Washington, D.C.
(April 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 new column called, "Ask Swanni!"
Q. I have EchoStar and I keep hearing about DIRECTV adding all these new HD channels. Should I switch? -- Dennis A.
Well, you first might want to consider that EchoStar's Dish Network now has more national HD channels (31) than any other TV provider, including DIRECTV. A bird in the hand, you know. And don't underestimate EchoStar. While DIRECTV says it will have 100 national HD channels by year's end (including sports packages), EchoStar may have more than you think. We'll see at the end of the year.
Should EchoStar subs switch? Comment here!
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Who will have more HDTV channels by year's end? See our poll results!
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Q. Why are so many people crazy for these flat-screen TVs? The DLP rear projection set is cheaper and has a better picture, IMHO. -- Bill L.
The flat-screen HDTV is a stylish piece of furniture that just happens to deliver a great picture. So it appeals to both men and women, thereby settling many family disputes. The DLP has a great picture, too (at better prices), but it doesn't have the sex appeal of the flat-panel.
Q. I am a Time Warner subscriber and it drives me crazy when I hear they add a HD channel in some city but not in mine. It's also maddening that they don't issue a press release saying they are adding the channel although they are obviously adding it. Why do they do this? -- Tim R.
Some cable TV operators, such as Time Warner, offer service in several cities around the country. And, for various reasons (bandwidth, etc.), one local system may be ready for a new HD channel before another. (For instance, Time Warner this week added ESPN 2 HD in North Carolina before adding it to other markets.)
So that's why you might see a high-def channel added to a city before yours. It's also why a cable operator might hesitate to issue a press release announcing the launch of a new high-def channel before it's been added to all markets. Once the release is issued, subscribers in every city will start calling their local operators asking where the channel is.
Q. Why does DIRECTV seem uninterested in adding the Voom channels? - Jessica K.
Voom has 15 HD niche channels, including ones on international sports, fashion and antiques. DIRECTV doesn't have room for them now, but it says it's not likely to add them later this year when it does have the space. Why? The fact that rival EchoStar has an equity stake in Voom is a major factor.
So, from time to time, I will publish my responses here in this new column called, "Ask Swanni!"
Q. I have EchoStar and I keep hearing about DIRECTV adding all these new HD channels. Should I switch? -- Dennis A.
Well, you first might want to consider that EchoStar's Dish Network now has more national HD channels (31) than any other TV provider, including DIRECTV. A bird in the hand, you know. And don't underestimate EchoStar. While DIRECTV says it will have 100 national HD channels by year's end (including sports packages), EchoStar may have more than you think. We'll see at the end of the year.
Should EchoStar subs switch? Comment here!
_____________________________________________
Who will have more HDTV channels by year's end? See our poll results!
______________________________________________
Q. Why are so many people crazy for these flat-screen TVs? The DLP rear projection set is cheaper and has a better picture, IMHO. -- Bill L.
The flat-screen HDTV is a stylish piece of furniture that just happens to deliver a great picture. So it appeals to both men and women, thereby settling many family disputes. The DLP has a great picture, too (at better prices), but it doesn't have the sex appeal of the flat-panel.
Q. I am a Time Warner subscriber and it drives me crazy when I hear they add a HD channel in some city but not in mine. It's also maddening that they don't issue a press release saying they are adding the channel although they are obviously adding it. Why do they do this? -- Tim R.
Some cable TV operators, such as Time Warner, offer service in several cities around the country. And, for various reasons (bandwidth, etc.), one local system may be ready for a new HD channel before another. (For instance, Time Warner this week added ESPN 2 HD in North Carolina before adding it to other markets.)
So that's why you might see a high-def channel added to a city before yours. It's also why a cable operator might hesitate to issue a press release announcing the launch of a new high-def channel before it's been added to all markets. Once the release is issued, subscribers in every city will start calling their local operators asking where the channel is.
Q. Why does DIRECTV seem uninterested in adding the Voom channels? - Jessica K.
Voom has 15 HD niche channels, including ones on international sports, fashion and antiques. DIRECTV doesn't have room for them now, but it says it's not likely to add them later this year when it does have the space. Why? The fact that rival EchoStar has an equity stake in Voom is a major factor.
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Q. Why does HBO refuse to put Bob Costas and Bill Maher in HDTV? -- Mary P.
Money, Mary. Money. It costs more to produce a studio show in high-def. HBO would have to renovate its studios to accommodate new lighting, high-def cameras and related equipment. However, as more people get high-def sets, HBO will likely make the switch. Viewers will expect no less.
Q. Will Discovery launch more high-def channels? I love Discovery HD Theater. -- Terry M.
It's likely but I can't give you launch dates. Discovery has been a HD pioneer so it's inevitable that it will add one or two HD channels in the next year or so, perhaps a simulcast of an existing Discovery network.
Q. Is it time to buy a Blu-ray player? It looks like it's going to win the war, right? -- Johnnie R.
Blu-ray is winning -- but hasn't won. Not yet, anyway. Toshiba, which backs the rival high-def DVD format, HD-DVD, is lowering player prices ($399 now) and will likely make various special offers this summer to win consumers over. So if you're considering buying a Blu-ray player only because you think the war is over, that's not the best reason.
Q. For a Home Theater, would you get a front projector and pull-down screen or just a big old DLP rear projection set? -- Tony A.
I personally think you get a better picture from the DLP but some swear by the front projector which displays high-def images onto a pull-down screen across the room. I would suggest going to a local Home Theater store and check it out for yourself. Seeing is believing.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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Q. Why does HBO refuse to put Bob Costas and Bill Maher in HDTV? -- Mary P.
Money, Mary. Money. It costs more to produce a studio show in high-def. HBO would have to renovate its studios to accommodate new lighting, high-def cameras and related equipment. However, as more people get high-def sets, HBO will likely make the switch. Viewers will expect no less.
Q. Will Discovery launch more high-def channels? I love Discovery HD Theater. -- Terry M.
It's likely but I can't give you launch dates. Discovery has been a HD pioneer so it's inevitable that it will add one or two HD channels in the next year or so, perhaps a simulcast of an existing Discovery network.
Q. Is it time to buy a Blu-ray player? It looks like it's going to win the war, right? -- Johnnie R.
Blu-ray is winning -- but hasn't won. Not yet, anyway. Toshiba, which backs the rival high-def DVD format, HD-DVD, is lowering player prices ($399 now) and will likely make various special offers this summer to win consumers over. So if you're considering buying a Blu-ray player only because you think the war is over, that's not the best reason.
Q. For a Home Theater, would you get a front projector and pull-down screen or just a big old DLP rear projection set? -- Tony A.
I personally think you get a better picture from the DLP but some swear by the front projector which displays high-def images onto a pull-down screen across the room. I would suggest going to a local Home Theater store and check it out for yourself. Seeing is believing.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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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.
Click
TVPredictions.com
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