Just in case DirecTV's lineup of HD channels wasn't enough to make you take notice, they've rolled out their own display -- in the mobile space no less. The DirecTV HD Starship made its debt at the World Series, hoisting its HD cameras and 70 x 30-foot LED display to share the video goodness with everybody in attendance. Yeah, that screen measurement is in feet. So it's huge; it's gotta be HD, too, right? Well, that's a little disappointing: 33,600 pixels, which comes out to 280 x 120 pixels. Ouch. Sure, a viewing distance chart will tell you that past 270-feet even ED 480P is more than you need. But still, HD it isn't. So if you're lucky enough to catch a World Series game in person, get your eyes back on the game! As we like to say, "How good can it be, if it ain't in HD?"DirecTV unveils HD Starship mobile display
Just in case DirecTV's lineup of HD channels wasn't enough to make you take notice, they've rolled out their own display -- in the mobile space no less. The DirecTV HD Starship made its debt at the World Series, hoisting its HD cameras and 70 x 30-foot LED display to share the video goodness with everybody in attendance. Yeah, that screen measurement is in feet. So it's huge; it's gotta be HD, too, right? Well, that's a little disappointing: 33,600 pixels, which comes out to 280 x 120 pixels. Ouch. Sure, a viewing distance chart will tell you that past 270-feet even ED 480P is more than you need. But still, HD it isn't. So if you're lucky enough to catch a World Series game in person, get your eyes back on the game! As we like to say, "How good can it be, if it ain't in HD?"
HDTV Listings for October 26, 2007
What we're watching: With choices like Hardcore Midget Wrestling on HDNet and Bloodsucking Cinema on Starz, we just can't see watching anything else.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
HP's Media Center PC with CableCARD for $1250
We didn't realize this was news, but after we discovered that Sony was selling ATI's CableCARD tuner for $300 by it's lonesome, we realized how few people knew that you could buy a Media Center PC with a CableCARD tuner for less than $3000. We agree that $300 for a CableCARD tuner is out of control ridiculous -- especially compared to a TiVo HD which sells for the same price and has dual CableCARD tuners -- but to go around and pretend like they only work with "expensive" Media Center PCs is ridiculous. Sure it sucks that it costs $300 and that you have to buy it with a OEM like HP or Dell just to get it, but we for one are just glad they are a reality, now if only DirecTV or Dish would make a tuner like this for Media Center.Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending October 21st, 2007
- Transformers 100
- Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest 9.47
- Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl 9.12
- Fatastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer 5.47
- Apocalypto 5.02
- Deja Vu 3.71
- The Prestige 3.60
- Wild Hogs 3.53
- The Reaping BR 3.42
- 300 BR 3.37
[Via AVSForum]
Panasonic showcases in-dash Blu-ray head unit
[Via Blu-ray]
Continue reading Panasonic showcases in-dash Blu-ray head unit
Babel TV set-top-box weds Freeview, PVR, and internet
[Via TechDigest]
HDTV Listings for October 25, 2007
What we're watching: We've been busy mourning the quickly-cancelled Viva Laughlin, but there's still plenty left to watch tonight, like the World Series on Fox and NBA preseason action on TNT.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
Frustrated Comcast customer goes into whack-a-mole mode
Don't try this at home, kids. Just like most of us, Mona Shaw has been frustrated by her TV service provider. After a few rounds of playing "wait for the service truck to show up" which ended in her cable service being cut off, the 75-year old climbed the next rung in the customer service ladder and went to her local Comcast office. With a hammer. You can read the link for an account of what ensued, but luckily the only thing smote was some office equipment. Her actions resulted in a three-month suspended sentence, a one-year restraining order and a $345 fine. All in all, a pretty expensive way to register her opinion on Comcast: "What a bunch of sub-moronic imbeciles."
LG offers up 22-inch Flatron M228WD LCD
Comcast adds seven HD channels to Houston market
Not to be outdone by Time Warner Cable in San Antonio, it looks like Comcast is getting in on the "add HD channels" craze. Well, at least in the Houston market it acquired from TWC this summer. Additions to the lineup include the HD-flavors of: National Geographic, USA, A&E, History Channel, HGTV, Food Network and CNN. With this move, Comcast reaches 30 HD channels in Houston. Sure it's no wave of channels like DirecTV is experiencing, but kudos to Comcast for making sure its newly-acquired customers didn't feel like they were forgotten about. If they can get some of that TiVo goodness out to Houston, that would be icing on the cake.Wal-Mart now selling Toshiba's A2 HD DVD player for $198?
[Thanks, Andrew]
Yamaha gets official with CD-S2000 SACD player, A-S2000 amplifier
[Via AudioJunkies]
HDTV Listings for October 24, 2007
What we're watching: Tonight's the start of the World Series between the Red Sox and the Rockies on Fox, but we'll keep an eye out for a new episode of Dirty Sexy Money on ABC.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
SureWest to offer 38 HDTV channels this year
SureWest Communications HDTV service is out of beta and adding even more content, with at least 38 channels expected by the end of the year. Currently numbering 26, SureWest most recently added A&E, Fox Business Channel and the History Channel to its HD Life package, with other like TBS, USA Network and CNN coming soon. With "virtually unlimited" capacity on their FTTH network, the company claims it can keep adding channels in MPEG-2 without sacrificing picture quality. We're sure the Sacramento-area residents with access appreciate the effort.LG shows off G Platform plasmas with 30000:1 contrast ratio
[Via FarEastGizmos]
