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When is network news coming to HDTV?
A trend we have witnessed over the past few years is when a studio show gets a new studio that usually means they get HD. We saw it with Sportscenter, GMA and soon on the "Today" show. But this week we saw a new era of CBS news from arguably the HD leader, but no HD for Katie Couric and the CBS Evening news. Our friends over at HDTV Magazine had a chance to ask CBS's Vice President of Advanced Technology/Engineering, Robert Seidel what was up and he had a pretty good explanation. Basically he doesn't see the point of pouring all the resources into a 30 minute show with only 16 minutes a day of HD, so instead they are dedicating those resources to local news around the country which produce as much as 8 hours a day. Although there are a few people lucky enough to watch their local news in HD most of us are still living in the SD news world.
PSP XMB crosses over to home theatre
HD Beat is one of my favorite blogs here at Weblogs Inc, and they recently called something "a bigger revolution in home theater than the Nintendo Wii controller is to gaming." Can you guess what they were talking about? They're referring to the XMB interface, but adapted for the home theatre environment. As you know, the PlayStation 3 will also be using a similar design to the menu we've come to love on our PSPs and the upcoming STR-DA5200ES (catchy name) will take the idea one step further. CNET has tons of pictures of the menu in action, and I have to say: it looks pretty sweet.[Via HD Beat]
HDBeat Podcast 030 - 09.07.06
So we lied about making a habit out of delaying the Podcast, better late than never right? We would explain it, but who cares about excuses when you are waiting for a Podcast? We eventually celebrate the beginning of the College Football season and discuss the opening weekend of games, including ESPN's full circle coverage. Ben still can't stop talking about the Series 3 and forces our guest Warren and Erik into naming their price. From that point on it's all HD DVD vs Blu-ray, while we discuss how sick we are of the war more than we discuss the war itself. Itn the end Warren suggests we cover more HD programming and less format war. What do you think? Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the HD Beat Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Ben Drawbaugh and Erik Hanson. Guest Warren Wiltshire Producer Trent Wolbe Format 47:24, 21.8 MB, MP3 Program 2006 College Football HD Schedule Fox Sports Net confirms HD College Football TiVo Series 3 unboxing Hulk, King Kong & Waterworld coming to HD DVD November 14th Fox announces first Blu-ray releases: 8 titles, BD-J, MPEG-4 AVC, 50GB Mark Cuban: I would buy an HD DVD player today and wait for a dual box IFA 2006: Pioneer planning BDR-103 HD DVD & Blu-ray combo drive IFA 2006: Pioneer NOT planning HD DVD / Blu-ray hybrid drive Blu-ray vs. HD DVD on hold for blue laser shortage? Playstation 3: HDMI cable not included LISTEN (MP3)
TiVo Series3: Worth $800?
Many of us can't wait to get our hands on the latest HD DVR; the TiVo Series 3, but others are left wondering why it costs $799, not to mention the monthly service fee. Other than the fact that you hate your SA8300 or Motorola 6412 or DirecTV is letting you down with their HD selection, these are some the reason the TiVo series 3 should be so great. The Series 3 is the first stand alone dual tuner HD DVR for cable or OTA. It will not be the same as the TiVo made available via Comcast or Cox, those boxes will run on existing Cable Co hardware. ie. Motorola
Pioneer says new BDR-103 drive will not be combo
Despite our earlier report that Pioneer's upcoming BDR-103 would be a combo drive, supporting both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, it appears that Pioneer will join the legions of soulless hardware makers that will not be supporting both formats. Our sister blog, HDBeat, reports that those quotes from Pioneer officials were taken out of context and that the company has "no current plans" to make the BDR-103 a combo drive. Why can't everyone just be like Ricoh and all get along?[Via HDBeat]
HD DVD and Blu-ray released on August 29th 2006
The Blu-ray camp gains a little lost ground this week, but has a long way to go to catch up to HD DVD, which has almost twice as many movies out. Lionsgate carries the torch for Blu-ray this week with a few Sci-Fi classics, but no recent ground breaking blockbusters here. HD DVD has a movies from BCI, no we haven't heard of that studio either. We are glad to have more content, but we look forward to the last quarter of 2006 when more companies are gearing up for the holiday season.This brings the total to HD DVD 60 vs Blu-ray 33.Blu-ray The Devil's Rejects (Lionsgate) Stargate (Lionsgate) Stir of Echoes (Lionsgate) Total Recall (Lionsgate) HD DVD That's the Way of the World (BCI) You can also check out our Google Calendars for all the dates.HD DVD release scheduleBlu-ray release schedule
HD DVD and Blu-ray released on August 22nd 2006
We know this post is a few days late, but we been busy or something like that. Another week and further behind Blu-ray gets in the total number of titles race. The closer we get to the end of the year the more this should change once Disney and Fox get on board, but until then HD DVD will continue to have more titles available. There are some solid titles this week for HD DVD, which include some classics like Caddyshack and some newer movies that we really enjoyed like The Bone Collector. Blu-ray has Silent Hill, what else can we say?This brings the total to HD DVD 59 vs Blu-ray 29.Blu-ray • Silent Hill (Sony) HD DVD • The Bone Collector (Universal) • Caddyshack (Warner) • Good Night, and Good Luck (Warner) • The Searchers (Warner) • Spy Game (Universal)You can also check out our Google Calendars for all the dates.HD DVD release scheduleBlu-ray release schedule
HD DVD 2.0 firmware to be released on Tuesday
We told you a few weeks ago that TrueHD was coming to HD DVD in the form of a firmware update and another tipster has told us to expect to see the 2.0 update available to those with their HD DVD players connected to the Internet on Tuesday. Blu-ray fans everywhere are suffering from Ethernet envy and on Tuesday they can add TrueHD to the list of things they have to go without for choosing Blu-ray.
