Wal-Mart has started selling Venturer Electronics' new HD DVD player for $199.98 online and at selected stores.
For months, the HDTV industry has buzzed about a low-cost HD DVD player from China that could give HD DVD a major advantage against Blu-ray in the high-def disc format war.
HD DVD boosters predicted that the player would be available at Wal-Mart, which would drive interest among the masses.
Venturer is based in Ontario, Canada, but has a manufacturing partner in China.
Ironically, though, the launch of the Venturer player is somewhat anti-climatic with entry-level Toshiba players now available at some stores for under $200.
The Venturer SHD7000 features 1080i output with a HDMI connection and an Ethernet port for downloads of special features.
The lowest-priced Blu-ray player is now Sony's BDP-S300 at $499 suggested retail, although Wal-Mart is now selling it for $348.
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Blu-ray Sales Blasting HD DVD In Europe
The format passes the one million mark for disc sales.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 27, 2007) -- Blu-ray discs are out selling its rival HD DVD in Europe by more than 2-1.
That's according to an article by Reuters.
The wire service reports that Blu-ray disc sales have passed the one million mark in Europe, representing 73 percent of all high-def discs sold there.
The Blu-ray Disc Association said that if Blu-ray gaming discs were included in the total that the number would jump to more than 21 million sold.
The Sony Play Station 3 has a Blu-ray player inside.
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HD DVD Player Sales Pass 750,000
Group cites price promotion as reason for increase.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 27, 2007) -- More than 750,000 HD DVD high-def disc players have now been sold, according to the North American HD DVD Promotional Group.
The group said the number includes standalone HD DVD players from Toshiba and the XBox 360 HD DVD player attachment.
HD DVD and Blu-ray are rival formats competing for the new high-def disc audience. While HD DVD's 750,000 mark is impressive, it still falls far short of Blu-ray's overall home penetration total.
Standalone HD DVD players are outselling standalone Blu-ray players, but Sony's Play Station 3, which has a Blu-ray player inside, has sold millions of units.
The exact number of standalone Blu-ray players sold to date is unknown.
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Wall Street Analyst Praises DIRECTV's HD Lineup
The analyst says it's a major reason why he's upgrading the company's stock.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 26, 2007) -- Who has the best High-Definition programming lineup: DIRECTV or EchoStar?
Bernstein Research's Craig Moffett apparently believes the answer is clear. The influential Wall Street analyst today upgraded his stock rating on DIRECTV from Underperform to Market Perform -- and the satcaster's recently expanded high-def lineup is a key reason.
“DIRECTV’s strong HDTV offering positions the company for solid growth, and this faster growth is unmistakably value accretive,” Moffett said today in a note to investors.
DIRECTV, the nation's largest satellite TV service, recently expanded its national HD lineup from nine to more than 80 channels.
While some analysts have soured on cable and satellite stocks due largely to increasing competition in the category, Moffett says DIRECTV is well positioned to boost subscribers and increase revenues.
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TiVo to Offer Cable Adapter For HD
The device will allow the DVR to operate with Switched Digital Video systems.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 26, 2007) -- TiVo says it will soon offer an external adapter that will allow its HD DVR to operate with a new cable TV technology called Switched Digital Video (SDV).
That's according to an article by TWICE Magazine.
The adapter is considered crucial to TiVo's hopes of generating more subscribers because several cable operators are planning to use SDV in the coming months.
SDV will allow the cable services to offer more High-Definition channels because it saves bandwidth by only delivering a channel to the home when the viewer actually watches it.
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Sony CEO Is For Blu-ray -- After He's Against It
The company CEO reverses earlier comments suggesting victory may be out of reach.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 25, 2007) -- Sony CEO Howard Stringer now says Blu-ray will defeat HD DVD in the high-def disc format war.
That's according to an article by The Hollywood Reporter.
Earlier this month, Stringer said in a speech in New York that the battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD had become a "stalemate."
