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The 26th HD AdvisorEditor's Note: Each Friday, High-Def Digest's own HD Advisor will answer a new round of questions from our readers. If you have home theater questions you need answered, send an email to [email protected]. If you've already sent a question and don't see it answered yet, please be patient as we work our way through them. To browse through previously answered questions, visit the main HD Advisor page. Answers by Joshua Zyber HD Movies from Sources Other than Blu-ray Q: As you are aware, a number of movies that have been broadcast in high definition on television have never been released on either high-def home video format (HD DVD or Blu-ray). Is it fair to assume that since these films have been mastered for high-def TV broadcast transmission that it is only a matter of time before they are indeed released on Blu-ray, or is that a faulty assumption? Perhaps there is no correlation at all between broadcast rights and high-def home video rights. In a similar vein, is it fair to assume that all HD DVD movies will inevitably be released on Blu-ray? If so, why are so many studios holding off doing so? Could it be that HD DVD sales for certain titles were underwhelming, so they don't see any financial incentive to also do a Blu-ray release, or are there other reasons for the delays? A: All of the major movie studios have been mastering their movies in high definition for over a decade now. Those HD masters serve multiple purposes. They can be used for Blu-ray, or downconverted for DVD, or licensed out for TV broadcast and other sources (VUDU, Netflix downloads, etc.). In general, there isn't much correlation between broadcast rights and home video rights. The fact that a movie has appeared in high definition on cable doesn't guarantee that a Blu-ray is forthcoming. A lot of the movies broadcast in high definition are sourced from older and dated masters. The studio may choose to hold off on releasing a Blu-ray until a new master can be struck. Or they may just have gotten a good broadcast licensing rate for a specific movie, but don't believe that a Blu-ray would be as profitable. I expect that all the movies released on HD DVD will eventually be released on Blu-ray. However, similar conditions apply. Universal in particular was notorious for cranking out catalog titles on HD DVD that had very old and problematic video transfers just to get product out on the market. They've been more selective about which titles make it to Blu-ray. A lot of those missing movies deserve to be remastered first. Also, as you speculated, the studios may hesitate to release poor-selling HD DVD titles on Blu-ray until they feel the market is more amenable, such as during an anniversary for that movie, or to coincide with the release of an upcoming sequel/remake. Timelines and Other Gimmicks Q: Why is it that some manufacturers don't seem to understand the importance of a clean, uncluttered image? Some action sequences or still frames can be so beautiful I'd like to look at them a little longer. Especially on Blu-ray. But only on Blu-ray can you find a thing like an unremovable 'timeline' when you want to watch a sequence frame-by-frame or you simply want to enjoy a still frame. I have nothing against timelines and other gimmicks, but please: optional/removable. Or is it me having the wrong equipment, a Panasonic DMP-BD35? Is there a player available that can override these forced 'timelines' and give me back my uncluttered image? A: For what it's worth, I happen to agree with you. I also find timeline meters and other graphics or icons that clutter the screen when the movie is paused annoying. I would prefer if studios made those functions optional. Unfortunately, no Blu-ray players can override these features unless the studio specifically authors the disc to make them defeatable. The Blu-ray format has a protected video path that prevents a player from altering anything the studio wishes to appear on screen. Why Both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio? Q: Regarding the two lossless audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio), you have mentioned a while ago that all three formats are bit-for-bit identical to their studio masters and result in equivalent audio quality. I understand why studios have dropped the use of linear PCM audio track, but what's the point in maintaining Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA? At the end, the studio has to choose only one of the two audio formats. So if they are identical... A: If you're asking why a studio would choose to include both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio on the same disc, that is very rarely done. Off the top of my head, I can only think of 'Close Encounters' and 'Top Gun'. You're right, there's really no need for that. Assuming all other factors involving the sound mix are equal, the two lossless compression codecs will deliver identical results. (To add to the confusion, the two soundtracks on 'Top Gun' are actually sourced from separate mixes.) If you're asking why there's any competition between Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio in general, that's a little more complicated. Although both audio formats are lossless, they achieve their results through different means. Dolby TrueHD is a more efficient codec and requires less space. However, it's not backwards compatible with older A/V receivers, and will require that a standard lossy Dolby Digital track also be authored on the disc. Meanwhile, DTS-HD Master Audio is stored in a core + extension configuration, which means that it is backwards compatible with older receivers. If a viewer's hardware doesn't support the lossless extension, the player will only read the lossy DTS core. Therefore, there's no need to include a separate lossy track, because the lossy track is already part of the signal. DTS-HD is also advantageous for viewers who can't make use of the full lossless extension. The lossy DTS core is usually the higher bit-rate 1.5 Mb/s version of standard DTS, which is arguably higher in fidelity than the 640 kb/s standard Dolby