Avdeco Plasma TV stand explodes
A tipster sent in this photo of a Avdeco TV stand that wasn't up the the task and gave way with a bang. The glass top TV stand was supposed to hold up to 250lbs so the owner thought it would have no trouble holding his 114lbs Plasma. The stand held up for months and one day it flung glass to all corners of the room. Luckily no one was in the room and the Plasma didn't fall over, but instead was resting upright on the lower shelf. He has contacted the company and hasn't had any answser yet. This should really make you think twice about what brand TV stand you buy. [Thanks, Jay!]
HDBeat Podcast 027 - 08.16.06
We aim to please here at HDBeat, so we have followed some of your suggestions. First we hired a professional to produce the show and now we have segregated Blu-ray Vs. HD DVD talk to make it easy to avoid. This week we leave the format war talk for the end and start with comments and HD news. We won't always do it this way, but will try to make it easy for you to skip. We also make a point of mentioning what we are talking about and not leave some of you in the cold. We do talk about syndication and what it takes to make it work as well as complaints about our local cable cos. Finally we end with some solid Blu-ray vs HD DVD talk where Matt and Ben wager on the price of the new HD DVD add on. Matt also lets us in on some details of the "Blu-ray drive not playing movies" fiasco. If you'd rather not hear anything this week about the high-def format war, you'll want to pay attention around the 37-minute mark. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the HD Beat Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Erik Hanson and Matt Burns Producer: Trent Wolbe Format: 46:50, 21.5 MB, MP3 Program: NBC's "Today" Show to go HD 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune' going high-def in September Ask HDBeat: Is FOX HD carried by Time Warner cable anywhere? Time Warner to get ESPN2HD & ESPNU soon; NFL Network, not so soon Is Dish Network quietly adding INHD to their HD line-up? Xbox.com adds HD DVD player product page Xbox 360 HD DVD drive to cost $200? Universal announces 5 more HD DVD titles Paramount officially announces M:i:III simultaneous Blu-ray, HD DVD & DVD release HD DVD and Blu-ray release schedule via Google Calendar Will HD DVD still have their content lead in two months? First Blu-ray PC drive won't play Blu-ray movies -- We know Review: Samsung BD-P1000 LISTEN (MP3)
The HR20 has landed! In LA at least
Looks like Earl Bonovich has had one for a few weeks and written a full review over at DBStalk. The review is very comprehensive and includes lots of pictures. The price is $399 which seems fair compared to other offerings, but it would be nice if you owned it at that price. If you live in LA call DirecTV and order yours, otherwise you have to wait a month or so with the rest of us.The details include. Dual SAT Tuners Dual ATSC Tuners (functionality is disabled at this time) Wired RJ-45 Ethernet Port External SATA Connection 300gb SATA Internal Hard Drive RF Remote Compatible with the Included RC24, and the soon to be released RC32RF Thanks Terry!
What happend to Robocop on Blu-ray?
