Comcast: We Are the HDTV Leader
The cable operator says DIRECTV is just talking more about high-def.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 25, 2007) -- DIRECTV and EchoStar now have twice as many HDTV channels as Comcast, but the cable operator said today that it's the HD leader.
In a conference call today with financial analysts, Comcast President Steve Burke said more people get high-def service from Comcast than EchoStar and DIRECTV combined.
Burke did not offer statistics to support that claim. Comcast now has more than 24 million subscribers overall (HD and non-HD) while DIRECTV has more than 16 million customers and EchoStar has more than 13 million.
DIRECTV and EchoStar also say they now have more than 70 HD channels, compared to approximately 30 for Comcast. But Burke said that doesn't tell the whole story.
""We are clearly the high-def leader," Burke said. "If you look at our current product assortment there may be people who have more channels than we do, but no one has more high-def options."
Burke was referring to Comcast's HD On Demand lineup which offers nearly 200 hours of high-def programming.
"If you look at our high-def VOD on a given night you might have 200 movies if you are a subscriber to Comcast -- versus ten if you are a customer of a competitor. I think it is very important that we keep that high-def lead," he said.
Brian Roberts, Comcast's CEO, echoed Burke remarks, suggesting that DIRECTV is getting more attention for its high-def service because it's talking more about it.
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Samsung: Dual-Format HDTV Player In Dec.
The player will display Blu-ray and HD DVD.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 25, 2007) -- Samsung says it will launch its dual-format High-Definition disc player in mid-to-late December.
That's according to an article by Video Business.
The dual-format player, model BD-UP5000 will play both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, but is expected to cost more than $1,000.
The player is designed to appeal to high-def owners who are unsure about which format will win the Blu-ray-HD DVD war.
According to Video Business, Samsung said the dual-format player will be compliant with new Blu-ray hardware requirements, meaning it will offer the latest technologies such as picture-in-picture interactivity.
The first Blu-ray titles to offer the enhanced features are expected to be released next year and include National Treasure and The Chronicles of Narnia.
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Blu-ray Outselling HD DVD In Format War
But some analysts say Transformers could change the score.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 24, 2007) -- Blu-ray high-def DVDs outsold rival HD DVD by almost 2-1 in the first nine months of the year, according to Home Media Research.
The research arm of Home Media Magazine said 2.6 million Blu-ray discs were sold compared to 1.4 million HD DVDs.
Blu-ray, which is led by Sony, is thought to be enjoying a lead because of sales of the Play Station 3, which has a Blu-ray player inside.
But Reuters reports that some analysts believe last week's HD DVD release of the box office hit Transformers could transform the high-def disc format war. Paramount announced yesterday that 190,000 HD DVDs of the film were sold in the first week.
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Transformers' Bay: My Money Is On Blu-ray
Director overshadows Paramount's announcement that Transformers sold 100,000 HD DVD on the first day.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 23, 2007) -- Paramount says the new HD DVD of Transformers sold 100,000 copies on its first day and 190,000 in the first week.
The studio says that makes it the fastest selling HD DVD of of all time. (Transformers was released on October 16.)
Variety reports that Warner's 300 sold 250,000 copies in the first week, which will still make it the fastest selling high-disc of all time. (Warner releases films on both Blu-ray and HD DVD.)
However, the studio's announcement was somewhat overshadowed by another controversial statement from Transformers director Michael Bay regarding the format war between HD DVD and Blu-ray.
Bay said in August that he might not direct the Transformers sequel after hearing that Paramount would endorse HD DVD exclusively in the war. The director seemed to indicate that he favored Blu-ray.
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DIRECTV's New HD Channels: Better Picture?
Internet message boards are filled with claims that DIRECTV's new high-def lineup offers a better picture. But is that really true?
By Allison Moore
HD Diva
Washington, D.C. (October 22, 2007) -- DIRECTV recently added dozens of new High-Definitions channels, such as CNN HD, MGM HD and Smithsonian Channel HD.
Because the new channels are stored on a new satellite -- and delivered via the state-of-the-art MPEG 4 transmission system -- Internet message boards are overflowing with comments that the new channels offer a better picture than DIRECTV's old HD lineup, which consists of HBO, Showtime, HDNet and Discovery's HD Theater.
However, Phillip Swann, aka Swanni and president of TVPredictions.com, has just posted a video commentary saying that HD picture quality usually "lies in the eye of the beholder."
He adds that claims by cable and satellite operators that they offer the best high-def picture is "nonsense."
