Video Updates

Next week is the annual huge Consumer Electronics Show (CES), in Las Vegas. Many new technolgies will be announced and on display and we will try and keep you apprised of the more interesting ones. But, there is a lot going on in the world of video that we can tell you about right now, especially in high definition DVD players and high definition TV's.

HI-DEF DVD PLAYERS

As we have documented here in past blogs, there are two competing technologies in this field, Blu-ray and and HD-DVD. These two incompatible systems are vying for not only a place in consumer's living rooms, but in computers and, even bigger, the Hollywood studios. There is no clear winner yet...and in fact, both are losing.

For instance, the Computer Electronics Association had predicted that 750,000 of these units would be shipped in 2006. In fact, only 250,000 were shipped. Consumers are staying away in droves from these players until a clear winner is declared. And for the prices these players currently demand, who can blame us.

Some experts predicted that we would see DVD manufacturers put together units that will play both technologies. That is now starting to happen. NEC has developed a controller chip that will handle both systems. One chip that works with both standards could cut the cost of building a player that accommodates Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. The chip will start shipping in April.

Meanwhile, South Korea's LG Electronics said it would launch a DVD player that supports both. LG was a high-profile supporter of the Blu-ray format, backed by Sony until it said early last year it would join the Toshiba-led HD DVD camp as well.

In another move, Warner Bros., which helped popularize the DVD more than a decade ago, plans to announce next week a single videodisc that can play films and television programs in both technologies. They plan to formally announce the new disc, which it is calling a Total HD disc, at CES.

I actually thought one or the other system would win out, much like the VHS/Betamax wars many years ago. But, it's beginning to look like both will win, if the new forthcoming players can handle both...or DVD manufacturers can put out one disk that plays both. Stay tuned as it is still early days yet in this war.

HI-DEF TELEVISIONS

I just read an interesting article on what to expect in High Definition TV's this year. Rather than translate it, I will let you read it for yourself as it is quite interesting, although a bit techie. In seeing the trends toward lower prices and reading other articles about some of the new fortcoming improvements, I would lean towards waiting a little longer before stepping up to buy one of those lovely high definition sets. Prices just keep dropping and pictures just keep getting better.