Saying it's a "difficult fight," Stringer even openly speculated what Sony would do if HD DVD prevailed. (Basically, stop including Blu-ray players in Play Station game consoles.)
The comments ignited a storm of controversy at blogs and Internet message boards with some posters saying that Stringer seemed to be throwing in the towel.
Combined with the dropping price of HD DVD players (now starting under $200 compared to $399 for the lowest Blu-ray player), Stringer's remarks left some Blu-ray supporters feeling demoralized, although Blu-ray disc sales continue to outpace HD DVD.
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VUDU: Bourne 3 In HD For $24.99
New set-top will also include the first two Bourne movies for free.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 21, 2007) -- VUDU, which last week said it's adding HDTV movies to its Video on Demand service, has revealed its first high-def title for purchase: The Bourne Ultimatum.
The company said VUDU customers will be able to purchase the action film starring Matt Damon beginning December 11. The price will be $24.99.
In addition, for a limited time starting November 23, new VUDU set-tops will include permanent copies of The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy, the first two films in the Bourne trilogy.
The company sells a $399 VUDU set-top that enables users to download movies over a high-speed Internet connection.
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Comcast Moves HD Channels to Cheaper Plan
The cable operator says it wants more subscribers to get high-def.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 20, 2007) -- Comcast yesterday said Detroit customers will now be able to get most High-Definition channels with a less expensive, "basic" programming package.
That's according to The Detroit News, which reports that the difference between the basic package and the "preferred" package is about $14 a month.
Previously, Comcast subscribers in Detroit needed the preferred package to get access to high-def channels. But the basic plan will now include all HD channels except for the premium networks such as HBO and Showtime.
It's unclear if Comcast will make the same offer in other markets. But in Detroit at least, it appears that the cable operator is trying to counter DIRECTV's recent expansion of high-def channels.
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Consumer Reports: High Marks for HDTV DVD Players
The magazine rates nine different high-def disc players.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 17, 2007) -- What's the best High-Definition DVD players on the market?
According to Consumer Reports magazine, it's the Pioneer BDP-94HD Blu-ray player and the Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD player.
In the December issue, the publication rates nine different High-Definition DVD players, giving top scores of 91 to the Pioneer and Toshiba players.
Consumer Reports says both players offer an "excellent" HD picture and an "excellent" picture when upconverting standard-def DVD movies.
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HDNet: Last Call For True Music
The indie music show will end its run after nearly six years.
By Katie Daryl
True Music Hostess
Editor's Note: HDNet's True Music, a weekly program featuring up-and-coming bands and musicians, will end a near-six-year run this Sunday. Below, Katie Daryl, the show's host from the beginning, reports on what she has planned for the final episode, which airs Sunday night on HDNet at 8 p.m.
Los Angeles (November 15, 2007) -- True Music fans, I have some sad but exciting news for you! This Sunday, November 18th, will be our LAST "True Music w/ Katie Daryl" on HDNet.
After five and a half years, and almost 300 bands, we've decided to close the curtains on this fabulous HD music show. Of course you can still catch all my crazy antics on Deadline! each Friday and we are working on some new projects as well, so fear not I'm not going anywhere!
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Warner Puts Dual High-Def DVD On Hold
The disc would have include both Blu-ray and HD DVD versions.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 14, 2007) -- Warner Bros. last January vowed to end the Blu-ray-HD DVD war by issuing high-def discs that would include both versions of the film.
But nearly a year later, the studio is telling the web site High-Def Digest that the 'Total HD' disc is on hold -- indefinitely.
"The short answer is, for the moment, it (Total HD) is on hold," Jim Noonan, Warner's senior vice president of strategic promotion, told the site.
Last January, Warner said the Total HD, which would have the Blu-ray version on one side and the HD DVD on the other, would comfort consumers who were concerned about picking a losing format in the high-def disc war.
Blu-ray and HD DVD are rival formats with players that are not compatible with each other.
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DIRECTV Adds 24 More HD Channels
The new list includes six new basic cable networks.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 14, 2007) -- DIRECTV today added 24 new High-Definition channels, including six more basic cable networks in high-def.
