So, from time to time, I will publish my responses here in this new column called, "Ask Swanni!"
Continued from Part One.
Q. Sony has the new $499 Blu-ray player out now. Any chance it will get to about $299 by the holidays? -- Ali M.
I think the chances are very good, particularly at discount stores and e-commerce sites such as Amazon.com. The high-def DVD price war is on. Look for Blu-ray and HD DVD makers to slash their prices over the next several months.
Q. Why are you so hard on Apple TV? Don't you think Steve Jobs knows what he's doing? -- Mack R.
Of course I do, but no CEO is perfect. And many executives like to take chances, even if they don't believe in their hearts something will work. I think Jobs, Apple's chief executive, is experimenting with Apple TV, which can send audio and video from your PC to the TV. He's not that confident it will succeed, but he believes it's worth a try.
Q. Do you know when DIRECTV will make National Geographic HD full-time instead of just having sneak previews? -- Sal F.
Probably not until September when its new satellite is operational. That's when the satcaster is expected to begin adding new high-def channels.
Q. I noticed the HD Diva rarely picks hockey in her daily "10 Hottest Shows in HDTV" program picks. Come on, give hockey some love! -- Randy C.
Here's the Diva's response: "Hockey?! I don't give a puck about hockey." She said she was just kidding and will make sure the sport is well represented in future listings. Actually, she included the Stanley Cup finals (just won by Anaheim) in past listings.
Q. Why do you think Dell got out of the TV business? -- Martin T.
A new report today said that Dell was dropping its LCD HDTV line later this year, but Dell late today denied the report.
However, I would not be terribly surprised if they eventually ditch the TV business. I predicted that Dell, Gateway and other PC-centric companies would have trouble finding a place in the TV world. Companies such as Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, Panasonic and so on have long established their brands and retail relationships. That's a tough obstacle to hurdle. Plus, some PC companies tend to have a PC view of the television. I don't think they really understand the average TV viewer.
Comment on this article!
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Click
TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni
Sez.
©
TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________
Advertisement
_______________________________________________________
Phillip Swann is
president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in
dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox
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
swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
Click
TVPredictions.com
to read more news and features on TV
technology.