News Desk

In Houston, demonstrators dressed as zombies with analog-TV heads fell to the ground at noon on the DTV transition date of June 12. The Texas Campaign for the Environment says TVs contain lead, mercury, and other toxic metals. Rather than trash old analog TVs, the group urges that the obsolete low-resolution sets be reused or recycled, noting the Houston-area recycling operations sponsored by various TV makers. See Public Research Works for more information on TV recycling.

Meanwhile, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd offers her own take on the DTV transition. She argues that women are far less enthusiastic about it than men, noting: "In a high-def culture, we have to wear more makeup to look like we have on no makeup." HDTV was developed "totally by men," she says, citing former Ultimate AV columnist Joel Brinkley. But higher resolution afflicts on-air talent of both sexes, she adds, describing the plight of MSNBC anchor David Shuster: "When he started shooting his HD promo, he was asked to take his pants off so they could steam the creases. And they dulled his shiny shoes, which were picking up green tones from the green screen. Now he's dreading high-def five o'clock shadow."