Why hi-def tv hasn't taken hold . . . . - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Cowperson · 02-10-2006, 10:28 AM

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n1301690.shtml

Cowperson

ken0042 · 02-10-2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

And here's the most bizarre HDTV statistic: More than half of current HDTV owners aren't really watching shows in HDTV — because they haven't taken the steps outlined above.

I think that is a huge driving factor. I've heard my next door neighbour telling people not to bother with HDTV, because he can't see a difference on his TV. Problem is, he isn't watching programs in HD. All he knows is he bought an HD ready TV (therefore an HDTV to him) and he sees on a TV show that it is available in HD. So he thinks he's watching HD when he really isn't.

I told him to come over for Superbowl because I went and borrowed a proper HDTV for the game, but he didn't show up.

Hakan · 02-10-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Quote:
And here's the most bizarre HDTV statistic: More than half of current HDTV owners aren't really watching shows in HDTV — because they haven't taken the steps outlined above.

I think that is a huge driving factor. I've heard my next door neighbour telling people not to bother with HDTV, because he can't see a difference on his TV. Problem is, he isn't watching programs in HD. All he knows is he bought an HD ready TV (therefore an HDTV to him) and he sees on a TV show that it is available in HD. So he thinks he's watching HD when he really isn't.

This is so classic and one of the reasons I will never work tech support. Human stupidity knows no bounds.

Bobblehead · 02-10-2006, 11:02 AM

Personally, there are a number of issues I'm watching keeping an eye on and those are why I haven't bought an HDTV(yet).

No HD support for DVDs yet. There are 2 competing formats right now, so we are going to have a replay of the Beta v VHS, called Blu-Ray v HD-DVD. With a progressive scan DVD player you can get great looking picture from current DVDs, but the HD information isn't actually there.

New screen technology. Plasma v LCD v Rear projection v front projection v DLP v CRT v LCOS v OLED v whatever is just around the corner. I don't think you can go "wrong" with any of them but sharper/brighter pictures are coming out every month, and prices are still dropping.

Copyright issues. The US networks are requesting draconian measures to protecting their content. If they succeed in forcing manufacturers to include these protections I can't see equipment manufacturers offering units without this protection to the Canadian market, and the current proposed system would downgrade the signal on units without the protection (including current units - no grandfathering). No HDCP? No HDTV!

All that said, I would love to get HDTV. My techie nature is pushing hard; I watch the Superbowl at a friends place on his 54" HDTV and it was great. So while I think my reasons for waiting are valid, I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out.

BlackEleven · 02-10-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Personally, there are a number of issues I'm watching keeping an eye on and those are why I haven't bought an HDTV(yet).

No HD support for DVDs yet. There are 2 competing formats right now, so we are going to have a replay of the Beta v VHS, called Blu-Ray v HD-DVD. With a progressive scan DVD player you can get great looking picture from current DVDs, but the HD information isn't actually there.

New screen technology. Plasma v LCD v Rear projection v front projection v DLP v CRT v LCOS v OLED v whatever is just around the corner. I don't think you can go "wrong" with any of them but sharper/brighter pictures are coming out every month, and prices are still dropping.

Copyright issues. The US networks are requesting draconian measures to protecting their content. If they succeed in forcing manufacturers to include these protections I can't see equipment manufacturers offering units without this protection to the Canadian market, and the current proposed system would downgrade the signal on units without the protection (including current units - no grandfathering). No HDCP? No HDTV!

All that said, I would love to get HDTV. My techie nature is pushing hard; I watch the Superbowl at a friends place on his 54" HDTV and it was great. So while I think my reasons for waiting are valid, I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out.

Very well put. All the same reasons I keep putting off getting one.

Hakan · 02-10-2006, 11:27 AM

It's the same reason that buying a first generation DVD player for $500 bucks was stupid. I bought one on boxing day that can do almost all that the first gens did for $30.

I look at HDTV prices and it's exhorbitant, $1400 for a tv? Please.

Cube Inmate · 02-10-2006, 01:53 PM

People have turned away from simply buying televisions, and towards buying "home theatres." The problem is, a home theatre is seen as a major purchase--most people will only buy one, if that--whereas regular TVs have been turned into a "one for every urinal" type of thing. As long as regular TV is still broadcast, people will (at most) buy one really nice HDTV and populate the rest of the house with regular old ones.

I blame DVDs. Before DVDs, nobody knew how lousy the TV picture was because it was still miles better than the alternative of VHS. I suppose there were a few laser discs out there, but they weren't popular enough to put the TV signal to shame, as DVDs have. But now...now that we know we can get a theatre-quality experience in our own homes, everybody wants it! Who the hell wants to spend $30/couple to go to the cineplex, get run over by wild teenagers, get snarled at by miserable employees, and get lice from the seats? Not me.

Cube Inmate · 02-10-2006, 02:04 PM

I prefer to think of it as "going on a roll."

Well...I suppose the lice thing was getting a little out there..?

Bobblehead · 02-10-2006, 02:34 PM

I totally agree with Cube about theaters.
Ever since my wife and I went to see Spiderman 2 a few years ago and the kid beside me decided to vomit 30 minutes before the end, we haven't been to many movies.