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How Verizon Is Blowing High-Definition TV
The telco defends its high-def lineup, but needs to look in the mirror.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 22, 2007) -- Verizon says its FiOS TV service will add a "significant amount" of High-Definition programming next spring.
That's according to an article in Multichannel News.
The telco has drawn fire recently from some subscribers for being tight-lipped about its upcoming HDTV plans -- and its decision not to add TBS HD for the 2007 Major League Baseball playoffs.
Verizon's FiOS now carries 19 national HDTV channels and the local high-def networks.
But Shawn Strickland, vice president of video solutions for Verizon, says the telco is moving to add a "significant amount of HD content" next spring.
However, Strickland was vague about whether that meant more high-def channels or perhaps VOD content in high-def.
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DIRECTV Raising Monthly Prices For HD
Customers will lose three channels until they pay $4.99 extra, says e-mail notice.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 18, 2007) -- DIRECTV has notified subscribers that they will lose three longtime HD channel favorites unless they pay an extra $4.99 a month starting December 15.
In an e-mail sent to customers this week, DIRECTV said HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD will be moved to a new programming package called "DIRECTV HD Extra Pack."
The three channels have been available for years as part of the satcaster's basic $10 a month HD package,
However, on December 15, 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.
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HD DVD Players For Under $200?
Internet rumors fly after a Wal-Mart employee posts evidence of $199 player for the holidays.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 18, 2007) -- An HD DVD player could be available for the new low price of $199 this holiday season.
Internet message boards are buzzing with the possibility after a Wal-Mart employee posted an upcoming store notice about a $199 Toshiba HD DVD player.
The price has not been confirmed by Wal-Mart or Toshiba, but the drop would not be surprising. Toshiba's entry-level player is now $299, but industry analysts have forecast that a sub-$200 player is likely for the holidays.
Additionally, Blu-ray manufacturers are expected to lower the price on its players. Sony's Blu-ray player is now the lowest with a suggested retail price of $499.
However, Sony announced today that it will launch a new Play Station 3 for $399 on November 2. The PS3 has a Blu-ray player inside.
Lower prices for both Blu-ray and HD DVD are expected as supporters of the two high-def disc formats battle it out during the holiday season.
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Sony today said it will launch a $399 Play Station which will include a Blu-ray player inside.
The $399 player will be launched on November 2, in time for the holiday shopping season.
At $399, the new 40GB PS3 will be the lowest price Blu-ray player on the market. Sony's lowest-price standalone Blu-ray player now has a suggested retail price of $499.
Sony is hoping the lower-cost PS3 will boost sales of the game console which have lagged behind rivals Microsoft's XBox 360 and Nintendo's Wii.
But the company also hopes that a $399 PS3 will generate more interest in the Blu-ray high-def disc format.
Sony is the leading booster of Blu-ray which is competing with the Toshiba-backed HD DVD for the new high-def disc audience.
The $399 PS3 will come with a free Blu-ray disc of Spider-man 3.
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Review: Comcast's HD On Demand
Cable operators say VOD can compete with DIRECTV's expanded high-def lineup, but Swanni says that's a challenge.
By Allison Moore
HD Diva
Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2007) -- DIRECTV and EchoStar have recently expanded their HD lineups, offering twice as many national high-def channels than most cable operators.
But the cable operators, such as Comcast, say their HD On Demand service provides more high-def entertainment than satellite.
So can cable's HD On Demand keep high-def owners from jumping ship and signing up with the satellite companies?
Phillip Swann, aka Swanni and president of TVPredictions.com, has just posted a video review of Comcast's HD On Demand service.
He says the feature is intriguing, but frustrating because of a limited amount of programming.
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DIRECTV: What's Next For HD?
The satcaster doesn't have many channels left to add.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 17, 2007) -- DIRECTV has dramatically expanded its High-Definition lineup in the last three weeks, going from nine to 47 national HD channels.
The satcaster says it now offers more than 70 HD channels, if you could include regional sports networks and PPV channels.
However, the explosion of channels has left many high-def viewers still wanting more. In Internet message boards, including the TV Predictions Readers Forum, DIRECTV viewers are busily speculating over what the satcaster might do next.
Well, the bottom line is that DIRECTV doesn't have much left to do. At least for now.
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DIRECTV HD: Not Everything Is HD
Some channels are stretching the definition of High-Definition, says Swanni.
By Allison Moore
HD Diva
Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2007) -- DIRECTV recently expanded its High-Definition lineup from nine to 47 national channels.
In addition, the satcaster says it now offers more than 70 high-def channels in total when you include regional sports channels and Pay Per View.
