With the channels launching HD programmes picking up speed, Channel Five is the latest to have received a license to transmit high definition TV programmes from 2010.

Top shows such as The Gadget Show, CSI and the UEFA Europa League can be enjoyed in glorious high defination once the digital switchover begins.

The plan is to initially broadcast both standard definition and high definition programmes at peak times with Five predicting to share its HD slot with another broadcaster during the daytime hours, there are also predicted to and supply other services such as video-on-demand (VOD) in HD overnight. There is also said to be plans for blockbuster movie premieres to be broadcasted in HD from late 2010.

Channel Five faced fierce competition from both Channel 4 and S4C for the Freeview HD slot, Ofcom said "Both bids were of high quality, but after careful consideration we decided that the application from Channel Five fulfilled the various criteria more fully than the application from C4 and S4C”.

If you haven’t yet got a LCD TV to enjoy the benefits of high definition viewing, Giant Buyer have a great selection available which can be viewed here.

Source: What HiFi

According to the 2009 Digital Entertainment Survey, 75% of UK consumers want to watch internet content on their living room television screens – in fact it is the most desirable home entertainment requirement of the moment which underlines the need for faster broadband speed across the UK.

Interestingly, the demand for internet enabled TVs was not just among the young – 77% of males and 61% of females in the 45-54 year old age group expressed an interest. Of the 17% who already have internet enabled TVs; 28% are teenage boys.

"Internet on the main television is set to become a mass market reality within a short period," explained Russell Hart, Chief Executive of Entertainment Media Research.

Currently, Sony and Samsung are the two manufacturers that have released internet enabled LCD TVs, however following this report this may change quite rapidly in the future.

Source: Techradar

The competition to release the smallest and thinnest of LCD TVs continues and JVC have proudly launched a new contender into the ‘thin battle’ with the JVC GD-32X1 which is just 6.6cm thick and weighs just 5.7kg.

Until now, Sony were the market leaders with their 9.9mm thick LCD TV and although both Samsung and LG have announced LCD TVs with screens as thin as 6mm, they have not yet been released into the consumer market.

The ultra slim GD-32X1 boasts an impressive 400cd/m2 brightness with a contrast ratio of 4,000:1 and a Genessa Premium unique video engine that promises optimal picture quality it comes with two HDMI inputs, RGB, component and composite ports.

At the moment JVC are marketing this ultra slim LCD TV to businesses who want to add an impressive video to different locations such as a sliding door, picture frame or window frame.

Source: What HiFi

Blu-ray may be the rising star but it hasn’t diminished the traditional favourite DVDs shine.

According to statistics by US research analysts, DVD discs are very much in demand and equate to 63% of home entertainment purchases made in the US whereas blu-ray discs account for only 7%.

VOD (videos on demand) fare slightly better with a 9% share and downloads contribute to only 3% of consumer spending.

Speaking of the report, Russ Crupnick of NPD said, “While many in the home video industry worry that digital consumers might walk away from packaged media, that hasn’t happened yet. Discs are still and by far the dominant way Americans enjoy home video, but there is an increasing appetite for digital options. The good news is that the consumers engaging with digital video today also tend to be heavy consumers of DVD and Blu-ray, but it remains to be seen just how long physical discs and digital formats can co-exist”

With so many different home entertainment formats available; what’s your preferred choice?

Source: Techradar