s TV Guide Booth #915 During NCTA S The 18/05/2008 12:00:00 Business Wire Macrovision Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ:MVSND) today announced plans to showcase its innovative Passport(R) and i-Guide(TM) product lines at the National Cable Television Association s (NCTA) The Cable Show 08, to be held in New Orleans at the Morial Convention Center on May 18-20.
Show attendees visiting booth #915 have the opportunity to see: -- The latest development in set-top based IPGs for the native and tru2way(TM) platforms on TV Guide Interactive(R) s Passport and i-Guide product lines; -- How its next generation Passport Echo(TM) 7.0 and j-Guide(TM) 3.0 delivers My TV Guide(TM) services; -- New guidance solutions to support the tru2way platform; -- Industry leading guidance for HDTV, On Demand and DVR; and, -- Value-added applications including Video Mosaic, iSubscribe(R) interactive subscription service, Caller ID and Games and a BIAP(R) suite of EBIF applications.


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Macrovision s TV Guide and Sunflower Broadband Collaborate on Set-Top . Box Clickstream Measurement

Box Clickstream Measurement 18/05/2008 12:00:00 Business Wire Macrovision Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ:MVSND) and leading independent cable operator Sunflower Broadband today announced the planned deployment of a set-top box clickstream measurement solution for its TV Guide Interactive(R) i-Guide(TM), one of the cable industry s most widely-deployed interactive programming guides (IPG).
The collaboration marks the first planned clickstream deployment for Macrovision(R) and Sunflower Broadband(TM) to collect valuable IPG usage data that can be used to make consumers television experience more enjoyable.
The IPG usage patterns of an anonymous sample of Sunflower Broadband customers will be collected to help Macrovision gain insight into how consumers use i-Guide and interact with their DVR and on demand services and in-guide advertising.


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PumpTop TV Poised for Growth

IRVINE, Calif. -- With nearly 6,000 LCD screens mounted on fuel pumps at more than 550 U.S. gas stations, PumpTop TV has emerged as one of the nation's largest gas station television networks, according to the company. In addition, the owner and operator of the network, AdtekMedia, along with its technology partner and manufacturer, Westinghouse Digital Electronics, are committed to building a national PumpTop TV network reaching more than 100 million gas consumers each month, according to the company. "We're installing PumpTop TV at an average of four new stations daily," Dick Paulsen, president of AdtekMedia, said in a statement. "Our commitment to grow this network is firm -- we will bring PumpTop TV to more than 1,100 gas stations in the largest U.S. markets before the end of the year." PumpTop TV can be found at gas stations in more than 40 major oil company brands across the country, according to the company.



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Misinformation abounds as digital TV shift nears

By now, most consumers are aware that some kind of switch is set for February that has to do with their televisions and digital signals.</p><p>But after that, degrees of knowledge vary wildly.</p><p>Consider Ann Thompson, who lives with her mother in Blue Springs. Thompson was caught up in the confusion about the difference between digital TV signals and high-definition TV sets.</p><p>But more than anything, Thompson, who works at an area law firm, wanted to make sure she and her mom aren't going to be misled by businesses seeking to sell TV products to people who may not be up to speed on the nuances of the digital age.</p><p>Then there's Kathlene Hawkins, who lives in downtown Kansas City. Hawkins bought a new TV in February that has a digital tuner and now has better reception than ever.</p><p>Many consumers are like Jim Jones of Pleasant Hill, who proudly proclaims that he “graduated from electronics school way back in the '60s.” Jones said he's been preparing for the switch for more than four years.</p><p>The “switch” is a government-mandated change in the way television programming is transmitted — from analog signals, which have been in use since the beginning of television, to digital technology.</p><p>Testing is to begin in September in Wilmington, N.C., with the rollout to the rest of the nation set for Feb.



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Jonathan Takiff: Clearing the air on digital TV converters

THE GIZMO: More on the digital TV conversion.

Last week's column scooped the nation with the first hands-on review of low-cost, digital TV tuners/converters.

These set-top boxes will become essential to receive over-the-air TV on older, pre-digital television sets next year, after broadcasters are required (on Feb. 17, 2009) to shut off their analog signals.

Not surprisingly, I got a flood of reader comments and questions. Today, let's deal with some of them.

Q: I applied early to the government [www.dtv2009.gov and 888-388-2009] and already have my two $40 rebate coupons to help me buy these digital converter boxes. The models I've seen in stores are selling for around $60, so my real cost will be $20. But wasn't somebody going to offer a box at $40?

A: That would be Dish Network, planning to sell boxes at a "slight loss" as a good-will gesture (and to get you thinking about upgrading to their satellite TV service).