Blu-ray fans were expecting to have one of the best weeks yet, only to have half of the titles removed. First there was Robocop which seems like it may have been a blessing in disguised according to some pre-released reviews. Officially it seems that this was the first Blu-ray title to get pushed back because MGM is getting help from Fox with distribution instead of Sony. This combined with 3 other titles that were delayed including Black Hawk Down and Sense & Sensibility. The Big Hit is the only delayed title with a new date of Sept 19th 2006. We have no idea what is going on here, but at this rate there is no way Blu-ray will take the content lead from HD DVD. Robocop delayedOther Blu-ray delays
HDissues.com interviews Andy Parsons
It looks like HDBeat wasn't the only one who had a chance to sit down with Andy Parsons and talk Blu-ray. Charlie White over at HDIssues.com had a chance too and wrote up a lengthy article. Nothing new here, they went over many of things we did and a few we didn't. Dedicated HDBeat reader can skip this one, but others might pick up a few new points.Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: The Blu-ray Perspective, Part 1Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: The Blu-ray Perspective, Part 2Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: The Blu-ray Perspective, Part 3Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: The Blu-ray Perspective, Part 4
NBC's "Today" Show to go HD
Variety is reporting that NBC's "Today" show is getting a new studio and as you might expect any new studio built today supports HD. The studio should be completed by September 13th and in time for a relaunch of the show. This makes the second morning show to go HD after GMA, but it really makes us wonder why none of the nightly news shows are in HD. We can only assume it is because the morning shows have higher ratings than the nightly news.[Via TVPredictions.com]
HD DVD and Blu-ray released on August 15th 2006
If some of these titles look familiar it's because they were supposed to come out last week. In fact all three HD DVD titles this week were on last weeks list. We are not sure why they were delayed, but they are. HD DVD isn't the only ones with delays, it appears that Robocop for Blu-ray was also delayed.Another week another list of less than exciting titles, sure there are some good movie here, but nothing that is going to drive consumers to one format over another. Maybe by the end of the year when there is more hardware available, we will see some studios actually step up and release some killer titles. This brings the total to HD DVD 54 vs Blu-ray 28.Blu-ray Into the Blue (Sony) Memento (Sony) RV (Sony) Sense & Sensibility (Sony HD DVD National Lampoon's Animal House (Universal) Ray (Universal) Unleashed (Universal) You can also check out our Google Calendars for all the dates.HD DVD release scheduleBlu-ray release schedule
Xbox 360 HD DVD drive to cost $200?
DigiTimes is reporting that the Xbox 360's external HD DVD drive will retail for $200 and be available this Christmas. No doubt it will be out before the end of the year, but as much as we want to believe them, it doesn't seem possible that it could sell for so little. We will believe it when we see it, but we all seem to believe it will be closer to $300-$400 than $200. Does Microsoft have so much invested in HD DVD that it could make sense to take a loss on the accessory?
NFL HD Programming on DirecTV CH 95
We had a good feeling about this, we mentioned it on our NFL Preseason post and on our last Podcast, and we were very happy to get confirmation this morning. The Jets vs. the Buccaneers this morning was the first HD Preseason game replayed on the NFL network and it was on DirecTV channel 95. If you missed it you can catch the next one tomorrow at 2pm when the New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans. As always you can check out the entire HD schedule at HDSportsguide.com.
HD DVD vs Blu-ray study
The war that we can't stop talking about and others can't stop reading about has been researched and analyzed so many times it can make your head spin. Now it is the professionals turn and they have written a very complete report. The problem is that they are not giving it away and it will cost you about 12k to get it. They will give you the gist of it, but it isn't anything earth shattering. They are predicting a win, lose or a draw, hmmm, no one ever saw that coming, but still an interesting read for those who can't get enough of the war.Thanks WiFiSpy!
Ask HDBeat: Is FOX HD carried by Time Warner cable anywhere?
Reader .aCr. writs in to say that he jumped into the HD bandwagon recently and has already discovered it isn't all good. His local Time Warner Cable doesn't offer FOX HD and the NFL season is just around the corner. He wants to know if we've heard any rumors about FOX HD coming to San Antonio (preferably before the NFL kick off) and if Time Warner carries FOX HD in other cities?This is a common question and not always an easy one. You see each cable company has to sign an agreement with each local affiliate in order to make this happen. Some affiliates are owned by large media companies and can refuse to play nice. A perfect example of this is the Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair is a bad word on many HD forums and for good reason. To our knowledge they have not signed one agreement to have their HD channel carried anywhere in the country. At one point they were actually asking cable companies to pay for their HD signal which is unheard of. This is really bad considering they own 56 stations in 36 markets and unfortunately for .aCr. San Antonio is one of those markets. The only thing people in these markets can do is to setup a OTA antenna to pick up the HD version of these channels.Does Sinclair have a station in your market and is it carried by your local cable or satellite company?
HDBeat Podcast 026 - 08.09.06
It's the three of us again this week as we all give our opinions about the interview with Andy Parsons. We also give both formats a hard time this week, as the theme seems to be; where is all the love that so many have promissed to both formats? Microsoft, Apple and Disney all get singled out as dragging their feet. It's not all HD DVD Vs. Blu-ray this week, we also look forward to football season and comment on NBC's first try at producing a NFL game in HD. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the HD Beat Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Erik Hanson and Matt Burns Producer: Trent Wolbe Format: 45:07, 20 MB, MP3 Program: HDBeat Interview: Andy Parsons of the BDA & Pioneer's Senior VP HD DVD supporters talk Q4 '06 and beyond Microsoft demos Xbox 360 HD DVD player, menus Ask HDBeat: Who else is going to make a HD DVD player? Mac Pro's + Leopard = the ultimate HTPC -- nope Disney's Cars DVD dated, no Blu-ray release in sight? Extended warranties - Are they worth it? NFL HD Preseason schedule NBC's first NFL HD game LISTEN (MP3)
