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NGCHD deploys surgical HD cameras for Inside the Living Body
The National Geographic Channel HD's latest special starts this this Sunday at 8pm, and will give us a look inside ourselves like never before. We're a firm believer that at this point there's no acceptable reason for a new show not be presented in HD, and Inside the Living Body is a testament to that. We mean, if they can find a 1080p60 endoscopy camera, then why can't Survivor find a few HD handhelds? The show uses HD endoscopy, CGI, and models, to trace the normal daily workings of bodily functions from birth to death.
Mojo's new HD auto series, Test Drive
Mojo, the network formerly known as INHD, is putting its latest offering on the street. The new series, Test Drive, is all about guys and cars and it's in HD to boot. We know, women drive cars, too. But with segment titles like "Chick Magnets," somehow you know that Mojo hasn't changed its target demographic. Beyond the standard exotic car test drives, there are segments with a "news you can use" bent -- "Taking on Traffic," "Surviving the Concrete Jungle," and "Road Rage," for example. Look for the series to debut this October.
DISH gets deal done with the BigTen Network
Wow, that was some game against Michigan and Appalachian state last weekend on the BigTen Network. We'd tell you how great the HD looked if we actually got to see it, but with all the providers sitting on the sidelines, we're not sure if anyone was able to enjoy the HD broadcast. Comcast fans have to wait longer than DirecTV -- when does hell start freezing again? -- who should be carrying the games in HD as soon as DirecTV 10 is operational, but DISH subscirbers get to start enjoying HD college football tomorrow, thanks to a deal that was struck yesterday that puts the BigTen Network on DISH through the next basketball season. At that point it will continue to be carried in at least BigTen country on the America's Top 100 tier.
The History Channel HD launched, but where was DirecTV?
In the world of tech news, there's plenty of vaporware. Un-fulfilled promises run ramped and like everyone else, sometimes we forget. But as commenter Kenny G points out, the History Channel HD launched yesterday on DISH network and DirecTV wasn't there to see it. Sure, DirecTV 10 isn't operational just yet, and they'll probably have more HD than anyone else by the end of this month, but that doesn't change the fact that they were touting how proud they'd be, to be the first to carry the History Channel in HD. We're sure DirecTV wished we'd missed this, but no such luck thanks to Kenny.
Details about DirecTV's new HDTV channels continue to emerge
Ahh, the anticipation of new HDTV channels. You know, It's one thing when you're waiting for new channels to launch, but when there are so many expected all at once from your provider, well, it's more than most of us can handle. We don't know about anyone else, but we're ready; we got our MPEG4 hardware, our 5 LNB dish and even our B-Band converter, all there is to do now is wait. No one seems to know, exactly which day is the day, but our best guess is about Sept 15th. The other thing that still seems to be up in the air, is exactly how many channels will be available. DirecTV only says there will be 100 this year, and while some networks seem to be ready whenever they are, others have yet to make an announcement. Satellite guys has received a list, also without dates. CSRs have also been telling customers what they can expect at launch -- we know how reliable they can be. While the list of 57 channels is certainly impressive and will make them the new HD leader -- assuming DISH doesn't add the same channels, it is still a far cry from the 100 promised.Here is the list DirecTV customer service reps have reported, the full list from DirecTV after the jump. A&E HD Big Ten Network HD Cartoon Network CNN HD Food Network HD Versus HD\Golf HD HGTV-HD History Channel HD NFL Network HD National Geographic HD Smithsonian (channel 267) TBS in HD
CNN HD is ready whenever DirecTV is
CNN HD launched today, but there's no one to notice, since the only carriage agreement in place is with DirecTV and since their newest bird DirecTV 10 won't be operational till later this month, they aren't ready for them. HD news is the latest rage, and CNN HD will be the first national 24 hour news channel presented in HD. And like other HD news, it will be a mix of SD and HD. Our favorite quote is, "We're not going to stretch our video." when asked how they would deal with 4:3 shots from their library clips and the newsgathering. The worst news is that they haven't upgraded their studio in Atlanta yet, so shows like The Situation Room with anchor Wolf Blitzernot won't be in HD. They are working to make it all HD by upgrading studios and the newsgathering cameras, but as we've learned, these things take time. The other thing that takes time are carriage agreements, which they say are also in progress. We've stopped trying to make sense of these negotiations, especially when you consider that Time Warner Cable and CNN HD are owned by the same company, yet CNN HD will debut on DirecTV. [Via DBSTalk]
Travel Channel HD coming in '08
Well, it's about damn time that the Travel Channel hits high-def. Their programming was always a welcomed addition to the sometime stale lineup on Discovery HD Theater, but then the programming disappeared after Cox Communications bought the channel. None of that is going to matter though when the HD station hits in the first quarter of 2008. 95% of their programming is already scheduled in HD, and according to the TV Week article, the station seems committed to high-def. Channels such as these look stellar in high definition ,so hopefully the station will launch as scheduled.
