Washington, D.C.
(March 5, 2007)
--
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!"
Q. Do you think the 3D HDTV that the NBA just experimented with has a real chance of success? - Sandy U.
The NBA last month tested a 3D HDTV broadcast of the All-Star Game in Las Vegas and those who saw it came away with their jaws dropping. Apparently, to use the cliche, it was like being there, but perhaps even more so. In 3D high-def, the players appeared to be walking right by you; viewers felt like you could reach up and touch one.
The league might try another test this June in movie theaters for the 2007 NBA Championship. If successful, look for the National Football League and Major League Baseball to give it a try as well.
Q. Do you think that AT&T will buy DIRECTV or EchoStar? -- George S.
It's possible. AT&T is struggling with its own TV service; after more than two years, it's only available in a small number of communities. So at some point, AT&T will likely have to drop its TV ambitions or buy an existing TV service.
Q. If DIRECTV gets the MLB Extra Innings package and the high-def games, will I ever be able to see baseball in HD on cable? -- Frank T.
Of course. The Extra Innings package is a collection of regional broadcasts from across the country, many of which air in High-Definition. DIRECTV is promising to show most of the regional games in high-def by 2008 as part of the package.
However, cable viewers will still be able to see the HD broadcast of their local team's contest, assuming it's broadcast in HD. In addition, they will get high-def games on Fox, ESPN, TBS and other national channels.
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Q. Cable operators seem to be betting on HD On Demand rather than adding a bunch of new high-def channels. Do you think this makes sense? -- Victor K.
It does now. Most cable operators don't have the space to add a significant number of high-def channels at this time. So it's easier to expand their HDTV On Demand services; it takes less system space to store an on-demand program than an entire network. However, the cable ops are busily looking for ways to increase their capacities by year's end.
Q. I am still mad as hell about this Digital TV transition thing! Why is the government telling us to buy a new HDTV?! -- Susie T.
The government is not ordering you to buy a new HDTV, or even a Digital TV. However, if you're not a cable or satellite subscriber, you will need to buy a new set -- or a converter box -- to watch TV when the nation switches to Digital TV on February 17, 2009.
Q. Do you think that Blu-ray and HD-DVD will negotiate a truce anytime soon? -- Tom P.
Yes, In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if the Toshiba-supported HD-DVD high-def DVD format throws in the towel by year's end. Blu-ray has the momentum now and I think everyone is starting to see that, including Toshiba.
Q. My local ABC station in Washington, D.C. has shows in primetime in high-def, but not their local programs such as the news. How come? Why don't they just flip a switch and make it happen like the Star Trek guy says? -- Wayne T.
If they had a Star Trek budget, it would be that simple. However, a local HDTV news production usually requires new studios and equipment, which can cost a small fortune. That's why only about 35 local stations have made the switch to high-def news thus far.
Q. Why do you continue to write about how celebrities look in HDTV? Mind you, I think your comments are funny, but I think it hurts your credibility as a serious journalist -- Arthur G.
Sorry to answer your question with a question, but: Would you tell Sports Illustrated to stop publishing its 'Swimsuit' issue?
Like SI's annual tribute to beautiful babes in itsy-bitsy bikinis, the 'Swanni HDTV Celebrity' story may upset some people but you can't deny its popularity. Eeach time I write one, TVPredictions.com's site traffic goes through the roof. Even better, I get dozens of e-mails from non-HD owners who have questions about whether they should buy a high-def set.
I won't say the HD celebrity stories are a public service, but they do serve a purpose. By the way, you can read some of our celebrities pieces at: Swanni's HDTV Reviews!
Q. Why does the sound on a live HD show sometimes fail to match up with the real audio? It's like watching a Godzilla movie! Is it my set? -- Dave P.
This is not uncommon and there's nothing wrong with your set The HD video and audio are sent via different streams and sometimes a network will fail to get them in sync before they reach you, the viewer. However, new technologies are making this less frequent so hang in there.
Postscript: After publishing this article, HDNet's Karl Meisenbach sent us an e-mail recommending that you try re-setting your set-top if this problem occurs. It won't fix every problem, but it's worth a try.
