Contemporary Research’s new 232-ATSC HDTV tuner is a universal HDTV tuner, controllable via two-way RS-232 and discrete IR commands.

Able to fit two-across in a 2RU rack space, the tuner outputs HDMI, RGB/component and composite video simultaneously. NTSC broadcasts are upscaled for HD display. Digital Dolby 5.1/PCM audio is available from HDMI, coax and optical connections as well as variable-level stereo audio. Setup is accomplished with on-screen menus, included IR remote, front-panel programming and RS-232 control commands.

According to Grundig, the Misuro HD LCD screens are HD ready, negating the need to purchase an additional set top box. The resolution and picture quality claims to be sharper than standard definition television and comes with an inbuilt DVD player for added value for money.

The Misuro HD comes in a choice of a high gloss white or piano black finish to complement any room, is simple to use with an automatic set up, and comes with built-in speakers and remote control. It is also wall mountable and includes a 12 volt adaptor for caravans and boat use.

The Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-950, a "hybrid" TV tuner (meaning it can tune in over-the-air digital broadcasts or standard cable), normally sells for $79. Dell's Home store has it for just $40.79 plus five bucks shipping. That's after a $20 mail-in rebate, but I reckon Dell's good for it.

Hauppauge tuners are widely regarded as some of the best in the business. The HVR-950 comes with DVR software but also works with Windows Media Center. (Also included: Elgato EyeTV Lite, meaning you can use the tuner with a Mac!) You'll have to supply the antenna if you want over-the-air HD, but as long as you live in a fairly metropolitan area, any cheapo antenna should do.

Not like we haven't seen PCs stuffed within the slim confines of an LCD HDTV before, but it's safe to say the market isn't exactly overrun with alternatives. Enter Digital Canvas, which looks to take a 34-, 43- or 52-inch flat-panel and outfit 'em with typical PC components. All three come standard with a 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 120GB hard drive, WiFi module, a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution panel and a sweet string across the back for picture frame-esque hanging. Aside from needing to make absolutely sure you have a sturdy stud waiting, we'd certainly be wary about pulling the trigger via the seller's eBay store. Regardless, we're giving the design a hearty golf clap, even though the $4,777 to $7,777 price tags are a bit out of our league.

Bergen Community College, in Paramus, N.J., recently purchased three Hitachi SK-3020P HDTV Studio/EFP cameras for its new production studio.

Both the main production studio, control room and an adjacent student production studio and control room are located in West Hall, a new campus building designed to consolidate all arts and communications facilities under one roof.

Bergen Community College, in Paramus, N.J., recently purchased three Hitachi SK-3020P HDTV Studio/EFP cameras for its new production studio.
Bergen Community College Advanced Broadcasting student Joe Orechio at the controls of the school’s new Hitachi SK-3020P HDTV Studio/EFP cameras in its new production studio.
While the three Hitachi SK-3020P’s are native HD cameras, productions in the main studio are currently shot in SD because the switcher in the control room is SD only. When full HD production is required, Bergen Community College has the flexibility to switch the Hitachi SK-3020P’s through a new Thomson Grass Valley Kayak HD switcher in the students’ control room. And a second Kayak HD switcher is on order for the main studio control room.

More than 100 hours of classic footage from NASA's Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space missions have been restored for HDTV and will be made available through the space agency’s archives.

The HD restoration project was performed by the Discovery Channel for “When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions,” a documentary series due to premiere in June.

NASA will make the HD library available to the public as well as researchers.

The archive includes dramatic shots of the first American spacewalk, conducted in 1965 by Gemini 4 astronaut Ed White. Among the other highlights are rocket launches, moon shots, the Apollo-Soyuz linkup in 1975 and rarely seen footage from early astronaut training.

With the digital transition coming in early 2009 and some markets changing to digital broadcasts before that the market for LCD and Plasma TVs is booming. The economic stimulus checks soon to be showing up for most Americans will also see lots of new HDTVs coming to homes around the country. Today we are going to talk about a few of the things you need to consider when you are buying a LCD or plasma TV.

Aigo is coming up with a new PMP dubbed the Patriot MV5920 MP5 player. This latest PMP is being touted as a breakthrough device for its dual-core technology that allows HDTV playback at 720p (1280 x 720 pixels). The device also has Wi-Fi and mobile TV support aside from its 160GB hard drive capacity. It’s also categorized as an MP5 player, which is what PMPs are typically called in China.

For around $429 you’ll have this uber-cool looking piece of hardware that comes with other powerful features including a 2.0-megapixel camera, 4.3-inch color display at 16:9 (480x272 pixel) resolution, MP3 player that supports various digital music formats and an integrated DVR recording function. And yes, it’s still portable at 6.14 x 3.23 x 0.78-inches, despite its many features.

The only question left for all of us now is when will it be available in the international market?