21:9 (which is more of a marketing term, it is really 64:27) approximates the 2.39 aspect ratio of many major films shot in anamorphic format. Most American films are 2.39 (anamorphic) or 1.85 (widescreen) these days. 16:9 is only 1.78, which requires letterboxing, horizontally compressing the image, or pan & scan when displaying a film, even at the lower aspect ratio. It is certainly better than the 1.33 aspect ration of our old, non-widescreen TVs, but 21:9 is the best ratio for viewing films.

However, as HDTV is shot for 16:9 displays, it is probably going to come down to what a given consumer watches the most. Someone who watches mostly TV is probably fine with a 16:9 display. The extra width would be wasted most of the time. Though you might use it for things like a social media scroll, PIP, etc., if you like to multitask. While consumers who watch mostly films may prefer 21:9 to get the full impact of an anamophic film. And with the CEA updating their standards, you’ll have the choice without worrying about compatibility.

Via TWICE.

The good news is that there have been a handful of filings made, all in support of TiVo. Two individual users, Michael D. Scott and Samuel Biller, filed comments. (There is a comment from a Tom Spindler, but it looks like an error as it is unrelated to TiVo’s request.) Additionally, likely carrying more weight, are filings from Transparent Video Systems, Nagravision, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). I’d expect the last two to carry the most weight.

I’ve filed a comment as well, but it hasn’t been approved and posted to the site yet. This is what I said:

Comments of MegaZone

First off, lest there be any confusion, my full legal name is indeed MegaZone. Yes, I have an unusual mononym, but it is what it is.

The purpose of this comment is to support TiVo’s application for a waiver of Sections 15.118(b), 15.123(b)(1) and 15.123(c) with respect to its pending TiVo Premiere Elite product. I’m a tech blogger (GizmoLovers.com) and a long time follower of the industry and the FCC’s rule makings. I’m familiar with analog and digital broadcast technologies, Switched Digital Video (SDV), Tuning Adapters, CableCARD, Uni-directional Digital Cable Products (UDCPs), OCAP/tru2way, IPTV, and many other related technologies.

I’ve been a TiVo user since 2002, and my main DVR is currently a TiVo Series3 HD model. I’ve had personal experience with everything from the original TiVo Series1 to the current TiVo Premiere Series4. My S3 unit receives content from Charter Communications in Worcester, MA, utilizing CableCARD and a Tuning Adapter, as SDV is used extensively in my area.

As a consumer I would be very interested in upgrading to the TiVo Premiere Elite four-tuner DVR. And while Charter still has a handful of analog-only channels in my service area (roughly 20), the bulk of their offering is available via digital service and they continue to transition channels. I expect the remaining analog channels will be available digitally before long. In the meantime, I’d be more than willing to exchange access to those few channels for use of an advanced, four-tuner digital DVR.

As a tech blogger and industry watcher, I fully support TiVo’s efforts to bring such a product to market. While the rules requiring analog support made sense in 2003, they do not in today’s market. It would be unfair to companies like TiVo to require analog support in retail Digital Cable Ready products when the MVPDs, their primary competition, are able to provide customers with digital-only set top boxes. This create and uneven playing field, as the MSOs are able to benefit from the cost savings and reduction in complexity provided by dispensing with the analog tuners, real-time encoding hardware, associated RAM, etc. Digital only products benefit from a reduced parts count, lower power consumption, and a physically smaller footprint, making them even more appealing to consumers.

I look to the FCC to level the playing field by providing a waiver to TiVo, to allow them to bring this innovative product to market. Analog transmissions are clearly on their way out, and consumer electronics vendors, such as TiVo, need to look to the future, not be mired in the past. Until we have AllVid as the rule of the land, this waiver is the next step forward.

Respectfully submitted,

MegaZone

We, the people of the United States of America,
hold these truths to be self-evident – that great innovators drive America’s unsurpassed economic success; that innovation creates jobs, markets and industries where none existed before; and that innovation moves us forward as a nation, pushing us to succeed and strive for a better tomorrow.

Staying true to our legacy and our obligation to the life, liberty and happiness of future Americans, we hereby declare that innovation is and should be a key national priority and strategy for this nation.

We urge policies that promote innovation:

We believe American innovators should be able to buy and sell their products around the world.
We believe that more spectrum must be available for wireless broadband.
We believe in welcoming the best and brightest minds to the United States.
We believe in cutting the federal deficit.
Americans create valuable inventions, content and ideas. To continue this storied tradition – and solidify prospects for future generations – we must return innovation to its rightful place at the center of America’s economic policy.

Today, I pledge my commitment to innovation and my support for the policies that ensure innovation remains the strategic advantage of the United States of America.

So it may not come to anything, but it can’t hurt to show your support.

“I am proud to announce our nation has hit this digital milestone. With 50 percent of U.S. homes able to experience the reality of digital television, we have crossed a critical threshold,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “2008 will continue to demonstrate the growth and success of DTV, with nearly 32 million units forecasted to ship. Consumers are particularly keen to add HDTV to their homes, with high definition expected to account for 79 percent of total DTV shipments in the U.S. in 2008.”

