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Seems like an odd time of year, but tomorrow, at 6:00pm, the MLB Network is launching on a cable or satellite provider near you. In the dead of winter, the boys of summer are hitting about 50 million households.
This is a 24-hour baseball channel, and at the moment, is slated to air 26 regular season games, and increase those numbers once current TV contracts run out in four years. Nothing like advance planning.
Currently, deals are in place with . . .
The FCC has just proposed a new rule - one that will drag out the analog/digital transition for another 30 days. This "Analog Nightlight" program is actually quite interesting. Some full-power stations will be permitted to use the outgoing bandwidth to provide public safety and more information about the digital transition.
This is similar to what one of my local Atlanta stations did. They performed a test, and said that if viewers could see the message, they needed help to get the proper equipment to view digital signals going forward.
What gave the FCC this idea?
DISH Network sure is making a big deal about its latest on-demand offering. In a press release about one new addition to the lineup, DISH Network is proud to announce that The Dark Knight is currently available on its 1080p on-demand service.
Perfect if you wanted to see the flick in the best resolution possible, but don't want to invest in the Blu-ray. Of course . . .
Come on, we couldn't let 2008 end without one more use of the word "maverick." Dallas Mavericks owner and HD maverick Mark Cuban has bought a large stake in the Carmike Cinema chain, and not because he loves popcorn.
In an email to the Alley Insider, Cuban said, ""What I can say is that I think Out of Home entertainment is becoming about far more than movies. HDNet was the first to do a live 3D broadcast to a theater, and we will continuing trying to expand that business, along with 2D out of home. Bits are bits, and just like you can make them smaller, you can make them a lot bigger and more interesting."
Now, some sporting events are already in 3D in theaters, such as . . .
Continue reading "HD Maverick Mark Cuban Invests in 3D Theaters" »
While everyone is debating which will rule: Blu-ray or Internet downloads, some companies are hedging their bets. LG will be supporting YouTube and CinemaNow in their 2009 Blu-ray players, in addition to the Netflix support that their current players have.
With this new upgrade . . .
No, really, I want my MTV. Time Warner Cable is about to yank MTV, and 19 other Viacom channels off the air over a few cents.
Viacom just issued a statement saying that Time Warner Cable is going to pull Nickelodeon, COMEDY CENTRAL, VH1, MTV - all of the Viacom networks, off the air, because they refuse to pay a 25 cent per month per subscriber fee increase. They're gonna take away The Daily Show with Jon Steward because of less than a penny a day?
In a statement, Viacom has said, "We make this request because TWC has so greatly undervalued our channels for so long. Americans spend more than 20% of their TV viewing time watching our networks, yet our fees amount to less than 2.5% of what Time Warner generates from their average customer.
Throughout the country, we have negotiated equitable license agreement renewals, or are in the final stages of renewals, with virtually every cable and satellite carrier. Nevertheless, Time Warner Cable has dismissed our efforts at a fair compromise and has effectively chosen to deny its customers some of the most popular TV shows on the air."
If this isn't resolved, Viacom's networks will shut off . . .
Some sharp shoppers have caught a few interesting tactics being employed by Best Buy stores. In one case, a shopped noticed some discrepancies in a display promoting the store's HDTV Calibration Service. The store had two TVs set up, side by side, one supposedly with the calibration performed, one without. They both appeared to have the same channel playing. But, in reality, the "calibrated" TV was showing ESPN HD, and the "uncalibrated" example was showing a stretched version of standard-def ESPN. The store went so far as to place some merchandise in such as way as to block the ESPN logo, so shoppers wouldn't notice it wasn't the ESPN HD logo.
The latest situation is also with the calibration display. This time, one TV is connected via HDMI while the other has component video. Not quite as blatant, but still not the way to do a fair comparison.
I had an interesting shopping experience when I went looking for a TV a few weeks ago.
Almost a year to the date after HD DVD received the mortal blow that killed off the format, a few last resources are selling off their remaining stock. If you have an HD DVD player, why not grab a few of these specials - although it "lost" the battle, it still is a great-looking format.
Right now, Blockbuster is selling over 300 HD DVD titles for just $7.99 apiece. Everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Zodiac. There are some really good titles on the list so if you're looking to get a little more use out of your player, this might be just the way to snag a few good discs. No word on how long those prices are good for, but can't imagine them raising the price anytime soon.
This other offer is a little more time-sensitive . . .
Nothing pisses me off more than seeing people getting ripped off. And few places have the ability to legally dodge usury and predatory lending like stores that sell merchandise on a "rent to own" basis. I received this ad in the mail today where one company is offering a 42-inch LCD for "only" $99.99 a month. In tiny print is the fact that you need to pay for this thing for 24 months and that your total cost is $2639.74. This is a massive RIP-OFF! You would be far better off to purchase the same TV on a credit card. Even if your interest rate is a wallet blistering 24%, if you made the same $99.99 monthly payments, you would pay the TV off in 18 months and save yourself over $830! Even more hateful is the fact that this company is selling this LG 42LG50 for $1499.99, which is $200 more than Best Buy's everyday price, and $450 more than their current sale price. Instead of "Wow!" the ad should say, "OUCH!"--John Sciacca
We're not sure if this is art, or audiophile perfection. Angelis Labor is unveiling the Gabriel Turntable, a remarkable way to treat your vinyl. Made in a factory that also turns out parts for Ferrari, the Gabriel is a customized system, with up to four arms. It's a magnetic suspension system, with gorgeous bronze, aluminum, or stainless steel.
"A true reference turntable equipped with a base that can accept up to four arms. The materials used include aluminum, bronze and stainless steel. The turntable and arm are totally decoupled at several points - beneath the base, beneath the turntable and beneath the pin, using a magnetic field calibrated and controlled with great precision. The Gabriel turntable and arm require absolutely no antiskating and in fact have no provisions for it."
The price?
Continue reading "Angelis Labor's Gabriel Turntable: Artful Sound" »
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