Digital option. A studio's choice between Dolby or DTS will come down to which model they prefer. Of course, business being business, behind-the-scenes deals and incentives may also play a part in the competition. Homework Assignment: You Be the Advisor Some questions that the HD Advisor receives are best answered with a consensus of opinions from our readers. If you can help to answer the following question, please post your response in our forum thread linked at the end of this article. Your advice and opinions matter too. This week, the Homework assignment is literally a homework assignment! Digital Cinematography Q: I am writing a school paper on the emerging technology of digital cameras used in motion picture production. What percentage of movies/television series are shot digitally? JZ: For theatrical features, the percentage shot on digital video is still quite small, only a handful of movies a year. The numbers are almost certainly higher for television, but digital video is still far from ubiquitous there either. The majority of primetime dramas are still shot on film, for example. Part of the reason for the slow transition is that existing production pipelines are focused on film. It's easier and less expensive for a movie or TV show to use an existing post-production chain rather than to invest in the development of a new HD video pipeline. The other major factor is that many of the creative talent still prefer the look of film to the look of video. In either case, I don't have the exact figures. Can one of our other readers help out? Perhaps someone working in the industry is reading this. Check back soon for another round of answers. Keep those questions coming. Joshua Zyber's opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of this site, its owners or employees.Posted Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Blu-ray Will Never Replace DVDs in PCs Says Analyst[teaser]Less than four percent of new computers have Blu-ray drives.[/teaser] As we all know, Blu-ray has become an increasingly popular format, sales of both Blu-ray discs and players are higher than ever, and the format war is long behind us, but when it comes to PCs, Blu-ray has a long way to go. With DVD drives now standard on modern PCs, Blu-ray drives are surprisingly low in the mix. Installed on only 3.6% of new computers shipped this year, consumers seem hard pressed for a reason to make the switch. iSuppli’s senior analyst Michael Yang believes that the price of Blu-ray content is a factor, but not the only factor. “The cost issue is amplified by the fact that the library of content is so small that there really isn't a reason for users to switch at the moment”. Also a factor is the lack of a need for Blu-ray as a storage medium. Very few programs require multiple DVDs for installation or use, and aside from size, Blu-ray offers little advantage as a storage medium. The difference between floppy discs and CDs was massive, and the transition to DVDs was primarily due to storage size and read times.Posted Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
New Hitachi HDTVs Feature 500GB Hard Drives[teaser]Three Plasmas and two LCDs hit Japanese markets next month.[/teaser] While there is no confirmation of plans to market any of the newly announced XP035 televisions outside of Japan, also known as the Wooo line, the prospect of the new hard drive sporting displays will certainly pique some interest. With a pair of LCDs at 37” and 42” and a trio of plasmas at 42”, 46” and 50”, Hitachi is looking to cash in by combining technology and essentially eliminating the need for a DVR. The 500 GB hard drive will reportedly hold approximately four hundred hours of high definition content. The units will also support downloads from various sources. A translated version of the product’s info sheet reveals a ship date of September 10th, but pricing and international availability are not discussed.Posted Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
HD Broadcasters Petition FCC For Move To UHF[teaser]WVUE is one of several stations that has recently petitioned the FCC for a switch to UHF after the DTV transition.[/teaser] Originally a UHF station, New Orleans based WVUE received thousands of calls from viewers suddenly unable to receive the station after the switch. The FCC has approved the change and WVUE is going back to its former UHF channel, but more stations are seeking to change. Broadcasting & Cable reports that WLS Chicago is one of the stations seeking a change from VHF. Granted a tentative change, WLS Chicago stated that the option to boost power first offered by the FCC would interfere with other local stations. The reasons broadcasters desire UHF are twofold. First, UHF stations are typically granted more powerful and cleaner signals. Second, and likely a portion of the cause for the outages, is that most antennas labeled as “DTV Antennas” are UHF specific and possess either limited or no VHF capabilities. Other stations currently petitioning the FCC include KKTV in Colorado Springs, WWAZ in Wisconson, and Boston based WHDH.Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Onkyo’s New Network Capable 9.2 Channel Receivers[teaser]Audio streaming in nine channels and two independent subs![/teaser] In a press release earlier this week, Onkyo lifted the veil from their most versatile A/V receivers yet. A well known name when it comes to quality, Onkyo is embracing the demand for network and streaming integration, and with the announcement of the ‘Double-0’ series of receivers, it really shows. The trio of receivers, models TX-NR1007, TX-NR3007 and TX-NR5007, provide networking capabilities with a built in Ethernet port. Capable of streaming Pandora, Rhapsody, vTuner and Sirius Internet Radio services, the new line is also fully DNLA capable and Windows 7 compatible. Paul Wasek, Onkyo’s marketing director is excited about the potential of these receivers stating, “These receivers take home theater to the current frontiers of networking, audio, and video performance." Video processing, including upscaling to 1080p/24, on the two higher end models is done by an advanced HQV Reon-VX