Survey: 73% of Non-HDTV Owners Plan on HDTV Purchase Within One Year
In a survey conducted by Pricegrabber.com of 1,915 online consumers, 73% of non-HDTV owners said they plan on purchasing a high definition set within one year, despite the current economic climate.
Pricegrabber.com reports that 57% of consumers own an HDTV set, as opposed to 30% of consumers in August 2006.
The company also reported that recent price drops in HD sets didn’t spur their purchase, but rather the improved sound and image quality was behind the buy.
In Demand Calls It Quits on Mojo HD
Mojo HD, In Demand’s high definition service, is being shuttered, TV Week reports.
The cable companies that own In Demand are turning their focus towards other products, including an online video store for Comcast and Time Warner Cable.
“The Mojo HD channel was originally conceived as a way to satisfy consumers’ thirst for pure true high-definition programming,” In Demand said in a statement. “While Mojo HD accomplished this goal, there is a wealth of HD programming now available and thus we have chosen to discontinue the service.”
Apple TV Upgrade Supports HD Television Episodes
A software upgrade for Apple’s set top Apple TV now allows users to download high-definition episodes of television shows offered by the Apple Store, the company said last week.
Standard definition episodes are available for $1.99, while episodes in HD are available for $2.99.
‘Sleeping Beauty’ First Disney Classic Released on Blu-Ray
Disney’s 1959 animated movie “Sleeping Beauty” hit stores in Blu-ray on Tuesday, marking the first time a Disney classic has made it to the HD format, EngadgetHD reports.
The special edition release comes with two Blu-ray discs, plus a standard DVD version of the film. “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” “Beetlejuice,” and “Young Frankenstein” also dropped into stores this week with Blu-ray releases.
Panasonic Releases 300 Millionth Television Set
Panasonic produced its 300 millionth television set since its first foray into the TV business in 1952, Japan’s Corporate News Network reported on Tuesday.
The company originally produced televisions under the National brand, switching to Panasonic completely in 1988.
Panasonic said it may only take a few years for the company to hit the 400 million television benchmark.