Phillip Swann, aka Swanni and president of TVPredictions.com, has just posted a video commentary on DIRECTV's new HD lineup.
He explains that although the DIRECTV high-def viewer has more to choose from, not everything that's called HD is actually HD.
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Comcast Raising Monthly Rates
The cable operator notifies several markets of rate increase; high-def services cited.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2007) -- Comcast apparently will soon raise its monthly programming rates, in part due to added High-Definition services, according to newspaper reports.
The cable operator last implemented a monthly rate increase in January.
However, newspapers today in the states of Washington, Pennsylvania and Virginia are reporting that Comcast subscribers have been told their monthly bills will go up in November.
The rate increase ranges from 4.2 percent in the state of Washington to 7.5 percent in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, according to reports by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Lancaster Intelligencer Journal.
In Seattle, a Comcast spokesman says the rate increase is necessary because the cable operator spent $200 million on a new network and facilities.
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Disney: 2 Blu-ray Movies For One
The offer comes as Paramount releases Transformers on HD DVD.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2007) -- Disney is now offering a 'Buy One Blu-ray Disc, Get One Free' offer at Amazon.com and some retailers.
At Amazon.com, the offer includes 39 movies including such hits as the first two Pirates of the Caribbean films, The Prestige, The Wild and Pearl Harbor.
The web site lists most films at the price of $24.45, meaning you can get two movies for that price. After choosing the first film, you then are given a choice of the 39 movies for your second film, which is free.
Amazon says the offer is for a limited time, but it surfaces as Paramount releases the much-anticipated HD DVD edition of Transformers.
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DIRECTV: We're Over 70 HD Channels
The satcaster's list includes PPV channels and distant network signals that can only be seen in limited areas.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 15, 2007) -- DIRECTV says it now has more than 70 High-Definition channels, which would be more than any other TV provider.
However, the satcaster is including eight HD PPV channels and eight DNS (Distant Network Signals) channels in the list.
A DNS signal is a network feed (usually from network affiliates in New York or Los Angeles) that is sent to subscribers who can't get their local channels with an antenna.
At its web site, DIRECTV' has posted a new section on its HD lineup under the header, "DIRECTV has the most national HD channels in the known universe."
"DIRECTV now broadcasts over 70 of your favorite national channels in HD...And stay tuned. There's plenty more to come," the site states.
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DIRECTV Adds 6 HD Channels
The list includes the new Fox Business Network; regional sports channels also added.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 15, 2007) -- DIRECTV today added four new national High-Definition channels to its rapidly expanding lineup.
The new channels are: Fox Business Network (channel 359); HGTV HD (channel 229-1); FX HD (channel 248); Speed Network HD (channel 607); Fuel HD (channel 612) and The Cartoon Network (channel 296).
DIRECTV's launch today now gives the satcaster 49 national HD channels. The company says it will offer 70 HD channels by month's end and up to 100 high-def channels by the end of the year.
DIRECTV today also added the following regional sports channels in high-def: FSN Southwest (channel 643); FSN West HD (channel 652); Fox Sports Pittsburgh HD (channel 653); and FSN Detroit HD (channel 636).
And, it added three channels in the 130s for high-def PPV movies.
The Fox Business Network, which just launched this morning, was created by Fox to compete with business channels CNBC and Bloomberg News.
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Comcast Sued Over Video On Demand
Three Florida residents say it frequently doesn't work.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 15, 2007) -- Comcast has promoted its Video On Demand service as a major reason why viewers should subscribe to cable rather than satellite.
However, three Florida residents have filed a lawsuit against the cable operator, charging that Comcast's VOD frequently fails to operate due to system errors.
The residents say Comcast's promotion of the service as a reason to subscribe -- and the alleged inability to deliver that service -- constitutes breach of contract and deceptive trade practices.
That's according to an article by the South Florida Business Journal.
The publication reports that Comcast has yet to file a legal response to the allegation, which was filed in Duval County circuit court but moved to federal court at Comcast's request.
The newspaper added that Comcast refused to comment on the specific allegations other than to say it will "vigorously defend" itself.
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CBS: Couric, Conventions In HD Next Year
Network executive makes disclosure at HD World.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 11, 2007) -- CBS will likely broadcast the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric in High-Definition by next summer.
That's according to CBS Director of Bureau Operations Mel Olinsky, as reported by Broadcasting and Cable magazine.
Speaking today at the HD World conference in New York, Olinsky added that the network will air both 2008 political conventions in high-def, too.
The CBS executive said the network is modifying its technical plant to prepare for the events, B&C reported. The Democratic National Convention will take place in Denver next August while the Republicans will convene in Minneapolis in September.
