Digital Video/TV Technology

SHANGHAI (AFP) - Chinese regulators have closed down hundreds of video sharing websites in a new push to control Internet content, reports said Monday. Full Story »

Music service Vevo will include content from EMI Music when it launches this week the site announced Monday. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Shares of Web video delivery company Akamai Technologies Inc. rose Friday after two analysts upgraded the stock based on an upbeat outlook for online commerce. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc is banking on significant growth in online video ads as marketers become more sophisticated at targeting consumers interactively, a senior executive at the Web search giant said on Thursday. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Epix, a new movie channel owned by three Hollywood studios, is talking with Dish Network Corp and other carriers, and expects to secure another distribution deal by early 2010, the premium channel's top executive said on Thursday. Full Story »

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - YouTube launched an experimental "Feather" feature on Thursday that slims down online videos for delivery to places where the Internet is unable to handle heavy data traffic. Full Story »

So you didn't feel like waiting in the Best Buy line for three hours to pick up an HDTV? No problem--Amazon is offering a pretty sweet Samsung HDTV and Blu-ray Disc player bundle. The Samsung 52-inch LN52B630 features full 1080p resolution, 120Hz Auto Motion Plus, an 80,000:1 contrast ratio, four HDMI ports, and two USB ports; it currently retails for about $1488. Full Story »

Google's ever-expanding presence could mean trouble for Hulu and iTunes, as YouTube may one day let you buy streaming TV shows the day after they air. If a report by All Things D's Peter Kafka is correct, Apple and Hulu should worry because Google is well-positioned to be a network TV streaming powerhouse, and this time it's no joke. Full Story »

On Tuesday, Cisco Systems' Flip Video unit, and makers of the Mino HD high-definition pocket camcorder, announced a companion product that plays captured 720p video on your HDTV: the "Flipshare TV". Full Story »

While Black Friday deals on laptops and HDTVs helped to lure shoppers to stores and online sites over the weekend, it's still unclear whether sales of consumer electronics products really brought retailers much holiday cheer. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Much of the prime-time audience lost to NBC when Jay Leno moved into prime-time has gone not to its rivals but the digital video recorder. Full Story »

For those not up for braving the Black Friday crowds, Amazon.com is still running its week-long lightning sales on various tech gadgets – from netbooks and laptops to cameras and HDTV's. Full Story »

Wal-Mart has a 46-inch HDTV, the Sony Bravia KDL-46S504, on sale for $798. This 1080p HDTV features a 60Hz refresh rate and a 20,000:1 contrast ratio. It also has three HDMI inputs, and is Bravia Link compatible. The lowest price we found for the KDL-46S504 on PriceGrabber was $1200 at Crutchfield, so you'd save about $400. Full Story »

MOSCOW (AFP) - Huge red banners hang over Moscow's Red Square and hundreds of Communist dignitaries are awaiting the annual May Day parade as the announcer's booming voice, filled with pride, breaks the silence. Full Story »

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's government launched its first channel on Google Inc's video website YouTube on Wednesday, which the prime minister said would allow the country to counter media "lies" and showcase its successes. Full Story »

If you're looking for a really cheap HDTV (to complete your really cheap home theater), Wal-Mart has a 32-inch Emerson LCD HDTV for under $250--$248, to be exact. Full Story »

Costco is offering a 55-inch Vizio LCD HDTV for $1200 (after you apply a $300-off coupon). This Vizio 55-incher (Costco doesn't specify the model) has 1080p resolution and 120Hz "Smooth Motion" technology. It features five HDMI input ports, as well as an S-Video input, a composite video input, a computer RGB input, and one USB port. The store is setting a limit of two per customer. Full Story »

Way outdone by rivals like Hulu and YouTube, Web video service Joost is now in the throes of winding down, only two-and-a-half years after its rollout with very high hopes by Skype co-founders Janius Friis and Niklas Zennstrom. Full Story »