So, from time to time, I will publish my responses here in this new column called, "Ask Swanni!"
Q. TiVo says they think they can get back on board with DIRECTV. What do you think? -- Julie W.
TiVo this week hinted that DIRECTV might renew its DVR marketing partnership when Liberty Media takes control later this year. I think at this point it's just speculation on TiVo's part, however. DIRECTV has spent considerable money and labor on developing its own Digital Video Recorder, particularly the new high-def DVR. While there are many TiVo fans in the DIRECTV audience, I'm not sure that the satcaster wants to crowd their own product with a competitor. But that said, John Malone, who runs Liberty Media, will certainly be interested in hearing what TiVo has to say. He's a deal maker and he won't shy away from an attractive proposition.
Q. Why does Time Warner keeping saying that it will have unlimited capacity to offer HD but never actually says how many channels it will carry? I smell a rat! -- Tim C.
Time Warner is being careful to lower expectations in case it has trouble negotiating carriage agreements with new high-def channels. It doesn't want to give a number until it actually has that many HD channels signed up. That said, when DIRECTV begins expanding its high-def lineup in September, Time Warner and other cable operators will be under great market pressure to reveal what they are going to launch and when.
Q. You mentioned in your story on Planet Earth that David Attenborough narrated it. Not true! It was Sigourney Weaver. -- Austin K.
The story was referring to the high-def DVD version of Planet Earth, which is actually a BBC production which was narrated by Sir David. Ms. Weaver narrated the American version which aired on Discovery HD Theater.
Q. I thinking of installing a flat-screen TV, probably Plasma, on my wall. Any advice on mounting the thing? -- Wayne B.
Yes, be sure to mount it at the spot where the mid-section of the screen will be at eye level when you sit down. Too often, people will put it where it looks best when you're standing up. Why? Because they are installing it while standing up. But if it's at eye level when you're standing, you'll have to crane your neck to look up at the screen when you're sitting down. That is, unless you watch TV while standing up.
Click to read Part Two of Ask Swanni!
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Phillip Swann is
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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
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