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Vizio and Westinghouse Want Your Help

Vizio and Westinghouse Want Your Help It’s the kind of obscure corporate issue guaranteed to confuse half the consuming public and put the rest to sleep. But it’s also an issue that Vizio and Westinghouse, two LCD HDTV manufacturers known as “value” brands, hope will bring average Janes and Joes to their side.

The two companies have joined forces to convince the populace to support their fight to lower royalty payments to the holder of key digital television technologies.

In simplest terms their argument goes like this: American consumers are paying more than they need to for HDTVs because these two companies have to pay Funai, another TV manufacturer, higher than appropriate royalties to use its key digital TV technology patents. (If you’re interested, the patents were originally owned by RCA, which transferred them to Thomson, their French former parent, which then sold them to Funai.)

Vizio/Westinghouse argue that companies in other countries pay far less for the same digital TV patent royalties. The two companies have filed suit in federal court to essentially get the fees lowered.

To make their case, the companies have created a group cutely called CUT FATT, or the Coalition United to Terminate Financial Abuses of the Television Transition. On its web site the group argues that it is paying $20 to $30 per television set sold in patent royalty payments, compared to about $1 in the rest of the world. And it encourages consumers to get involved and let the Federal Communications Commission and their representatives in Congress know that they are fed up and won’t take it anymore.

How this case will be decided is not known. But Rey Roque, Westinghouse’s vice president of marketing, says that the fee needs to be lowered so that they can get the price of the smallest TVs down to what equivalently-sized picture tube sets used to cost: as little as $99-149.

In fact, you can already get a Westinghouse TV for $149; Costco has a 19-inch Westinghouse model on sale for that price.

While both companies say that they will lower their prices if they can get the royalty payments down, neither would commit to a dollar-for-dollar reduction. “We’re in the value segment; we always pass price reductions on,” Mr. Roque said.

It’s not surprising that neither company would commit to lower their prices to reflect their lower production costs. Analysts believe that to keep prices low, both operate on single-digit profit margins. If they can cut their costs and keep some of the savings, it could significantly help their bottom line.

Still, trying to get consumers to take action on a relatively obscure issue that, if successful, may only shave a few dollars off a fairly inexpensive product may be a tough sell.

What recession? HDTV prices rise 10 percent in February

HDTV prices have been falling for as long as anyone can remember, and given the poor state of the economy, there was no reason to believe those prices were going to stop dropping anytime soon. Throw in the fact that the holiday shopping season and the Super Bowl (a.k.a. the other big time to buy a new TV) are behind us, and the fact that consumer electronics Web site Retrevo is reporting that HDTV prices jumped 10 percent in February is pretty remarkable.

Ironically, retailers were apparently so willing to discount sets during December and January to bolster sales and clear inventory that they chose one of the most challenging sales month to bring prices back into control. At the same time, it appears that LCD panel prices are firming up, which makes it harder for manufacturers to pass on the savings on panels to consumers. But with the economy looking like it’s in no hurry to turn itself around, it will be interesting to see just how long TV makers and retailers can hold the line on current prices without seeing sales dry up.

Those of you in the market for a new set (or who are always checking out TV prices): Have you noticed rising prices? If so, has it deterred you from making a purchase or changed your mind on which TV you’re going to buy? Let us know in the TalkBack section.

Sony Now Has 240hz Motion Flow

Sony unveiled the Bravia W5 and Bravia F5 LCD HDTV sets with 240Hz Motion Flow in Japan.

Motion Flow 240Hz gives you even smoother and sharper fast moving footage as mostly found in sports events. Of course 240Hz Motion Flow is also great for watching fast paced action movies.

The Sony Bravia W5 series consists of the KDL-52W5 (52 inch), KDL-46W5 (46 inch) and KDL-40W5 (40 inch).

The Sony Bravia F5 series features the KDL-46F5 (46 inch), KDL-40F5 (40 inch) and the KDL-32F5 (32 inch). Sony also managed to integrate a FeliCa payment system into the new TVs to let users buy content easily via the remote.

