Washington, D.C. (March 2, 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. Do you know why Dish Network hasn't launched any new HDTV channels lately? -- Dee W.
Dish Network now has roughly 75 national HD channels and the company has committed to offering 100 by year's end. However, it appears that you won't see most of the new additions until the second half of the year after Dish's new satellite is operational. (The new satellite is scheduled for launch this month.)

Like DIRECTV, Dish appears to have little room at this time for more high-def channels; they both need more satellite space to expand further. That said, you might see a few more (from both satcasters) in the next month or so.

Q. If Blu-Ray becomes the format of choice, would the owners of regular DVDs be stuck with a movie collection that was of no use to them, or is Blu-ray designed to also play the standard format as well as the new version? -- Teresa W.
Blu-ray players can play standard-def DVDs -- and the picture will be better because it includes an upconverting feature. So don't worry, your current DVD collection would still be valuable.

Q. I heard from a friend that DIRECTV added WWOR My Network and WPIX CW to its high-def lineup in New York. Is this true? -- Gary T.
Yes, both channels were added recently.

Q. We are considering the purchase of a Vizio 37 inch LCD HDTV. Since it is a name we are not familiar with, could you give us the pros and/or cons of our idea. -- Urban D.
Vizio has been a leading seller of LCD sets over the last year, but the brand is still unfamiliar to many Americans. We don't have any specific information on the 37-inch set, but here's a link to a story we did last year on CNET.com's review of Vizio's 32-inch LCD and a link to an article on Vizio's 47-inch LCD. That should give you some idea to what the company offers.

Q. Discovery said in December that they were launching two new high-def channels in January of this year so where are they? -- Andy P.
I asked Discovery about this last week and all they would say if that they have nothing new to report on new HD channels. Sounds like they were delayed for reasons unstated, huh?

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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