The evolving world of video content presentation

The next wave of content presentation is here. Not only has the cost of storage and delivery been drastically reduced (e.g. Interactive Content Engines LLC), the means of display has just taken a big step forward with the commoditization of 1080p presentation devices. Surprisingly, 1080p flat screens are now intermingled pricewise with 720p devices. For example, the Westinghouse 37" 1080p LCD HD monitor is typically available for $900 to $1500.

There is little incremental value in 1080p for the presentation of cable and satellite content, as their true resolution has been limited to preserve the bandwidth of the carrier. Only BluRay and HD-DVD produce true 1080p, and you might be hard pressed to discriminate it from 1080i or even 720p. However, a 1080p monitor or receiver that actually allows computer reproduction at full resolution pushes the evolution in the direction of web delivered content, and application integration (avoided term: convergence). There is enough screen real estate to support multiple simultaneous applications, and the screen is comfortable in both lean forward (engaged, interactive applications) and lean back (passive viewing) use.

Be careful in your selection of 1080p flat screen, as some don't support full resolution for computer use (e.g. Sony Bravia 2500), and some don't even have a specific computer input (e.g. Sharp Aquos), while the some of the least expensive, e.g. Westinghouse , allow spectacular full resolution. (Unsolicited plug: I've purchased two of the Westinghouse 37" monitors from mwave.com, who has provided great service at a very reasonable price.)

Something to watch for: A receiver (vs. a monitor) has a built in tuner for off-air signals (conventional NTSC and HD ATSC). It may also have a QAM tuner, which will enable you to receive unencrypted HD and SD from even basic cable service (this is generally limited to local over the air channels, no cable network HD channels). An HD monitor, such as the Westinghouse, has a variety of inputs (component, composite, s-video, HDMI, DVI, VGA, analog and digital audio), but no tuner.

For most applications, the monitor is an excellent choice, as the signal is received and decoded in your cable or satellite set top box. If you only wish to receive broadcast signals (make sure they are available in your area!), a receiver with ATSC and NTSC capability is a good choice. If you only want to pay for basic cable, or are buying additional sets and don't want to have to pay for additional HD set top boxes for those rooms, then look for the QAM tuner capability.

Of course, this means that HD is dead. There always has to be a high end to drive the market, and 1080p was that high end. The next steps are likely to be "Digital Cinema", with likely four times the resolution of 1080p, and true 3D displays, using lenticular screens, shutter glasses, or circularly polarized left eye / right eye presentation. BTW, 3D is something you can try at home. More later, but in the meantime, if you are buying a projector, go for DLP instead of LCD so that you can play with polarization when you're ready.