Washington, D.C. (January 28, 2008) -- I get scores of e-mails every week from readers asking everything from whether they should buy a new HDTV to when will their TV provider add new high-def channels.

So, from time to time, I will publish my responses here in this column called, "Ask Swanni!" If you would like to submit a question for a future column, send it to: swann@tvpredictions.com

Now, here's Ask Swanni!


Q. Why doesn't Toshiba just give up on HD DVD? I see that they are doing a Super Bowl commercial. Does that make any sense at all? Do they really think they can still win? -- Tony R.
Yes, Tony, it's clear to most industry observers that Blu-ray is the likely winner of the high-def DVD war against HD DVD. The Sony-backed format is killing HD DVD now in both disc and player sales.

However, look at this from Toshiba's perspective. (Toshiba is the leading supporter of HD DVD). The company has invested years -- and God knows how much money -- in HD DVD; it's not going to pull the plug just because some people want it to.

Toshiba is going to give HD DVD every chance to succeed, including slashing player prices and running commercials during the Super Bowl. As long as there's still a chance, Toshiba will keep fighting.

Now, it's not likely that these efforts will pay off. But I can't imagine the Blu-ray supporters would handle it any differently if they were on the losing end.

Q. Would you recommend a LCD or Plasma flat-panel set? -- Summer S.
I get this question almost every day. The answer is that it depends upon your viewing preferences and where the set will be located. Plasma generally looks better in a dark room while LCD performs better in a well-lit room. That said, however, some people will swear by their favorite flat-screen set regardless of where it's positioned. So the bottom line is that both LCD and Plasma sets offer sharp pictures with stylish designs. You can't go wrong here.

Q. Do you know when Channel 4 (WRC-TV) in Washington, D.C. will switch to HD news? -- Brian P.
The station has done some studio remodeling and I've heard that the switch to high-def is imminent.

However, let me jump on my soap box for a second.

In Washington, D.C., there is only one station (WUSA-TV, channel 9) now broadcasting its news programs in high-def. That's a disgrace. In most major cities, there are at least two -- and sometimes four -- stations offering HD news. You would think that in Washington, D.C.-- the home of the federal government, including the Federal Communications Commission -- local stations would be more aggressive here and setting an example for the benefits of Digital TV. Somebody needs to get that message.

Q.  Why doesn't DIRECTV offer local HD channels in more cities -- and soon?! -- Carl T.
DIRECTV now offers local high-def channels in markets representing more than 70 percent of U.S. households. However, it requires extensive satellite capacity to provide local channels in high-def. So I don't think you'll see a wave of new local HD coverage until the satcaster launches its new satellite, which is expected later this year.

Q. When is Dish Network going to launch the Sci-Fi Channel HD? We're waiting out here. -- Tom P.
There have been rumors that Dish will soon add both Sci-Fi and USA Network, but nothing definite from Dish headquarters. And that's not surprising. Dish is more secretive about new channel launches than any other company in this category.

Click to Read Part Two of Ask Swanni!

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Swanni (Phillip Swann) is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

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