LG will soon be adding Vudu to its TVs with its NetCast Internet service.
[ Photo courtesy of Vudu ]

Although Vizio announced it first, it looks like LG will be the first TV company to offer access to Vudu’s streaming movie service when it’s added to LH50-series LCD and PS80-series plasma TVs next month.

Owners of these new TVs will be able to buy or rent both standard-def and HD movies, plus TV shows, from Vudu directly from their TV via LG’s "NetCast Entertainment Access" online service. Most content is streamed, but movies in  Vudu's HDX format—which are downloaded—will be part of the mix. In CR’s tests of some of the new TV services, Vudu’s HDX movies were top-rated for picture quality, and are delivered in 1080p with 5.1-channel surround sound.

All the new LG LH50 LCDs and PS80 plasma TVs, ranging in size from 42 to 60 inches, include LG’s NetCast service, which uses Yahoo’s Internet widgets to provide access to online content from partners including Netflix and YouTube, among others. Owners of currently available models—the 47-inch 47LH50 LCD ($1,700) and 50-inch 50PS80 plasma ($1,800)—will be able to get the Vudu service next month. Newer 42-inch LCD and 60-inch plasma sets will also be available next month.

Vizio announced about a month ago that new “VIA” models would include access to the Vudu service. Those sets, however, aren’t expected to be available until early fall. —James K. Willcox

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The coupon application deadline is fast approaching. If you are still not DTV-ready, it’s not too late. Help is still available, but you must take action immediately. Eligible households may continue to apply or re-apply for TV converter box coupons. Applications for coupons are accepted online, by phone at 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009), by mail and by fax. Mailed applications must be post-marked no later than midnight on July 31, 2009. It typically takes nine business days to process and mail coupons. If you have applied for coupons, but not yet received them, check the status of your request on www.DTV2009.gov by selecting Check Your Application Status.

Appeals for Denied Coupon Applications.
The last day to file an appeal is midnight on July 31, 2009. If you apply for coupons through the Web site, and the application is denied, there is a link within the denial message to appeal. Filing an appeal via the Web site is the quickest way for the Coupon Program to process and respond to appeals. If you wish to provide additional detail beyond the space provided, you may submit your appeal in writing or by e-mail.

Coupons Can Be Used Until They Expire.
Even though the last day to apply for coupons is July 31, 2009, you can use your coupons at participating retailers until they expire. Call ahead to area retail stores to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes on the day you plan to shop. Coupon-eligible converter boxes also may be purchased online or by telephone and shipped directly to your home.

Once again, we greatly appreciate your continued efforts to reach consumers who are still not DTV-ready. During these final days for consumers to apply for a TV converter box coupon or file an appeal, will you please spread the word and help ensure that people who need help purchasing their converter boxes are able to receive it? Your efforts will make it possible for them to experience the benefits of the digital TV transition.

Information About the Converter Box Coupon Program. Application deadline is July 31, 2009. Apply from our site at EZDigitalTV.com

Features and description of the DTVPal DVR. Two digital over-the-air tuners. Electronic Program Guide with up to seven days of TV Guide. Get information and order from our site at EZDigitalTV.com

Sony's HDR-SR12 HD camcorder is just one of the many models you'll find in our latest Ratings of high-definition camcorders. (Click to enlarge.)
[ Photo: Consumer Reports ]

We've just added more than a dozen new camcorders to our Ratings, including nine high-definition and five standard-definition models. The new batches reveal a number of trends that, for the most part, will benefit consumers:

• Both HD and SD camcorders are cheaper to buy: About 18 months ago, the cheapest HD camcorder in our Ratings was $590. Now, there are three models available for less than $575. (The cheapest is the Sanyo VPC-CA9, for $375.)
• Manufacturers are producing more flash-based and hard-disk models and fewer MiniDV and DVD disc models than in the past. However, we still have at least four models of each of these older formats, and they're generally less expensive than the flash and hard-disk models.
• More optical zoom: SD models have optical zooms as high as 70x. HD models have also increased, with some models including 16x optical zoom lenses.
• Most models are smaller, lighter and easier to carry. Some can almost slip into a pocket. However, with this reduction in size comes some trade offs, such as the elimination of a viewfinder. This can be a problem when trying to shoot on a bright day, since the sun can wash out the image on your display, making it a challenge to compose your video.
• One common problem we've found in nearly all HD and SD camcorder models of the past was that they didn't perform well in low light. But our newest batch has some exceptions to this rule, at least among the high-def models. Look to our Ratings to see which HD camcorders excelled in low light.

You can check out the latest HD and SD camcorders on our Ratings pages. Also, stay tuned for our upcoming coverage of high-def pocket camcorders, which are smaller still than any of the models in our main Ratings. —Terry Sullivan