Tampa's WFLA upgrades newscast to HD
Just thirty days after the first local HD newscast in Tampa Florida, WFLA announces they too will make the switch. Starting with today's edition of the 5 o'clock news, HD fans will have a choice in HD news in the greater Tampa Bay area (#12 market in the US). WFTS was the first station in the area to go HD, but their pre-recorded segments and live on-location news is still upconverted. WFLA is expected to have about the same mix of SD and HD in their newscast, but we can certainly see where a little friendly competition could be a good thing for HD fans wanting to get as much HD as they can. The real question is, how long will the remaining two local broadcast news stations take to make the switch?
VOOM's Gallery HD adding two new original series
It's not every day that we choose to announce new programming but, well, it's not everyday that Gallery HD adds new programming. One of the series launched last week and the other premiers in a few days. Aperture, premiered on the 21, highlights the man behind the lens - or so to speak. In other words, the show is going to follow some of the most sought-after photographers in the world and so we're thinking only true photography geeks are going to tune in. Dead Art, which launches on the 29, seeks to unearth art and beauty in cemeteries around the world. We're not quite sure if either of these programs are to die for (sorry, we had to), but new programming is better than the same 'ol stuff.
Dallas & Fort Worth's CBS 11/TXA 21 switching to HD local news
We love high-def local news and it's always great to hear when another local station announces their intention to flip the switch. There simply isn't a better way to see the highs and lows of a particular city than through the lens of a HD cam. Dallas and Fort Worth's CBS 11/TXA 21 are planning to make their inaugural broadcast on September 24. No word on the cost involved, nor on the amount of local HD programming but honestly, who cares as long as they bring more local HD news to Texas.
More rumblings of new Dustwallow Marsh content
Here's a topic I almost feel like I've been talking about too much lately, but there is some good news to report. Neth confirms, once again, that Blizzard is planning on streamlining the experience from 1-58, and then adds something else: there are changes, big changes in terms of "detailed quests," being added to Dustwallow Marsh. And while we heard mention of Dustwallow Marsh before, this is the first time I've ever heard it mentioned in conjunction with 1-58 specifically. It seems like Blizzard is actually planning to bring about new content for people who haven't yet hit 60.And that is pretty exciting. So what might be going down in Dustwallow? Jaina Proudmoore is there in Theramore, and of course she's got some old ties to Arthas, so something might be happening in that vein. Onyxia has taken residence in Dustwallow (when she's not masquerading in Stormwind), and we've also heard rumblings in Outland that Deathwing may be making an appearance in either Azeroth (or Northrend) soon. And Dustwallow is also very near to Alcaz Island, which used to be where a certain missing King was previously seen ingame. Or it could be something completely new, of course, that we haven't even heard of yet.At any rate, it's cool to hear that midlevel content is coming, even if it's in a pretty unexpected place (still no Heroic Deadmines plans?). Get ready to go back to Dustwallow Marsh.
Dish Network launches 6 national HD stations
You know it's a great day when you wake up and find new HD stations. Dish Network subscribers should know how that feels as their HD lineup increased with six new stations; that makes 37 national HD stations for Dish. The day just gets better when four of said stations are national premiers: Discovery HD, TLC HD, Animal Planet HD and The Science Channel HD. The other two stations, MHD and GolfHD aren't new but still a great additions to the largest national high-def lineup. We should mention that Discovery HD is a separate station from Discovery HD Theater and just like the other three new national stations are simulcasts of the SD flavor. Since these launches are in line with Dish Network's CES announcement, we don't see why September 1st shouldn't also be a great day being The History Channel HD's scheduled launch day. [Via satelliteguys.us]
HD version of Hallmark Movie Channel coming in Q1 2008
Those who've found themselves skipping right over the Hallmark Movie Channel solely due to its standard-definition nature can start rejoicing, as Crown Media Holdings is reportedly set to launch an HD simulcast of the station next year. Henry Schleiff, president and CEO of Crown Media, owner of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel, "unveiled plans for Hallmark Movie Channel HD during a second-quarter conference call," and he also noted that it would "include the presentation of many Hallmark Channel original movies in their pure high-definition form." No word on a hard launch date just yet, but look for it to show up sometime in Q1 2008.
