~Tech Angel~

New high-speed standard will enable HDTV streaming

Due to bandwidth limitations, streaming HD content over the web has been impractical.  That's all about to change due to the new high-speed standard called VDSL2 that was ratified by the International Telecommunication Union.

VDSL2 is said to reach speeds of up to 100Mbps downstream and upstream.  Currently, cable and DSL can only reach up to 3Mbps and DVDs take up 4-7Mbps and MPEG-2 HDTV content requires over 19Mbps. This new standard can operate on standard copper telephone lines with existing equipment.

BellSouth has already announced plans to use this with systems they've installed over the past 10 years.

via| Ultimate AV

Tags: HDTV, HD, high-definition, streaming, VDSL2, MPEG, DVD, movie, film, television, technology

Tuner chip enables TV on PDAs

Microtune's new multi-band tuner chip , the MT 2260, will be targeted for cell phones, PDAs, and other multi convergence devices.  It will permit users to watch multi-channel broadcast TV with full-motion digital pictures and CD-quality sound.

"Currently sampling with major handset manufacturers, the new MT2260 is the first single-chip tuner that enables handheld devices to operate across the networks allocated for mobile broadcast TV services in both Europe and in the U.S. In fact, the MT2260 is also the first single-chip DVB-H tuner sampling today to support the U.S. frequency range for mobile broadcast TV services. As a strategic advantage, this multi-band capability permits manufacturers to develop handset designs for global markets without the added expense and duplication of effort to design market-specific devices."

Read more.

TV's future is here, although it needs work | CNET News.com

Link: TV's future is here, although it needs work | CNET News.com.

This article gives a great review of Akimbo, the service that allows you to download online content to a Tivo-like box.  Although the writer acknowledges that the concept is a great idea, apparently Akimbo has had hard time following through due to the networks' reluctance to provide content (some of Akimbo's content includes "Veg TV", Adven TV, the first on-demand Turkish station in the U.S.).  It also doesn't help that Akimbo overcharges for its services.  You have to pay for the box, a monthly $10.....

Tonight's HBO HD lineup

For HD fans that have HBO, be sure to check out tonight's lineup:

6:15 pm - Shrek 2

8:00 pm - Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban

10:30 pm - Bad Boys II

1:00 am - Identity

~All four of these movies should look great on HD.  I've already seen Shrek 2 in HD and it is truly stunning.  I believe this is the premiere of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on HD, so if I'm home I will definitely watch it or at least record it on my HD DVR.~

Tags: HD, HDTV, HBO, movies, film, technology, television, Harry Potter, Shrek, DVR, personal

Comcast Launches UPN 57 in HDTV

For those of you in the Philadelphia area, you'll be happy to hear that Comcast has now launched UPN 57 in HD.  It is channel 236 and should be available immediately.  I just checked and the movie "Chill Factor" is in HD and looking quite lovely.  Those in South Jersey should start receiving the channel on June 15th.

Now Phillies fans will be able to watch the remaining games in crystal-clear high-definition.

DirecTV Customers protesting HD Pricing

Some DirecTV customers are protesting the pricing of the NFL Sunday Ticket that DirecTV offers.  About 500 customers have signed a petition notifying the company that they will cancel their NFL Sunday Ticket if the company continues to charge them an additional $99 to watch football telecasts in high-definition, a format that the country has to migrate to anyway. 

DirecTV has pointed out that the HD package does include other special features such as selecting different camera angles, calling up to eight games on the screen, and watching highlights of the game after it's over.

~Even though HD has been out for some time now, people are still suffering some of the problems that many early-adopters suffer through....a markup on the cost of the new technology.  Cable and satellite companies feel that they can charge additional prices for some of these services as long as there are different video standards.  Until HD becomes more mainstream, you can expect these type of additional costs.~

Tags: high-definition, HDTV, HD, DirecTV, NFL Sunday Ticket, satellite, television, technology, web

Lawmakers split on subsidized digital TV converters

Now that a date has been set for all broadcasters to switch to digital, December 31, 2008, the subject of subsidizing digital TV converters has become a problem. Key Republicans are ready to set aside $500 million dollars for those households that make less than $30,000/year and have no cable or satellite service.  Democrats feel that anyone buying a box should receive a subsidy since the idea of a digital tax would not go over very well.

Tags: Digital TV, HDTV, Television, broadcasters, cable

Lawmakers split on subsidized digital TV converters

Now that a date has been set for all broadcasters to switch to digital, December 31, 2008, the subject of subsidizing digital TV converters has become a problem. Key Republicans are ready to set aside $500 million dollars for those households that make less than $30,000/year and have no cable or satellite service.  Democrats feel that anyone buying a box should receive a subsidy since the idea of a digital tax would not go over very well.

Tags: Digital TV, HDTV, Television, broadcasters, cable

The 1st Season of The Cosby Show available on DVD...

Are you a fan of The Cosby Show? Have you wondered when it would appear on DVD with the rest of your favorite TV Shows?  Well, on August 2, 2005, the Cosby Show will finally be released on DVD.  You can pre-order at Amazon.com today!

Tags: The Cosby Show, television, dvd, Bill Cosby

The 1st Season of The Cosby Show available on DVD...

Are you a fan of The Cosby Show? Have you wondered when it would appear on DVD with the rest of your favorite TV Shows?  Well, on August 2, 2005, the Cosby Show will finally be released on DVD.  You can pre-order at Amazon.com today!

Tags: The Cosby Show, television, dvd, Bill Cosby