Comments on: TV industry frets over high definition

High-definition gear doesn't come cheap. And that's just one of the things clouding the HD picture for broadcasters.

[Michael Arnold]

Waiting

I'm usually always for a better picture, new tech, etc... But as a
former longtime broadcast employee and tech ops person. But,
I'm sitting this out for several more years until things settle
down. I just can't spend big money to see what's on commercial
TV ? especially any newscast along with the usual fare they serve
up. Same goes for my small production company.

There probabaly won't be enough outstanding material on
commercial tv anyway... much of the new "space" will be eaten
up with the other "sub" channels, leaving little for HDTV.

I think this "switch" is gonna take a lot longer than they're
predicting.

As for now, I'll continue to take to the local theaters for anything
that needs the big screen experience and stay with my
(standard) 32" set. (And I watch THAT less and less as each day
passes.

When things settle down.. and I mean settle down, I'll buy the
BIG set. Until that day comes (if ever) I'll pass on the hype.

[mahurshi]

So should I buy a TV... or wait ?

:-)

[mahurshi]

So should I buy a TV... or wait ?

:-)

[griz_fan]

Get the facts straight!!!!

Good Lord! The amount of misinformation surrounding digital and HD TV is pretty amazing, and articles such as this only makes things worse. The whole foundation of this article is flawed, if CNET had any journalistic integrity, they would either rewrite or pull this article. Yes, there is great cost in upgrading to HD broadcast equipment, but since that isn't necessary, who cares? All channels in my market (which isn't huge, BTW) have converted to digital quite some time ago. Five of the six are also passing along their network's HD feed. AFIK, none are originating any broadcasts in HD, though.
And, to all the other chicken-little technophobes out there wetting their pants over being forced to buy a new TV - relax! Get a clue, read some credible sources for information, then crawl back into you cave and go back to watching WWE Raw on your 19" Wal-Mart TV. This news is NOT for you.
For a lot of us, however, the transition to HD is great news! Between Dish Network and my antenna, I have 30 HD channels to watch. I don't watch a ton of TV, but 90% of what I want to watch is available in HD, so I really enjoy what I am able to watch. From Lost to Battlestar Galactica, to a ton of sports (Winter Olympics, NBA and NHL playoff games, upcoming World Cup soccer, etc...). I'm set, more than enough quality, engaging content available for me. Those who complain about the lack of HD programming are either:
a) not very bright and can't find programming
b) have very eclectic tastes
c) see option "a" again

So, if you are thinking of buying an HDTV, go for it! Just do a little research (the AVS Forum website is great, take everything you read at CNET with a big grain of salt, though). Check out TitanTV.com to find out what you could be watching in HD right now!

[griz_fan]

Get the facts straight!!!!

Good Lord! The amount of misinformation surrounding digital and HD TV is pretty amazing, and articles such as this only makes things worse. The whole foundation of this article is flawed, if CNET had any journalistic integrity, they would either rewrite or pull this article. Yes, there is great cost in upgrading to HD broadcast equipment, but since that isn't necessary, who cares? All channels in my market (which isn't huge, BTW) have converted to digital quite some time ago. Five of the six are also passing along their network's HD feed. AFIK, none are originating any broadcasts in HD, though.
And, to all the other chicken-little technophobes out there wetting their pants over being forced to buy a new TV - relax! Get a clue, read some credible sources for information, then crawl back into you cave and go back to watching WWE Raw on your 19" Wal-Mart TV. This news is NOT for you.
For a lot of us, however, the transition to HD is great news! Between Dish Network and my antenna, I have 30 HD channels to watch. I don't watch a ton of TV, but 90% of what I want to watch is available in HD, so I really enjoy what I am able to watch. From Lost to Battlestar Galactica, to a ton of sports (Winter Olympics, NBA and NHL playoff games, upcoming World Cup soccer, etc...). I'm set, more than enough quality, engaging content available for me. Those who complain about the lack of HD programming are either:
a) not very bright and can't find programming
b) have very eclectic tastes
c) see option "a" again

So, if you are thinking of buying an HDTV, go for it! Just do a little research (the AVS Forum website is great, take everything you read at CNET with a big grain of salt, though). Check out TitanTV.com to find out what you could be watching in HD right now!

[Foggy]

HD upgrade not me!

I have no interest in buying an HD equipped LCD or Plasma TV. I know they are all the rage among those who want to be the first on the block, but the general public isn't buying them yet, not in the numbers that make it a standard. Look at Cable or DSL for the internet, which have been around since 1998(when I signed up for a cable internet connection), a majority of Americans still use Dial Up connections.

I would however be interested in the new version of CRT TVs that are supposed to come out that will be have the depth of conventional CRTs but can be as big as Plasmas at a fraction of the cost.

[Foggy]

HD upgrade not me!

I have no interest in buying an HD equipped LCD or Plasma TV. I know they are all the rage among those who want to be the first on the block, but the general public isn't buying them yet, not in the numbers that make it a standard. Look at Cable or DSL for the internet, which have been around since 1998(when I signed up for a cable internet connection), a majority of Americans still use Dial Up connections.

I would however be interested in the new version of CRT TVs that are supposed to come out that will be have the depth of conventional CRTs but can be as big as Plasmas at a fraction of the cost.

[rhinette]

hdtv, iphones, blueray----where does it end?

I think that we have seen some very big hitech advancements in the last 50years that are very benifical to life. However some of our quest for entertainment inhancement in my options should be just that, optional. I resent being forced into spending money this month on equipment that is junk next month. I want to pick and choose what I feel is important to me with out having to fear that I can watch tv or answer my phone with out spending millions and having an engineering degree.

Maybe I became my parents and like a slower pace. Or maybe taxes, inflation and just the plain cost of living has stifed my thust for so called progress. When your young money grows on trees, as you mature you find out the trees have a limited production life.

I want to enjoy lifes bounty, not be a slave to the burdens of tech advancements.

I know youth has no boundries and in alot of fields that is a blessing. Age gives us hind sight that is 20/20.

Our world demands change and change is the only constant in the world. I guess I just wished someone would ask me first if I would like something with out being told I will have it and have to like it.

[rhinette]

hdtv, iphones, blueray----where does it end?

I think that we have seen some very big hitech advancements in the last 50years that are very benifical to life. However some of our quest for entertainment inhancement in my options should be just that, optional. I resent being forced into spending money this month on equipment that is junk next month. I want to pick and choose what I feel is important to me with out having to fear that I can watch tv or answer my phone with out spending millions and having an engineering degree.

Maybe I became my parents and like a slower pace. Or maybe taxes, inflation and just the plain cost of living has stifed my thust for so called progress. When your young money grows on trees, as you mature you find out the trees have a limited production life.

I want to enjoy lifes bounty, not be a slave to the burdens of tech advancements.

I know youth has no boundries and in alot of fields that is a blessing. Age gives us hind sight that is 20/20.

Our world demands change and change is the only constant in the world. I guess I just wished someone would ask me first if I would like something with out being told I will have it and have to like it.

[JJIndy]

HD

Wow, you would think people would do a bit more research before
writing a piece like this, guess not. On the Mac even the FREE
applications iMovie and iDVD are fully HD functional. The only real
issue is when the cost of HD cameras will get down low enough to
let the average person use them.