Olinsky refused to give a launch date for Couric's evening newscast in HD, but he said the show's control room should be ready by May. The cameras and set have been ready for some time, he added.
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Comcast: TiVo Service Has Begun
The cable operator launches TiVo's HD and non-HD recording features in New England.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 9, 2007) -- Comcast has begun offering TiVo's HD and non-HD recording features in New England, the company said today.
The rollout announcement comes just three days after TiVo CEO Tom Rogers said Comcast's launch of its recording services was a "little behind" schedule.
But Comcast said today the New England launch occurred a few days ago, albeit to a small number of homes.
The cable operator refused to comment on specifics such as pricing and cities where the TiVo service is being offered.
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HDTV: Why Are the Commercials Louder?
One exec says the industry needs audio standards.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 11, 2007) -- Ever noticed that the commercials on a High-Definition TV program sometimes seem louder than the program itself?
You're not alone -- and you're not imagining it. However, the cause of the problem is not what you probably suspect.
Charles Myers, vice president of distribution and technology for Discovery Communications, says the problem lies in the fact that the industry hasn't adopted audio standards for high-def transmissions.
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Execs: High-Def Discs Will Prevail
Supporters of the two formats say consumers will eventually embrace the category.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 11, 2007) -- Blu-ray and HD DVD sales have been disappointing due to several reasons including consumer confusion and high prices. But supporters of the two high-def formats yesterday said consumers are finally starting to come around.
That's according to an article by Video Business.
At a panel discussion yesterday at the DisplaySearch HDTV conference in Los Angeles, officials backing Blu-ray and HD DVD said it's just a matter of time before Americans start buying high-def DVD players.
“The chances are pretty slim” that the category won't succeed," said Don Eklund, executive vice president for Sony Pictures, according to Video Business. Sony is the chief supporter of the Blu-ray format.
Eklund said that with high-def sets in 30 million U.S. homes -- and cable and satellite operators aggressively promoting HD programming -- consumers will eventually give high-def discs a try.
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Industry Execs: HD Sets Lacking Picture Quality
Panelists at high-def conference say the picture often gets diluted in the transmission process.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 10, 2007) -- Several industry officials said today that the average HDTV owner is not getting the best possible picture on his set.
At a panel discussion today at the HD World conference in New York, officials from Scientific-Atlanta, Discovery, Motorola and SES Americom said the high-def signal gets diluted during the transmission process.
The corruption in image quality can be blamed on everything from the HD network's decision on how to transmit the signal to the consumer's often faulty display choices, the officials said.
Consequently, they added, the HD picture diminishes in quality once it's displayed on the consumer's home screen.
"Good HD quality -- I believe that people have never really seen it," Brian Morris, vice president of digital media for cable set-top maker Scientific-Atlanta, told HD World attendees. "But what we're seeing today is not good HD quality."
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DIRECTV Adds 4 HD Channels
The satcaster's high-def expansion continues.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 10, 2007) -- DIRECTV today added four High-Definition channels, bringing its national HD channel total to 45 (including the four local networks).
The new channels are: MGM HD (channel 255); Food Network HD (231-1); National Geographic HD (276) and CNBC HD+ (355)
DIRECTV says it will offer 70 HD channels by month's end and up to 100 high-def channels by the end of the year.
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HD DVD Claims Lead In Player Sales
The format's leading booster cites new research.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 10, 2007) -- Toshiba says standalone HD DVD players are once again outselling standalone Blu-ray players.
The company, which makes HD DVD players and is the leading supporter of the high-def disc format, is basing that claim on new research from NPD Group, according to Video Business.
Toshiba says HD DVD players began outselling Blu-ray set-tops in mid-September after several weeks of victories for Blu-ray.
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TiVo: Comcast Deal Behind Schedule
The cable operator will offer TiVo's HD and non-HD recording features.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 9, 2007) -- TiVo CEO Tom Rogers says Comcast's rollout of its recording services is a "little behind" schedule.
That's according to an article by Reuters.
Comcast was expected to begin offering TiVo's HD and non-HD DVR service to New England markets in August. The two companies announced the marketing partnership more than two years ago.
But Rogers said today that Comcast is still testing the TiVo software in employee homes. Reuters reports that the software has been added to Scientific-Atlanta cable set-tops.
Despite the delay, Rogers expressed optimism that Comcast would launch the service soon.
"We're waiting for word any time now that the first non-Comcast employee will begin to get the service," Rogers said today at an industry conference, according to Reuters.
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