DIRECTV Sues Comcast For HDTV Ad
The satcaster challenges cable's contention that its high-def picture is better.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 18, 2007) -- DIRECTV has filed a lawsuit against Comcast for its ad campaign that claims it has a better HDTV picture than satellite.
DIRECTV says the ad, which appeared in national newspapers this month, is false and deceptive, according to Multichannel News.
In the ad, Comcast cites a Frank N. Magid Associates study conducted in March 2007 that said respondents were shown high-def signals from Comcast, DIRECTV and EchoStar. and asked to rate each screen.
According to the Magid study, Comcast was the preferred choice of the three.
In a nine-page suit, DIRECTV asks the U.S. District Court in Northern District of Illinois to stop Comcast from "engaging in any further false advertising and promotion."
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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 hear that Comcast is adding Food Network HD and Home and Garden in high-def. True? I live in Washington, D.C. and I would love to see more HD from Comcast. -- Tommy R.
Several readers in the Boston area have informed me that Comcast has indeed added Food HD and HGTV HD there. However, that doesn't mean it will be added to your area immediately. When a cable operator gets the rights to broadcast a high-def channel, it may take time before it can add it to each market. Some local cable systems do not have the bandwidth at this time for additional HD channels in their lineups. So, be patient. The channels will be added eventually in your area -- and probably sooner than later.
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Swanni's 10 Best Movies In HDTV!
Seeing them in high-def is even better than in the theater.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2007) -- With all the talk of sports and primetime programming in High-Definition, people often forget just how great a movie can look in high-def.
When presented properly, watching a HD broadcast of a cinematic classic is even better than seeing it in the theater. The colors are more vivid, the details more precise, and with HD's Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, the explosions rock with even more realism.
But what are the best films in high-def?
Some movies, considered classics, wouldn't make the list because they were filmed decades ago. The Godfather, for instance, is a great movie, maybe the best ever. But when seen in high-def, the impact is not especially overpowering. It looks better in HD, but the difference is not dramatic.
So what are the 10 movies that best exemplify the incredible picture and sound of High-Definition TV?
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Panasonic Blu-ray Player: $599
The electronics company offers the lowest price ever for a Blu-ray player.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2007) -- Panasonic today hopes it achieved a price breakthrough by introducing a new Blu-ray HDTV DVD player for $599.
The suggested retail price is roughly $200 less than any other standalone Blu-ray player on the market. To further entice high-def owners, Panasonic is bundling five free Blu-ray movies with the set-top.
They are: Pirates of the Caribbean, Curse of the Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest, Transporter, Fantastic 4 and Crash.
The Blu-ray format is battling the HD DVD high-def disc in a format war unseen since VHS edged out Beta in the 1980s. While Blu-ray disc sales have far surpassed HD DVD this year, both formats are struggling due to consumer confusion and high player prices.
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Should Plasma HDTVs Be Taxed?
Economics professor says the flat-panel TV takes up more energy than tube televisions.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2007) -- Governments should issue a special tax on Plasma High-Definition TVs because they consume more energy than the tube TV.
That's according to Professor Paul Elkins, who studies the economics of climate change at the University of Westminster in England. Professor Elkins' comments were reported today by the BBC.
Elkins contends that the Plasma screen requires so much energy that it creates a "greater climate change burden." A Plasma TV tax would force TV makers to develop more energy efficient screens, he said.
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Mark Cuban: Bring Me Your HDTV Show Ideas!
HDNet's co-founder calls on readers to offer some original concepts.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2007) -- Mark Cuban wants your ideas for new show concepts for his High-Definition network, HDNet.
In a post yesterday at his BlogMaverick.com, Cuban called on his readers to submit their best "original" concepts for new programs. However, HDNet's CEO was typically blunt in urging people to think before they submit.
"What I would like to read are original show ideas. So post them if you got them," Cuban wrote. "If they have anything to do with sports or a deck of cards, I don't want to read them and they will be deleted."
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NAB Warns Of Digital TV Box Shortage
Trade group chief issues letter suggesting insufficient converters will be available this January.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2007) -- National Association of Broadcasters CEO David Rehr says consumers may not be able to purchase Digital TV converter boxes next January when the federal government begins issuing converter coupons.
In a letter sent yesterday to the Consumer Electronics Association, Rehr expressed concern that retailers will have enough converters to go around.
“It is critical to our collective success that manufacturers build, and retailers have available for sale, digital-to-analog converter boxes by (January 1, 2008)," Rehr said. “As I am sure you are aware, if boxes are not produced and on store shelves on Jan. 1, 2008, significant consumer confusion will result and could negatively impact the overall success of the transition."
The nation is not scheduled to switch from analog to Digital TV until February 17, 2009. At that time, viewers will need a Digital TV, a subscription to a pay TV service or a digital converter box to continue watching TV.
