HD Update: NBC, The Winter Olympics and The Promise

Remember Torino and its inconsistency as far as the HD quality went? Well, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver promises to be a very different animal, and this time it is completely 100% HD from the start, including the cameras. We like the sound of that.

NBC will have tons of coverage planned, along with a VOD channel devoted to update metal counts, event results, etc. Do your news checking online? NBC is back with a new version of Microsoft’s Silverlight streaming, promising even more HD footage, and you can even fast forward and do other tricks with the coverage.

We like this news, as major networks gear up to give HD coverage of a major event the royal treatment.

HDTV TV Listings Info

It’s a fact: HDTV is slowly taking over the airwaves of the many major cable networks. It’s proven tonight with a pretty fine lineup of TV shows for all tastes.

Want sports? Baseball on ESPN features Dodgers vs. Angels in the freeway series. Want original network shows? NBC premieres Merlin in 1080i res tonight, or ABC has Impact debuting tonight (part 1 of 2).

HBO’s True Blood airs a new episode tonight, and Law & Order: CI is doing the same, followed by In Plain Sight, a popular well made crime series with a different perspective.

It’s a feast of fine television, all in HDTV. Read more listings here.

GE and NBC Universal to combine to develop new HDTV line

The TV and the internet may be combining together very soon courtesy of GE.

GE has announced the creation of General Displays & Technologies LLC (GDT), a new combined opportunity with Tatung Company, a display technology company. GDT will design and publish GE-branded HDTVs to combine custom internet programming and HDTV technology together. The first series of offerings will be available to consumers in Spring 2009, and prices and technical specs were not announced as of yet.

In addition to offering HDTVs, GDT will get together with NBC Universal to develop a unique platform that will deliver Internet and other digital content directly through the television.

Eventually the TV will allow customization and viewing of HD content from websites, and leverage the power of the internet along with the HDTV content so they marry together seamlessly. It’s about time, and it’s a sure bet that other companies will be searching for affiliations to do the same thing with their TV. A future with the internet and HDTV being a standard part of the package together is within sight, and a truly cool interactive paradise it will be.