Time flies when you're having fun and CES2006 will mark its ninth annual convention since HD was first introduced to attendees back in 1998. Looking beyond the rhetoric to the overall picture (or in this case, the promotional copy preceding all big shows), CES is not pushing HD events all that much for next month's convention and exposition. At least not nearly as much compared to past years.
This, of course, can be could be a good thing. It could mean HD doesn't need as much promotion as before, and that it's able to stand on its own as a successful technology for the industry and, more importantly, with consumers.
From preliminary data of the current holiday shopping season in the United States--where HD and other DTV flat-screen monitors and receivers appear to be holding their own against far less expensive MP3 music players, digital cameras and portable DVD players (the latter currently the best-selling electronics item at Wal-Mart)--HD may have anointed 2005 as its seminal year when all is said and done.
Apart from an array of next-gen HD displays on the exhibit floor, CES 2006 will offer at least one session that could offer some timely, expert insight into the HD rollout with "Playing on Broadway 2009," set for Thursday, Jan. 5 at 3 p.m. (LVCC North Hall, Room N253).
The panel assembled to discuss the ongoing transition (and HD's evolving role in the mix) will include FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas), NCTA President/CEO Kyle McSlarrow, Rainbow Media President/CEO Josh Sapan, and CEA President/CEO Gary Shapiro. Gary Arlen of Arlen Communications will moderate.
