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.



Read More

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).


Read More

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.


Read More

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.


Read More

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.

.


Read More

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.


Read More

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.


Read More