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Suntronic Outdoor All-Weather LCD TVs

Summer is around the corner. You should start to think about moving your TV watching and video gaming outside. Suntronic offers a whole line of LCD HDTV sets that allow you to do just that.

The Suntronic GS product line features All-Weather and sunlight readable LCD technology.
Available LCD TVs include sizes between 46 and 102 inches (4 panels). These outdoor TVs operate in temperatures between -40 and 50 degrees Celsius, are IP65 water proof, have integrated heater and air conditioner and a high brightness LCD Panel.

Of course these All-Weather LCD TVs are intentend for professional use to display commercials or other information, but if you have the funds, why not place one in your garden.
The Suntronic LCD TVs are sold by iTech Company (site) in the United States.


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Ultrafast Internet nearly up to speed

Three-dimensional high-definition TV is ready, and viewing it is breathtaking. But will people like the technology enough to pay extra? And can it pay off for network operators?

Phone and cable companies, including Verizon Communications, hope so as they prepare to launch ultrafast Internet service that can run at 100 megabits per second in some markets.

"There is a business case for ultrabroadband service in markets with a very dense population — New York, Chicago, Paris — but as a market's population gets thinner, the business case gets weaker," said Robert Atkinson, research policy director for the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information, a Columbia University-based center in New York City.

Network operators need to earn more than the $100 a month they get now from customers for Internet, phone and video service to make the investment of billions of dollars for network upgrades worth their while, said Atkinson, who recently addressed Chicago's branch of the Federal Communications Bar Association.


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TiVo, cable companies to offer digital adapters

PHILADELPHIA -- The cable industry said Monday that it's going to start offering adapters for TiVo Inc.'s high-definition digital video recorders with cable card slots so customers can resurrect channels that disappear when companies use new technology to save bandwidth.

Cable operators, especially Time Warner Cable Inc. and Cox Communications Inc., are aggressively rolling out switched-digital video technology.

Switched-digital technology frees up space for more channels by sending only those each customer selects, instead of streaming all channels to all customers.

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News TV One to Launch HD Channel The simulcast channel will air in the fourth quarter.

Washington, D.C. (May 19, 2008) -- TV One, which targets African-American viewers, will launch a High-Definition channel in the fourth quarter of this year.

That's according to an article by Multichannel News.

The network said the new high-def channel will be a simulcast of its standard-def channel. TV One's lineup includes classic sitcoms and dramas, such as Martin and Good Times, and movies as well as some original programming.

TV One did not reveal if any TV providers have agreed to carry the new high-def channel. However, Comcast and DIRECTV both have an equity stake in the network.

The network said it's now in negotiations with cable and satellite operators.

"High-Definition programming is important for distributors and our audience, and we have long known we would launch an HD offering, but only after making sure our primary channel was well received and on firm footing," said TV One president Johnathan Rodgers in a statement, according to Multichannel News.


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Many offer online movie rentals for TVs

Q: I know I can rent movies online and view them on my computer. However, it would be a lot better if I could watch them on my big-screen LCD television. Is there an easy way to do that?

A: Yes there is. But forget about downloading from movie-rental Web sites because most of them don't make it easy to transfer a movie from your computer to your TV.

In fact, you don't even need a computer. Instead, get yourself a "digital media receiver" - a device that connects directly to your TV and lets you rent movies and TV shows via your high-speed Internet connection (wired or wireless).

The leading products in this young market are the Apple TV (apple.com) and Vudu box (vudu.com). Other options include the TiVo DVR (tivo.com) and Microsoft's Xbox 360 video-game console, (xbox.com), both of which can double as digital media receivers.


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A primer on the digital conversion

On Feb. 17, the U.S. government will flip a figurative switch, transforming television transmission from analog — in use since the beginning days of TV — to digital.</p><p>What does this monumental change mean for consumers? Don't procrastinate, or you may be left with nothing but a blank picture tube come next February.</p><p>Damon Porter of Time Warner Cable in Kansas City — which is teaming with KCPT-TV, Channel 19, on a public service campaign to help educate viewers in the area — warns that time is of the essence.</p><p>“We encourage people to plan ahead, to make sure they're ready,” Porter said. “What we've found from being out in the public, talking to people, is that there are varying degrees of knowledge and varying degrees of readiness.”</p><p>To help in the transition, here is a general primer:</p><p><strong>What do I need to get ready?</strong></p><p>It all depends on what types of televisions you have and whether you have pay TV service (cable or satellite).</p><p>-If you have cable or satellite, you should be good to go, but only for the televisions in your home that are hooked up to a pay service.</p><p>-If you have a newer television, generally one made in the past three years, almost all have a digital tuner, in which case it will be able to receive the digital signal.</p><p>-If you have one or more older TV sets and rely on an external antenna — generally rooftop or rabbit ears — you'll need a converter box.


