We've already waded through a number of research reports that found individuals more likely to stay at home and get their entertainment during rough economic times, but an insightful piece from Parks Associates takes a more deliberate approach to analyzing what's really going on. When looking at just how many people are viewing video-on-demand content now versus two years ago (it's way up, by the way), it's easy to attribute that -- along with the downturn at the box office -- to a flagging economy. However, the report also notes that HD adoption in general has boomed over the past two years, giving citizens access to more high-quality at-home entertainment than ever before. As Kurt Scherf, principal analyst at Parks, so satisfactorily put it: "As we're seeing high-definition TV penetration reach 50% of households and home theater penetration well over 20%, we're seeing consumers want to enjoy those investments as much as possible." Nice thinking outside of the box there, Kurt.

[Via VideoBusiness]

No, it's not surprising in the least that Ferrari has found yet another firm willing to cater to their every demand in order to form a distinct partnership, but regardless, the automotive firm is looking to sweep the rug out from under your current home entertainment setup with the F80. Teamed up with Meridian Audio, the same folks who channeled HD content from your iPod to your TV, Ferrari is delving into yet another consumer electronics realm by coordinating an oddly-shaped and still mysterious "home entertainment center." Aside from looking more like a semi-circle and less like an AV component, the device purportedly packs DAB / FM / AM tuning, a CD / DVD player (no word on HD DVD / Blu-ray just yet), and 80-watts of power dispersed through the two front-firing speakers and rear-mounted subwoofer. In typical Ferrari fashion, the unit should be available in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, silver, and red, and while we're not entirely sure when this rubber is set to hit the road, you can hit the read link if you just can't wait 'til race day.

[Via ShinyShiny]

What we're watching: Don't check your calendars, yes, it is Friday and yes, that is Monday Night Football tonight on ESPN. We're not so sure how this move from ABC is going to go when they can't even get the day right, but we'll check out the Steelers and the Eagles anyway. An oldie but goodie episode of Rides featuring Rod Millen and Chip Foose teaming up to customize a Lexus is also on tonight, along with Saving Private Ryan on Cinemax and a late night thriller in Night of the Living Dead.

Our traditional high definition listings continue below.

What we're watching: Finally Sunday nights are getting interesting for HD again. While we've got the usual HBO lineup with stars like Deadwood and Entourage, INHD's Mojo TV block and Showtime's Brotherhood queued up in their usual slots, lets not forget about football and uh...football/futbol/soccer. First we've got the return of professional football with NBC's Sunday Night Football as the Philadelphia Eagles face the Oakland Raiders. Sure it's just pre-season NFL action but our first look at Donovan McNabb and Randy Moss on the field in a while, plus John Madden and Al Michaels in the booth ensures good times for all in 1080i.

Also on HDNet we've got the other kind of football, with two live games, one domestic, one international. Sleepy Hollow pops up on TNT, so you can compare what will likely be stretched or cropped to the HD DVD release. Last but not least Showtime's original movie Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out airs tonight, with Super 8 home video footage made by the bands drummer at the height of their popularity.


Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

What we're watching: It's a summer Sunday you know the HD drill by now, network reruns, Deadwood followed by comedies on HBO, Brotherhood on Showtime, Mojo lineup on INHD. Still, we never miss a chance to check out Clint Eastwood as The Man With No Name so A Fistful of Dollars on HDNet is definitely worth a look.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

What we're watching: As usual, if it weren't for Windfall we'd have nothing new on this Thursday night. There are also repeats of Grey's, Earl, and The Office reheated and served by the networks. Discovery will try to lure you in with the entirely misleadingly titled Solar Eclipse Live, which is actually several years old but still worth watching. Finally the Cardinals face the Cubs on ESPN while the toolman Tim Allen is profiled on INHD2.


Our traditional high definition listings continue below.

What we're watching: Saved and The Closer are on as always. Renee Zellwegger makes an appearance profiling Christiane Amanpour on Discovery HD's Iconoclasts while Serenity hits prime time on Cinemax. Owners of the HD DVD release can take a look and see if there is any difference in quality or aspect ratio.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

What we're watching: It's movie night on the major networks with The Rookie on ABC and Behind Enemy Lines on CBS. NBC is where we'll be however, with the Miami Vice: Undercover special airing tonight featuring both highlights from the upcoming movie and a re-air of the original premiere episode in high definition. Seriously, as though there is any other option for viewing pleasure.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

What we're watching: Kyle XY continues tonight with a new epsiode, accompanied by reruns of The Unit, 24 and Numb3rs. There's also a Deadwood mini-marathon on HBO, rounded out by former DVD all-star Twister on Cinemax. I think I just saw a tumbleweed roll by.

Our traditional high definition listings continue below.

What we're watching: Stephen King's Nightmares & Dreamscapes is back for the second of it's four-week run on TNT. Meanwhile ABC's The One: Making a Music Star apparently is in HD, even though their site does not list it that way, just like Kyle XY and unlike So You Think You Can Dance?. On ESPN the mighty Detroit Tigers face their division rival White Sox again while on Showtime you can check out Jet Li in Black Mask.

Why doesn't ABC want to tell the world their shows are in high-def? There's no shame in that.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

What we're watching: Sure the major networks don't have anything new going tonight (again), but there is still plenty to watch if you have cable or satellite. If you don't know about Saved and The Closer yet then we really can't help you other than to say watch them. INHD brings us a special high-def presentation on the Miami Heat's NBA Championship season, Dirk and Avery might not be ready to watch this yet. HDNet aired the shuttle launch and since it landed today without incident they'll run that tonight just for thoroughness.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

What we're watching: Just because the major networks have brought us absolutely nothing new to watch tonight is no reason to be sad, HBO & Showtime have your back with new episodes of Entourage, Brotherhood, Deadwood, and Lucky Louie. The National Poker League is on INHD while HDNet continues their concert series with the 2006 Jammys.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

What we're watching: It's All-Star time in baseball, which means tonight we get to watch big strong hopefully-not-juiced-up-on-HGH guys hit balls out of the park on the Home Run Derby on ESPN. Wedding Crashers is also up on Cinemax, while the premiere episode of Brotherhood makes an encore appearance tonight on Showtime. All that said, we're pretty much locked in to TNT on Monday night for The Closer and Saved.


Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

What we're watching: Saved and The Closer check in to their usual Monday night positions, but also tonight is a Discovery HD Theater all new show, Best Ranger 2006. More than two dozen two-man Army Ranger teams competed for 60 straight hours to see who is the best. With events like an unknown-distance run blind weapons assembly/disassembly, this pretty much blows away the Olympics.

Otherwise, ESPN brings us Atlanta vs. St. Louis in baseball, while HD DVD owners can check Constantine on Cinemax and compare quality.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

What we're watching: Forget Entourage, Deadwood or Desperate Housewives. Tonight is all about Fat Fiancees on Discovery HD. If following the tradition of fattening up a bride-to-be in order for her to appear beautiful and ready for a good marriage doesn't appeal to you, there are also How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (same documentary, except shown on CBS), and Men of Honor on Fox tonight.

The space shuttle launch is still not a go, scrubbed for the second straight day, although Jeff let us know that 2001: A Space Oddyssey on HDNet looks GREAT so you may want to check that out.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.