Since, except for some lingering stock, all televisions sold in the US must have digital tuners at this point, meaning nearly 100% of TVs sold are DTVs, that implies 79% of TVs sold in 2008 would be HDTVs. Which is pretty impressive, and shows the rapid turn in the market toward HDTV. I’m sure I’ll be seeing a lot more on DTV and HDTV at CES just over a week from now.

The full press release is below:

Dec 28, 2007 12:59

More Than Half of U.S. Households Own a Digital Television

Milestone of 50% DTV Penetration Arrives as the 2008 International CES Showcases DTV Innovations

ARLINGTON, Va. –(Business Wire)– Dec. 28, 2007 More than 50 percent of U.S. households now own a digital television (DTV), according to new research released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)). As the nation transitions to digital television, consumers are adding DTV to their homes at a record pace.

“I am proud to announce our nation has hit this digital milestone. With 50 percent of U.S. homes able to experience the reality of digital television, we have crossed a critical threshold,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “2008 will continue to demonstrate the growth and success of DTV, with nearly 32 million units forecasted to ship. Consumers are particularly keen to add HDTV to their homes, with high definition expected to account for 79 percent of total DTV shipments in the U.S. in 2008.”

According to new CEA sales projections, manufacturers will post 11 percent revenue growth, to over $25 billion, from sales of digital televisions in 2007. CEA also forecasts 13 percent revenue and 17 percent unit sales growth for digital television in 2008.

This strong sales growth of DTV is reflected on the show floor and in conference sessions at the 2008 International CES(R), the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, running January 7 – 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. DTV and related products are prevalent throughout the record-setting 1.8 million net square feet of show floor space. Exhibitors are showcasing the world’s largest flat panel displays, next generation DTV products, technologies to enable consumers to view HDTV on the go and a host of other new products and technologies. In addition to the 2,700 exhibits on the show floor, DTV will be a hot topic at multiple events and conference sessions.

On Saturday, January 5 at 2:00 p.m. in The Venetian, Bellini 2105, Steve Koenig, CEA Industry Analyst and Shawn DuBravac, CEA Economist will present a complete analysis of the state of the industry. This presentation featuring CEA’s latest market research will include key trends and forecasts for various DTV and high definition product categories.

The Conversion to Digital TV: Government Coupon Program and Retailer Participation session, Monday, January 7 at 12:00 p.m. in the LVCC North Hall, Room N254, will focus on the details around the U.S. government’s $40 converter box coupon program. Kyle Rogg, senior vice president, business development, CLC Services will present the requirements and the process for retailer participation in the program and ensure retailers understand their important role in this transition.

The Goodbye Analog, Hello DTV conference session, Monday, January 7 at 1:30 p.m. in the LVCC North Hall, Room N262, will bring together top leaders in the industry who will discuss the educational efforts underway to ensure consumers receive the necessary information to successfully transition to digital television. Moderated by Jason Oxman, Consumer Electronics Association, panelists include Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at NTIA Meredith Baker; Debra Berlyn, AARP; Jonathan Collegio, National Association of Broadcasters; Catherine Seidel, FCC; Rob Stoddard, National Cable and Telecommunication Association; and Tony Wilhelm, NTIA.

In a one-on-one conversation on Tuesday, January 8, at 10:30 a.m. in the LVCC North Hall, Room 255-257, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and CEA’s Gary Shapiro will discuss their thoughts on the digital television transition, cable compatibility, spectrum allocation and other issues critical to the consumer electronics industry.

For more information about the 2008 International CES, please visit http://www.CESweb.org.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $148 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at http://www.CE.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS -0-

-- CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES
   January 5, 2008, Las Vegas, NV

-- 2008 International CES
   January 7-10, 2008, Las Vegas, NV

-- Digital Music Forum East
   February 26-27, 2008, New York, NY

-- EHX Spring 2008
   March 11-15, 2008, Orlando, FL

-- 2008 PARA Conference
   March 12-14, 2008, Orlando, FL

-- Digital Patriots Dinner
   April 2, 2008, Washington, DC

-- CEA Washington Forum
   April 2-4, 2008, Washington, DC

-- International CES/Hometech
   May 25-27, 2008, Dubai, UAE

-- Connections(TM): The Digital Living Conference and Showcase
   June 24-26, 2008, Santa Clara, CA

-- SINOCES 2008
   July 10-13, 2008, Qingdao, China

-- CEA Industry Forum
   October 19-22, 2008, Las Vegas, NV

-- Digital Hollywood
   October 27-30, 2008, Hollywood, CA

-- EHX Fall 2008
   November 4-7, 2008, Long Beach, CA

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
Jason Oxman, 703-907-7664
joxman@ce.org
http://www.CE.org
or
Megan Pollock, 703-907-7668
mpollock@ce.org