Being primarily focused on the consumer end of HDTV, we've rarely crossed paths with news from DG FastChannel, but this stopped us in our tracks. Put simply, it's a proposal to turn around some of that analog TV spectrum sale cash and distribute an HDTV to every household in the U.S. that wants one, digital converter box-style (everyone remember how well that worked out?) Considered seriously, we'd assume companies like DG FastChannel and its partners have invested greatly in preparing for HDTV and would love if all their viewers could see it that way, and we can certainly appreciate the idea that watching standard def is fundamentally wrong. Still, new digital divide or not this attention grabbing bit of PR probably has about as much chance of getting high definition in every home as there is of another DTV switch delay in the next three days.

Call us crazy, but we suspect these 100 free HDTVs (and DVRs) will be snapped up in no time flat... if they aren't all claimed already, that is. FairPoint Communications is hoping to lure a hundred Portsmouth, New Hampshire homes into testing its new fiber-based (IPTV) programming technology as it looks to compete locally with Comcast. The 90-day pilot program is set to start in January and is open to all Portsmouth residents within the FairPoint fiber-optic service area. Depending on how the tests go, many communities could look to FairPoint to provide video services, though the initial trial will include just 45 channels as critics look to judge quality, not quantity. So, what exactly are you waiting for? Get on the horn and get your name on the list!

Wait, what? In a section of the globe that needs to make every possible effort to up the adoption rate of high-def, we've got this winner trying to hold it down. Zdenek Duspiva, the head of the body overseeing the country's transition to digital broadcasting, has reportedly stated that HD channels should not be beamed out gratis to DTT viewers while speaking at the Teleinformatika conference in Prague. We can't imagine why he would possibly think that restricting the public's access to a better quality format would be beneficial for its technological progress at large, but we're sure glad he's not clocking into the FCC everyday.

[Image courtesy of DigiZone]

It's no iQ2, but it's free, and free is hard to complain with. Australians teetering on the fence about buying into pay-TV from Foxtel have a little more incentive thanks to a fresh offer from the company. For folks who sign up, they'll receive a free iQ DVR for a full 12 months, and better still, installation will also be free. We're actually a bit fuzzy on whether this deal is in effect now or starting in 2009, but it can't hurt to call and plead, right?

As switched digital video (SDV) rollouts continue, we're apt to hear more and more about how cable companies plan on handling the distribution of Tuning Adapters. We've already heard that Cox will be giving needy customers in Phoenix a TA for free, and Time Warner Cable New York recently sent out letters to CableCARD users informing them that their TAs may be handed out gratis. Now, we're seeing a pre-order page over at TWC's San Antonio site that clearly informs subscribers that the Tuning Adapter they request will be provided at no charge "later this year." If you're in or around this area and own a TiVo Series 3, TiVo HD or TiVo HD XL, now would probably be an excellent time to get your name on the list. For everyone else, have a look at your local carrier's page and let us know if it's doing something similar. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]

[Thanks, Lawrence]

Read - TWC San Antonio main site
Read - TWC San Antonio pre-order page

Canada's own Bell ExpressVu is currently mulling an interesting plan that could bring "free" OTA networks to folks faraway from towers and terrified of paying a cable provider for TV service. Dubbed FreeSat, the proposed service would give Canadians "free access to a limited number of high-definition channels," all of which would be local OTA (read: not pay-TV) networks. It wasn't revealed how much the receiver itself would cost, nor was it clear if broadcasters would be kosher with the idea. Bell Canada argues that the plan would give the aforementioned networks a way to get their content to more customers without "huge investments" in new transmission towers, but of course, there is always more than one side to the story. Needless to say, we can't imagine this being the last time we hear of this endeavor.

Sure, it'd be better if this offer was worldwide in nature, but hey, the Australians deserve their deals too, right? According to SmarthouseNews, Toshiba will be running a promotion at Aussie retailer JB Hi-Fi -- which just recently started stocking HD DVD-related products -- that enables buyers of the 37-inch X3000A LCD TV to take home an HD-E1 HD DVD player gratis. Moreover, those who opt for the 42-, 46- or 52-inch version of the aforementioned set will be blessed with a shiny new HD-EP10. Reportedly, the deal runs from now until January 31, 2008, and just in case you couldn't guess, Tosh is apparently hoping to "drive sales" of its favorite format in the region with the promo.

Read enough horror stories lately to get you all scared about diving into the world of HDTV? Fret not, as Panasonic is reopening the phone lines to its toll-free Plasma Concierge service during the holidays. Usually, this line is reserved for those who already own a Panny PDP, but starting today, absolutely anyone can ring up the help line for a little one-on-one Q&A about flat panels. Reportedly, those on the other end will be happy to field any general / technical questions you may have, and unlike last year, the service will remain open until February 3, 2008 -- a full two months longer. Hit the read link for the digits, and be sure to grab some paper and a pen before you just start rattling off inquiries.