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New Sharp Aquos D Series LCD HDTVs

Sharp introduced 22 new Aquos LCD TVs in Japan. The Sharp Aquos D Series include 9 new LCD TV models.

The Sharp Aquos D series comes in 42, 37 and 32 inch screen sizes and three colors (Black, White and Red) designed by Toshiyuki Kita.
Features of the new Sharp Aquos D series LCD HDTVs include 15,000:1 contrast ratio, 120Hz, 12 bit gray-scale processing, and 3 HDMI ports.
The new LC-42DS5, LC-37DS5 and LC-32DS5 will start shipping on July 10th.
Via this Sharp press-release (Japanese).

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LG Claims World's Slimmest LCD TV

LG Electronics Inc Wednesday (May 7) unveiled what it claims is the world's slimmest LCD TV.

The Scarlet Super Slim, or 42LG61, is 44.7mm thin, 0.2mm thinner than the 44.9mm Bordeaux 690 which Samsung Electronics Co introduced last month.

"The global LCD TV competition this year is now shifting its focus from how far the image quality can go to how slim it can be," said Lee Woo-kyung, an LG Electronics executive.

Flat-panel TV sets, using liquid crystal displays, are typically about 105mm thick, LG said in a press release.

The ultra-slim TV is part of the Korean electronics giant's recently launched Scarlet TV series, for which the company plans to spend US$100 million in marketing globally.

"LG will continue to lead the global TV market, introducing new models that excel both in its design and technology," Lee said.


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Shorter Labor Day holiday has limited impact on China LCD TV market

The shortening this year of China's Labor Day holiday at the beginning of May did not impact demand for LCD TVs as bad as expected, with unit sales dropping only 5-10% on year, according to industry sources.

China's Labor Day holiday, which used to be a week or longer in duration, traditionally is a strong shopping period. But since the Labor Day holiday was shortened this year, worries arose that demand would take a strong hit.

But the smaller-than-expected decline in LCD TVs sales during the holiday period also allowed inventory at the retail channels to maintain a healthy level of 20-25 days, the sources noted, adding with demand expected to pick up in the third quarter, demand for LCD TV panels will also increase.

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Recent Original Stories

Mobile-gadget makers are starting to take advantage of software-defined radio, a new technology allowing a single device to receive signals from multiple sources, including TV stations and cell phone networks. But a new federal rule set to take effect Friday could mean that radios built on 'open-source elements' may encounter a more sluggish path to market - or, in the worst case scenario, be shut out altogether. U.S. regulators, it seems, believe the inherently public nature of open-source code makes it more vulnerable to hackers, leaving 'a high burden to demonstrate that it is sufficiently secure'. .

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Birmingham searches for the digital family

A Birmingham family will soon begin a year-long experiment to demonstrate the difference digital technology can make to everyday life.

Digital Birmingham, the organisation charged with ensuring the benefits of digital technologies can be experienced by all in the city, has joined forces with the Birmingham Mail paper to launch the search for Birmingham's digital family.

The initiative is supported by BT, which is providing a range of equipment for the winning family to use throughout their digital test.

They will be invited to make the most out of BT broadband, BT Vision digital TV, wireless connectivity, security software, and the latest telephones and webcams, to learn and develop their skills and teach other family members along the way.

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Linked by Thom Holwerda on Mon 6th Nov 2006 21:31 UTC

"Just as extensions make Firefox better, so do plug-ins add extra goodness to Windows XP Media Center Edition. For the uninitiated, MCE provides DVR and other multimedia features wrapped in an attractive 10-foot interface. Armed with a couch and a remote, you can record TV shows, pause live TV, view photo slideshows, listen to your music collection, tune in FM radio stations, and so on. I am unabashedly in love with MCE. It's the one Microsoft product I consider just about perfect, which is why it's the heart of my home entertainment system. With these eight plugs-ins, most of which are free, you can trick out your MCE PC like never before." .


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2008 CABLE SHOW: McSlarrow Sees Successful DTV Transition

NEW ORLEANS—When the cable industry holds its 2009 convention in Washington, D.C., TV stations' transition to digital will be over and cable operators will have played a key role in the success of that effort, National Cable & Telecommunications Association president Kyle McSlarrow said Sunday.

"I am confident our industry will have played a key role in its success…not simply because we stepped up to help with a $200 million consumer education campaign…but because we are working constructively with broadcasters, government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure its success," McSlarrow said in a keynote address at his industry's annual convention.

All full-power TV stations must turn off their analog signals on Feb. 17, 2009. Cable homes with analog TV sets not connected to the pay-TV service need to take action to prevent those sets from going dark.


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