This is the first in a series of articles taken from the HDTV Technology Review 2007 by Rodolfo La Maestra, published in May 2007. If you are interested in purchasing the full version of this report, it is currently available for purchase from our HDTV Technology Review page.

HDTV Technology Review 2007

By Rodolfo La Maestra
May 2007

Introduction

As with every year, this report reviews the state of HDTV technology for consumers, its implementation, government affairs, and the industry behind it.

This year, in addition to this report, I have produced a more comprehensive Industry Edition distributed by Display Search (almost 600 pages). On this Consumer Edition, I concentrate most of the material on what the readers of the HDTV Magazine usually devote more interest to: HDTV hardware, especially TVs.

Additionally, to round up the presentation, I provide a brief review of the main subjects related to DTV. However, due to space considerations, the full coverage of those subjects, such as digital connectivity, multi-channel audio for HD, content protection, satellite/cable/broadcast, IPTV, DTV implementation, etc. will be released in separate editions.

The review includes future products and technologies announced as of May 2007, with information supplied directly by manufacturers, or gathered at HDTV conferences, CEDIA, NAB, CEATEC, and the International CES (Consumer Electronics Show), where the industry also introduce innovations, prototypes, and technology statements.

If you are looking for a previously released product or technology that is not mentioned in this report, please consult the other annual reports available at no cost published by the HDTV Magazine:

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/reports/hdtv-technology-review.php

These reports also provide a historical background of government mandates, industry agreements, satellite/cable plans, and descriptions of the technologies introduced during the covered year, including some previously reported products
that are current to facilitate reading and comparison analysis within the same document.

The group of reports can be used as a research tool for past, present, and future products and technologies, and to analyze the evolution of HDTV.

When applicable, a brief background is provided to give an historical perspective of a given subject before getting into the detail of the current year.

Products are mentioned highlighting the month of their introduction and future availability to provide a perspective of their maturity in the market. CEDIA and CES announcements are highlighted within each manufacturer.

Most publications show current DTV products with basic specifications and do not analyze the market to guide consumers to help them make the right choice for their needs. Hundreds of manufacturers and products are included in this report, with detailed specifications and features to facilitate comparisons with other models, brands, and technologies.

However, this report is not only about products and technologies, there is abundant coverage in sections dedicated to standards, connectivity, government, IPTV, etc. that provide a broad picture of the history and implementation of HDTV beyond a TV set, unlike any other publication or book.

From the consumer point of view, many attend CES to plan future purchases and maybe start saving for products that could be released months or years later. Some decide to rather buy now a current product because CES helped confirm that it might not be worth the wait. This report helps consumers making those choices because of its full coverage of the subject.

The report also highlights industry trends, the adoption (or abandoning) of H/DTV technologies, the remarkable growth of flat panel displays, the endurance of continued LCoS support, the 1080p Holy Grail, the CinemaScope implementations with new 1080p projectors and anamorphic lenses, the Hi-Def DVD format war, the oversize panel competition, 3-D, and the ED display technology in all its varieties (SED, NED, OLED, FED).

This report assumes that the reader has a basic understanding of H/DTV. Certain technical information might seem overwhelming to readers that feel the need to understand the basics first. The Glossary at the end of the report and tutorial articles at the HDTV Magazine are recommended:

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/articles-author.php?id=16

All types of H/DTVs and technologies are covered in this report: RPTV (rear projection TV), FP (front projectors), Direct-view (CRTs, CRPs, etc), Plasmas (PDP), DLP (Digital Light Processing), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon, including JVC's D-ILA and Sony's SXRD), and the EDs displays mentioned above.

This report also reviews DTV related equipment such as Hi-Def DVD for playback and recording, HD tuning set-top-boxes (STB) for small-dish satellite, digital cable, and over-the-air (OTA) w/antenna reception, HD DVRs (Digital Video Recorders), the implementation of digital video connectivity, etc.

The information about models, prices, and specifications has been researched and confirmed with product demonstrations, lab reviews, press releases, technical material, and manufacturer interviews at CES and other conferences. Prices are quoted as MSRP and rounded to facilitate reading and quick comparisons; when unknown, TBA or TBD is generally used. Product availability is stated as TTM (Time to Market).

As the industry grows in complexity, variety, and number of HD products, the effort to research, review, analyze, and compare products, added to a full H/DTV coverage at CES and other HDTV events, and issue final projections, is becoming an overwhelming task for one person year after year.

In the past, many people referred to this effort as a "CES report". The truth is: CES is important but is just one piece of the industry perspective offered in this document. Although I know in advance the technologies and products expected to appear at CES, the show permits me to eyewitness them and talk to the engineers that participated in their development. No press release or magazine's new-product page can provide such transparent review, a unique and complete picture of the H/DTV industry.

