Russ

Pushing up HD
By IMAGG, Inc. 9/14/2008
YouTube has long been ‘the’ place to let Internet viewers evaluate your video efforts. You can even watch 320x240 video on the ‘cool’ chrome plated hand held devices. As media computers and DSL modems have generally replaced the computers of the dial-up generation, it is becoming ‘acceptable’ to step up the video resolution to roughly match broadcast and DVD standards. The latest ‘i-cool’ puts 640x480 on the screen with the promise of a ‘3G’ wireless access (it is best to read the fine print).
The handheld market (including a video market) is maturing and generates business. We can skip over the even more mature DVD and analog broadcast markets. As high definition DVDs (Blu Ray Disc) command a higher price in comparison to standard DVDs and the FCC is mandating broadcast conversion to digital, the ‘what was’ is in transition. The transition has been and will be slow. Why! Because viewers will continue to use the old analog ‘stuff’ (such as their existing connections to their TV) for as long as they continue to work. The digital connection between devices and the display (such as HDMI) will the last link to the discovery of HD Television.
By comparison, the market for HD video is ‘not ready for prime time’. Even with digital broadcast of HD, I find the common wide screen TV practice of stretching the picture to be downright annoying. High definition has been the stuff of the technical geeks. Now digital video distribution is of financial interest to TV and movie content producers, and is beginning to attract outsiders with information publications, interest groups, and HD clubs. As people generally buy into the large screen digital display, more and more will take an interest in how to use it (however reluctantly).