HDTV Coming Into Focus

Ready for crystal-clear TV pictures? They’ve been ready for us for a few years, thanks to the development of HDTV (high-definition television). But the system has been too expensive to install--and there have been various other entanglements. Viewers who’ve heard about the HDTV picture, which is about as sharp as that of a 35-millimeter photograph, have been getting impatient.

They’re no longer alone. Now everyone from the TV industry to Congress has become serious about getting HDTV rolling in the United States.

A House of Representatives subcommittee has scheduled two days of hearings on HDTV next month; there may also be a demonstration of the system for other House members in September, according to Daily Variety. Subjects under consideration: how long it will take American networks and other concerned parties to install HDTV, the establishing of a single standard for the system, and the impending domination by Japanese technology in the field.

HDTV was also the hottest topic at the annual National Assn. of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas this month. Broadcasters there were repeatedly warned that they must choose between several currently available American-made and European-produced HDTV systems, or else see the MUSE system, an HDTV format developed by Japanese TV giant NHK, strongly move into the gap within three years.

“Unique and innovative plans for the home video release of ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ “--that’s what MCA has promised for a press “breakfast presentation” on May 5 at 8:30 a.m. No advance word from the video folks there on what those plans may be, though the most anticipated video of 1988 is expected to have a fall release date announced, for one thing. And maybe a “take E.T. home” sell-through pitch as well--though it will be interesting to see whether MCA can resist the recent trend to place big, rental-oriented price tags ($80-$100) on super-hot feature films.

“I Spy,” the ‘60s TV series that starred Bill Cosby and Robert Culp and was filmed around the world, is coming to video. Real-estate magnate Terry Guastella, 26, has purchased the U.S.-Canadian video rights to all 82 hourlong episodes. According to Guastella’s publicist, Warren Seabury, the purchase price from Sheldon Leonard Productions was $1 million. No word yet on when Guastella’s T.B.A. Productions will release the videocassettes.

Meanwhile, 10 more episodes of the classically campy English series “The Avengers” will be released by Hollywood Select Video “sometime in May,” according to president Conrad Sprout. That will make 39 episodes of the show available from the Van Nuys-based company. Hollywood Select will also soon be releasing some early Hitchcock films, including two video firsts--”Rich and Strange” and “Juno and the Paycock.”

The Los Angeles area’s best alternative video store, Vidiots, has doubled its space and added a rack of books and a coffee counter. It’s at Pico Boulevard and Main Street in Santa Monica.

Camcorders continue to climb in sales: The most recent figures, according to Video Marketing Newsletter, show a 16.7% increase in 1988 sales-to-date (through late March) over the same period last year.

One of the many functions a camcorder can perform is taping birthday greetings for a friend. But if you don’t own one yet, there’s “The Happy Birthday Series” from Kit Parker Films in Monterey. Each video “spotlights news, movies, sports, TV, music and trivia” from the receiver’s year of birth and is hosted by movie expert Leonard Maltin. Only one catch: The videos cover only the “baby boom” years of 1946 through 1965. The cost is $14.95 plus $3.50 for shipping. Information: (408) 649-5573.