US’s Transition To Digital
Well it looks like the latest news on what is happening with the governement and the change over to Digital signals early in 2009 has atleast one of the Gizmodo riled up.
Here’s another quick update about what our government is doing about the looming deadline for analog TV. Looks like the The House Energy and Commerce Committee has now decided that the switch to digital TV will not be in April of 2009 as previously mentioned, but in December 2008 instead. And instead of the $3 billion dollars allocuted by Democrats to subsidize the switch for consumers, it will now be $990 million. I’d like to see how the Republicans do once half the country’s TVs go black on January 1, 2009, I’ll tell you that much. Forget abortion, this’ll really get Americans riled up.
Sony To Stop Making CRT Televisions
You know those big heavy televisions no one likes to lift? Well, Sony is going to eventually stop making them. They have already taken the first steps towards that goal by setting forth the plan to shut down some of its CRT television assembly factories by March 2008 in order to shift its focus to the flat-screen TV business.
It should be interesting to see if other manufacturers follow suit.
Source: forbes
Japan Gears up for Analog Broadcasts’ Demise
A smart system to prepare the people of Japan for the change over to Digital television: colored stickers.
Engadget with the details:
With analog broadcasts set to come to an end in 2011 in Japan, the association is wasting no time letting people across the country know. At participating stores, you’ll be seeing yellow or blue stickers on all devices with terrestrial analog or terrestrial digital tuners — yellow lets you know that when 2011 rolls around, you’ll either have to purchase an entirely new set or purchase an external tuner box. Blue means you’re good to go when digital broadcasts finally take over. Things seem to be moving along nicely for digital broadcasts in Japan; the association plans to have 50% coverage of households across country by as early as the end of this year.
HDTV arrives in Europe
Pocket Lint has the scoop on some new information about the analog to digital transition that is happening all over the world right now.
A television station in Germany is the first in Europe to launch a high-definition television channel.
The free-to-air broadcaster plans to show selected programs in HDTV on its two main channels, ProSieben and Sat.1, starting with the Hollywood blockbuster “Minority Report” starring Tom Cruise on Sunday.
Other European broadcasters including BSkyB in Britain, CanalSat in France and Sky Italia in Italy have all promised HDTV by next June in time for the football World Cup, which will be used as a showcase for the format.
The UK government has confirmed that by 2012 owners of analogue television set won’t be able to get a signal to watch television.
Sony FWD-series LCD and Plasma Displays for Business
Sony Electronics today introduced several new LCD and plasma flat-panel professional displays that offer businesses both big and small advanced networking and display capabilities.
The redefined FWD-32LX1R, FWD-40LX1 LCD and FWD-50PX2 plasma models offer improved engineering from their predecessors and are designed to fit a variety of businesses ranging from small retail shops to large hotels. The new models will also incorporate connectivity options, providing easy to use advanced networking solutions.
The 32-inch FWD-32LX1R and 40-inch FWD-40LX1 LCD displays deliver 1000:1 contrast ratio providing outstanding image quality. Both models also incorporate S-LCD panels which produce exceptional black level reproduction and drastically improves gradation.
Each display can be controlled remotely with Sony’s current BKM-FW32 Network Management Card or recently introduced BKM-FW50 Network Media Card via Ethernet. The BKM-FW50 networking card also has the ability to remotely control multiple displays, as well as transmit movies or still images.
At 40-inches, the FWD-40LX1LCD panel fits easily into most hospitality-standard dressers. As a result, guests are given a better viewing experience without the added expense of a major room renovation. This model also has a 178/178 degree viewing angle, a key feature for conference room space.
Both new LCD models incorporate the Sony WEGA Engine™ system, a digital processing system that reduces video artifacts that can result from those analog/digital conversions.
“These are significant upgrades to our professional display category” said Tak Inagaki, general manager of Sony’s Display Marketing group. “Our diverse lineup and networking cards expand application-based solutions. They make digital signage easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes.”