HD internet video portal Vuze sees 'unprecedented' growth
Azureus announced today that its HD internet video portal, dubbed Vuze, is experiencing "unprecedented growth," and celebrated reaching seven million users in its first six months of operation. Additionally, July saw content downloads "grow well over 100-percent compared to June," and now the company is offering up the complete two seasons of The Office UK (plus its specials) right here in the United States. Better still, the first episode is being made available completely free of charge. So, dear readers, how many of you have dipped into Vuze to check out, say, the vast array of BBC programming?
Discovery HD Theater gears up for Shark Weekend
We're pretty certain shark lovers (or HD aficionados in general) have been taking notice of Discovery HD Theater's Shark Week programming already, and just in case you thought the beasts would take some time off this weekend, you'd be sorely mistaken. As the 20th anniversary of "cable's longest-running programming event" continues, you'll see more close encounters and stunning underwater camera work, but on Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5, Discovery HD Theater will premiere "Shark Weekend," which will showcase the five most amazing shark attack survival stories as well as take a look at a "countdown of shark species according to their skills and level of development." So if you're a little late to the scene, be sure and hit the read link for the full rundown of upcoming shark-infested programming.[Via 1080eyes]
Confirmation of new content to be played at BlizzCon
So I opened up my email Friday evening to an interesting message from the BlizzCon people. The majority of the email was on information I already knew, where to pick up badges, etc. And then I hit the bombshell. They let me know that I will be able to copy my own character over to a test server in order to test new World of Warcraft content. This to me is the first major confirmation of what we already know: that a new expansion will be announced next Friday. Unless, of course, the only new content will be Zul'Aman, in which case Amanda will cry bitter, salty tears into her flat convention soda.The last time we played new content (specifically Ahn'Quiraj) at BlizzCon 2005, we were able to select from a set of pre-made characters, and these will also be available at the convention next week. But I do like the idea of being able to play with my own character, to explore new content as my own magey self. What do you think? Those of you with PTR experience, are there any disadvantages to playing your own characters with new content?
Cox to add National Geographic HD
Of all the HD channels out there that aren't offered by most providers, it seems that National Geographic HD might be the most sought after. We have some good news for Cox Communications subscribers, 'cause they're going to start rolling it out this year and expect all HD subscribers to have it by 2009. Unfortunately for most, Cox isn't the biggest provider in the country, so the rest of us will have to wait -- or if you can't wait, just switch to DISH Network.
Male-centric MavTV readies HD feed for 2008
Despite the fact that Mojo is already vying for male eyes, the independently operated MavTV is hoping that a 100-percent HD flavor of its programming will steal a few of those pupils in 2008. The network is planning on dishing its HD feed to some 55 US markets, as well as select areas in Australia, New Zealand, and India, and will offer up a mixture of "original sports, gaming programming, and general content related to the male demographic." Unfortunately, we've no timeframe to go by aside from Q1 of next year, but you won't find us complaining about yet another purely high-definition channel coming along to take on the competition.
HBO comedies renewed, still no mention of HD
HBO HD is one of the oldest HD channels; it goes back further than most HD viewers -- including even some of us. But despite getting into the game early, just like CBS they seem to be dragging their feet now. Sure they're going HD with 26 of their channels in the next year or so, but much of their original programming is still in SD. It's mostly comedies that don't get the HD treatment, but also great shows like Inside the NFL. We're sure they have plenty of excuses, but we're not hearing 'em. It doesn't look like it's going to change anytime soon either; Multichannel news is reporting that Real Time with Bill Maher just got renewed and a few HBO comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm are right around the corner, but there isn't a single mention of HD. So come on HBO, it's past time for 24x7 HD, and while you're at it, stop cropping those movies.
DISH Network adds 15 more HD channels
DirecTV and cable are busy arguing over who will add the most HD channels, meanwhile, DISH Network keeps racking 'em up. As if they weren't already the undisputed HD provider, now they have announced eight new regional HD sports channels that will launch tomorrow and seven new national HD channels in Auguest and September including; The History Channel HD and Discovery HD -- not to be confused with Discovery HD theater. Now, most of these channels require the latest MPEG4 equipment to enjoy, and we're not exactly sure what day you can expect to see the rest of these to pop up in your guide, but there is no doubt that anyone serious about HD, has to consider DISH as their provider.The full list of new HD channels after the break.Read -- DISH Press releaseRead -- Satelliteguys.us retailer chat coverage