Additionally, the effort for preserving a broad scope facilitates the linking of all the HD areas and allows for a deeper analysis and a wider perspective across manufacturers, technologies, and the industry in general.


Although considerable effort was made to consolidate and verify the correctness of the data included in the report, I cannot assume responsibility for omissions or errors.

Should you have any comments or questions, please contact me at:

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/about/contact.php?name=lamaestra

Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work.

Rodolfo La Maestra
HDTV Technology Consulting
Senior Technical Director

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - H/DTV Implementation
The Updated Transition Plan (2006 and 2007)
Approved New DTV Deadline
Approved Public Education / Emergency Program
Cable DTV Downconversion
Approved DTV Converter Box Budget for Subsidy
Converter Box Subsidy Program Updates
Integrated Tuner Mandate Update
Tuner-less DTVs
Analysis and Projections For 2007/8/9

Chapter 2 - DTV Standards
A-VSB - Advanced-Vestigial Side-Band
x.v.YCC
LG's MPH (Mobile-Pedestrian-Handheld)

Chapter 3 - Satellite, Cable, Broadcasting
Satellite
DirecTV
Dish Network (EchoStar)
Microsoft Partnership
Cable
DOCSIS 3.0
CES 2007
The CableCARD Implementation - Current Situation
CableCARD Implementation Analysis
Multi-Stream CableCARD
Cable STB Integration Ban
Congress Support for DCAS
FCC Approved DCAS - Some Integrated Ban Waivers
Switched Digital Video (SDV)
Broadcasting
3-in-One TV Tuner
Down-Conversion Proposal
Do You Know Where Your Recording is Tonight?
Broadcasting Industry Preparing for 1080p Production

Chapter 4 - Internet Protocol TV (IPTV)
Introduction
What Does IPTV Mean to You?
Different Methods of HDTV Over IP
Current/Planned IPTV Market Solutions

Chapter 5 - CRT, SED, OLED, FED, NED, 3DTV
The Technologies
LCD vs. CRT in Europe
3DTV
Samsung
SED
Applied Nanotech
Display Manufacturers
Canon
SED
GTT
JVC
Hitachi
LG
Mitsubishi
OLED
Motorola
NED
Philips
RCA
Samsung
OLED
FED
CRT
Sony
OLED
Thomson (RCA)
Toshiba
SED line

Chapter 6 - Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Texas Instruments
CES 2007
TVP9010 HDTV Processor
TVP9007 Converter Box
Akai
Barco
BenQ
Christie
Digital Projection International
Dwin
Hitachi
HP
InFocus
LG
Marantz
Mitsubishi
NEC
Nuvision
Optoma
Panasonic
Philips
Projectiondesign
Radio Shack
RCA (see Thomson)
Runco
SAGEM
Samsung
Sanyo
Sharp
SIM2 USA
Thomson
Toshiba
Vidikron
Viewsonic
Vivitek
Yamaha
Zenith

Chapter 7 - Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS)
Canon
Cinetron
DreamVison
ELCOS
Faroudja
Hitachi
JVC (D-ILA)
LG
Meridian-Faroudja
MicroDisplay Corporation
OMT
SONY (SXRD)
Syntax/Brillian

Chapter 8 - LCD Projection (FP and RPTV)
Canon
Epson
Hitachi
Mitsubishi
Panasonic
Sanyo
Sony
Toshiba
Viewsonic

Chapter 9 - Plasma Panels
Audiovox
Cinemateq
Daewoo
Dell
Dwin
Fujitsu / Hitachi
HISENSE
Hitachi/ Fujitsu
HP
LG
Marantz
Maxent
Mitsubishi
NEC
NIKADA
Norcent
Panasonic
Philips
Pioneer
Runco
Samsung
Thomson
Toshiba
Vidikron
VIZIO Inc

Chapter 10 - LCD Panels
Akira
Asus
BenQ
Hisense
Hitachi
HP
H&B
Humax
JVC
LG
Maxent
Mitsubishi
NIKADA
Norcent
NUVISION
Panasonic
Philips
Prima
Proton
Proview
Runco
Samsung
Sanyo
Sharp
Sony
Syntax/Brillian
Thomson (RCA)
Toshiba
VIZIO Inc
Vidikron
Viewsonic
Westinghouse