By DIRECTV's count, today's additions gives the satcaster approximately 100 HD channels, its long-stated goal for the year.
The new HD channels added today include: Biography HD (channel 266); Spike HD (channel 325); Country Music Television HD (channel 327); MTV HD (channel 331); VH1 HD (channel 335); and Nickelodeon HD (channel 299).
Those six channels are simulcasts of their standard-def lineups.
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Swanni's 10 Sexiest Women In HDTV!
Thinking about buying a high-def set? If you're a guy, here are 10 really good reasons.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 13, 2007) -- High-Definition TV can be most cruel. The picture is so clear that you can detect even the hint of a new wrinkle forming on an otherwise perfect face.
However, celebrities who are naturally beautiful in real-life look even better in ultra-real HD. Their skin, hair and smile somehow take on an extra radiance, all but overwhelming the viewer with their raw physical attractiveness.
So in honor of true beauty, I am now publishing our third annual...
Swanni's 10 Sexiest Women in HDTV!
These 10 TV celebrities/actresses are so 'HDTV hot' that they could break up your marriage with a single flip of the remote.
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Amazon: Buy One Blu-ray; Get One Free
The e-commerce site offers more than 70 selections.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 13, 2007) -- Amazon, the e-commerce site, is now offering a special promotion on select Blu-ray discs: Buy one and get one free.
The offer comes as Blu-ray's rival, HD DVD, appears to be gaining momentum in the high-def disc format war. Several retailers have dropped the price of Toshiba's entry-level HD DVD player (HD-A2) to under $200, triggering sales of more than 100,000 players in the last week or so.
Sony, the leading backer of the Blu-ray format, said last week that it's unlikely that Blu-ray player prices will fall under $399 this holiday season.
However, LionsGate, a studio that backs Blu-ray, yesterday said in a conference call with Wall Street analysts that it expects Blu-ray player prices to fall soon.
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EchoStar's Ergen Fires Back
The satcaster chief tries to explain slow sub growth; also reveals new satellite launches for high-def.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 13, 2007) -- EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen yesterday said several reasons were behind his company's 63 percent fall in subscriber growth in the third quarter.
His list included the housing slump and more competition from cable and satellite operators. But he added that one of the causes can be found in the mirror.
"We haven't really executed very well operationally during the last six months," he told analysts yesterday in an investors call. "I am looking forward to spending more time in the operations side so I understand it better."
EchoStar on Friday revealed that it added 111,000 net new subscribers in the third quarter, compared to 295,000 in last year's third quarter. The company's stock dropped nearly 16 percent yesterday on the news.
In contrast, DIRECTV added 240,000 new subscribers in the third quarter. DIRECTV began its high-def expansion in the third quarter, which analysts yesterday said likely contributed to EchoStar's subscriber slow down.
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Is DIRECTV Taking HD Subs From EchoStar?
The satcasters report widely varying sub totals in the third quarter.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 11, 2007) -- DIRECTV began its much-anticipated High-Definition channel expansion in the third quarter -- and it may have had an impact on rival EchoStar's subscriber growth.
EchoStar, the nation's second largest satellite TV service, reported Friday that it added 111,000 net new subscribers in third quarter, compared to 295,000 in last year's third quarter.
However, DIRECTV last week said it added 240,000 net subscribers in the third quarter, compared to 165,000 in the 2006 third quarter.
DIRECTV began its high-def expansion in the third quarter, jumping from 10 HD channels to more than 70 high-def channels by the end of October.
The nation's largest satcaster aggressively promoted the expansion in national print and TV ads during the quarter and the effort likely contributed to DIRECTV's gain and EchoStar's loss during the period.
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Sony: Blu-ray-HD DVD War Is 'Stalemate'
Howard Stringer calls it a "difficult fight."
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 9, 2007) -- Sony CEO Howard Stringer says the high-def disc format between Blu-ray and HD DVD has become a "stalemate."
