High Definition DVD: A Primer
High definition DVD, also known as HD-DVD (which actually stands for High Density DVD), is one of two competing high definition storage formats - the other being Blu-ray (http://www.the-hdtv-tuner.com). The need for a new, high capacity storage format, has been primarily brought about by the rapid rise in popularity of HDTV in Japan and the US. HDTV has much higher bandwidth than either NTSC
or regular DVD discs, so in order to record programs from HD-DVD higher capacity discs, of at least 30GB, are required.High definition video is also being used increasingly to make Hollywood movies as it offers comparable quality to film at much less cost. Therefore, the studios plan to release future movies on one or both high definition formats.HD-DVD was developed by Toshiba and NEC and has the support of the DVD Forum, along with a number of Hollywood studios. Currently those studios which have announced support for HD-DVD are; Universal Studios, Paramount Studios, Warner Bros., and New Line Cinema.
It has a capacity of 15GB for single-sided discs and 30Gb for double-sided. It doesn't need a caddy or cartridge and the cover layer is the same thickness as current DVD discs, 0.6mm. The numerical aperture of the optical pick-up head is also the same as DVD, 0.65mm. Because of its similarities to current DVD, high definition DVD is cheaper to manufacture than Blu-ray, because it doesn't need big changes in the production line set-up. Both HD-DVD and Blu-ray have backward compatibility with existing DVDV discs.
That is that current DVDs will play in HD-DVD player, although new high definition DVD won't play in older DVD players.High definition DVD currently supports a number of compression formats, including MPEG-2, VC1 (based on Microsoft's Windows Media 9), and H.264 which is based on MPEG-4 and will be supported by the next version of Apple's QuickTime software, which will be included with Mac OS X Tiger..
Kenny Hemphill is the editor and publisher of The HDTV Tuner (http://www.the-hdtv-tuner.com) - a guide to the kit, the technology and the programming on HDTV.Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
You've seen the online and offline ads -- "Free satellite TV!" "Get a 4-room Satellite TV System Free!" and "Satellite TV Dish and Receivers Absolutely Free!"But is satellite TV really free?The answer to that question is yes ... and no.Yes, the equipment you get -- the satellite TV dish and satellite TV receiver -- is free. But no, the programming service will cost you money.Let's examine the facts.Due to the demise of Pegasus and Voom, there are only two major satellite TV providers in the USA -- Dish Network and DirecTV. Dish Network Satellite TV ServiceWhen you order a free satellite TV system from Dish Network, you will be asked to pay a $49.99 activation fee. This fee will be credited to your programming bill, so in essence, your satellite TV system is free.
Installation of your satellite TV system is also free.With Dish Network you have the option to upgrade to a DVR (digital video recording) receiver, or an HDTV (high definition TV) receiver at no charge.Dish Network programming...
Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
Hdtv > Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
HD-DVD vs Blu-ray
High Definition DVD (HD-DVD) vs Blu-ray is shaping up to be a battle to rival the VHS vs Betamax format war of the early eighties. Looking like they've learned nothing from the DVD ? RW debacle, the companies involved, whether they are in the technology or content distribution industry (or in Sony's case, both), are set to slug it out over the next few years.The prize is the licence fees that will be payable to the format owners when the next generation of high definition DVD players and recorders start shipping in volume. As high definition television becomes increasingly popular, consumers will want a recordable format that has the capacity to hold at least a couple of hours worth of HDTV content. Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD were developed in response to the anticipated need for an HDTV recording medium and provide content whose quality would match the expectations of HDTV-owning customers. Additionally, the film distribution companies will cash-in as they release all the titles currently...
HD-DVD vs Blu-ray
Hdtv > HD-DVD vs Blu-ray
Choose The Right HDTV Antenna For Your Set-Up
Choosing an HDTV antenna can be a frustrating business. However, if you prefer to receive HDTV through an antenna, rather than a satellite or cable subscription, there are a couple of things that will make life easier.First of all, if you can, you should opt a roof or attic mounted HDTV antenna. This will give you the best chance of picking up a good signal and is a must if you a re in an area where signal strength is poor such where you live some distance away from the nearest transmitter or where your signal is affected by hills or other environmental factors.If an external HDTV antenna is not an option, perhaps because you live in an apartment or in a building of historic interest, then you'll have to go for an internal, set-top antenna. Unfortunately, every HDTV antenna is not alike and the quality of your picture can vary greatly depending on which antenna you choose. So how do you know which one to go for? Perhaps the best way is to find out from people who already has an internal...