Sony’s new FWD-50PX2 model is a stylish 50-inch plasma display with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and more than 60,000 hours of life. The display has both DVI-HDCP and dual option slots. Additionally, it features picture-in-picture, advanced video wall and optional network connectivity, making it ideal for a digital signage applications in office lobbies or reception areas. It also has a built-in digital amplifier and optional speakers.
The LCD models, the FWD-32LX1R and the FWD-40LX1, feature Sony’s new elegant bezel or flat design and are available in three colors: pearl white, crystal silver and frosted black. The FWD50PX2 plasma has a new flat finish available in silver or black.
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See, Canadians aren’t so bad after All
After seeing a post on HD Beat that made me laugh, I figured it would be a good post to bring over here.
Almost 6 out of 10 readers of Digital Home Canada have high definition TV’s, so expect hockey to move up the best HD sport list very quickly. Canada is rapidly gaining my respect, what with HD broadcasts and whatnot.
Next thing you know they’ll have money thats worth something too (j/k).
I am Canadian for those of you that did not know. I am glad that my country can be recognized due to its ever increasing focus on technology, and not just the technology that goes into a computer, or saves lives, but the technology that goes into being able to record, edit, distribute and watch High Definition television, and even though the author makes a crack about hockey being moved to High Def soon, I would not be surprised if he was right, as hockey should be in 16:9 high def…no doubt aboot it, eh?
Dell Announces 37-inch LCD TV
Good old Dell. They are really working at expanding their business. I can understand why, as there is not much money to be made off of computer hardware anymore, and as consumers get slightly more computer savvy, they will need less technical support. Well recently they have begun adding televisions to their list of electronics.
HD Beat with some details:
Dell sure is making a good run to make the crossover from computer maker giant to electronics monster. They just announced that they are going to have a 37-inch LCD ready for Christmas, plus remember that 50-inch plasma from a few weeks ago? It is also going to be ready for this holiday season.
Samsung’s 80-inch Plasma for a mere $150,000
So how much is too much? How big is too big? Is 80 inches of pure plasma goodness for $150 grand too big and too much? I don’t think so.
From Engadget:
So Samsung is busting out the largest purchasable plasma display for those of you with 150 grand burning a hole in your pocket and a really, really large wall to put this in front of. They’re targeting artsy institutions but we just know somebody is going to be watching the super bowl on this baby come February—so feel free to invite your friendly neighborhood Engadget staff member, okay? We really don’t need very many excuses to desire an 80-inch plasma, (let’s think: 80-inch? Check. Plasma? Double check.) but just in case you did need some greater purpose behind your longings, how about the fact that it does 1080 HD capability and has a 2000:1 contrast ratio? Yeah, okay, you get back with us on that.
*sarcasm* I am sure I will be able to afford one of those soon */sarcasm*
Digital TV for the Average Joe
Gizmodo has an article up about a transitional product from RCA for those that don’t have the money to go High Definition.
…now there’s another way to be be ready for the digital TV revolution (or evolution if you really think about it). RCA has announced a 27-inch Standard Definition TV (RCA 27F634T), the set with built-in over-the-air tuners/decoders of digital and analog TV broadcasts. It’s basically your transitional product since analog TV will supposedly be shift off in the next 5 years. For just $359, it’s affordable and let’s face it, if you need a new TV and just can’t afford the fancy shit, it’s a damn good product.
Plasma’s Set to Eat up Less Power
One of the big disadvantages of owning a plasma is that they are big power users in comparison to LCD technology, and in our increasinly energy aware world, it could be a reason to pick an LCD, that is until some big names television manufacturing got together and found a way to reduce the power requirements of Plasmas by as much as 50%.
Forbes.com with the details:
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Hitachi Ltd and Pioneer Corp have jointly developed a plasma display panel that runs on half the power used by current models, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported.
Commercial release of the new panel, which is expected in two to three years, would likely escalate the rivalry between plasma and liquid crystal panel televisions, the financial daily said.
High power consumption has been a major disadvantage of plasma televisions against their liquid crystal display rivals, the newspaper said.