Washington, D.C. (September 28, 2006)
--
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. Swanni, my wife wants a Plasma TV because it will look nice in the living room. But won't prices come down next year? Shouldn't I wait until then? -- John P.
You're right. Plasma TV prices will come down next year, but you can get some good deals now as well. For instance, I just saw an ad for a Panasonic 42-inch Plasma TV for less than $2,000. That same set cost more than $3,000 a year ago. So, should you wait? It depends on your budget -- and just how much your wife (and you) want that nice-looking flat-screen TV.
Q. Is DIRECTV crazy? Why won't they add more national HDTV channels? Don't they understand how mad we DIRECTV subscribers are? -- Robert S.
They're not crazy and they do understand that many high-def subscribers are upset that they now carry just nine national HD channels. However, DIRECTV has calculated that it makes more sense -- financially and strategically -- to expand its national HD lineup in 2007. So they are sticking to their plan.
Q. What do you think of EchoStar's HDTV lineup? -- Frank R.
I just recently had EchoStar installed at my home. So, I'm still evaluating. EchoStar has more HD channels than anyone, but I'm not ready to say more than that at this time. Stay tuned.
Q. Do you think Sony and Toshiba will ever settle the high-def DVD (format) mess? I would really like to buy one for my husband. -- Jennie C.
Yes, I do -- and I think they will agree to a single HDTV format in 2007, if not sooner. So, just be patient. Both companies know that the format war is dramatically slowing sales of the new players.
Q. Why did DIRECTV dump TiVo? Wouldn't they have fewer problems with their HD DVR if they had stayed with TiVo? -- Carl E.
It was simply a financial decision, Carl. DIRECTV decided to switch to NDS as its DVR partner because NDS is owned by the same parent company, News Corp. It's true that DIRECTV was late in launching the new (NDS) HD DVR (recently made available nationally at retail), but don't forget that it took TiVo awhile to launch its own cable HD DVR.
Q. Why are you always harping about how celebrities look in HDTV? Does it really matter? -- Tony K.
It does matter, Tony, particularly in Hollywood where image is everything. The ultra-real HD picture is having a big impact on the entertainment industry and how celebrities look in high-def is a big part of that story.
Q. Do you think that Comcast will ever carry HDNet? I used to have DIRECTV and I really miss all the cool stuff on HDNet. -- Carlos B.
Ever? Yes, I do. It may not happen soon, but eventually, I predict the two companies will reach an agreement. Right now, there are several obstacles, including bandwidth issues. But Comcast wants to dramatically expand its high-def lineup in 2007 so we'll see.
Q. I really like the HD Diva, who makes the HDTV program picks. Will she keep writing for you? -- John R.
I agree that she's a very talented writer. But she has a full-time gig and I can't afford to pay her at this time. So she will write when she has the time. By the way, she tells me that her favorite writer is some guy named Joe Bob Briggs. Does anyone know who he is?
Q. How do you watch HDTV. I mean, do you have off-air antenna, DIRECTV, etc.? -- Susie P.
A. I have Comcast, DIRECTV and I recently added EchoStar. My thumbs get a bit tired each day, flipping from one to the next.
If you have a question for Swanni, send it to:
swann@tvpredictions.com
So, from time to time, I will publish my responses here in this new column called, 'Ask Swanni'
Q. Swanni, my wife wants a Plasma TV because it will look nice in the living room. But won't prices come down next year? Shouldn't I wait until then? -- John P.
You're right. Plasma TV prices will come down next year, but you can get some good deals now as well. For instance, I just saw an ad for a Panasonic 42-inch Plasma TV for less than $2,000. That same set cost more than $3,000 a year ago. So, should you wait? It depends on your budget -- and just how much your wife (and you) want that nice-looking flat-screen TV.
Q. Is DIRECTV crazy? Why won't they add more national HDTV channels? Don't they understand how mad we DIRECTV subscribers are? -- Robert S.
They're not crazy and they do understand that many high-def subscribers are upset that they now carry just nine national HD channels. However, DIRECTV has calculated that it makes more sense -- financially and strategically -- to expand its national HD lineup in 2007. So they are sticking to their plan.
Q. What do you think of EchoStar's HDTV lineup? -- Frank R.
I just recently had EchoStar installed at my home. So, I'm still evaluating. EchoStar has more HD channels than anyone, but I'm not ready to say more than that at this time. Stay tuned.
Q. Do you think Sony and Toshiba will ever settle the high-def DVD (format) mess? I would really like to buy one for my husband. -- Jennie C.
Yes, I do -- and I think they will agree to a single HDTV format in 2007, if not sooner. So, just be patient. Both companies know that the format war is dramatically slowing sales of the new players.
Q. Why did DIRECTV dump TiVo? Wouldn't they have fewer problems with their HD DVR if they had stayed with TiVo? -- Carl E.
It was simply a financial decision, Carl. DIRECTV decided to switch to NDS as its DVR partner because NDS is owned by the same parent company, News Corp. It's true that DIRECTV was late in launching the new (NDS) HD DVR (recently made available nationally at retail), but don't forget that it took TiVo awhile to launch its own cable HD DVR.
Q. Why are you always harping about how celebrities look in HDTV? Does it really matter? -- Tony K.
It does matter, Tony, particularly in Hollywood where image is everything. The ultra-real HD picture is having a big impact on the entertainment industry and how celebrities look in high-def is a big part of that story.
Q. Do you think that Comcast will ever carry HDNet? I used to have DIRECTV and I really miss all the cool stuff on HDNet. -- Carlos B.
Ever? Yes, I do. It may not happen soon, but eventually, I predict the two companies will reach an agreement. Right now, there are several obstacles, including bandwidth issues. But Comcast wants to dramatically expand its high-def lineup in 2007 so we'll see.
Q. I really like the HD Diva, who makes the HDTV program picks. Will she keep writing for you? -- John R.
I agree that she's a very talented writer. But she has a full-time gig and I can't afford to pay her at this time. So she will write when she has the time. By the way, she tells me that her favorite writer is some guy named Joe Bob Briggs. Does anyone know who he is?
Q. How do you watch HDTV. I mean, do you have off-air antenna, DIRECTV, etc.? -- Susie P.
A. I have Comcast, DIRECTV and I recently added EchoStar. My thumbs get a bit tired each day, flipping from one to the next.
If you have a question for Swanni, send it to:
swann@tvpredictions.com