Salt Lake City's KJZZ-14 to air Utah Jazz games in HD
by Darren Murph 
posted Apr 30th 2008 at 4:47AM
[Image courtesy of USUAggies]
jazz posts
[Image courtesy of USUAggies]
Legends of Jazz brings Dolby TrueHD to Blu-ray
by Richard Lawler posted Oct 12th 2006 at 8:28AM
One of the ways Blu-ray has trailed HD DVD so far is inclusion of advanced audio codecs, but that will start to turn around later this month when Legends of Jazz "Showcase" is released. As we noted when the series first aired on PBS, it was produced in HD and 5.1 surround sound to enable viewers to fully experience the musicians featured. This disc will be the first Blu-ray release to include a 24-bit Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack (along with Dolby Digital 5.1and PCM Stereo options) that Dolby Labs exec Craig Eggers says captures "every nuance" of the performance. In Europe a copy will be included with each Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray player, somewhat bittersweet because it doesn't support Dolby TrueHD. The Playstation 3 will, but what other upcoming players can decode the audio format is unclear. Still, especially if you've got a PS3 preordered and an HDMI 1.3-capable receiver at the ready -- who doesn't? -- a better way to experience the 13 performances will be hard to find after its release October 24th, with an MSRP of $34.98.[Via The Man Room]
Wynton Marsalis headlines Private Performance Series in HD
by Richard Lawler posted Sep 11th 2006 at 2:03PM
Whether you just sacrificed a few nights out to afford the new HDTV, or don't find much reason in going out after getting one -- and with some of our readers' setups why would you? -- Morton's Steakhouse thinks they have just the thing: A private live performance by jazz great Wynton Marsalis and of course a four-course meal. Marsalis won't actually be live in front of you, you'll be sitting in Morton's "HD Suite" that seats 40 watching a satellite broadcast of his live performance on a 108-inch HD screen (no word on the resolution), with 7.2 surround sound and a limited-edition copy of the performance signed by the performer on HD DVD. It seems like they're really trying to give the feeling of a live in-person private performance with 16 cameras and the ability for guests to have a Q&A after the performance. Looks like the theater, not just the movie theater, needs to be wary of high definition if something like this catches on, two nights only, October 6th & 7th. Still, for $250 some might choose a DVR'd copy of Legends of Jazz and some takeout.Legends of Jazz series hits PBS-HD
by Richard Lawler posted Apr 9th 2006 at 7:14PM
The Washington Post did a nice writeup Friday on this new PBS series. We know from our comments how much everybody enjoys their productions and this looks to be another quality one. Host Ramsey Lewis highlights a different theme and talks to some of the world's best musicians in each half hour segment, all produced in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound.
I first heard about this series last fall when it was supposed to air, but didn't know what had happened to it. If you're at all a fan of the music or maybe even if you're not yet, go to the official website and find out when it is airing in your area, it is definitely worth catching.
