This year for its 20th Anniversary CEDIA shifts from Denver to Atlanta, and we're already on the ground ready to let you know what this show is bringing to the consumer electronics world. Think info on new televisions, receivers, speakers, high end custom install equipment and everything in between is something you'd be interested in? Keep an eye on Engadget HD, though we had to nix the live podcast this week, we'll be bringing booth tours, hands ons as well as live coverage of Microsoft's press conference Wednesday night and any other surprising updates we find out about. Let us know in the comments if you've got a particular point of interest, some time in the next four days we'll be able to swing by and get your questions answered.

Not to be confused with the OTA switch to digital, Comcast is apparently ready to resume shoving customers off the analog coil and making room for more HD, DOCSIS 3.0 high speed Internet and other things we like, starting with Boston and Atlanta. Termed "Project Cavalry" it's not removing every channel from analog, but about 40 of them, and as the FCC directed giving customers two digital terminal adapters (pictured) and one digital box for free as long as they remain with Comcast. According to Cable Digital News, Chattanooga picked up 22 new high definition networks and 50Mb Internet service after the digital migration, so it really can't happen fast enough.

Panasonic has consistently been one of the companies backing tru2way with the most hardware, and this year's Cable Show is no different. First up, its tru2way compatible plasma HDTVs are now on sale in Atlanta, with additional rollouts planned for the rest of '09 -- put host city Washington D.C. on the list for sure, since since Comcast has hooked the booth up to a live feed for demonstrations as previously seen in Denver. Don't have the scratch for a whole new TV just to experience the new tech? Say hello to the PCH2180 Advanced Multi-tuner tru2way set-top receiver (pictured) that's now shipping, an HD-DVR ready for multistream CableCARDs and includes a DOCSIS modem, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and VC-1 compatibility plus MoCA networking capabilities. Panasonic's taken the time to tie it to a prototype Easy Touch multitouch remote (video embedded after the break) that we were digging at CEATEC and CES alike, with this kind of investment the NCTA might be able to make us forget January's disappointment.

Hotlanta may be feeling the chill of winter right about now, but those looking for one more choice when it comes to watching the evening news in high-def can rejoice. As of this week, the region's CBS affiliate (WGCL) has converted its newscasts to HD, making it the third in Atlanta, Georgia to do so. Also of note, the CBS 46 branding has been trashed in favor of the altogether lovely CBS Atlanta logo you see above, and for those keeping inventory, FOX's WAGA now sits as the only local in the area not broadcasting news in high-definition. Anyone willing to wager that changes soon?

[Thanks, Eric]

Comcast promised us all a few months back that it would be bringing its wicked fast DOCSIS 3.0 technology to a handful of other big markets before too long, and today the carrier has chosen to reveal the next four places where said service will be made available. The high-speed internet service, which is capable of hitting 50Mbps down / 5Mbps up, will be launched "over the next several weeks" in Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore and Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Don't see your city listed? Hang tight -- the next wave should be announced in the not-too-distant future.

We already know you love AT&T's Total Home DVR service, but for whatever reason the company's been less than forthcoming about where and when its hitting across the country. Likely spurred on by our coverage (or maybe not) the latest press release breaks down the seven markets currently feeling the joy of multiple HD stream recording and sharing wash over them like rain, or a particularly refreshing soda. U-verse users in Atlanta, Cleveland, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Reno and Sacramento should all have access to the free software upgrade as of today. Press release is after the break, any areas still missing from the official count?

Since activating dual HD streams in St. Louis earlier this month, AT&T has seemingly enabled the functionality in a handful of other cities without even an official peep. According to user reports stemming from Atlanta / Alpharetta, Georgia and certain sections of Michigan, they too are enjoying the luxury of recording one high-def program while viewing another live. We fully expect the carrier to spread the 2HD / 2SD service to more of the country here soon, but until it decides to open its own mouth, we'd highly recommend keeping an eye on your box for a certain surprise.

Folks relying on Charter for their HD programming in Atlanta have had AMC HD for just under two months now, but based on user reports from the area (including Alpharetta), it seems as if Comcast is just now getting around to matching the offer. Shortly after introducing a trio of newcomers to the Peach State's capital, AMC HD and TLC HD have been tossed in late just for good measure. Unannounced, but very welcome.