Choose The Right HDTV Antenna For Your Set-Up
Hdtv > Choose The Right HDTV Antenna For Your Set-Up
Digital Ordnance Announces Frame Thrower™ HD-SDI Playback for Film, HDTV and Digital Cinema
Las Vegas, NV (ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) April 25, 2006 -- Digital Ordnance has chosen the 2006 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference to release the latest addition to the Companys Frame Thrower" line of reliable, real-time uncompressed 2K/4K HD playback systems: Frame Thrower" HD-SDI.Used in the production of over 100 films including Chronicles of Narnia, Underworld, Van Helsing, Flight Plan, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Frame Thrower" has quickly established itself as the scalable, cost effective high-performance playback system for film, HDTV and HD projection systems. Frame Thrower" HD-SDI delivers the most accurate results possible using completely uncompressed images and preserving at least 10 bits per color component from source material to screen, at 2048x1080. Beyond production workflows, Frame Thrower" HD-SDI fully supports high-performance playback of content destined for digital cinema and multi-screen venues.Frame...
Digital Ordnance Announces Frame Thrower™ HD-SDI Playback for Film, HDTV and Digital Cinema
Hdtv > Digital Ordnance Announces Frame Thrower™ HD-SDI Playback for Film, HDTV and Digital Cinema
Sony HD camcorder
The Sony HD camcorder, the Handycam HDR-FX1 is being marketed by the company as ?world's first HDV 1080i consumer camcorder'. But at $3,700, it's price tag is stretching the consumer label somewhat.However, there's no doubt the the industry sees HD video as a consumer format and prices will come down over the next couple of years. This Sony HD camcorder is just the start of what is sure to be an avalanche of HD camcorders from electronics companies over the next few months.So, does this mean we can all look forward to shooting Hollywood-quality home movies in the future? Not quite. Although its true that some Hollywood fetaures, such as George Lucas' ?Star Wars: Attack of the Clones' are being shot in high definition video, its not the same high definition as is shot and recorded by these camcorders.If you look again at that Sony quote, you'll see the important label, 1080i. If you're familiar with HDTV, you'll know that 1080 refers to 1080 lines of vertical resolution and the ?i' means...
Sony HD camcorder
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Free DISH Network HDTV Receiver Guide
DISH Network HDTV Receiver
When you subscribe to DISH Network's satellite TV service you get all the equipment you need for satellite TV viewing - a dish and a four-room receiver system. But what if you want to watch your programs in high definition?
Well, you're in luck. You can upgrade your system and get an HDTV receiver for free when you place your order
DISH Network HDTV Receiver Features
DISH Network HDTV receivers have a host of features including:
* An integrated off-air tuner for high-definition and standard over-the-air
reception.
* An electronic program guide with on-screen navigation so you can see what's on satellite TV.
* Parental locks so you can prevent your children from watching inappropriate programs.
* Interactive TV so you can watch six screens at once, and on-demand...
Hdtv > Free DISH Network HDTV Receiver Guide
What Can Roses Do For You Today?
In the past millennium, it has been ordinary to see roses and their depictions being one and the same as attractiveness and grace. This is evidenced in writings as far back as Shakespeare (and probably further), demonstrating that roses have long been known as attractive and elegant. Obviously, the modern economy and most of today's business world has caught up with this notion, and has appealed to the concept of roses being the essence of loveliness, and often, even brought about this conviction....
High Definition DVD: A Primer What Can Roses Do For You Today?
Hdtv > What Can Roses Do For You Today?
Dear Santa: Christmas Sucks!
Christmas time is finally here, and most people during this holiday are happier than a fat kid eating a Krispy Kreme donut. Christmas brings so many great things to the table; the caroling, the NO SCHOOL, the snowmen and hour long snowball fights that ends with bloody noses, the eggnog and drunken relatives, the presents, holiday parties, and the drinking hot coco next to a roaring fire while cuddling up with your loved one. How could anybody not love this great holiday! It's a hiatus from the...
High Definition DVD: A Primer
Hdtv > Dear Santa: Christmas Sucks!
A Christmas message, Live from Lapland...
(ContentDesk) December 10, 2005 -- Coming up with original gift ideas for the kids gets more difficult with each Christmas that passes or it did, until new website, LiveFromLapland.com came along. LiveFromLapland are set to put the magic back into Christmas this year, with their innovative videogram service, which allows your kids (or even adults!) to receive a personalised video message from Santa. "Everyone remembers the excitement of visiting Santa at the mall," said a spokesman for the company....
High Definition DVD: A Primer
Hdtv > A Christmas message, Live from Lapland...
High Definition DVD: A Primer home loans
NextStudent Enters Securitization Market for First Time
Phoenix, AZ (ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) April 28, 2006 -- NextStudent Inc., through its affiliate companies, last week completed its first securitization of student loans when the NextStudent Master Trust I issued $571 million in Auction Rate Student Loan-Backed Notes in a nonregistered private offering.Citigroup was the lead investment banker on the deal. Co-managers included JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and RBC Capital Markets. With...
High Definition DVD: A Primer student loans Hdtv NextStudent Enters Securitization Market for First Time
Hdtv > NextStudent Enters Securitization Market for First Time