The new Bravia F5 and W5 HDTVs will start shipping in April. The top of the line KDL-52W5 has an estimated price of 450,000 yen (~$4,600). 

Blu-ray: A viewers' guide

When studios began releasing movies on DVD 12 years ago, almost every American home had a videotape player. Within a few years, DVD largely replaced VHS, setting a new technical standard and giving consumers a reason to invest in their own home theater systems.

Almost three years ago, Blu-ray discs introduced a new standard in high-definition home video. Although they are the same size and shape as standard DVDs, they pack a lot more information in that package. Where standard DVDs offer 480 lines of resolution at their best, the full capacity of the old television sets, Blu-ray offers 1080 lines of resolution.

You need to upgrade to a Blu-ray player to watch them -- DVD players will not run a Blu-ray disc, but Blu-ray machines do play standard DVDs and sometimes make them look better thanks to upconverting technology. And for gaming households, PlayStation 3 consoles also play Blu-ray discs at full resolution.

It won't make your pre-HD television look any better, but on a state-of-the-art high-definition widescreen plasma and LCD TVs and 1080p monitors, the difference is startling. It offers the highest-quality picture possible, greater than even HDTV signals, with incomparable sharpness and clarity, and exacting sound to match. As high-definition TV sets replace the old standard and prices on bigger screens continue to drop, the benefits of Blu-ray become more desirable.

The evidence is in the format's remarkable growth. After beating a competing format -- the now-defunct HD DVD -- in early 2008, Blu-ray sales tripled from the previous year, thanks in part to such titles as "The Dark Knight" and "Iron Man." And that was in a Christmas season that was otherwise down across the board.

And while Blu-ray sales still are a fraction of those for standard DVDs, they're growing even faster than DVD did in its early years. On Amazon.com, top Blu-ray discs routinely land in the top 10 home video sales charts. You can rent them at local video stores, and Netflix advertises more than 1,300 titles (but charges a $1 premium a month for the upgrade).

Meanwhile, prices continue to drop on both entry-level machines (some are below $200) and Blu-ray titles. The Blu-ray Disc Association estimates there were 10.7 million Blu-ray-capable players in United States at the end of 2008, and by my count there are more than 1,200 titles available, with more arriving weekly. Major studios routinely release DVD and Blu-ray editions of their biggest titles simultaneously, especially for films that revel in action and spectacle. And while the selection of classics and foreign films still is small, that market is expanding.

Just as important, the new HDTV standard and the Blu-ray capacity has spurred studios to return to the source and remaster their libraries. Not all Blu-ray discs are equal (there are a few duds in the mix), but most are clearly superior to their DVD counterparts. Home theater has never been so glorious.

STATE OF THE ART

WALL-E (Disney): Pixar's robot love story is a joyous and gorgeous work of animation, and it practically leaps off the screen on Blu-ray. The picture is crisp and rich, the color iridescent and the sound mix a marvel of subtlety and aural depth. Beyond the movie, the supplements are magnificent, and the Blu-ray exclusive picture-in-picture video commentary is the best use of that technology I've seen yet.

THE DARK KNIGHT (Warner) / IRON MAN (Paramount): The second film in Christopher Nolan's reboot of the "Batman" franchise made use of Imax cameras, the high-definition peak for film, for select scenes -- the first studio feature to do so. Blu-ray is the closest you'll get to that Imax experience on home video. "Iron Man" has no Imax scenes but, like "The Dark Knight," features impeccably mastered image and sound.

ZODIAC: DIRECTOR'S CUT (Paramount): David Fincher shot this 2007 feature on state-of-the-art digital video. On Blu-ray, the stellar grain-free image is so sharp and pristine, it's unreal.

DEFINITIVE EDITIONS

THE GODFATHER COLLECTION: THE COPPOLA RESTORATION (Paramount): Francis Ford Coppola and cinematographer Gordon Willis spent 18 months restoring and digitally remastering the three "Godfather" films from scratch for this ultimate presentation. It's a lesson on how to honor a classic: They embrace the distinctive film grain and purposeful "imperfections" of Willis' cinematography, which evokes both an era and the story's shadowy morality.

BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT (Warner): 25 years after the first, compromised release of the visionary sci-fi classic, Ridley Scott delivered what he promised is his final take. Editorial tweaking and reshoots correct frustrating flaws, digital enhancements refine the clarity of the pre-digital effects while preserving the hazy atmosphere (you can almost feel the haze), and remixed sound adds a new dimension to the experience. And the supplements are obsessively glorious.

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (Warner): A respected film critic (I can't recall which one) once wrote that the standard for quality 70mm film projection was the ability to read the instructions for the zero-gravity toilet in "2001." Well, this disc is not quite that clear, but it's easily better than any screening I've experienced since a 70mm revival at the Cinerama many years ago.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND: 30TH ANNIVERSARY ULTIMATE EDITION (Sony): Apart from being a stunning presentation, the Blu-ray disc allows an interactive exploration of the differences between the three cuts of the film. Something only a film geek would love? Possibly, but that kind of thoroughness is a testament to the disc's exacting standards.

CLASSICS

THE THIRD MAN (Criterion): Criterion, the gold standard in mastering DVDs, sets the bar for Blu-ray with this stunning classic. The film grain may momentarily distract viewers used to the smooth sheen of modern movies, but it's part of the texture of the film, and this disc preserves it in all its alchemic beauty. And, yes, black-and-white cinema looks stupendous in Blu-ray.

CASABLANCA: ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION (Warner): The high-def revolution -- not just Blu-ray but HDTV, as well -- has prompted studios to go back to their libraries and put serious effort into creating definitive digital masterpieces. You can see the results in this breathtaking version of the beloved film.

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (Warner): The rich pastel hues of old Hollywood Technicolor are something close to cinema magic, and the Technicolor of the 1938 "Robin Hood" is uniquely beautiful. Seeing it on Blu-ray is like seeing a Renaissance painting come to life in the frame.

TELEVISION SHOWS

HEROES (Universal) / LOST (Disney): These two dynamic and visually dense TV shows were shot for high-definition broadcast and look exceptional on Blu-ray. (The shows themselves are a matter of taste.) The first two seasons of "Heroes" and seasons three and four of "Lost" are now available on Blu-ray.

PLANET EARTH: THE COMPLETE SERIES (BBC): The most expensive documentary series in BBC history was shot with state-of-the-art high-def cameras. Blu-ray gives you more detail than you've ever had the opportunity to appreciate in a natural history program.

CULTY AND COOL

JAMES BOND BLU-RAY COLLECTION (Warner): Neither shaken nor stirred and still superb. Seven official 007 outings are now on Blu-ray, with four more due out in March.

THE ULTIMATE MATRIX COLLECTION (Warner): What better way to experience the cyber-revolution?

HOW THE WEST WAS WON (Warner): This unwieldy super-production is dramatically lackluster but an amazing restoration of a Cinerama spectacle. The disc not only seamlessly blends the three individual panels of the Cinerama process but re-creates the unique curve of the Cinerama screen in one viewing option, too.

WANT MORE?

I couldn't fit in every standout release in the list above, so here are another dozen: "Band of Brothers" (HBO), "Batman Begins" (Warner), "The Bourne Trilogy" (Universal), "Dark City: Director's Cut" (New Line), "The Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector's Edition" (Warner) "The Last Emperor" (Criterion), "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (Disney), "No Country for Old Men" (Miramax), "Planet of the Apes: 40th Anniversary Collection" (Fox) "Sleeping Beauty" (Disney), "There Will Be Blood" (Paramount), "Transformers" (Paramount).

The HDTV Deals Start Rollin' In

Some of us have been waiting for this moment for quite some time. Black Friday had some decent HDTV Deals, but amidst this economic crisis, the prices on high-definition TVs haven't dropped as previously expected. Well CrunchGear just spotted some sweet HDTV sales at Target, which kick off this Sunday. Fair enough, who really wants an HDTV that's only 19-inches, but let's be honest, the Philips 42-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for only $698 is speaking my language.

