Q. When will DIRECTV start adding the new HDTV channels? Will it be on September 1? -- Pedro T.
DIRECTV says it will begin expanding its high-def lineup in September, but it has not set a date. The date will depend on how its new satellite is performing. (The satellite was launched in early July and should be operational in late August.) A few networks such as CNN and TBS say they will launch their new HD channels on September 1 so if the new satellite is ready, you might see them first on DIRECTV.
Q. I just bought a Sony Blu-ray player and when I set it up, it asked if I should set it for 720p or 1080i or 1080p. I have a Panasonic 720p HDTV. What should I do? -- Bobby B.
Try setting it at 1080i. While your set is 720p, you may notice a small improvement in the picture. I did this at home and it did improve the image. However, if it doesn't work for you, just use the "Auto" feature that will automatically set the format to correspondent with your set's display resolution.
Q. There were a bunch of local stations going HD with their news shows earlier this year but not so many now. How come? -- Samantha P.
I think you will see several more make announcements in the next month or so when the new TV season begins -- and viewership rises.
Q. Why isn't MOJO carrying the baseball games in high-def this year? -- Vinnie R.
MOJO is owned by In Demand, which offers the Major League Baseball 'Extra Innings' pay package to cable operators. The pay package includes high-def games. So, why would MOJO give the HD games away for free when its corporate parent makes money from selling them?
Q. Does a HDMI cable really matter when connecting my high-def set? Can't I use the Component cables? -- Aaron P.
Yes, you can use the Component cable to connect your HDTV to a cable or satellite receiver. But the HDMI cable should improve the picture, albeit slightly.
Comment on this article!
_____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Click
TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni
Sez.
©
TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________
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.