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HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

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HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
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  • Podcast #1200: The History of Color Television in the United States
    On this week’s show we take a look back at the transition from black and white to color and compare it to the transition to HDTV. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Roku’s smart home strategy is making its streaming devices harder to ignore Sonos Strikes a Surprising Deal with Yamaha Masimo to Sell Consumer Audio Business to HARMAN International Other: Robert's Forever Home Theater Has the Best Universal Remote Got Better? - Remote 3 Google AI Reimagines Wizard of Oz for the Las Vegas Sphere! 🤯 Behind the Scenes The History of Color Television in the United States  We received an email from a listener with a link to a YouTube video called ANTIQUE TV EVENT 2024. It's a long video but an extremely informative presentation that takes a fascinating and detailed look at early color TV programming. Watch it if you get a chance.You can skip through parts of it because it's four hours long. This week we thought we’d take a look back at the transition from black and white and compare it to the transition to HDTV. The history of color television in the United States spans several decades, marked by technological innovation, regulatory battles, and gradual consumer adoption.  Early Concepts (1920s-1930s): The idea of color television emerged in the 1920s. German engineer Walter Bruch demonstrated a mechanical color TV system in 1929, but it was impractical. In the U.S., early experiments by RCA and others focused on monochrome TV, with color as a future goal. Initial Development (1940s): During World War II, TV development slowed, but post-war efforts intensified. CBS developed a field-sequential color system, which used a rotati  ng color wheel to transmit red, blue, and green images in sequence. It was incompatible with  existing black-and-white sets, requiring new receivers or adapters. CBS System Approval (1950): On October 11, 1950, the FCC approved CBS’s color system as the U.S. standard. Broadcasting began in June 1951, but the system faced challenges: it was expensive, bulky, and incompatible with the millions of black-and-white TVs in use. Only about 200 color sets were sold, and production halted during the Korean War. RCA’s NTSC System (1953): RCA, a major player in TV manufacturing, developed a compatible color system based on the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standards. This system allowed black-and-white TVs to receive color broadcasts in monochrome, while color TVs could display full-color images. After intense lobbying and demonstrations, the FCC reversed its decision and adopted the NTSC standard on December 17, 1953. First Color Broadcasts (1954): RCA’s system launched commercially on January 1, 1954, with NBC (owned by RCA) airing the first nationwide color broadcast, the Tournament of Roses Parade. Early color broadcasts were limited, and color TVs were expensive—around $1,000 (equivalent to ~$10,000 today). Slow Adoption (1950s-1960s): Color TV adoption was gradual due to high costs and limited programming. By 1960, only 0.1% of U.S. households had color sets. Networks like NBC and   CBS slowly increased color content, with shows like Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color  (1961) boosting interest. RCA’s aggressive marketing and price reductions helped.  Mass Adoption (Mid-1960s-1970s): By 1965, all three major networks (NBC, CBS, ABC) were broadcasting most prime-time shows in color. The FCC mandated that all new TVs sold after 1966 include color capability. By 1972, color TV sales surpassed black-and-white, and by the mid-1970s, over 50% of U.S. households owned color sets. Full-color broadcasting became standard by 1977. Technological Refinements (1980s-1990s): Color TV technology improved with better picture tubes, larger screens, and stereo sound. The NTSC standard remained dominant until the transition to digital TV in the 2000s. Cable and satellite TV expanded access to vivid color programming. Legacy and Digital Transition (2000s): The NTSC analog system was phased out in 2009, replaced by digital ATSC standards, which offered superior color fidelity and high-definition. Color TV became a cornerstone of home entertainment, paving the way for modern LED, OLED, and 4K displays. Key Milestones: 1950: CBS’s color system approved. 