Tru2way Stumbling Blocks

The new tru2way technology that was set to allow manufacturer to make set-top boxes and built-in tuners that would work with any cable operating system isn't growing the way the industry predicted. A new research study by ABI Research is predicting that only half of all cable customers will have tru2way by 2013. What's causing the delay in what should have been a widely anticipated development?

Commercials Are "Excessively Noisy or Strident"

Don't hate me. It's just my job, and they make me do it. Yes, I am one of those cursed recording engineers who mixes television commercials, and mixes them to be as loud as possible. It's not my fault, it's just the way it is.

You know how loud and startling the jump in audio levels can be between your favorite TV show and the commercial break. You want to believe that the ads are much louder than the show, right? I've known all along that it's not the case, but a new report is backing me up.

There's a peak loudness level that commercials can't exceed, so most commercials compress the dynamic range. The differences between the loudest part of a voice-over and the softest are minimized, and then the flattened out track is pushed right up to the limit. Why do I do that?

90% of Sony Products to be Networked By 2010

We reported last week on Sony's initiative with bold business plans to carry through 2010 and beyond. What got lost in the shuffle was Sony's commitment to make 90% of its electronics network-enabled by 2010. That means your computer talks to your television which will talk to your digital camera, wirelessly. Not a bad thing at all. It looks good on paper, but how will they actually make it happen?

CNET Dishes On Dynamic Contrast Ratios

If you missed the latest podcast from our friends over at CNET, I'll fill you in. Eric Franklin and Dong Ngo have a lively conversation about one of the latest marketing ploys, or as they put it, "company shenanigans."
The ploy? Dynamic contrast ratio.  Oooh, sounds impressive. Kinda like contrast ratio, only more, well, dynamic. Unfortunately, this falls into one of those misleading specs — the kind that have no meaning in the real world. What is this sexy spec, and why is it so misleading?

As Eric Franklin explains, contrast ratio is a real measurement. A luminance meter measures the difference between the darkest black image on a monitor showing a black image and the brightest white. It should be noted that he deals mostly with LCD computer monitors, and that's his field of reference. A typical LCD monitor will have a contrast ratio of 1,000:1.

All is good and well until manufacturers started touting their more impressive dynamic contrast ratios of 5,000:1 or higher. What is this magical dynamic contrast ratio?

Is Toshiba Re-Inventing DVD?

The Blu-ray vs. HD DVD war may be over, but reverberation from the battle lingers on. In particular, tgdaily has called our attention to the fact that the DVD Forum (chaired by Toshiba — its only remaining member?) has released a new DVD logo. "DVD Download DL" seems to verify that Toshiba has no intention of going quietly into the night, and either letting the DVD revenue stream dry up, or be taken over by Blu-ray.

Instead, it seems likely that Toshiba will introduce an internet-enabled DVD player this fall, trying to steal some thunder from Blu-ray's much-heralded interactivity capabilities. This could be considered as either sour grapes, or a brilliant idea. The installed base of DVD is huge (while BD is relatively puny), so it makes sense to keep pumping the DVD well with new ideas. If interactivity is indeed what customers want, then connected DVD players could provide that. But if customers believe Blu-ray is the One True Future, then why the heck would they buy yet another DVD player?

Blockbuster Bails on Circuit City Buyout Bid

Talk about a slap in the face. After making a bid for Circuit City, supposedly for over $1 billion, Blockbuster has changed its mind. Siting "market conditions," Blockbuster has withdrawn its $1.3 billion bid. There's no word yet from Blockbuster's Carl Icahn who had previously stated that he would buy Circuit City himself if Blockbuster couldn't secure financing. Perhaps he's taking a closer look too, and not liking what he's seeing. What made Blockbuster step away from the negotiation table?

TiVo Selling Demographic Info: Big Brother?

This is kinda creepy. TiVo is partnering with TRA, specifically TRA's Media TRAnalytics research service to license, market, and sell information about how you watch TV. TiVo will sell the data from your household, namely viewing, demographic and purchasing data, albeit anonymously. Whatever. It's still creepy to think someone's watching what I'm watching. Even creepier that they care. Read your privacy notice carefully . . .

Sony's "Hancock" at Home

Why won't Sony's CEO Howard Stringer make up his mind? First, he claimed movie downloads would never take off. Now, he's changed his tune entirely. Sony's hoping Will Smith's latest release, Hancock will change the way we watch movies.

Netflix Profiles Back On Track

The Netflix queue system was a complete mystery in the past until Sound & Vision peaked behind the curtains to see how the system worked. Unfortunately, Netflix planned on nixing one of its best features — separate user profiles that let shared accounts create separate queues. An online storm followed this announcement, and after careful consideration, Netflix has changed their plans. 

Mitsubishi LCDs With 16-Speaker Array

Mitsubishi is making some big splashes in the HDTV pool. They just announced some exciting news, which includes 3-D DLP packages with new screen sizes. But, perhaps the most exciting news is in the LCD line.

Mitsubishi is releasing two new sets: the LT-46149 is the 46-inch model with a suggested retail price of $3,299, and the LT-52159 in the 52-inch version, retailing for $3,699. What's so exciting about another LCD television?