There's a Sucker Converted Every Minute - Via Slashdot:
Ponca City, We love you writes "Once the US converts from analog to digital broadcasting next February, those who receive their signals over the air will need a converter box for older, non-digital models. Government-approved converter boxes sell for $60 or less and a government-issued $40 rebate coupon is available for the asking but that hasn't stopped companies like the Ohio-based Universal TechTronics from offering supposedly free converter boxes. The gimmick: the box is free, as long as you pay $88 for a five-year warranty, plus $9.30 shipping. Universal TechTronics seems to specialize in 'high-tech' products of questionable value, marketing the Cool Surge portable air cooler, 'a work of engineering genius from the China coast so advanced that no windows, vents, or freon are needed' that uses the same energy as a 60-watt light bulb. It works by blowing a stream of air over two ice packs that you have previously frozen in your freezer. What's the best tech scam you've heard of lately?"
(Read Original Article - Via Slashdot.)
KT to trial IPTV in Russia before Korean launch - IPTV News: July 31, 2007 - Korea Telecom (KT) is to trial and launch an IPTV service in Russia before doing so in its native Korea, according to latest reports from local daily the Chosun Ilbo.
During a news conference in Vladivostok held last Sunday, the President of KT, Nam Joong-soo said: "Trial service will begin in August in Russia's Maritime Province ahead of a full launch next year." The service is to be launched through its affiliate NTC, which will hold an 80% stake in the service in the province. read more... »
Japan's Sharp to build huge new LCD panel plant - TODAYonline: "A model shows off the world's largest 65-inch LCD digital high-definition flat panel TV, a 'LC-65GE1' model manufactured by Japan's Sharp Corporation, during its press preview at a Tokyo hotel in 2005. Sharp Corp. has said it will invest about 3.2 billion dollars in a huge new plant making liquid crystal display panels for large screen televisions -- a key battleground for electronics makers."
(Read Original Article - Via .)
Variety.com - Now Hong Kong getting hi-def TV: "HONG KONG -- Now TV on Thursday will unveil Hong Kong's first high-definition broadcast channels when it launches Now Sports.
Company, which is part of tycoon Richard Li's PCCW phones-to-broadband-Internet conglom, will use English Premier League and Barclays Asia Trophy soccer to attract viewers to the premium price channels.
Service is believed to be the world's first commercial HD operation using Internet Protocol TV standards. read more... »
Researchers Craft HDTVs Successor
(PC World): "PC World - High-definition TV may still be far from the norm in many countries, but that isnt stopping engineers at Japans public broadcaster from pushing ahead with development of Super Hi-Vision, a system they hope will eventually replace HDTV. Last week engineers at NHKs (Nippon Hoso Kyokai) Science and Technical Research Laboratories showed off their most recent work on the technology." read more... »