1953: NTSC standard adopted. 1954: First NTSC color broadcast. 1965: Full-color prime-time schedules. 1972: Color TV sales overtake black-and-white. 2009: Analog NTSC broadcasting ends. Below is a list of notable U.S. TV stations and networks, along with available data on when they began color broadcasting based on historical information. I have noted where specific station data and precise dates are unclear or unavailable. United States WCBS-TV (New York, NY, CBS Affiliate) Year: 1951 (limited), 1965–1966 (full transition) Details: WCBS-TV, a CBS owned-and-operated station, was among the first to broadcast in color during CBS’s experimental Field Sequential broadcasts starting June 25, 1951, from New York’s Studio 57. These were limited to a few hours daily and required special receivers, as they were incompatible with black-and-white sets. Only about 10.5 million monochrome sets existed in the U.S., and production of CBS’s color sets was halted by the Korean War. Regular color broadcasts using the NTSC standard likely began in the mid-1960s, with CBS equipping its Broadcast Center with GE PE-24 color film chains by 1965. WNBT (now WNBC, New York, NY, NBC Affiliate) Year: 1954 (regular broadcasts) Details: NBC’s flagship station in New York conducted color field tests as early as July 1951 using RCA’s dot sequential system. It broadcast the first nationwide color program, the Tournament of Roses Parade, on January 1, 1954, marking a significant milestone. WNBT was a leader in early color adoption due to NBC’s parent company, RCA, pushing the NTSC standard. WCAU-TV (Philadelphia, PA, CBS Affiliate at the time) Year: 1950–1951 (experimental), mid-1960s (full transition) Details: WCAU-TV received CBS’s experimental color broadcasts via coaxial cable from New York starting December 13, 1950, for public viewing on color receivers. These used CBS’s Field Sequential system. Full NTSC color broadcasting likely aligned with CBS’s broader adoption by the mid-1960s, as WCAU used RCA TK-42 cameras by 1966. WMT-TV (now KGAN-TV, Cedar Rapids, IA) Year: 1967 Details: WMT-TV, the first TV station in eastern Iowa, transitioned to color in 1967, as documented in a viral video showing news anchor Robert Bruner announcing the switch live on air. The station’s new color cameras improved monochrome pictures for black-and-white set viewers while enabling full color for those with color TVs. WQEX (now WINP-TV, Pittsburgh, PA, PBS Affiliate) Year: 1986 Details: One of the last North American stations to convert to color, WQEX began color broadcasting on October 16, 1986, after its 1950s-era black-and-white transmitter failed in February 1985. The station’s owner, WQED, raised pledge money to purchase a color transmitter, highlighting the financial barriers for smaller or public stations. WNEW-TV (now WNYW, New York, NY, Independent at the time) Year: Mid-1960s (approx. 1965–1966) Details: WNEW-TV, a major independent station, purchased three GE PE-24 color cameras in the mid-1960s, aligning with the industry’s push toward color. Exact dates are unclear, but this was part of the broader color adoption wave. WBBM-TV (Chicago, IL, CBS Affiliate) Year: 1967–1968 (approx.) Details: As a CBS owned-and-operated station, WBBM-TV used Marconi Mark VII color cameras starting in the 1967–68 season, indicating a full transition to color by this time. Earlier experimental broadcasts may have occurred in the mid-1960s. KMOX-TV (now KMOV, St. Louis, MO, CBS Affiliate at the time) Year: 1967–1968 (approx.) Details: Like WBBM-TV, KMOX-TV adopted Marconi Mark VII color cameras for the 1967–68 season, suggesting a full color transition by this period. KNXT (now KCBS-TV, Los Angeles, CA, CBS Affiliate) Year: 1967–1968 (approx.) KNXT became KCBS-TV on April 2, 1984, at noon. Details: KNXT, another CBS owned station, also used Marconi Mark VII cameras starting in 1967–68, aligning with CBS’s broader color adoption. NBC Network (Nationwide, affecting O&O and affiliate stations) Year: 1954 (partial), 1965 (full primetime) Details: NBC was the earliest adopter of color, driven by RCA’s development of the NTSC standard. It began regular color broadcasts with the