Dish Network recently announced plans to sell DTV-to-analog box online for just $59.99. The converter box called the DTVPal, allows analog-only TV sets to continue to receive TV signals after the digital television transition act goes into effect February, 2009.

According to a recent post on Broadcasting Cable, the new Dish box would help viewers who might get the Dish satellite service but receive their TV-station signals over the air (Dish does not carry local TV stations in every market).

Analog television owners that subscribe to Dish Network but want to use their $40 digital television converter box coupon, can get a version of the cable box directly from EchoStar for about $39.99.
The Dish box currently available is the DTVPal, with the analog pass-through capability that will allow viewers to watch low-power stations and translators, which don't have to switch to digital in February 2009. The DTVPal can be an analog TV's friend for $59.99, or $19.99 with a coupon.

Do you have Dish cable service? Do you still have an analog television? Have you received your digital conversion box coupon yet? Let us know.

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Sony, product manufacturer and entertainment content juggernaut, announced that they plan to release Hollywood studio releases to their Bravia LCD televisions via digital download.

According to a recent post on TimesOnline, Hancock, featuring Will Smith, will be the first film to be delivered over the internet. Incorporating Hancock, a Sony pictures release, is a perfect example of how a content and hardware owner can change the way consumers receive new releases. Sony announced plans to invest $17 billion into the technology to make this happen over the next three years.

How do you think the ability to download new releases to your television will do? Is this a service that you would be interested in or do you prefer the traditional movie theater experience? We would like to hear from you.

-itsTripple

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A recent Pocket-Link article reports that data from recent studies by research firm, Futuresource, show Blu-Ray Disc hardware is outperforming DVD hardware. Blu-Ray feature advantages such as the Sony Playstation 3, is expected to continue the lead until the next decade.

Futuresource's study looked at how Blu-Ray uptake compared to DVD uptake. Other considerations were the future forecast of adoption of the formats. This being the third year of the Blu-Ray player release, Futuresource anticipates over 10 million Blu-Ray players in use by the end of the year. Compared to DVD's early years, 1.5 million DVD players were in use by the same period end of year three.

Blu-Ray player prices are falling and they will become easier to obtain as the PS3 becomes cheaper for consumers. Will you make the switch or have you already? Let us know.

- itsTripple

Is there a competitive advantage to being the industry's smallest all-digital HD MPEG-4 set-top player? If there is, Amino Communications, a U.K.-based IPTV set-top manufacturer, claims their AmiNET130M MPEG-4 set-top is it.

According to a recent post at Multichannel News, Amino Communications, claims that their new HD set-top player, AmiNET130M, is 'the industry's smallest all-digital HD MPEG-4 set-top.' The AmiNET130M measures 4.48 inches wide and 1.37 inches tall. The set-top box features a HDMI connector but does not record digital video.

Amino expects to be able to charge 20% less than it does for other comparable units it sells such as the AmiNET130 HD box, because of the lack of analog connectors.

Are you itching for a 'tiny' HD video set-top box to go with your big-ass TV? We would love your feedback.

-itsTripple

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RadioShack's Digital Stream DTX9950, features digital and analog pass-through which will allow consumers to continue to receive analog signals from broadcasters that haven't fully converted over to digital on February 17, 2009.

The Digital Transitions and Public Safety Act currently only requires 'full-powered' stations to make the switch by February 17, 2009. This means that low-powered broadcasters will still broadcast over-the-air. According to a recent post on Electronic House, The Digital Stream DTX9950, can receive both the analog and digital signal without a splitter or A/B switch.

The Digital Stream DTX9950 is eligible for the government's $40 DTV converter box coupon. Request your digital conversion box coupon at www.dtv2009.gov

-itsTripple

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Sony plans to expand their high definition LCD Bravia television line to over 30 products. They recently announced plans to release new products ranging from sizes 40 to 70 inches.

The new Bravia products will all have 1080p display and include Sony XBR which features; Digital Media Extender (DMeX), Motionflow and x.v. Color support. The new models will also feature Digital Media Port (DMP) technology.

The Sony Bravia model key feature is the 'Triluminos' local-dimming feature which claims superior contrast compared to plasma televisions. Unfortunately, the feature will only be available in the 55-inch KDL-55XBR8 and 46-inch KDL-46XBR8 models. According to a recent post on Twice, Triluminos LED backlighting expands an LCD TV's color range by using a cluster of red, green, and blue LEDs to replace a single white LED to backlight the display panel. Local dimming improves video contrast and dynamic range by reducing backlight levels area by area on the display to maintain detail in dark areas of the screen during a scene. The reduced light emissions yield deep blacks and reduce power consumption.

Sound like the right 1080p HDTV for you? Please comment back and let us know.

-itsTripple