Manufacturers Dropping Plasma Like Flies

Seems that Manufacturers are betting on LCD. Another company, Vizio, has now said it will only produce LCD HDTVs. Read below from NYTimes:

Whether the rumors that Pioneer plans to pull out of the plasma TV business prove true or not, one other maker of flat-panel TVs has left plasma behind: Vizio.

The five-year-old company, which originally made a name for itself selling lower-cost plasma and LCD TVs, will concentrate solely on LCD TVs. The company’s Web site still features plasma models, but Vizio introduced no new plasma models last month at the Consumer Electronics Show, and is now virtually out of its existing plasma inventory, according to the company co-founder Laynie Newsome.

As a result, just three large-volume plasma manufacturers are left marketing their sets in the United States: LG, Panasonic and Samsung.

There were several reasons behind the decision, Ms. Newsome said. Plasma sets simply don’t show as well in big box stores, which are typically lighted by bright fluorescent and halogen lights, giving consumers the impression that LCD TVs have a more exciting picture. Also, the company wanted to devote all of its available shelf space to the technology that moves off the shelves fastest.

Read the rest here...

VuDu Saws HD Box Price in Half

Vudu has performed a trick as it tries to cast a spell over a wider audience. Its encore was a genuine price rollback that is sure to make the rest of the streaming movie market take note. VuDu has reduced the price of its HD box by half. Now it’s only $149, that’s down from $295 for perhaps the best quality streaming video box on the market. 

Since its debut back in September ’07 at $399, VuDu quietly began building accolades that proclaimed it the best quality video-on-demand box available. Only ten percent of its 13,000 available movie titles are in HD, but the HD quality could be the best you’ll see outside of a disc player. 

VuDu’s new price is enough to make even Apple green with envy as Apple TV sits at $229. The price drop can be seen as a shot at competing with other competitors like Blockbuster’s OnDemand Box and Netflix. However even with the price drop it’s a very different model than Netflix with its unlimited movies. The real appeal in VuDu is for those who demand an almost Blu-ray quality on-demand video experience with lots of HD. 

The standard VuDu box provides up to 1080P/24 or 1080i video and Dolby Digital 5.1 through HDMI 1.1. But it also has available Component, Digital Coax/Optical and RCA output for added flexibility. The box comes with a 250 GB hard drive that VuDu says can store up to 50 movies in standard def. 

But movies isn’t all VuDu can do. It also has a list of popular television shows and internet content that can also be viewed through the box. 

For those looking for luxury models the VuDu XL and XL3 are premium versions of the box that are also getting significant price drops. XL is dropping from $999 to $499 and the new VuDu XL2 is dropping from $1,299 to $799.

CEA: Super Bowl Stills Sells HDTVs

Arlington, Va. — The Consumer Electronics Association predicted that last week's Super Bowl between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers would drive the purchase of some 2.6 million HDTV units when final sales are tallied

The association said the expected sales spike will mark the fourth year in a row that the NFL championship game will retain be the top driver for HDTV purchases.

CEA has forecast 2009 to be another record-breaking year for HDTV sales, with 29.8 million HD sets expected to ship, out of a total of 34.5 million digital televisions sold in the U.S. in 2009.

This is up from 26.8 million HD sets sold in 2008. In addition to key sporting events like the Super Bowl, another factor driving this demand is the drop in the average wholesale price of sets. In the past five years, the average wholesale price for an HDTV has fallen nearly 50 percent to $849 in 2009, CEA said.

“Even in this tough economy HDTV growth has remained strong and steady,” stated Jason Oxman, CEA industry affairs senior VP. “Since the early days of HD, sporting events have led the way in high-def broadcasts. Sixty percent of consumers said the Super Bowl is one of their favorite sports to watch in HD. It is no surprise that most Americans would not think of hosting a Super Bowl party without watching the game in HD.”

