Comments on: HDTV makers want consumers to do their homework

Amid big changes in a maturing industry, TV manufacturers say they must focus on teaching consumers the true meaning of "high definition."

[RobbHadley]

So right

I know several people with HD monitors. Not a one of them is
putting a digital signal into it. They will drop $1500 on a set,
then not spring for the extra monthly bucks digital cable will
cost. They won't even put up an antenna to receive over-the-air
signals for free.

The other day, I borrowed a projector from the office. I hooked
it up to my MacBook which had a digital tuner device attached.
The picture was nothing short of stunning. My wife is no
videophile, but her jaw literally dropped when she saw the
seven-foot-wide picture on the screen.

Then I popped in a DVD. Nice, but not nearly the quality of the
over-the-air signal.

The really sad part: these people running analog signals through
their HD sets are getting a result which actually looks WORSE
(distorted width and fuzzy picture) than it would on an NTSC set.

So long as large numbers of people are buying HD sets as status
symbols rather than part of a superior viewing experience, this
technology will not take off among the masses.

[ev61]

Agreed

Like anything else, a little googling goes a long way. Before I got my first HDTV, I did a little research to figure out what I needed. Even subscribing to an HD source is not enough, as most people do not understand that there now is a digital and analog equivalent of all OTA channels, and a digital and analog of most cable channels. Not only do the marketers need to get HD sources into the home, they also need to show the digital and HD channels.

on a side note, I think CNET is in cahoots with Vizio. More and more Viziolove is popping up...

[tomrobin]

CNN writeres do your homework

This article is so typical of what is on the net,in print and on TV, reads as a business marketing report. Information that can be of actual use for consumers to understand HDTV just is not there. Knowing that another kind of HDTV (Laser) or that Sony is slipping, or that "price points" at warehouse stores control the market and make manufacturers unhappy, will not stop the cable man from connecting only the "F" connector to the $4,000.00 HDTV and telling the consumer to use channel 3.

[chuchucuhi]

it's one of those live and learn things

Eventually everyone will learn and it will be a moot point. My TV died last week and I've been looking at the Olevia 747i recently as my long term television while I upgrade the other components from the DVR, DVD player, reciever, and camcorder. It's supposed to have a pretty good up conversion chip. I have to be very wise because I can't replace everything at once and my wife will roll her eyes or more if regular def doesn't look better during the years of electronic turn over.

[ebg_51]

HDTV makers want consumers to do their homework

c/net could help by providing in-depth comparisons using real world scenarios. Included would be which cable box; which TIVO box; What interconnect cables to use. all the real stuff