However, this January 1, 2008 is an important date because the federal government is expected then to begin issuing $40 coupons for consumers to buy the digital converter boxes.
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Theater Owners to Comcast: Cut!
Two big theater chains are unhappy with the cable op's idea to show new theatrical movies on High-Definition TV.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2007) -- Comcast President Steve Burke said last week that big blockbuster films like the next Spiderman could soon air on cable High-Definition TV the same day they premiere in the theaters.
However, two major movie theater chains are saying Comcast doesn't have a ticket to that show.
The Los Angeles Times reports today that Regal Entertainment and National Amusements say they would refuse to show any movie that premiered on cable and in the theater the same day.
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MOJO 'Dekes' DIRECTV HD Hockey Fans
Last night's high-def broadcast of a NHL playoff game is moved from Versus to MOJO, knocking it off DIRECTV.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 11, 2007) -- Couldn't find last night's high-def broadcast of game one of the Ottawa-Buffalo NHL playoff series?
Well, although the game was originally scheduled to be broadcast by Versus HD, it was moved to MOJO, the High-Definition channel owned by several cable operators. (Comcast, a partner in MOJO, owns the Versus channel.)
For cable viewers who have both Versus and MOJO, the move was not a disaster, assuming you scanned your dial to find the game. (Cable on-screen guides earlier this week had the game on Versus HD; and as late as yesterday, Versus' web site said the game would be on Versus HD, although the channel aired a golf program instead.)
However, DIRECTV viewers were not so lucky.
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EchoStar: HDTV Keeps Business Booming
The satcaster adds more subs than DIRECTV for five of the last six quarters.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 11, 2007) -- EchoStar yesterday reported a 15 percent increase in first quarter revenue, saying it added 310,000 net subscribers.
That's a 38 percent increase in subs over the previous first quarter.
The satcaster credited the growth to the advance of High-Definition TV and the company's partnerships with third-party sellers, such as AT&T.
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DIRECTV Won't Charge More For Extra HD
The satcaster also reveals that its high-def expansion will begin in September.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2007) -- DIRECTV on Wednesday released its new financial report saying that its first quarter profits jumped 43 percent due largely to an increase in High-Definition subscribers.
Company executives also participated in an 'Investors Call' with Wall Street analysts. And DIRECTV's announced plan to offer 100 high-def channels by year's end was a frequent topic.
During the discussion, the executives said there are no plans to charge customers more for the extra high-def channels; that its high-def capacity will "greatly" increase in September with the launch of a new satellite in June; and that demand for its HD DVR is growing fast.
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Ask Swanni: Will DIRECTV Really Have 100 HD Channels?
Your humble high-def guru takes your questions.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 9, 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!"
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EchoStar Will Launch New HDTV Satellites
The satcaster looks to expand high-def capacity.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 9, 2007) -- EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen revealed yesterday that his company will launch two new satellites late this year to expand capacity for High-Definition channels.
That's according to an article in The Rocky Mountain News.
The newspaper did not reveal more details, but posters at several Internet message boards last week said Ergen first disclosed the company's launch plans at EchoStar's annual summit of retailers.
Ergen vowed that EchoStar would remain the industry's high-def leader and told retailers that the company would have two new satellites going up by year's end.
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DIRECTV's Growing HDTV Shopping List
The satcaster is adding new channel announcements for 2007.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 8, 2007) -- DIRECTV, which yesterday revealed it would add History Channel HD in September, has said it will offer 100 national high-def channels by year's end.
Here's a list of the HD networks that DIRECTV has revealed thus far that it plans to add this year or early next:
A&E HD
The History Channel HD
National Geographic HD
Bravo HD
MHD
The Tennis Channel HD
Weather Channel HD
ESPNews HD
Toon Disney HD
Disney Channel HD
ABC Family HD
Sci-Fi Channel HD
CNN HD
Food Network HD
Cartoon Network HD
Speed HD
FX HD
TBS HD
USA Network HD
The NFL Network HD
Starz HD (possibly four channels)
Cinemax HD
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Comcast: Blockbuster Movies Could Debut On HDTV
Cable executive says industry could charge from $30-60 to see it.
By Phillip Swann
Comcast yesterday said big blockbuster films like the next Spiderman could air on cable High-Definition TV the same day they premiere in the theaters.
That's according to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In remarks to the National Cable Show in Las Vegas, Comcast President Steve Burke said a cable operator could charge $30-60 for the special premiere and/or make it available to the first one million HD customers.
"You would have to have some sort of check and balance so that it does not do damage to the box office," Burke told the convention, according to the newspaper.
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History Channel HD to Debut In September
The high-def simulcast will be carried by DIRECTV.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 7, 2007) -- The History Channel's new high-def network will launch this September on DIRECTV.
The two companies made the announcement today.
History Channel HD will be a simulcast of the regular channel's lineup, which includes documentaries and series.