Rose Parade on January 1, 1954, and was the first network to air a full-color primetime schedule in 1965. Shows like Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1961) and Bonanza were early color hits. NBC’s owned-and-operated stations (e.g., WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.) and affiliates followed, with about one-third of NBC’s O&O stations having color transmitters by 1954. CBS Network (Nationwide, affecting O&O and affiliate stations) Year: 1951 (experimental), 1966–1967 (full primetime) Details: CBS pioneered the first commercial color broadcast on June 25, 1951, with the show Premiere, but its Field Sequential system was incompatible and abandoned. By 1965, CBS had GE color film chains and was broadcasting color for primetime shows, with daytime soaps like The Secret Storm converting by 1967. A test episode of Perry Mason was shot in color in 1966. Affiliates in major markets followed, though smaller stations were slower. ABC Network (Nationwide, affecting O&O and affiliate stations) Year: 1962 (partial), 1966 (full primetime) Details: ABC lagged behind NBC and CBS due to financial constraints but began color broadcasts in the early 1960s, with shows like The Flintstones produced in color by 1962 (though some affiliates aired it in black-and-white). ABC used a mix of RCA, Norelco, and GE color equipment and achieved full primetime color by 1966. United Kingdom BBC2, London: July 1, 1967 – First UK station to broadcast in color, starting with the Wimbledon Championships. BBC1 and ITV, London: November 15, 1969 – Both began color broadcasts, covering London, Midlands, North-West, and Yorkshire regions. ITV Scotland: December 13, 1969 – First color programs aired. ITV Wales: April 6, 1970 – Began color broadcasts. ITV Northern Ireland: September 14, 1970 – Started color programming. Other Countries ATV (Associated Television), Australia: March 1, 1975 – Official switch to color, with a notable broadcast event. NRK, Norway: August 25, 1972 – First color broadcast, part of a gradual national transition. ORTF, France: October 1, 1967 – Began color broadcasts, with a famously understated switch. ARD, West Germany: August 25, 1967 – First color broadcast, slightly ahead of schedule due to technical efficiency. CCTV, China: May 25, 1973 – First experimental color broadcast using the American NTSC standard, with full adoption later. SABC, South Africa: January 5, 1976 – Began color broadcasts, delayed due to late adoption of television itself.    
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  • HDTV Rewind Episode #3: 10 Things About Sound and Costco
    On this week’s show we go back to May of 2007 where we look at an article titled: 10 things about sound but were afraid to ask as well as revisiting a trip to Costco. We also look at the news and email of the day.  
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  • Podcast #1199: TV Renewal Scorecard
    On this week’s show We rundown the recently concluded TV season and which shows are coming back for another season. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Netflix rolls out dialogue-only subtitles Netflix CEO Says Movie Theater Model Is ‘Outdated’ YouTube Announces a New Viewing Experience on TVs with Enhanced Playback LG Elaborates More on QNED evo Lineup Coming Next Month  Other: What does $1,000,000 sound like? - My Trip to AXPONA 2025 TV Renewal Scorecard Each TV season we highlight the upcoming TV season in September and then around the end of April we take a look at which shows are coming back. This list is provided by TV Line and can be found here.  The Scorecard does not include unscripted series. The eight levels in TVLine’s annual renewal scorecard are as follows: Officially renewed A sure thing A safe bet Could go either way A long-shot Essentially cancelled Officially cancelled Too early to tell ABC 9-1-1: Officially renewed Abbott Elementary: Officially renewed The Conners: Officially cancelled/ending in 2025 Doctor Odyssey: Could go either way Grey’s Anatomy: Officially renewed High Potential: Officially renewed The Rookie: Officially renewed Shifting Gears: Officially renewed Will Trent: Officially renewed CBS Blue Bloods: Officially cancelled (ended Dec. 13) Elsbeth: Officially renewed The Equalizer: Could go either way FBI: Renewed through Season 9 FBI: International: Officially cancelled FBI: Most Wanted: Officially cancelled Fire Country: Officially renewed Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage: Officially renewed Ghosts: Officially renewed (through 2026-27 season) Matlock: Officially renewed NCIS: Officially renewed NCIS: Origins: Officially renewed NCIS: Sydney: Officially renewed The Neighborhood: Officially renewed for final season Poppa’s House: Officially cancelled S.W.A.T.: Officially cancelled Tracker: Officially renewed Watson: Officially renewed Not on the list is Survivor. There will be a season 50 at a minimum! CW All American: Could go either way Children Ruin Everything: Cancelled by CTV (Season 4B premieres on CW June 18) Good Cop/Bad Cop: A safe bet Joan: Officially ended (limited series) Sherlock & Daughter: Too soon to tell (premieres April 16) Sight Unseen: Renewed in Canada; CW status TBD Son of a Critch: Renewed in Canada; CW status TBD Sullivan’s Crossing: Season 3 premieres May 7 Superman & Lois: Cancelled Wild Cards: A safe bet Fox 9-1-1: Lone Star: Officially cancelled Accused: Could go either way Alert: MPU: Too soon to tell Animal Control: A safe bet Bob’s Burgers: Officially renewed (for another 4 seasons!) The Cleaning Lady: Too soon to tell Doc: Officially renewed Family Guy: Officially renewed (for another 4 seasons!) Going Dutch: Could go either way The Great North: Could go either way Grimsburg: Could go either way Krapopolis: Officially renewed through Season 4 Murder in a Small Town: Officially renewed Rescue: HI-Surf: A safe bet The Simpsons: Officially renewed (for another 4 seasons!) Universal Basic Guys: Officially renewed NBC Brilliant Minds: A safe bet Chicago Fire: A sure thing Chicago Med: A sure thing Chicago P.D.: A sure thing Found: A safe bet Happy’s Place: Officially renewed Grosse Pointe Garden Society: A long-shot The Hunting Party: Could go either way The Irrational: Could go either way Law & Order: Could go either way Law & Order: SVU: A sure thing Lopez vs. Lopez: Could go either way Night Court: A safe bet St. Denis Medical: Officially renewed Suits LA: A long-shot Fun facts about the 2024-2025 TV Season CBS Dominates Viewership (Again): CBS claimed the title of the most-watched network for the 17th consecutive season, with shows like Tracker leading as the season’s top entertainment program, averaging a larger audience than its debut season. CBS also boasted eight of the top 10 most-watched programs, including new show hits Matlock and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. Freshman Shows Boost Time Slots: New series like CBS’s reboot of Matlock and ABC’s High Potential and Shifting Gears improved their respective time slots’ viewership. Matlock became the season’s most-watched new series, while Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage was the top comedy. Reboots and Spinoffs Rule: The season leaned heavily on familiar franchises. Examples include CBS’s NCIS: Origins (a prequel to NCIS), Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (a Young Sheldon spinoff), and NBC’s Happy’s Place (starring Reba McEntire, echoing her sitcom roots). This reflects a cautious approach by networks, favoring known brands over original concepts. Long-Running Shows Keep Going: Iconic animated series on Fox, like The Simpsons (renewed through its 40th season), Family Guy (through its 27th season), and Bob’s Burgers (through its 19th season), continued their historic runs, cementing their status as cultural staples. The CW’s Reboot Continues: The CW, now under new management, focused on sports and unscripted content, airing NASCAR Xfinity Series races and shows like Totally Funny Animals. It also renewed scripted series like Sullivan’s Crossing for a third season, signaling a shift from its former teen-drama-heavy identity. Broadcast TV Still Draws Older Viewers: Social media chatter on X suggested younger audiences are drifting from broadcast TV, with “boomers” as the primary viewers. This perception aligns with complaints about repetitive genres (cop, lawyer, doctor shows) and a lack of risk-taking, though hits like Tracker and High Potential still pulled diverse viewers.  
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  • HDTV Rewind Episode #2: Dolby Surround and More HD-DVD Fun
    In this episode we read some emails concerning mp3 bit rates and more on HDDVD. We also explain Dolby Surround. We finish with a TV Show Theme trivia game. 
