What we're watching tonight:

• NBC (1080i) has Olympics coverage with gymnastics, men's 200m and live BMX racing and women's beach voleyball final at 8 p.m.
• Sci Fi (1080i) has the season finale of Ghost Hunters International at 9 p.m.
• History (1080i) brings MonsterQuest at 9 p.m. and Jurassic Fight Club at 10 p.m.
• A&E (720p) has Dog the Bounty Hunter at 9:30 p.m.
• Bravo (1080i) drops in Shear Genius at 10 p.m.
• ESPN HD (720p) has Little League World Series at 8 p.m.
• ESPN2 HD (720p) presents Angels/Rays at 7 p.m.

Brits needing their reality TV in high definition get a boost October 20, when the Real Lives channel on Sky goes HD. Hook your HDTV up to Sky+ HD and enjoy Lorraine Kelly's DNA Stories, Toy Boys , Fashion Avenue. Sounds good, we'll be checking out The First 48 and awaiting the HD debut of Survivor in the meantime, although it does bring into question how much of reality TV do we really want to see in HD.

[Via HDTV UK]

For anyone who's still confused about the digital television transition -- somehow missing the TV ads, radio spots, numerous articles and a part of the small minority not vigorously refreshing the Engadget HD front page -- the FCC is sending staff out on tour (sans the slick bus, didn't anyone tell them you've got to have a bus? It worked so well for HD DVD...ok maybe not such a great idea) to spread the 0 and 1 gospel. 23 cities identified as having more than 100,000 households or with at least 15% getting their TV strictly via antenna are on the list to be visited by a commissioner, while others will have to make do with mere staffers. FCC.gov has thedetails on when and where they'll be (warning: PDF read link), feel free to see when they're coming to your town. Will you save your ticket stubs to tell everyone "I was at digital switch '08"? (Note: FCCapolooza '08 is not actually converging on Haight-Ashbury in a phenomenon of cultural and political rebellion, but it would be much better if it were).

[Via Variety]

[Image courtesy of Supertouch Art]

It's certainly strange that with several networks, online video, on demand, cellphone and any other way NBC has provided to view the Beijing Olympic Games, U.S. HDTVs had to wait 13 hours to show Usain Bolt make history in the 100m dash -- and another three hours to catch it on PST. For those frustrated by NBC's arrogant mishandling of its broadcast rights, there exists one slim ray of hope (other than living somewhere lucky enough to get Canadian television so you can actually see the events before reading about them in the paper or on NBC's own website), ESPN. That's right, with Brett Favre finally on an NFL roster, the sports giant has apparently found enough free time to consider taking a run at broadcast rights for the 2014 Winter Games and 2016 Summer Games. While we don't yet know where they'll be, if ESPN gets the Games, VP of content John Skipper pinky swore that it would "never" put an event on tape delay, calling it a disservice to sports fans. Our support for this plan goes without saying, and since it's already too late to give them this year's broadcast rights, our only remaining issue is finding out what it takes to get John Skipper on the '08 presidential ballot.

A few UK residents felt the pain Raid-style after the latest Freeview signal upgrade knocked certain receivers out of service last week. The upgrade has been rolling out in waves for the last month, unfortunately owners of some Daewoo, Labgear, Triax and Portland digital boxes have no choice but to buy a new box to keep getting television service. Hopefully our own digital transition doesn't end up with people trashing their box after a couple of years -- while Freeview says only a "minority" were affected by the enhancement, we're pretty sure it doesn't seem that way if your TV is one of the ones knocked out.

That sound you just heard was millions of Browncoats exhaling, because the Firefly Blu-ray boxed set hinted at back in April is finally nearing release. All those still reading and not already frantically preordering the $89.98 MSRP set or repaying their oxygen debt have quite a bit to look forward to. Due November 11, Fox is bringing Joss Whedon's series home complete with new-for-Blu-ray commentary and cast reunion featurette to go with the 1080p video (in correct 1.78 aspect ratio) and DTS-HD MA soundtrack. So now that it has a date, what do we do? Probably not talk quite so much.

Even with all the partnerships and plant expansions, Sony and Toshiba still think they can't meet demand and keep price down for their LCD HDTVs. Word from Japan's Nikkei over the weekend indicates Sony is upping the share of LCD TV production subcontracted out to Taiwan, Mexico and China-based manufacturers from less than 5% last year to 20% in fiscal '08, adding up to 3 million screens. Toshiba's cut a deal with a manufacturer in China to make 20% of its TVs this year, as it and Sony load up to do battle in the 30- to 40-inch size range. Of course, Sharp and Panasonic claim keeping things in-house give them an important tech edge, but the Vizios of the world would beg to differ and it looks like Sony and Toshiba have decided if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

[Via Trading Markets]

PlayOn wants to make sure you can get your daily dose of Barackrolls and Airwolf episodes beyond the desktop, while Hulu might not have a slick streaming set-top box of its own, this media server software turns flash video RSS streams into easily browsed folders for your DLNA-compliant hardware. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and HP MediaSmart HDTVs being at the top of that list (with Nintendo Wii support planned by year-end) owners can grab the beta release of the software and stream low-res episodes of Psych, or any assortment of YouTube video they please. With Netflix support "just down the road" this could provide an end around for PS3 owners looking for streaming love, or Xbox 360 owners without Xbox Live Gold (we know you're out there.) Bad news is the beta only lasts 60 days and there's a $30 pricetag waiting at the end of the free lunch highway. Our experience was good, with no stutters in a Psych episode streamed via Wi-Fi to the PS3 (albeit with no choice of HD clips), but we'd wait for confirmation on the whole Netflix bit before dropping any dough.