chipset. Audio processing is handled by TI Aureus DSP chips, and digital audio conversion by Burr Brown DACs. Perhaps most interesting is the 9.2 channel sound processing. “You can have a full-tilt 9.2-channel theater using Audyssey DSX or Dolby ProLogic IIz, or a great five-channel theater with added power to the main speakers or to additional stereo zones” said Wasek of the ‘Double-0’ line “the list of possibilities is a long one”Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Samsung Rumored To Show 480Hz HDTV at IFA[teaser]Technology is constantly evolving, and nowhere is that more evident than in HDTVs. [/teaser] According to German based FlatpanelsHD, Samsung will be showing off a new television that will eclipse former offerings by utilizing a 480Hz refresh rate. With the recent cap at 200/240Hz – 200 for Europe and 240 in the US – the new model would double the rate of models still fresh on the market. The displays are also said to use BFI/DFI, or Black Frame Insertion/Dark Frame Insertion. With BFI/DFI, a black or dark frame is inserted between original frames, helping to eliminate the human eye’s propensity for image retention. Berlin hosts the IFA consumer electronics expo this September, and new products are to be expected, but as of this moment the new Samsung 480HZ displays are yet to be confirmed.Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Panasonic Takes 3D HDTVs and Avatar on Tour[teaser]Mobile theaters will start pulling into US cities starting next month. [/teaser] James Cameron and Panasonic both really love 3D technology, and they want you to love it too. There are quite a few skeptics out there when it comes to the new format, and Panasonic and 20th Century Fox hope to win them over later this year with a new twist on an old marketing campaign. A fleet of mobile home theater trucks will be traveling throughout the US and Europe later this year, showing off scenes from the upcoming Avatar in 3D. Each truck will be equipped with a Blu-ray player, a 103” Panasonic Viera Plasma TV, and presumably some fairly impressive sound equipment. This will not only act as promotion for Avatar and Panasonic individually, but as a promotion for the 3D format itself. “I believe 3D is how we will experience movies, gaming and computing in the near future,” said Cameron to the Associated Press “3D is not something you watch. It's a reality you feel you could step into.”Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Naval Hospital Receives Home Theater Donation from Crestron[teaser]Wounded Warrior hospitals get hooked up with home theaters.[/teaser] Most consumers haven’t heard of Crestron, and who could blame them, it isn’t exactly a household name. For certain people however, it is; people like Eli Manning, Howard Stern, Harrison Ford, and thanks to a generous donation, soldiers recovering in the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. A temporary home for soldiers injured overseas, the hospital is a part of the Wounded Warrior Battalion – East, and the third to have been given the star treatment by Crestron. Vincent Bruno, director of marketing for Crestron presented the donation, thanking the soldiers for their hard work. "You all have made great sacrifices for us - to preserve our freedom. This is merely a small token of our appreciation for all you do and are doing.” Crestron’s donation includes an Adagio home theater system, a CEN-IDOCV iPod interface, a TPS-6X wireless touch panel controller, as well as a Blu-ray player and 52” plasma TV. Also contributing were Marshall who provided furniture, Triad for speakers and stands, and Velodyne with a subwoofer. Recovery can be boring and often depressing for soldiers who are ready to get back to their units, or their families. Crestron hopes to help by providing a great source of entertainment. More hospitals will be receiving donations from Crestron according to their press release, the next being Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, and Wounded Warriors Battalion – West in San Diego.Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Plasma TV Sales Up In First Half of 2009[teaser]Large LCD sales are in a slump, says Quixel research, while plasma seems to be enjoying a surge![/teaser] According to a report put out by Quixel Research, plasma sales are up significantly in the second quarter of 2009. Up 31% overall, the report mentions specifically the 42” 720p displays, a 40% surge over the previous quarter. The report attributes this to the continually tough economic state, though that doesn’t seem to account for the sudden rise. Interestingly, the same could not be said about LCD televisions. While smaller models still did well, there was a decrease in sales of larger TVs. Just what this means is yet to be determined, but if numbers like this keep showing up, we can certainly expect a few more competitors in the surprisingly growing market.Posted Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Vizio Tops LCD Sales Again[teaser]The company can boast three of the top five HDTVs sold.[/teaser] In 2009’s second quarter, Vizio tops the charts yet again. It’s not shocking considering the distribution Vizio has and their reputation for making a high quality entry level display. According to analyst Riddhi Patel, “The company seems to have found the right balance between features and price that appeals to many consumers.” While the top sellers were smaller models, all with sub $500 MSRPs, Vizio had a 101% growth over last quarter in the 55” category, with their highest year to year growth being in 40”+ displays. Layne Newsome, co-founder of Vizio explains why. “VIZIO is number one again because consumers want to enjoy the latest technology like Full HD 1080p, 120/240Hz SPS, and they appreciate the value that VIZIO provides” A fairly unknown name only a few years ago, Vizio now holds roughly 22% of the LCD market, with Samsung at 21% and other companies far behind. Vizio’s press release points at the lagging economy as a strong factor, as well as partnerships with stores like Target, Costco and Wal-Mart.Posted Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM PDT by:
