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The best fall programming to dazzle onlookers

by Darren Murph posted Nov 4th 2008 at 6:52AM


Now that that Fall 2008 HDTV schedule is well underway, Sound & Vision has had time to investigate which shows are best for showing off your new flat-panel / surround sound system. Sure, we know you're still interested in those far-fetched "plots" and "story lines," but what about tickling your retinas and eardrums with the best TV has to offer? We'd rather not give away any surprises, but after reading through their top seven, why not chime in below with how you agree / disagree?

DISH Network gets official with summer / fall HD locals

by Darren Murph posted Jun 30th 2008 at 3:30PM Breaking News


Remember those 20-some-odd cities we heard were getting HD locals via DISH Network earlier this year? Yeah, the satcaster has just now gotten around to confirming what we already knew, but it's good to have something to hold 'em to, regardless. As of today, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Memphis, Tennessee can both look forward to seeing their local channels in high-definition, while 22 other markets are on the clock. As for timing, all we know is that these 22 will be launched sometime during summer / fall of 2008, but it looks like you'll be waiting patiently to find out if your market is closer to going live now or later. Tap the read link for the full list of locales.

Xbox 360 fall update details revealed: 1080p, auto-download, WMV playback and more

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 30th 2006 at 12:49PM

Microsoft has finally seen fit to release the details of its Xbox 360 dashboard update. Scheduled for release the morning of October 31st -- yes, that's tomorrow -- the update will add the much-talked about 1080p / HD DVD support, as well as the ability to play WMV files from a connected PC, disc, or USB storage device. Currently, users can only stream video from connected Windows Media Center PCs, but any XP machine running Windows Media Connect or Windows Media Player 11 should be able to do it post-update, as demonstrated during a press conference in Japan with several 720p-encoded videos. This compares to the PlayStation 3's recently-revealed compatibility with MPEG-4 and other video files, but so far neither has announced support for DivX / Xvid and Media Transcode 360 still requires Media Center. Apparently only 84 things needed fixing this time, down from the 125 in the spring update, including the option to automatically download demos of new Xbox Live Arcade titles, Zune media streaming, wireless headset support, XNA Game Studio Express and numerous improvements to video playback and menu handling.

[Via AV Watch]

Xbox 360 fall update adds 1080p output, HD DVD add-on hits Japan for $170 US

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 20th 2006 at 3:06AM Breaking News

Even though we expected the Tokyo Game Show to be the coming out party for the Playstation 3, Microsoft just couldn't let them get all the limelight and Engadget has all the details. First, the Xbox 360 HD DVD external drive finally has a pricetag and launch date -- in Japan. ¥19,800 (about $170 US) and November 17 are the magic numbers, now the question is will the US be rounding up to $199 (or £199)? We'll have to wait to find out for sure but with X06 kicking off on the 27th, there's no way we'll be waiting too long. The other big news of the night is that the fall dashboard update will add 1080p output via analog to games and movies. If you have a TV (or projector) that takes 1,920x1,080 input via component or VGA you'll be able to select it in the dashboard and move on. Does this mean HD DVDs will play in full 1080p via component? AACS would seem to answer a big no to that question, but until more details are released we can't say for sure. Future games will have the option to render natively at 1080p (DigDug HD?) while current games will be upscaled. Looks like Sony isn't the only one supporting "the true definition of HD".

Update:Word from Microsoft's press conference in Japan pegs the price at ¥20,790 ($180~ US) and a launch on November 22. This conflicts with previous info straight from Microsoft so we'll keep waiting to get all this straightened out and some local info.

HDTV Listings for September 19, 2006

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 19th 2006 at 4:17PM

What we're watching: A brand new show, Smith, premieres on CBS tonight, with its professional thief-oriented storyline, hopefully it fares better than Heist did. Returning shows with season premieres include fellow CBS shows NCIS and The Unit, Boston Legal on ABC as well as Law & Order CI and Law & Order: SVU on NBC. That's not even mentioning new episodes of Dancing with the Stars, House and Standoff. The only way HDTV tonight could be better is if we had some sports...oh wait we do, with Tigers and White Sox playing a game that could decide the fate of the AL Central and wild card race. Just to get things kicked off properly, Cinemax is airing Saving Private Ryan in HD just after 5. What more could you ask for?


Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

Continue reading HDTV Listings for September 19, 2006

What's on HDTV for Fall 2006?

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 20th 2006 at 9:52PM

The fall television season is almost here and it brings with it a bevy of new shows, new seasons for old shows, and old favorites moving to new timeslots. Add to that the prospect of quick cancellations and you've got a situation that can be very hard to keep track of. Luckily the networks have made things easier for us this year by producing practically every prime time show in HD so you don't have to guess, with the exception of reality shows. The guys at AVSForum have put together a continuously updated list of summer/fall/winter shows, what's in HD and what isn't, what's premiering tomorrow (Prison Break, Vanished) and what we'll be waiting until September or October to see (The Office, The Nine). They've even got the new networks, The CW and MyNetworkTV listed, although Dancing with the Stars isn't indicated HD yet. Keep an eye on the daily listings as well, we'll continue to give you a heads up on all the new shows this fall.




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