Chapter 11 - HDTV Tuners / DVRs
AMD
AverMedia
AVerTVHD MCE A180
AVerTVHD Hybrid Express card
AVerMedia AVerTVHD Combo PCI-E
AVerMedia AVerTVHD Hybrid USB
AutummWave
AV Toolbox
CodexNovus
Contemporary Research
Digeo
Digital Stream
DIRECTV
CES 2007
Sat-Go portable receiver
Dish Network
2006 line of MPEG-2/MPEG-4 models
CES 2007
Ezneo
Gefen
Hisense
HP
Humax
JVC
Key Digital
LG
MatrixStream IPTV Technologies
Deployment Diagram
MicroTune
MIT (Micro Image Technology)
Mitsubishi
Motorola
CES 2007
MovieBeam
Moxi
MyDTV45.com
Netgear
Onair Solution
Pace
PrimeDTV
Pro-Brand
PX Digital Multimedia
RCA
Samsung
Scientific Atlanta
CES 2007
Sharp
Sony
Sylvania
TEAC
Thomson
Cable STB DCI9000
Satellite STB
IP DBI200
Triple Play Services over Multiple Network Types
Tivo
USDTV
UTStarcom
V,Inc
Viewsonic
Vizio
Voom
Winegard
Xceive
Zenith
Zoran

Chapter 12 - High Definition DVD
HD DVD and Blu-ray Formats
Background
Formats Reconciliation
Associations of the Formats
Formats - Companies Support

Universal Player
Samsung
LG
The Universal Confusion
We Do it For the Consumer

Player Interactivity
Content Protection for Hi Def DVD
AACS Down-Res
PVP-OPM
Gaming
How Much does the PS3 Actually Cost?
Cables for PS3
Console Comparative Speculations
Xbox 360
Hi-Def DVD Formats Specifications

Computing - Hi-Def Laptops
Toshiba
Dell
Fujitsu
HP
Samsung
Sony

Computer Drives
BenQ
Dell
NEC
Pioneer
Sony
Toshiba

CES 2007 and Late 2006 Computer Equipment Introductions.
Hitachi
HP
LaCie
LG
Niveus Media
Pioneer
Samsung
Sony
Toshiba

Parts and Chips
PC applications for BD
Discs
NME
Multi-layer Dual Optical Disc
Toshiba's Triple-layer Hybrid TWIN Disc Format
Recording Media for HD DVD and Blu-ray
Sony
TDK
HD DVD ROM
BD Discs
BD-ROM Pre-recorded Media
Studio Announcements
Format Launching
HD DVD Launch
Blu-ray Launch
Industry and Content Support - CES 2007
Blu-ray Presentation
HD DVD Presentation
Warner's Total Hi Def Disc (Dual Blue Laser Formats)
Format Market Penetration - CES 2007
Titles and Blu-ray Player Sales
Film Grain Added to HD DVD

HD DVD Players/Recorders
Alco
LG
Onkyo
RCA
Sanyo
Shinco Electronics
Toshiba
The Actual Value of the Player
Current Toshiba Players:
1080p Video Processing in Toshiba Players
1080p 24fps Output in Toshiba Players
Toshiba Plans for 1080p 24fps
New Toshiba Players
Blu-ray Players / Recorders
Hitachi
JVC
LiteOn
LG
Mitsubishi
Panasonic
Philips
Pioneer
Samsung
Sharp
Sony

Formats Implementation Issues
Blu-ray
HD DVD

Analysis for the Hi-Def DVD Adopter
Balancing Features
1080p Outputs
1080p24fps for Film Content Playback
The Format Choice - Survey Question
Audio Claims
Image Constraint Token (ICT) - Early Adopter Impact
ICT Token - An Issue Anytime any Place
ICT Token - Industry Impact
Hybrid Discs
Partial Implementation of Features

A Different View of Hi-Def DVD Booths at CES

Asia's Hi-Def DVD Challengers
China's EVD, HVD, and HDV
Taiwan's Forward Versatile Disc (FVD)
Versatile Multi-layer Disc - VMD Format

Chapter 13 - HD Video Processors
Engines for Video Processors
ABT
Gennum Corporation
Silicon Optix
Algolith
BenQ
Calibre
Cinetron
Denon
Digital Projection
Epson
JVC
Mitsubishi
NEC
Proview
Syntax
Toshiba
Yamaha
GEO chip
Video Processors
Algolith
Calibre
Digital Projection
DVDO
Faroudja
Gefen
Lumagen
NEC
Pixel Magic (Crystalio II)

Chapter 14 - HD Video Cameras
HDV Format
AVCHD Format
Ambarella
Canon
Professional Products
Consumer Camcorders
Hitachi
JVC
Consumer Products - CES 2007
Professional Products
Panasonic
Panasonic Broadcast
Consumer Products
Sanyo
Samsung
Sony
Sony High Performance Broadcast
Consumer Products

Chapter 15 - Screens and HT Equipment
Digital Innovations
Dnp
D-Box
Hillcrest Labs
Jasco GE
Lightscope
Optoma
Panamorph
Planar Systems
Sima
Stewart
VUTEC

Glossary of H/DTV Terms

About the Author