Satellite TV Programming High-Definition
HBOís high-definition channel premiering March 6 should be big excitement for widescreen HDTV enthusiasts. HBO is taking high-definition very seriously with plans to broadcast 60 percent of the movies on HBOís hi-def channel in true HDTV. The selection will consist of the most popular theatrical titles and all the HBO original films. To prepare films for HDTV broadcast HBO has spent millions to re-transfer original film elements to high-definition digital video masters, using expensive high-definition telecines. For the launch, HBO has newly transferred about 100 titles. HBO programs that arenít in high-definition will be upconverted to 1080I resolution using line-scaling processing and noise reduction. Unfortunately, these programs will remain in the 1.33:1 (4:3) aspect ratio rather than the 1.78:1 (16:9) widescreen image shape used for HBOís true high-definition programming. DircTV also will begin its high-definition programming in May with pay-per-view movies from New Line Cinema. The initial titles from the DirecTV/New Line partnership will be Pleasantville, Living Out Loud and American History X. The new films will appear on DirecTV before they are available to pay-per-view cable subscribers. But to receive the DirecTV high-definition signal customers of the service, and those of recently acquired USSB and PrimeStar, will have to purchase new elliptical dishes (presently used for DirecPC service), which are designed to receive standard definition programs from one satellite position and high-definition programs from another. The same companies (including Sony, Hughes and Philips) that currently support the DirecTV/USSB system will manufacture the new dishes, and new set-top boxes. One of the set-top box options for DirecTV customers is a new receiver manufactured by Philips that can digitally record programs based on the subject matter a viewer selects, using TiVO technology. EchoStarís DISH Network also will offer programming this year in high-definition that will require new dishes and receivers. The EchoStar 7100 is the companyís new set-top box that provides Internet access and the ability to pause a live program for up to 30 minutes, along with DISH Network channels. C-band satellite dish owners also will be able to receive high-definition programming this year. General Instruments plans to sell a high-definition set-top box by the third or fourth quarter of the year to be used with the companyís 4DTV product.