Readers of this blog were the first to find out about Insight Digital 4.0 a few days ago. At the time, I didn't give you many details about the new HD channels because they vary by district. Today, I'd like to point you to our new Insight Digital 4.0 web site at www.InsightDigital40.com.
The web site will allow you to see the new HD channels that will be available in your area, the new On Demand programming, and the new HD On Demand programming.
CableLabs certifies first tru2way Panasonic HDTVs [EngadgetHD]
If you're in the market for a new HDTV during the holidays this year, word is coming from Panasonic that they'll be rolling out their tru2way ready HDTVs in time for the holiday shopping.
Tru2way promises to bring truly interactive television, without the need for a set top box. It's great news to hear that consumers will soon be able to purchase tru2way ready televisions.
FCC's Quiet Period Review Awaits Martin Vote [Multichannel News]
Here's an update on retransmission consent and the digital transition. As you'll recall, the negotiations between broadcast stations and cable operators regarding carriage of broadcast stations' signal on cable happen to fall right in the same time frame as the upcoming digital transition.
That means that right at the time the US converts its broadcasting system from analog to digital, there's a fair chance that some broadcasters will pull their channels off of local cable systems because they cannot reach an agreement for compensation. Five cable companies, including Insight, asked the FCC to impose a short moratorium on pulling their signals from cable or satellite distributors for about six weeks before and six weeks after the digital transition date.
According to this article from Multichannel News, four of the five FCC commissioners have voted to seek public comment on a "quiet period" on retransmission consent - the short moratorium that cable companies have asked for. It is cable's view that a moratorium that begins later than December 31, 2008 will not capture the vast majority of retransmission consent negotiations that expire on that date. That gives the broadcasters the ability to pull their signal off of cable and satellite systems just before the digital transition. The fifth commissioner, Chairman Kevin Martin, has yet to vote, according to this article, but has indicated that he supports a shorter moratorium, more akin to the broadcasters' position.
Great news... now can we get an HD only package?
Posted by: alex | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 12:22 PM