HDTV Info

National Geographic Releases First HDTV DVD Film

National Geographic has announced that on March 27, it will release its first documentary in HDTV DVD.  The film is called Relentless Enemies, a 90-minute documentary that chronicles the struggle of lions and buffalo in Botswana.

Blu-ray and HD-DVD editions will cost $34.99 each; National Geographic will charge $19.99 for the standard definition DVD.

Last year, National Geographic launched a high-def channel but has struggled to find spots in cable and satellite lineups due to bandwidth limitations.  Even though Comcast has signed a carriage agreement with National Geographic HD, the cable operator is only offering NG HD via its On Demand service in several markets.

Say Goodbye to C.R.T. Tvs

In an article from today's Technology section of The New York Times, Geoff Shavey, a television buyer for Costco, claims, "One year from now, we will not sell picture-tube tv's."  With the growing demand for and excellence of LCD and plasma flat screens, the picture-tube television is quickly becoming a thing of the past.  First, the market calls for larger screens, and picture-tube sets with large screens tend to be monstrosities, weighing up to hundreds of pounds.  In addition, the design statement made by flat screens have garnered the endorsement of female consumers.  In response, manufacturers like RCA, Sony, and Toshiba have drastically cut the number of picture-tube tv models, and industry heavyweight Panasonic is in its last year for producing picture-tube sets.  For more information about purchasing the tv and home theater equipment that's right for you, check out www.hidefster.com.

I got a new HDTV and you didn't.

A satirist/humorist/bibliophile once mocked, "Everyone has a purpose in life.  Perhaps yours is watching television."

Perhaps it is, and perhaps...it is. 

Perhaps my Samsung 56" widescreen DLP projection HDTV (with built-in digital tuner) gives purpose to my insatiable appetite for the Discovery Channel's Shark Week, despite an inordinate fear of the beast.

Perhaps another life purpose of mine is to appreciate the arts.  Do you dare scoff at deeper blacks and an aspect ratio that's perfect for a home theater?  Certainly, my new HDTV will foster my ever-growing love of both cinema and video art from such greats as Nox Harrington.