HDTV news overview
Vidikron VP-6500VHD Plasma HDTV introduction
February 16, 2007 9:09 am
 The new Vidikron VP-6500VHD Plasma HDTV takes image quality to a new level with a bright picture, high contrast ratio and deep black levels and accurate colorimetry. These are among the aspects that have qualified it as the world’s first THX®* Certified flat panel display. The 65 inch HDTV screen has a 1920×1980 resolution and is able to show 1080p HDTV quality.
The on-board 16-bit digital video processing results in 4096 steps of graduation for high quality images, completely void of the “solarization” and “stair stepping” characteristics previously plaguing digital flat panels.
The Vidikron VP-6500VHD features IntelliWide™ for viewing 4:3 content in widescreen without appreciable picture degradation, as well as ISF™ calibration modes for optimum viewing under diverse lighting conditions.
The included VHD Controller/Processor with the so-called Imagix™ video processing maintains a pure digital signal path from input to output, and includes a broad array of video input choices. The home automation interface includes IR and RS-232 capabilities with discrete input selection, power on/off, aspect ratio control and more.
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Sharp introduces 5 new AQUOS HD recorders
February 14, 2007 12:17 pm
 Beginning in February 2007, Sharp Corporation is introducing into the Japanese market five new AQUOS HD Recorders that allow users to simultaneously record two programs in full-spec HD from an AQUOS LCD TV. The three models, the Sharp DV-ACW60, ACW55, and ACW52, have a built-in photo system equipped with the industry’s first IrSS (high-speed infrared) for fast and easy transferring of photographs taken by mobile phones and digital cameras (that supports IrSS) to the recorder. Two more models, the Sharp DV-AC55 and AC52, also allow users to enjoy simultaneous recording of two programs (with the Double Hybrid Recording function) from an AQUOS LCD TV (Limited to use with a Sharp AQUOS LCD TV equipped with i.LINK terminal).
With terrestrial digital broadcasting spreading all over Japan, full-spec HD LCD TVs that can display high-definition images “as is” are becoming the norm, as more and more consumers demand products that can record and play high-definition, high-resolution images. Since its release in February 2001 of the world’s first recorders that allow high-definition recording at home, Sharp has expanded its lineup and pursued ever-better image and sound quality.
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Sharp BD-HP1 Blu-ray disc player introduction
12:01 pm
 Sharp Corporation introduces the BD-HP1 Blu-ray Disc Player into the Japanese market. The new BD-HP1 has a Hybrid Recording function that works with the AQUOS LCD TV iLink connection ( Limited to connections with AQUOS LCD TVs equipped with an i.LINK terminal ) to allow recording of high-definition programs on Blu-ray Disc (Only single-layer BD-RE Discs without cartridge can be recorded on), an industry first.
With the ability to record high-definition images from video software and digital broadcasting sources and give high-definition, high-resolution images and high sound quality superior to that of DVD, the Blu-ray Disc is expected to become an indispensable part of the high-definition equation.
The BD-HP1 is one more way to enjoy the AQUOS Fami-link, a setup that combines the AQUOS LCD TV and AV equipment to provide entertainment. This player is installed with the industry’s first Hybrid Recording function, allowing users to record high-definition programs received by the AQUOS’ digital tuner through i.LINK. The player also has the Easy BD Dubbing function, which allows users to transfer programs recorded by an existing AQUOS HD Recorder (Limited to connections with AQUOS HD Recorders sold since February 2004) to Blu-ray Disc without losing the high-definition quality. Sharp is promoting this player as a new product genre that enables users to easily record onto Blu-ray Discs from the AQUOS LCD TV and the AQUOS HD Recorder.
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Worldwide HDTV growth to 150 million in 2011
8:13 am
 In a recently published research report Informa Telecoms & Media forecasts that there will be 151 million HDTV homes worldwide by the end of 2011 - more than three times the number at the end of 2006.
Adam Thomas, the report’s author, said: “The public has really taken to high-definition, attracted by falling prices for impressive looking sets. But the problem remains that once people get these sets home from the showroom, they can be disappointed with the results. First they have to subscribe to a content service and even then there can be relatively little to watch.”
Top 5 Global HD countries by HDTV set homes in 2011
| (000) |
2006 |
2011 |
| US |
27,715 |
62,856 |
| Japan |
9,623 |
28,917 |
| China |
2,522 |
10,339 |
| UK |
2,031 |
8,803 |
| Germany |
611 |
7,153 |
... continue reading Worldwide HDTV growth to 150 million in 2011
HDMI
February 13, 2007 11:50 am
 HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is the extension / successor of the DVI video standaard. The most important difference is the fact that HDMI transports audio in addition to the video signal.
HDMI delivers an uncompressed connection for both video and audio, requiring a single cable from the source to the HDTV. Compared to DVI HDMI enables a higher bandwidth for the connection and HDMI supports HDCP for content protection.
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720p
February 6, 2007 7:31 am
 720p is the a video signal standard for HD television. The image consists of 720 vertical lines with 1.280 pixels in each line. This signal has an image quality which is 2 times sharper than a standard tv signal. The ‘p’ in 720p stands for ‘progressive’ which implies that in each image refresh cycle all the 720 lines of the image will be updated.
The progressive screen update offers much better images when quickly moving objects have to be displayed. Other well known HD video formats are 1080i and 1080p.
An interesting article to read maybe 720 > 1080
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1080i
7:27 am
 1080i is a standardized video signal for HD television. The image consists of 1080 vertical lines with 1920 pixels in each line.
The ‘i’ in 1080i stands for ‘interlaced’, which implies that with each image refresh cycle either the odd or the even lines will be updated. Although 1080i has more vertical lines than 720p, effectively 1080i only rewrites half of it’s number of lines within each refresh cycle. (see the enlarged illustration). As a consequence the real difference in image quality between 1080i and 720p is rather small. On the other hand the advantage of interlaced is that this format demands significantly less bandwidth in comparison to the so called progressive signal.
720p and 1080i currently are the most popular formats for HDTV.
An interesting article to read maybe 720 > 1080
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Fraunhofer Micro HDTV camera introduction
February 2, 2007 10:49 am
 Frauenhofer unveils the Micro HDTV camera, a novel miniature camera which allows viewers to enjoy a new live experience and watch a ski jump or a car race in high resolution from the actor’s perspective. The camera is so tiny that it even fits inside the cramped cockpit of a racing car.
It is fascinating for a television audience to be able to watch a car race live from the driver’s perspective and see the surroundings rushing past. Until recently, this could only be done in standard TV resolution. Now these images have made the leap to ‘high-definition TV’ (HDTV), thanks to a mini-camera developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen. Several licensees will soon be putting the camera into series production.
Measuring only 4 by 4 by 8 centimeters, the camera is smaller than a bar of soap and can even be accommodated in a cramped racing-car cockpit or a ski jumper’s helmet. “The MicroHDTV model is one of the smallest HDTV cameras currently available”, says Stephan Gick, group leader at the IIS. “We achieved this chiefly by taking two different approaches: The camera’s electronics have a very low power loss, which means that little heat is generated and the housing can thus be kept very small. By using highly integrated parts, we were able to fit all of the components such as the image sensor, the analog-to-digital converter, the color processor and several interfaces into the tiny space available inside the camera.”
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