It's not like we haven't seen this card played already in the HD DVD camp, but now it's (almost) time for the Blu-ray ponderers to feel the grip of temptation (again). Starting on July 1st (just hold out a few more hours) and lasting through September 30th of this year, customers who purchase a qualifying Blu-ray player will be eligible to receive five flicks gratis through the mail. Among the options of players are Sony's BDP-S1, BDP-S300, or 60GB PlayStation 3, Panasonic's DMP-BD10K or DMP-BD10KA, Philips' BDP9000, Pioneer's BDP-94HD, or Samsung's BD-P1000 / BD-P1200. As for the free movies, you'll be able to choose five from a library of 21 titles, and while we can't really argue with the upside in this deal, be absolutely sure you don't mind receiving "notices and information from the Blu-ray Disc Association" before mailing in your claim.

[Via Blu-ray]

If you weren't already aware, there actually is a bright side to Sony jacking up the price of its PlayStation 3 for European gamers, and while folks were still forced to camp out to snag a (somewhat) coveted unit, things went over drastically better during London's launch compared to similar ones here in the US. While we knew the Brits and Aussies were fully prepared to blow a good chunk of savings on the pricey machine, Americans should seriously scrutinize just how easily these other nations pulled off the high-profile launch, reportedly happening sans any reckless drive-bys or random acts of violence. More interesting, however, is the tidbit where "everyone who purchased a PS3 at the London launch event received a free 46-inch HD television and a taxi home." You read right -- over £250,000 ($490,450) worth of HDTVs were handed carted out to over 100 presumably elated gamers, and London officials made sure that cabs were readily available to rush buyers home after completing their transactions. Notably, a 17-year old fan snagged the pole position in line after waiting just 36 paltry hours, which still suggests that we Americans are more devoted (or delusional, depending on perspective) when it comes to camping out, but we don't even want to imagine the mayhem that would've ensued here if the first hundred buyers were eligible for a free display. Good show, England, good show.

[Thanks, Karim M.]

Now that Dell's riding high on the Blu-ray bandwagon, what more could you ask for when picking up that now-BD-equipped M1710? How about a free flick from Mark Cuban? While we can hear the groaning in the back, ole Mark has decided to plug his very own HDNet by partnering with Dell and tossing in a free Blu-ray title -- "HDNet World Report Special: Shuttle Discovery's Historic Mission" -- with each XPS M1710 notebook. Although further details on the deal weren't readily available, it was implied that future Blu-ray equipped machines would also grace buyers with free BD titles of Cuban's choosing, and while you might not agree with Mark's antics, you can't really complain with free.

If your tiresome Black Friday campout left you incensed at that fellow ahead who snagged the very last HDTV that you had been eying, take heart. Panasonic feels your pain, and is opening up its exclusive help lines to help you deal with the hassles of searching for the perfect plasma. The company's Plasma Concierge service -- which opened earlier this year -- is stocking up on customer service representatives to field any questions you may have, regardless of whether or not you own a single Panasonic product. The program is open to the public through December 31st of this year to craft "customized flat screen profiles," determine which set would be better suited for your room, and even tips on mounting and wiring. So if you're befuddled over where to get some reliable, free information (aside from the site you're currently ogling) on which plasma to pick up this holiday season, give Panasonic a ring, but be sure to dodge those sure-to-come sales pitches while you're at it.

If you're thinking about picking up a first or second generation HD DVD player from Toshiba, consider the pot sweetened. The promotion doesn't apply until November 1st, so walk, don't run to your local retailer and keep the receipt. Mail it in with the above form and in a speedy 8 to 10 weeks you will be the proud owner of at least three HD DVDs. One each from column A, B and C, customers will get one disc from each of the three major studios so far supporting HD DVD. Free is exactly the right price to us; but while three discs compares well to the one free movie that comes the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on and PlayStation 3, having to wait two months pretty much kills the warm fuzzies. This offer does not apply to the Toshiba-built RCA HDV5000, but it does include the HD-A2W we haven't seen before; Toshiba tells us its not an entirely new model but a limited club edition like the HD-D1. List of titles is after the break.

Read - The Perfect Offer: 3 free HD DVDs (Warning: PDF link)

French ADSL provider Free has partnered with i-concerts to create a 24/7 high definition concert network, i-concerts HD. Beyond the IPTV channel, they also feature i-concerts Jukebox for VOD access, although it is not clear if that content will be HD or not. The network launched yesterday, and will feature content from all genres, including performers such as Beyoncé, Seal, Radiohead, James Brown, and Gorillaz. The IPTV rollout is happening much faster in Europe compared to the US, in fact the i-concert network is already available to Belgian subscribers over IPTV and in France direct to a PC.  As telephone companies expand IPTV offerings here, hopefully we'll see more options for high def programming like this become available.