That's according to an article by the Associated Press.
Sony is the leading supporter of the Blu-ray format while HD DVD's backers include Toshiba and Microsoft. However, both high-def disc formats have struggled due partially to consumer confusion over the Blu-ray-HD DVD war.
The two formats are not compatible with each other, meaning one disc won't play on the other's machine.
While Blu-ray supporters have often declared victory in the war due to a 2-1 lead in disc sales, Stringer yesterday sounded a less defiant tone in a speech to the 92nd Street Y cultural center in Manhattan.
"It's a difficult fight," he said.
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Blu-ray Takes Lead In Available Titles
But the margin over HD DVD is small.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 9, 2007) -- Consumers who are trying to decide whether to buy a Blu-ray or HD DVD player often wonder which format has the most discs available.
Well, according to new numbers from The DVD Release Report, the answer is Blu-ray.
But just barely.
At the beginning of November, there were 332 Blu-ray titles available compared to 328 for HD DVD. Home Media Magazine notes that 66 Blu-ray titles are expected to be released in the coming weeks, compared to 42 new HD DVDs.
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DIRECTV Adds 600,000 HD & DVR Subs
The satcaster began its high-def expansion in the third quarter.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 8, 2007) -- DIRECTV yesterday said it added 600,000 new HD and/or DVR subscribers in the third quarter.
The satcaster said the number represents a 60 percent increase over last year's third quarter.
DIRECTV began its high-def expansion in the third quarter, jumping from 10 HD channels to more than 70 high-def channels by the end of October.
While the company did not break out the HD and DVR sub numbers, the high-def channel addition likely was the significant driver of the "HD and DVR" sub growth.
In an investors call yesterday with Wall Street analysts, DIRECTV compared the 3Q HD & DVR sub numbers with Comcast's recent third quarter report. The cable operator said it added 325,000 HD and DVR subs in the third quarter.
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HD DVD Players Near 500,000 Mark?
Recent $99 promotional push drives sales.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 8, 2007) -- HD DVD supporters say their favorite high-def format will sell 500,000 players by month's end.
That's according to an article by Home Media Magazine.
The publication reports that the recent price cut for the Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD player has triggered sales of more than 100,000 units over the last week.
Several retailers, including Wal-Mart and Best Buy, last Friday (November 2) dropped the price of the Toshiba HD-A2 to $99 as a special pre-Black Friday offer.
The player has a suggested retail price of $299, but normally now sells for around $199 in most stores.
Home Media writes that roughly 320,000 Toshiba HD DVD players were sold prior to last weekend's promotional push. With the 100,000 units added to that figure, HD DVD supporters say the 500,000 mark should be reached by the end of November.
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HDNet Sues DIRECTV For Programming Switch
The high-def network says DIRECTV is trying to destroy it to benefit its new ownership group.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 7, 2007) -- HDNet has filed a lawsuit against DIRECTV to block its plan to move the channel into a new programming package that will likely have far fewer viewers.
HDNet and its sister network, HDNet Movies, are now available to all DIRECTV high-def owners who pay $9.99 a month.
However, on December 15, the satcaster will move Universal HD and the two HDNet networks to a new programming package called "DIRECTV HD Extra Pack."
The HD Extra Pack, which will also include three recent channel additions (Smithsonian HD, MGM HD and MHD), will cost an extra $4.99 a month. It's uncertain how many subscribers will agree to pay the extra fee, but it's likely to be far less than the entire DIRECTV HD base.
In the lawsuit, which was filed in the 101st District Court in Dallas, HDNet charges that DIRECTV is "embarking on an unlawful campaign to destroy HDNet and to usurp its position in the market."
The high-def network, which was co-founded by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, said DIRECTV's package switch is in "gross violation of their contractual obligations."
"Defendants have decided to effectively kill HDNet's viewership by moving the two broadcast package -- where the channels are distributed to more than 2,000,000 households -- to a newly created obscure and overpriced package that puts the HDNet channels well beyond the reach of the average television viewer," the lawsuit says.