[Thanks, Rusty and Tim]

Commenters (Dustin, in particular) were quick to point out that Comcast's initial launch of Science, Disney and ABC Family HD didn't include Atlanta, but it seems as if Georgia's capital has finally garnered some respect and acquired the trio. Oh, and if your Comcast market has yet to pick 'em up, keep a close eye on that EPG -- it seems that they're making the rounds quite briskly.

[Thanks, Tim]

It's been quite some time since we heard of a theater right here in the US of A opening up with 4K projectors tucked inside, but for residents of Cumming, Georgia, such a scenario is about to unfold in your town. The AMC Avenue Forsyth 12 will be the first all-digital theater in the area when it opens on May 16th, packing Sony 4K digital cinema projectors and two auditoriums with screens stretching over three stories high and 50-feet wide. In sum, the venue will boast a dozen auditoriums with over 2,220 seats with rocking-back chairs, and folks who make their way down on opening weekend will even get a free small popcorn with each (presumably overpriced) ticket. There, we made some plans for you -- hope you're available!

Nearly three months after Comcast spruced up its HD package in Georgia's capital city, along comes Charter attempting to keep pace. Thankfully, it really brought the heat with its latest update, which delivers Animal Planet HD, TLC HD, Discovery HD, Fuse HD, WE (Women's Entertainment) HD, iFC (Independent Film Channel) HD, AMC HD and The Weather Channel HD. Granted, we've seen nothing official from Charter affirming these additions, so for any subscribers in the greater Atlanta region, are you too seeing these newcomers?

[Thanks, Jim L.]

Good news for Comcast users across the nation (and particularly for those in the Southeast): it seems the firm's recent HD expansion efforts are affecting more areas than just Washington, D.C. and South Carolina. Based on user reports originating in Jacksonville, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia, the channels added to the DC / SC lineups have made their way to the Peach and Sunshine states. For those needing a refresher, that includes USA HD, TLC HD, History Channel HD, Sci-Fi HD, CNN HD, Animal Planet HD and Discovery Channel HD. Additionally, it sounds as if ATLiens are also being blessed with Travel Channel HD, but we've nothing official to back that up with just yet. So, with more of the US getting all these newcomers, have any of you Comcast users in other locales seen additions in your EPG? Let's hear it!

[Thanks, Abby and Matthew P.]

Superfluous washers / dryers aren't the only thing being tested out in Atlanta. Turns out, some 200 families in Georgia's capital will be part of a "controlled U-Verse launch" slated to take place by the year's end. Of course, it's not like we didn't know this was coming, but it's still refreshing to hear that the operator is staying on track with its promised Southeastern rollout. Reportedly, those lucky enough to be among the first to try out U-Verse in the ATL will receive over 300 channels, with "up to 30" of those being in high-definition. According to company spokesman Wes Warnock, this limited launch will allow the firm to "test systems and work out any kinks" before giving other Georgians (along with more of the Southeast) the chance to sign up in 2008. Regrettably, we're still left to wonder where U-Verse is headed after it has infiltrated Atlanta, but we'll take any progress we can get.

[Thanks, Bruce B., image courtesy of AT&T]

Oh, do we have some great news for Atlanta residents craving local high-def news. Channel 2 WSB-TV flipped the switch on their high-def local news feed a few hours ago with Channel 2 Action News at Noon. This marks the inaugural HD news broadcast for the station and here on out, all Channel 2 newscasts will be televised in glorious HDTV. The station upgraded miles of copper cable cable to fiber and retrofitted even the stations news copter along with weather maps to provide their viewers with the best possible picture and it will be evident on even SDTV sets. Hopefully local news stations going HD isn't going to be news sometime soon but there are currently only a handful of stations nationwide with this ability.

If you are planning a trip to Atlanta area and just cannot stand to be without your HDTV, you might want to check out TWELVE. They have designed the rooms to match the lifestyle of their 25-45 year old guests. Each of the 101 suites has VoIP telephones and IPTV enabled high-def TVs. Rooms start at $160 when the hotel opens on February 12th.

The system is called GHOST: Guest Hotel Operating System Terminal. This is going to become common place in hotels throughout the coming year. I am planning a trip to Hawaii in the summer and this is going to be high on my list of necessary accommodations.

[thanks Josh for the tip!]