DirecTV Boosts HD As VOOM Prepares for Doom
Just as direct broadcast satellite (DBS) video service providers raised the bar with PVRs, expanded satellite HDTV offerings will provoke cable companies to respond in kind.
A new report from Dallas-based research consultancy The Diffusion Group predicts that DirecTV's recent announcement to deploy four new HD-capable satellites over the next few years will spur cable competitors to rapidly increase their HD offerings.
At the same time, and despite this new energy among DBS players, upstart satellite and direct-terrestrial-television provider VOOM will likely be reduced to licensing HD content, be absorbed by another HD producer, or declare bankruptcy by year-end 2005."With DirecTV expanding its HD offerings with four new satellites, the Company will have the capacity to deliver 1,000 additional local and high-definition channels as well as 150 national high-definition channels," says Scott Kipp, contributing analyst with The Diffusion Group.
"This will put DirecTV in an excellent position to grab a significant portion of the 70 million U.S. households that will be "HDTV-ready" by 2007."Conversely, HD upstart VOOM is doomed.
VOOM's recent SEC filing was intended to prepare Rainbow Media (the parent company and subsidiary of Cablevision) for spin-off as a separate company with its own publicly traded stock.
The spin-off was originally scheduled for September pending SEC approval.
Somewhat interesting was Cablevision's claim that only by spinning-off Rainbow Media will Cablevision be able to "reverse this trend and grow our customer base quickly and significantly."The VOOM service ? launched less than one year ago ? has attracted only 29,000 subscribers, far short of the 200,000 pledged for year-end 2004.
After the company announced price increases and a reduction in equipment subsidies during Q2 2004, subscriptions decreased and churn increased.
VOOM posted losses of $36 million in Q1 2004 and $61.6 million in Q2 2004.
Q3 2004 losses are expected to exceed $80 million.In general, DirecTV's announcement to enhance its HD offerings will prove a necessary competitive impetus, especially among cable operators.
As Kipp suggests, "Given the lack-luster diffusion of HDTV to date, the industry must focus on improving (1) the production and availability of compelling content, (2) the accessibility of HD equipment and services at reasonable prices, and (3) awareness among mainstream consumers as to the unique value of HDTV.TDG's latest report, "HDTV Service Providers: Competitive Analysis & Forecasts," profiles the various HD services currently offered to U.S. consumers; examines the competitive dynamics underlying service expansion; and forecasts both service adoption and HD technology diffusion through 2008.
"HDTV Service Providers: Competitive Analysis & Forecasts" is now available for purchase on the Company's website, www.tdgreserach.comAbout The Diffusion Group The Diffusion Group is a "think tank" of consumer technology analysts charged with providing timely, actionable intelligence designed to best position new consumer technologies for rapid diffusion. TDG is committed to providing market research and strategic consulting services based on conservative, real-world analysis and market forecasts grounded in consumer research.
For more information about The Diffusion Group, visit our website at www.tdgresearch.com.Media Contact:Andy Tarczon972-731-2553e-mail protected from spam bots.
DISH Network HDTV Guide - Information on Programming and Prices
HD (high definition) TV has become all the rage in recent years. Here's a DISH Network HDTV guide, that includes information about DISH Network HDTV features, programming packages, and service fees.
DISH Network HDTV
HDTV is a broadcast medium whereby programs are transmitted in a digital format. HD broadcasting utilizes 1,125 lines of resolution, as opposed to only 525 lines of resolution regular analog broadcasts use. The more lines of resolution the sharper and clearer the picture.
The audio portion of the broadcast signal is also transmitted in digital format so you get a richer, more realistic sound.
DISH Network HDTV features
Lifelike picture
DISH Network HDTV programs are five times sharper than programs broadcast in
analog format.
HDTV is clearer and the color is more vibrant than analog TV.
Surround-sound audio
DISH Network HDTV...
Hdtv > DISH Network HDTV Guide - Information on Programming and Prices
SnapStream Media Announces Support for Market-Leading Digital / HDTV Tuner Cards from ATI Technologies, AVerMedia?, and DViCO
(ContentDesk) November 10, 2005 --
SnapStream Media, Inc. a leader in digital home entertainment products, announced today that Beyond TV 4 offers official compatibility with digital ATSC tuner cards manufactured by market-leading TV tuner card manufacturers including ATI Technologies Inc. (TSX: ATY, NASDAQ: ATYT),
AVerMedia, and DViCO.Official compatibility means that users of ATI, AVerMedia Technology, and DVICO TV tuner cards can confidently assemble PC-based DVRs with SnapStreams award-winning Beyond TV DVR software.
Compatible cards include:"???ATIs HDTV Wonder"???AVerMedias AVerTVTMHD"???DViCOs FusionHDTV5 Lite"???DViCOs FusionHDTV5 Gold Plus"???DViCOs FusionHDTV5 USB GoldBeyond TV also supports aftermarket HDTV tuner cards manufactured by ADS Tech, Kworld, and VBox.
A complete list of compatible TV tuner cards is available on the company's website at www.snapstream.com.Beyond...
Hdtv > SnapStream Media Announces Support for Market-Leading Digital / HDTV Tuner Cards from ATI Technologies, AVerMedia?, and DViCO