So, from time to time, I will publish my responses here in this column called, "Ask Swanni!"
Q. Do you think the 3D HDTV that the NBA just experimented with has a real chance of success? - Sandy U.
The NBA last month tested a 3D HDTV broadcast of the All-Star Game in Las Vegas and those who saw it came away with their jaws dropping. Apparently, to use the cliche, it was like being there, but perhaps even more so. In 3D high-def, the players appeared to be walking right by you; viewers felt like you could reach up and touch one.
The league might try another test this June in movie theaters for the 2007 NBA Championship. If successful, look for the National Football League and Major League Baseball to give it a try as well.
Q. Do you think that AT&T will buy DIRECTV or EchoStar? -- George S.
It's possible. AT&T is struggling with its own TV service; after more than two years, it's only available in a small number of communities. So at some point, AT&T will likely have to drop its TV ambitions or buy an existing TV service.
Q. If DIRECTV gets the MLB Extra Innings package and the high-def games, will I ever be able to see baseball in HD on cable? -- Frank T.
Of course. The Extra Innings package is a collection of regional broadcasts from across the country, many of which air in High-Definition. DIRECTV is promising to show most of the regional games in high-def by 2008 as part of the package.
However, cable viewers will still be able to see the HD broadcast of their local team's contest, assuming it's broadcast in HD. In addition, they will get high-def games on Fox, ESPN, TBS and other national channels.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Q. Cable operators seem to be betting on HD On Demand rather than adding a bunch of new high-def channels. Do you think this makes sense? -- Victor K.
It does now. Most cable operators don't have the space to add a significant number of high-def channels at this time. So it's easier to expand their HDTV On Demand services; it takes less system space to store an on-demand program than an entire network. However, the cable ops are busily looking for ways to increase their capacities by year's end.
Q. I am still mad as hell about this Digital TV transition thing! Why is the government telling us to buy a new HDTV?! -- Susie T.
The government is not ordering you to buy a new HDTV, or even a Digital TV. However, if you're not a cable or satellite subscriber, you will need to buy a new set -- or a converter box -- to watch TV when the nation switches to Digital TV on February 17, 2009.
Q. Do you think that Blu-ray and HD-DVD will negotiate a truce anytime soon? -- Tom P.
Yes, In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if the Toshiba-supported HD-DVD high-def DVD format throws in the towel by year's end. Blu-ray has the momentum now and I think everyone is starting to see that, including Toshiba.
Q. My local ABC station in Washington, D.C. has shows in primetime in high-def, but not their local programs such as the news. How come? Why don't they just flip a switch and make it happen like the Star Trek guy says? -- Wayne T.
If they had a Star Trek budget, it would be that simple. However, a local HDTV news production usually requires new studios and equipment, which can cost a small fortune. That's why only about 35 local stations have made the switch to high-def news thus far.
Q. Why do you continue to write about how celebrities look in HDTV? Mind you, I think your comments are funny, but I think it hurts your credibility as a serious journalist -- Arthur G.
Sorry to answer your question with a question, but: Would you tell Sports Illustrated to stop publishing its 'Swimsuit' issue?
Like SI's annual tribute to beautiful babes in itsy-bitsy bikinis, the 'Swanni HDTV Celebrity' story may upset some people but you can't deny its popularity. Eeach time I write one, TVPredictions.com's site traffic goes through the roof. Even better, I get dozens of e-mails from non-HD owners who have questions about whether they should buy a high-def set.
I won't say the HD celebrity stories are a public service, but they do serve a purpose. By the way, you can read some of our celebrities pieces at: Swanni's HDTV Reviews!
Q. Why does the sound on a live HD show sometimes fail to match up with the real audio? It's like watching a Godzilla movie! Is it my set? -- Dave P.
This is not uncommon and there's nothing wrong with your set The HD video and audio are sent via different streams and sometimes a network will fail to get them in sync before they reach you, the viewer. However, new technologies are making this less frequent so hang in there.
Postscript: After publishing this article, HDNet's Karl Meisenbach sent us an e-mail recommending that you try re-setting your set-top if this problem occurs. It won't fix every problem, but it's worth a try.