Update: Getting 69-C00D36C4 / folder could not be accessed errors on your PS3 or Xbox 360, or waiting for 64-bit Vista support to dive in? PlayOn CTO David Karlton updated the official blog to let users know fixes and additional support is in the works, so keep an eye out for more news shortly if things aren't working just yet.

Gallery: PlayOn Media Server

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

What we're watching tonight:

• NBC (1080i) continues Olympics coverage at 8 p.m.
• ABC Family (720p) has The Secret Life of the American Teenager at 8 p.m.
• A&E (720p) has The First 48 at 9 p.m. followed by The Cleaner at 10 p.m.
• Sci Fi (1080i) lines up Eureka at 9 p.m. and ECW at 10 p.m.
• History (1080i) has Evolve at 10 p.m.
• ESPN2 HD (720p) has Little League World Series at 8 p.m.
• ESPN HD (720p) has 2008 WSOP at 8 & 9 p.m.

What we're watching tonight:

• ESPN HD (720p) has Monday Night Football with Browns/Giants at 8 p.m.
• NBC (1080i) continues Olympics coverage with individual event gymnastics, track and field and women's beach volleyball at 8 p.m.
• TNT (1080i) has The Closer at 9 p.m.and Saving Grace at 10 p.m.
• ABC Family (720p) brings The Middleman at 10 p.m.
• USA (1080i) has WWE: Raw at 9 p.m.
• Discovery (1080i) presents Raging Nature at 9 p.m. and the series premiere of Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein at 10 p.m.
• A&E (720p) has Paranormal State at 10 p.m.
• Showtime (1080i) drops in Weeds at 10 p.m.
• TLC (1080i) lines up Take Home Nanny at 8 p.m., followed by Jon & Kate Plus 8 at 9 & 9:30 p.m.
• ESPN2 HD (720p) has Little League World Series at 6 p.m. and MLB action with Astros/Brewers at 8 p.m.

What we're watching tonight:

• NBC (1080i) continues Olympics coverage with gymnastics individual event finals, springboard diving and women's 100m final at 8 p.m.
• NFL Network (1080i) has Patriots/Buccaneers at 8 p.m.
• Sci Fi (1080i) premieres Black Swarm at 9 p.m.
• HBO (1080i) has Generation Kill at 9 p.m.
• History (1080i) brings Ice Road Truckers at 9 p.m.
• USA (1080i) lines up Law & Order: Criminal Intent at 9 p.m and the season finale of In Plain Sight at 10 p.m.
• A&E (720p) has Gene Simmons Family Jewels at 9:30 p.m. and the season finale of The Two Coreys at 10 p.m.
• ESPN (720p) presents Phillies/Padres at 8 p.m.
• ESPN2 HD (730p) has Little League World Series at 8 p.m. and NHRA Nationals at 10 p.m.

What we're watching tonight:

• NBC (1080i) has Olympics coverage with tape delayed men's 100m, women's marathon and swimming at 7:30 p.m.
• TLC (1080i) has Flip That House at 8 p.m. followed by Hope for Your Home at 8:30 p.m.
• ABC (720p) has Legally Blonde 2 at 8 p.m.
• ESPN (720p) has Little League World Series at 6 & 8 p.m.
• ESPN2 HD (720p) has NHRA Qualifying at 6 p.m.
• NFL Network (1080i) has Cowboys/Broncos at 9 p.m.
• HDNet (1080i) brings MLS with Revolution/Earthquakes at 10 p.m.
• HBO (1080i) premieres No Reservations at 8 p.m.

In an effort to reduce the ZOMG surely to be experienced by whatever percentage of Wilmington, NC residents are unprepared for their early entry into a digital television-only world September 8, the city will perform a one minute Las Vegas-style "soft test" August 19 at 7:30 p.m., prompting customers with analog to upgrade their equipment to receive digital broadcasts. Readers have already reported seeing ads mentioning the upcoming early analog-shutoff, and it looks like the regions main broadcasters (WWAY, WECT, WILM and WSFX) appear to be doing all they can to get the word out, so everybody tell a friend, okay?

What we're watching tonight:

• NBC (1080i) brings Olympics action with track and field, beach volleyball and swimming at 8 p.m.
  
• Fox (720p) has Raiders/Titans at 8 p.m.
• CW (1080i) has WWE: SmackDown at 8 p.m.
• USA (1080i) lines up Monk at 9 p.m. and Psych at 10 p.m.
• TLC (1080i) has What Not to Wear at 9 p.m. followed by Say Yes to the Dress and Rock the Reception
• History (1080i) has Shockwave at 10 p.m.
• Sci Fi (1080i) has Stargate Atlantis at 10 p.m.
• CBS (1080i) drops in Swingtown at 10 p.m.
• ESPN (720p) has the Little League World Series at 8 p.m.
• Showtime (1080i) has EliteXC MMA fighting at 11 p.m.

Even though DISH Network might be hustling backwards, the cable industry as a whole has hit an 18-year low, with the Television Bureau of Advertising finding wired cable penetration reaches just 60.9% of households. Alternative delivery systems (i.e. satellite, fiber, DSL, 2nd-day air) now grab 28.4% (28.2 of which is satellite), and nearly a third of all subscription subscribers. A few months ago when numbers hit mere 17-year lows, cable advertising execs found comfort in increased viewing time, but from here it looks like SDV and tru2way can't come soon enough.