Archives for September, 2008
QAM and Comcast
When I first became aware of QAM, I connected my HDTV to see what I could get. I was surprised to find some channels available in HD that I didn’t receive OTA. For example, I was getting USAHD, TBSHD, TNTHD, ESPN2HD and Music in HD. For local networks, I received all but PBS in HD. Comcast has since shifted the channels 3 or 4 times and removed all HD channels except NBC. I’d like to know if there is a rhyme or reason to their QAM programming or if it is just considered leakage? It certainly is good to know that Comcast could offer a full HD package without renting a cable box. BUT that wouldn’t make them money, would it? I’d be happy of they just offered a standalone HD package like Dish Network’s TurboHD.
Random Thought: Wal-Mart pulling inventory?
Where I live (Katy, TX), Wal-Mart has a policy of price-matching local grocery stores advertised specials in order to compete, but many times I’ve noticed that the day the new grocery ads are released, Wal-Mart doesn’t seem to have any stock of those items the other stores are placing on sale. This could be attributed to anything. Perhaps the other stores are placing them on sale because they need to get rid of the inventory and Wal-Mart sensing the same need has already done so. I find that hard to believe, but I guess it is possible. My conspiracy theory is that Wal-Mart pulls items off their shelves to avoid price matching. I’m pretty sure it is not all products because that would be too obvious, but if they pulled those items with the least amount of markup, this avoidance could save them a bundle. Has anyone else noticed this?
Before I get any remarks about the most recent hurricane causing empty shelves, I’ve been noticing this for about a year.
Netflix Watch Instant new plans
When the Roku box was released allowing Netflix users to stream Watch Instant content from the Netflix servers to their TV, I thought to myself that if the box could stream content from hulu.com, a site featuring more current content as well as many old TV shows and movies, I would definitely make the purchase. Current episodes are now available for streaming, but it is not from hulu.com. Apparently Netflix has struck a deal to offer current episodes from popular shows through their Watch Instant service. This would directly compete with hulu.com unless, of course, this is the technology they are using. I haven’t taken the time to compare the two because Netflix doesn’t offer a Mac OS X option for Watch Instant. I’ll stick to hulu for my day-after TV viewing, but that roku box suddenly became more appealing.