Robert Mercer, a DIRECTV spokesman, today disputed that the satcaster is violating its contract with HDNet.
"We are disappointed that our business partner would ignore the plain language of our agreement and file an unnecessary lawsuit coupled with a request for the unwarranted, extraordinary relief of a temporary restraining order," Mercer said. "They have not provided any concrete evidence to support their claims. We are acting in accord with our agreement with HDNet and we will defend the lawsuit vigorously."
Cuban declined to comment today on the lawsuit. However, the suit charges that DIRECTV wants to move HDNet so it can "feature their own programming and that of their favorite partners, Liberty Media Corporation and entities controlled by Liberty's Chairman, John C. Malone."
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HD DVD: 90,000 Sold In 3 Days
Special price drives sales, says report.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 7, 2007) -- Retailers sold an estimated 90,000 Toshiba HD DVD players last weekend thanks to a special $99 promotion.
That's according to an article by Video Business.
The HD DVD format has enjoyed a small lead over its rival Blu-ray in sales of standalone high-def disc players. But the weekend sale could give HD DVD a lead of 150,000 units sold to date.
(However, there are still more Blu-ray players in homes thanks to the sale of millions of Play Station 3 video game consoles, which have Blu-ray inside.)
Several retailers, including Wal-Mart and Best Buy, last Friday (November 2) dropped the price of the Toshiba HD-A2 to $99 as a special pre-Black Friday offer.
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Which HDTV Needs the Most Repairs?
Consumer Reports issues a new study.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 6, 2007) -- Rear-projection HDTVs are more likely to need repairs in the first three years than flat-screen LCD and Plasma sets.
That's the conclusion of a new study from Consumer Reports magazine.
In its December issue, Consumer Reports has published a study on brand repair rates for flat-panel and rear-projection TVs. According to CR, flat-panel LCD and Plasma TVs require few repairs during the first years of use.
However, rear-projection sets were much more "repair prone," the magazine said.
The study was based on the magazine's National Research Center's Annual Product Reliability Survey which covered almost 93,000 sets bought between 2004 and 2007.
The magazine found that Plasma and LCD HDTVs each had just a three percent repair rate, more evidence, it said, that consumers should bypass extended warranty offers.
In other findings, Consumer Reports found that Panasonic's 50-inch TH-50PZ700U Plasma set had only a two percent average repair rate. (The magazine also named the set the best flat-panel TV it had ever tested.)
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Warner: Endorse Blu-ray? Not Us
One studio executive says another exec's statement was misinterpreted.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 5, 2007) -- Warner Home Video is denying an earlier report that it's considering endorsing Blu-ray in the high-def disc format war.
Dan Silverberg, Warner's vice president of High-Definition media, seemed to hint last week that the studio might soon back Blu-ray exclusively in its format war against HD DVD.
Warner is now the only major studio that releases movies in both formats; two support HD DVD exclusively while four have endorsed Blu-ray.
“One thing that may be changing is our strategy,” Silverberg said, according to Home Media Magazine. “When both formats launched and hardware prices were high, we made a decision to support both formats and let the consumer decide. But now that hardware pricing is affordable for both Blu-ray and HD DVD, it appears consumers no longer want to decide — so the notion of staying in two formats for the duration is something we are re-evaluating now that we are in the fourth quarter.”
He added: “We can definitely talk Blu-ray. We are committed to the format.”
But according to the web site, High Def Digest, Jim Noonan, senior vice president of strategic promotion for the Warner Home Entertainment Group, now says the studio's position has not changed.
"I can tell you that Warner's position has not changed, and I know that Dan did not intend to suggest that wasn't the case. We support both formats and we have made no decision to alter that policy, nor are there any such announcements coming, or being planned," he told the web site.
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Why Doesn't Sony Lower Blu-ray Prices?
It's another edition of Ask Swanni!
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 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!" If you would like to submit a question for a future column, send it to: swann@tvpredictions.com
Now, here's Ask Swanni!
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