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  • Podcast #1198: Are You Satisfied With Your Streaming Providers?
    On this week’s show we ask, how satisfied are you with your streaming service providers? We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Prime Video has 88% of customers on ad-supported plans Amazon gearing up to roll out new Fire TV OS on streaming player Roku announces 2 new streaming sticks starting at just $30 Max begins password-sharing crackdown Other: Aiwa: Then and Now State of Streaming: Satisfaction with streaming providers (The Streamable) How are Americans really feeling about their streaming services? Recently, we surveyed nearly 1,500 cord-cutters to get a clearer picture of how people are watching, what they’re paying, and which services they are most satisfied with. The results reveal shifting habits in a saturated streaming market and point to what matters most as we speed right through 2025. Full article here… Streaming services people use: YouTube TV: 30% Hulu + Live TV: 10% Sling TV: 7% DIRECTV STREAM – 6% Fubo: 3% Philo: 3% DIRECTV via internet: 2% Dish: 2% None of the above: 38% Are subscribers satisfied? Despite rising subscription costs and service fragmentation, 58% of users are satisfied with their streaming experience, 33% are neutral, and only 9% are dissatisfied. This high satisfaction rate, despite 2024's price hikes and content reshuffles, is likely due to improved app performance, better device compatibility, and more tailored subscription options. How many services do people use? In 2025, streaming is typically a multi-platform experience: 49% of households subscribe to 2-4 services, 38% use 5 or more, and only 12% stick to a single service. Content fragmentation drives users to stack subscriptions for their favorite shows and sports, a shift from the cable era, making multiple subscriptions the norm for convenience. Monthly spending on streaming The typical streaming bill has surged, with 35% of users spending $50-$100 monthly, often on live TV and multiple on-demand subscriptions. Additionally, 26% spend over $100, likely on premium plans or add-ons, while only 19% keep costs at $25 or less by limiting subscriptions or using free trials. Streaming costs and complexity now rival traditional cable bills. Bundled benefits Bundling is a popular cost-saving strategy, with 31% of respondents accessing streaming through Amazon Prime and 14% via phone bills, often getting discounted or free access to platforms like Netflix or Disney+. However, 36% prefer direct subscriptions or find their preferred platforms aren't bundled, showing bundling is common but not universal. Churn vs. loyalty In 2025, 70% of users showed strong loyalty to their existing services, indicating platform stickiness despite subscription fatigue. However, 50% canceled at least one streaming service in 2024, driven by cyclical pauses, price hikes, or lack of content. Unlike cable, streaming subscriptions are easily canceled, leading to dynamic, seasonal churn, with some users returning for new content. What matters most? Here are the features that matter most to users: Affordable pricing Access to local channels Live sports availability Device compatibility (smart TVs, streaming sticks, etc.) Channel variety Reliable streaming quality DVR functionality Support for 4K resolution and surround sound (less critical) Preferred streaming devices Smart TVs are the top choice for streaming, used by 56% of viewers, followed by Roku devices at 44%, then Fire TV, Apple TV, and web/mobile viewing. This highlights a trend toward living room, lean-back streaming experiences over desktop viewing, driven by widespread smart TV adoption and improved built-in apps.    
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About HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

The HT Guys, Ara Derderian and Braden Russell, are Engineers who formerly worked for the Advanced Digital Systems Group (ADSG) of Sony Pictures Entertainment. ADSG was the R&D unit of the sound department producing products for movie theaters and movie studios. Two of the products they worked on include the DCP-1000 and DADR-5000. The DCP is a digital cinema processor used in movie theaters around the world. The DADR-5000 is a disk-based audio dubber used on Hollywood sound stages. ADSG was awarded a Technical Academy Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2000 for the development of the DADR-5000. Ara holds three patents for his development work in Digital Cinema and Digital Audio Recording. Every week they put together a podcast about High Definition TV and Home Theater. Each episode brings news from the A/V world, helpful product reviews and insights and help in demystifying and simplifying HDTV and home theater. Our email address is [email protected]
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