CEA said that all categories of DTV sales are on the rise. Of the projected 34.5 million DTV shipments in 2009, 26.8 million are expected to be LCD TVs, which will represent the largest segment by display type. Plasma displays will account for 10 percent of total sets sold in 2009.

Overall, digital displays remain the primary revenue driver for the industry, with dollar shipments representing 15 percent of total industry sales in 2009.

Confused about HD or Digital?

I'm ready for HDTV. HD stands for high definition. Synonyms include humongous confusion, highway robbery and historic gotcha.

For months TV's talking heads boasted incessantly about broadcasts being HD. I see them. I hear them. I must be watching HD. Right? Wrong!

Lately, stations run crawls and headlines saying: "In 10 days your television sets will become bookends."

I went to the electronics store. The sales person spoke a language I didn't understand: LCD, plasma, 1080i, 720p, HDMI, aspect ratio, S-video, digital, NTSC, analog, upconvert, and so on. I left, trying not to appear as stupid as I felt. I Googled, Wickepedia-ed, and twittered my way through the new language. Apparently, no single term can be defined in fewer than 10,000 words, 9,990 of which are unintelligible to the average person.

Armed with a new vocabulary, I returned to the store. The sales person smiled. (You've seen the smile — the one you give little children when you know they're lost.) I looked at a big screen. I casually tossed him a newly learned term: 1080i? "720p," he responded. We had established contact.

I forged ahead: When broadcast stations turn off their analog signals, what happens to my old television sets?

"None of them will work," he said. What about the battery-operated portable I use on the patio? "Won't work." What about the set in the kitchen? "Won't work." What about the sets built into my brother's motor home and my neighbor's SUV? "Won't work." What about the HD-ready set you sold me two years ago? (I thought I had him.) "Won't work," he said, "unless you buy a new digital tuner." How much? "Not available yet," he said with a silent "gotcha."

But I wasn't beaten. I whipped out the plastic card the government sent me, worth $40 for a converter box. "Okay," he said, "it converts high definition to low definition. It'll cost you between $20 and $40, depending on whether you want one from China, Korea, or Indonesia."

You mean Congress set up a new bureaucracy to give your company $40 added to my $30 so you can sell me a $20 gadget from China?

He smiled. "I can sell you cable or satellite subscriptions for low definition TV so you can still use at least one of your old TV sets."

I thought out loud: If I agree to pay the cable-satellite company 50 bucks a month for the rest of my life, I won't have to spend $30 now for a converter. But I still won't see HD. And I'll still need a converter for the TV in the kitchen. All for programs I'm now getting free.

"You got it," said the sales person. "For an extra 30 bucks a month you can get HD cable-satellite service. But it won't be HD unless you buy a digital television set."

I left with the converter box. It looked simple enough — a few wires, one more plug for the octopus on my wall, another remote. (My wife says remotes mate and multiply when we aren't looking.) Let's see ... the instructions say this wire goes to the "RF, unless you have S-video or a 300-ohm antenna." A what? I gave up. I asked for help from an Eagle Scout with an electronics merit badge. He programmed the complicated, multi-key remote and told me to throw away my old, simple three-key remote. "Don't touch your old TV set," he cautioned, "or nothing will work."

I asked about hooking up my VHS and DVD recorders to record athletic events and other programs off the air. "Sorry," he said, "but these converters aren't designed for that. You'll need new recorders with built-in digital tuners. Even then, your recordings won't be HD."

The talking heads continue to tell me they're in high definition. And I continue watching in low definition, even with my government-subsidized converter box. I suppose I could take out a home improvement loan and upgrade all the TV sets in the house, but I have a better idea.

When my analog TV sets go dead in a few days, I'll box them up separately and send them to my senator in Washington. He voted for this confusion. Maybe he can figure out what to do with all those useless television sets. I might even send him a couple of the VHS recorders Washington made obsolete.

Switch to Digital TV Wins a Delay

Ok guys/girls. You have more time to buy that digital HDTV now that the government moved the start date of digital TV signals. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/business/media/05digital.html?ref=technology