Some TV executives and analysts suggest that online video, tablet computers and wider use of digital-video recorders could be pulling prime-time viewers to other places and times that aren't counted in prime-time usage figures, although many also caution it is too early in the TV season to draw any broad conclusions.
Of the items on display, the one that looked most useful and almost ready for primetime was Sharp's media player with video-on-demand functions (above).
TiVo's digital video-recording software for collecting your favorite primetime and cable shows is top notch, but the small company still has a ways to go in working out on-demand video download deals with studios and Web services.
Beginning in early November, and for the first time ever on digital video, PBS brings Prime members 200 episodes of The French Chef with the world renowned Julia Child.