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Hey, has anyone else seen the TV commercials for Verizon free HDTV offer if you sign up for their TV service. Sounds too good to be true. But I can't find it anywhere on there website, I wanted to find the catch...anyone else see this commercial?

Dan

OK, so HD Radio is the radio industry's response to XM and Sirius...I personally haven't listened to any stations yet, though I do know of several here in the Miami area that are offering the HD broadcasts. It sounds like its going to be like the digital music stations that cable offers. I was perusing a website that was promoting HD radio and came across bullet points why this radio format will be so much better than normal radio (um yea sure). Here are the bullets...the last one definitely makes me want to listen....NOT!

==>New kinds of programs you’ve never listened to before
==>New experimental formats that no one has ever heard

Let's see.....how about "bob and jim in the backyard with rocks and sticks?" or maybe "Cats screeching at midnight?"

I can't wait to hear this new experiMENTAL format!

Microsoft has created the next Newton, or as people not as computer dorkified as me, a technological paperweight. It is an interesting product, uses some advanced technology, and can do some pretty amazing things, but it is just too big to fit the pocket, and just to small to use as your home pc. Just becuase we have HD content and widescreen, doesnt mean we want to have to carry it around without sliding it in our pocket.

In response to Jon’s request about Media Center Edition of Windows XP, and not to add 15 more comments to the LCD and Plasma debate, I will just create a new blog. If any one has a problem with that – to bad. I hadn’t posted a new entry for weeks so here goes:

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Windows XP Media Center is more than a Tivo replacement. I am sure it is what Tivo dreams it could be at night when those two little record / power lights are turned off. First off let’s list the cool stuff that XPMCE does:

So what is the answer?

I have been leaning towards LCD because of the things that I have heard about PLASMA. You know, burn-in, possible fading of the pixels, not easily transported, etc. But I see all of these beautiful PLASMA tvs that cost much less than LCD with the same features. For instance, this weekend I was in BEST BUY and saw a 50" PLASMA by PHILLIPS for about $2000. It was 720p which was ok, and had HDTV and all the goodies. Now, for that money, you can't touch an LCD tv anywhere close to that size. You may be able to get a decent 32" or even a 37" if you go with a no-brand. But 50" is gynormous. I am very tempted to get that tv. All you LCD prophets, convince me otherwise! The only LCD at the moment that comes close to the size is the SHARP AQOUS 45" LCD. But its $4500!! And, yes I know it supports 1080p, but come on! Its not worth $2500 more just to get the 1080p. I'll be happy with the 1080i that the 50" will deliver.

Right now the Cable Networks are upset about an FCC decision to push for a la carte pricing of cable programming.

This sounds like a great idea to me; I am all for the changing the paradigm for disseminating popular media.

And to see Google and CBS talking about pushing video on the net is just great.

I take the idea one step further. I would love to not pay my cable provider for TV at all. Rather, I would love to just jump on the net, select what show or broadcast I want to watch. I already have a computer hooked up to my TV. And I believe that many people who purchase HDTV’s will follow through and hookup a computer. So once you have that setup (and all major broadcast and cable networks have an online source for their programming) why bother paying your cable provider for TV?

The whole game console thing doesn't make any sense to me, aren't they just computers that just don't have all the extra functions of a computer because the manufacturers don't put them in. (of course they still charge as much as computers)

I love reading the stories of how people soup up their game consoles so they are more like computers... Apple makes pretty machines if that's what you want.

Mostly it's for the games, if the game makers released ALL the games for PC then why would you buy a console.

And when everyone figures out that they can plug their home computer right into their HD sets then the console will really not make sense. An example: I don't have a DVD player in my living room anymore, because I use my computer.