Comments on: Don't buy a portable TV this year

Portable TVs may be great, but it's a bad idea to buy one in 2008 since they'll be rendered obsolete when analog TV signals are shut off on February 17, 2009.

[rk2469]

This entry caught me because the author used "ripped-off." It is a word that has a strong implication of a seller egregiously conning the purchaser with fraudulent intents.

So, you expect someone who is currently buying these "obsolete" TVs to read your entry? I do not know anyone around my circle who is buying this type of product. If they do buy this product then they buy it.

You know the things that are truly a rip-off. Coffee and Organic Food. They are a huge rip-off. How can a cup of coffee cost $5. How can a bar of soap cost $10 at Organic food retailer, WH. Buying this little TV is a less of rip-off than buying coffee at SB or Organic Food at WH. Why does fruit logo computer cost average of 25% more when they hire same chinese factory workers to assemble their computer? You know that Red Campaign where they spent $100 million to raise like $10 to 20 million dollars. You know the poverty t-shirt that's being sold for $65 that only contributes 25 cents to an actual cause by U2 Bono?

The word "rip-off" the author used is a just a polemical device to draw attention and emotion that's not necessary. It is a choice of words for the drama-queens. It is a hyper usage of language.

And no, these TV wont' loose mos to the functionality within a year. These rabbit ear TVs have poor receptions. So, it won't matter. These TVs come with external input plugs. So, your whole entry is meaningless.

[yesdear34]

I was looking into buying a portable tv for my dad, since I figured his wouldn't work because of the digital transition. I was so happy to read this article because it is a rip-off to buy a tv without any warning of the digital transition. If they advertised it, then people probably wouldn't buy one. I think this article is useful for people who are looking into buying a portable tv and rip-off is exactly what comes to mind.

[Too Pacent!]

The author of this article may have chosen his wording poorly, but it's just a blog, it's not a published scientific journal. Anyway, this whole digital conversion thing bothers me a little bit, it kind of smells of conspiracy... Doesn't it?

[Tanvirtech]

I agree 100% with you! Whats wrong with analog frequency's? Why cant we have both? Digital and Analog. The only explanation people are giving is Digital frequency is better then Analog. Well Dahhhhh! It is a newer technology. Its like saying Lan lines are slower then fiber optic, we all know that. why do every one and every dam TV set need to receive digital frequency. I feel like the public is being forced. Hemm is it because it is easyer to find/read RFID over a digital wave, perhaps its big brother going too extreme with its monetary policy.... because our media system in this country is totally weak.. we never hear the true story any more.

[samskrta]

I think that "ripped-off" is a perfect term. The sellers of these televisions advertised as being ideal for campers, etc, will be 100% useless after February 2009 for what is marketed as their primary purpose.

[gregorytga]

Wait, wait, wait.... hold up.... People still BUY these things?

[jonathan_a]

That's what I was thinking. People don't buy portable TVs anymore... unless you're computer illiterate or still stuck in the 80's and early 90's. But these days, people bring LAPTOPS or PORTABLE DVD PLAYERS to camping.

Not portable TVs... no one watches TV anymore.

[jasonbryanmiller]

The term "ripped off" is used in a far more colloquial manner by most people. Besides, whenever I see these type of comments criticizing the language or spelling used by CNET staff...it just makes me think "get a freakin LIFE!" CNET can't win with you guys. Sure, they make some mistakes, particularly common in the world of rapid turn around media. However, this anal retentive nitpicking of their spelling, language, and grammar - you guys need to get outside every once in a while...get away from your computer...make some friends...meet some girls. Do something instead of nitpicking language. The nitpicking if far more annoying than CNETs errors, particularly when they are debatable errors (such as this one).

[jaycee0408]

Why would any manufacturer still bring out portable tv? First of all, if u are going camping, why would you bring a tv with u? Might as well stay in your warm lovely home, watch your big screen tv. If you are desperate for a bit of tv, might as well get a mobile phone give such service. Market for portable tv isn't something bright, that's what i think.

[AnthonyNYC]

Well, why are the manufacturers just not being forced to include an ATSC tuner?
that's what I don't understand.

[ed mcguirk]

Good point, I thought the deadline for selling TVs without an ATSC was last year.

[rk2469]

My point was these blogs' entries use words that are out-of-bound. For example, if the author thought this type of TV is a 'rip-off" then what would a bait & switch car deal? What would a computer that's priced at $1,000 that came with a fail component that wasn't covered by the warranty? What if someone bought a bag of foreign coffee that didn't have caffeine in it? What is $65 end-poverty t-shirt that only donates 25 cents to actual cause. You see, the word "rip-off" loses meaning. If, a bait & switch car deal is a rip-off, is a buying this tv a "rip-off." This is a poor writing. Maybe, people who over look word usage might not care but there is difference between saying something is unwise purchase versus rip-off. Also, it is a buyers responsibilities to check whether TV works. Is ATI X800 a rip-off since you can't play Crysis game? Should everybody buy 8800 GT card? Are all other video card less than 8800 GT are rip-offs?

[sribisi]

I generally enjoy reading the Crave blog entires, though I have noticed occasional errors and poorly chosen language. In this case I think the term "rip-off" is likely accurate and is certainly acceptable since this is a blog entry. What I object to is that when I click on a headline on the c|net homepage I am often taken to this blog. There is no way to know when I select a story whether I am going to an "official" c|net review, story, or news item or to this blog. Links to Crave blog entries should be identified as such on the c|net homepage and should likely not be mixed in with articles that clearly have a more professional tone and purpose. Please don't get me wrong. I have enjoyed and benefited from many Crave entries. I just don't think the Crave blog entries in general (not Mr. Moskovciak's specifically) are as professional or trustworthy as the other material available on c|net.

[sceptic007]

rk2469, since you are being so nit picky, let me point out where you are wrong.
You say "My point was...." and that is absolutely wrong. You had no point. You just have too much free time. Come on, going off about coffee and organic soap? Get a job.

[idelgado782]

Actually radioshack sells one for $199 which has a digital tuner built in so you don't have to worry about that.

[mdulcey]

The best option for TV on the go is a DTV tuner for your laptop. You can get one with a USB interface for under $100. One caveat; you will need a rather fast laptop, or one with a video chipset with HD decoding acceleration, to make it work.

[De132]

I really think the DTV is a waste of time, this is another reason why we should go through with this. But i do buy Portable TVs, only as a novelty. it is every kid's dream to watch TV in class(OK, just mine), its a gigantic middle finger to the teacher

[dtvAwareness]

I bought a battery operated converter box from freeTVsignal.com. It appears to be the only one on the market.

[dnscaching]

The public was forced. The main reason was so that corporations could purchase desired analog frequencies from public hands, which explains why you were never told the whole story. We traded precious public airwaves for a higher quality signal, to sum it up.

[bumba000]

Well 2008 has come and long since gone. It seems that many folks are hung up still on the digital transition. The time has come again to buy <a href="http://www.12volt-travel.com/12-volt-televisions-c-684.html">portable televisions</a>.

All of these new portables have built-in digital tuners and are great for travel. Some are battery powered some are direct 12 volt dc power.