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Discovery to Launch 4 New HD Channels
The new channels are expected this fall.
By Phillip Swann
Discovery, which launched Discovery HD Theater five years ago next month, plans to launch four new High-Definition TV network this fall.
That's according to an article in Adweek Magazine. (This was also predicted here last month at TVPredictions.com.)
Discovery tells the publication that it will launch high-def simulcasts of Animal Planet, TLC, The Science Channel and the company's main network, Discovery Channel.
Then, in the first quarter of 2008, Discovery says it will add two more high-def channels.
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Video: The 5 Worst Shows In HDTV!
The networks may say they are in high-def, but they look low quality to us.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 5, 2007) -- Over the last several years, I have written extensively about the incredible High-Definition picture. The high-def image is so clear and detailed that watching it is like looking through a window.
I have even published my picks for the 20 Best Shows in HDTV.
However, it's time to blow the whistle and tell the world that not all high-def looks, well, incredible. In fact, some "HDTV" shows look downright horrible.
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EchoStar Adds Cinemax HD
The satcaster now has 32 national high-def channels.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 4, 2007) -- EchoStar's Dish Network solidified its position as the leading carrier of national High-Definition channels today by adding Cinemax HD.
The satcaster now offer 32 national high-def networks.
The addition of Cinemax HD has been rumored for a few weeks. EchoStar added it this morning to channel number 9458.
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Video: HDTV's Top Story of the Week!
Swanni reveals which news story of the week will have the biggest impact on high-def.
Special to TVPredictions.com
It was a busy week in the world of High-Definition TV. But which news story will have the biggest impact on HD in the weeks to come?
Swanni knows.
Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, has just posted a video in which he reveals "HDTV's Top Story of the Week."
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Ask Swanni: Who Has the Best HDTV Picture?
Your humble high-def guru takes your questions.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 3, 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!"
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Blu-ray: 71; HD DVD: 29
The Sony-backed high-def format has another big week.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 3, 2007) -- Since the beginning of the year, Blu-ray disc sales have doubled its rival HD DVD. And, according to Nielsen VideoScan, last week was no different.
Blu-ray accounted for 71 percent of all HDTV DVD title sales last week, compared to 29 percent for HD DVD.
That's according to an article by Reuters.
The news service says Blu-ray was aided by the release of the Ben Stiller comedy, A Night at the Museum, which is available only on Blu-ray.
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Comcast: Dish Owners Prefer Our HD Picture
The cable operator launches advertising campaign aimed at satellite rivals.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2007) -- Comcast has launched an advertising campaign saying that satellite TV viewers like its High-Definition picture better than what they see on the dish.
The ad, which appears in today's editions of The Washington Post, includes the headline, "Comcast Wins the HD Picture Challenge...Satellite customers agree: HD looks better with Comcast."
The ad goes on to say that "satellite customers" chose Comcast's high-def picture in a "side-by-side" picture quality test.
The ad does not reveal any details of the test such as how many people participated or when it was conducted.
However, at Comcast's web site, the cable operator cites a Frank N. Magid and Associates study conducted in March 2007 that says respondents were shown high-def signals from Comcast, DIRECTV and EchoStar. and asked to rate each screen.
According to the Magid study, Comcast was the preferred choice of the three.
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Vudu Will Be Doo-Doo
Despite some media hype, a new set-top that will offer up to 5,000 movies -- and maybe high-def -- will fail miserably.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 30, 2007) -- The New York Times yesterday published a glowing preview of a new Video on Demand set-top service called Vudu.
The box, which will offer up to 5,000 films that can be seen on your TV, is expected to be available this summer for around $300.
"Vudu, if all goes as planned, hopes to turn America's televisions into limitless multiplexes," The Times writes, "providing instant gratification for movie buffs. It has built a small Internet-ready movie box that connects to the television and allows couch potatoes to rent or buy any of the 5,000 films now in Vudu's growing collection."
But, folks, don't get all excited because Vudu will be doo-doo. It will fail.
Let me repeat that. It will fail.
Apple TV even has a better chance of success.
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Is Cable Ignoring DIRECTV's HD Plans?
The cable industry could once again hand the satellite industry a big advantage.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (April 30, 2007) -- DIRECTV says it will offer 100 national High-Definition channels by year's end.
But cable TV operators seem oddly unconcerned, although most of them now provide only 10 or 15 national high-def networks.
"Right now we have all the high-def channels that anybody cares about," Comcast President Steve Burke said last week in a conference call with Wall Street analysts.
Burke added that the quality of the high-def channels is more important than the quantity.
His comments echo the remarks of other cable executives. Although they say they will soon expand their high-def capacities via new technologies such as Switched Digital Video, they add that it's not necessary to match DIRECTV channel for channel.
However, the cable industry may be underestimating DIRECTV's high-def plans at its own peril. As philosopher George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
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