I was enjoying the movie up to that point...

JBR · 02-10-2006, 02:40 PM

We recently plunged into the HDTV market and picked up a 42" plasma and HD satellite box. The thing that held us back were the lack of HD stations, and few programs on these stations are broadcast in HD. Even the HNIC HD broadcast is not that great. US HD stations are great. Watching Letterman, Leno, CSI etc in widescreen HD is great. The SuperBowl was phenominal (Having US commercials was cool too). The only reason we took the leap was the great deal we got on the TV. Otherwise, I would have waited a little longer.

Red · 02-10-2006, 02:50 PM

HDTV is expensive. You get a TV for $2000, then a DCT fpr $400 and you get 10 or so HD channels. Regular TV will cost you lass than $1000. Doesn't seem like it's worth it.

However, most people don't realize that they only watch 6-10 favorite channels and the 10 HD channels would cover most of that content.
Another thing is lack of exposure. Once you have HD for a while there's no going back. The industry should make HD more attainable by offering one month trilas etc. But there's a big hustle involved in trying a 50 inch TV :-(

HD will become more popular in time. The people that still have the old TVs will eventually need new ones and they won't be buying 32 inch CRTs. Once they get the big TVs they will realise that the standard def TV is not ment to be watched on those sets. They will be forced to get HD DCTs and in the end they will be happy.

I don't watch a lot of TV at home, but when I do I watch most of it in HD. There's plenty of content there. I don't miss the Weather Network or Access in HD.

Igottago · 02-10-2006, 02:51 PM

I'm sure it'll get here, but it'll be a slow transition. I've had an HDTV for a couple of years now, and have never bothered to buy a high def box (i'm with Shaw), basically because it doesn't seem worth the cost for only a few channels of HDTV. Additionally, I don't care for much of the hi-def programming other than sports. Also, why spend like $400 on a high def box, when high def PVR's are on the horizon too? I mean the comparison to Ipods...initially ipods were expensive as heck and not many people were into mp3 technology. As the technology became more widespread, Ipods became cheaper, and therefore, everyone and their dog has one now. The same thing will happen with Hi-def, there are just more expensive variables that will make it take longer.

RedMan12 · 02-10-2006, 02:56 PM

Well alot of people can't afford brand new TV's all the time. I just bought a new TV before HD started to get big. I don't see the point of getting one until everything is HD standard and all the stations switch to HD programming. I know HD looks better but right now there isn't enough HD programs. I think in a few more years it will be big.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 02-10-2006, 03:12 PM

Nah, this Hi-Def thing is a fad. Just like DVD's, iPods, cell phones, and the internet.
Trust me, in a couple years people with Hi-Def TV's are gonna feel really stupid.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a few friends comming over to listen to my eight track collection and watch some movies on laser disk.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 02-10-2006, 03:13 PM

BTW: Igottago,
Hi-Def PVR's aren't on the horizon, they're available right now.
The future is now man.

Igottago · 02-10-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

BTW: Igottago,
Hi-Def PVR's aren't on the horizon, they're available right now.
The future is now man.

yeah, i know they're around, but aren't they fairly expensive right now?

Anyways, if the Flames are in the finals again, I'm not waiting anymore, i'm getting hi-def.

cSpooge · 02-10-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igottago

yeah, i know they're around, but aren't they fairly expensive right now?

Anyways, if the Flames are in the finals again, I'm not waiting anymore, i'm getting hi-def.

shaw's HD PVR is $730 IIRC

JBR · 02-10-2006, 04:33 PM

By the way, anyone want to buy a 32" JVC crt TV and get a free Star Choice receiver? Seriously

Resolute 14 · 02-10-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakan

This is so classic and one of the reasons I will never work tech support. Human stupidity knows no bounds.

From someone working in tech support: you have no idea just how true that statement is.

My last call today was having to explain to a customer that he needed to unplug his UPS before chaning the batteries. It took me four tries, because "unplug the UPS" was too technical.

As far as HDTV goes, the difference in picture quality is just insane. Anyone who says "there isnt much difference" should just pack their HDTV up and send it to me. I'll trade them my regular TV for it.

Draug · 02-10-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

As far as HDTV goes, the difference in picture quality is just insane. Anyone who says "there isnt much difference" should just pack their HDTV up and send it to me. I'll trade them my regular TV for it.

And, the difference used to be even greater.

I posted this in another thread a while ago, but I feel its worth bringing up over and over again. I can't stand it when an industry turns the consumers into suckers.

It is truly awful how compressed the HD streams are now. You can see constant Macro Blocking during any motion - CSI is especially bad when they do the flash back scenes. You can see it during hockey as well. Additionally, HD appears more fuzzy than it used to.

There was a time, about 3 years ago, when HD was way better. The first time I watched a football game on CBS HD, you could see the white stars on the american flag on the refs jersey. Now, you are lucky if you can read the nameplates on the players.

Yes, Granted, HD is better than regular SD (much better). But, why should we be happy to accept something that is not as good as it can be? Especially when we are charged more for it (on Bell). We shouldnt be happy with this 'HD Light'.