HDTV sales keep rising, but content is scarce...

[Zim Hosein]

By the end of 2004, about one-tenth of U.S. households had a television capable of displaying a high-definition picture -the critical mass that could mark a turning point in the technology's adoption.

HDTV sets, including the flat models that hang on walls, are some of the hottest electronic products around. But about two-thirds of the 12.8 million homes with HDTV sets weren't tuning in to a single program in full-blown high-def, according to the market research firm In-Stat.

HDTV sales keep rising, but content is scarce So

 

My comcast-dvr + hdtv = alot of really pretty movies.

I need more hd channels though...

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: buck
My comcast-dvr + hdtv = alot of really pretty movies.

I need more hd channels though...

Yep.

Though we definately have it better than those poor souls with HD DirecTv.

 

[EatSpam]

I just use mine for DVDs and HTPC stuff. 1366x768 is nice... I won't pay for cable or satellite.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: EatSpam
I just use mine for DVDs and HTPC stuff. 1366x768 is nice... I won't pay for cable or satellite.

I don't have a choice EatSpam, if I don't pay for cable, all I'll receive is about 15 channels

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

yea OTA hdtv is very limited.

 

[imthebadguy]

Originally posted by: buck
My comcast-dvr + hdtv = alot of really pretty movies.

I need more hd channels though...

oh yeh, i love my moto6412, its like sex in a box

 

[davew0670]

ive got about 16 hd channels. only good thing about time warner.

 

[woowoo]

Upconvert!

 

[conjur]

Content is scarce? WTF?

I mostly watch CBS and, except for Survivor (which I'll never watch), Amazing Race (or whatever it's called) and 60 Minutes II their lineup is all HD. ABC is almost all HD and so is NBC. FOX has some HD shows including 24 and WB and UPN have HD. PBS has HD. Then there are the pay channels: ESPN HD, HBO HD, Showtime HD, Discovery HD, Bravo HD, HD Net, HD Net Movies, InHD, and I think Cinemax has an HD channel.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
I don't have a choice EatSpam, if I don't pay for cable, all I'll receive is about 15 channels

That's alot. We get 3-4 without cable.

 

[vi edit]

I just think that a lot of people end up spending $1000-$3000 on an HDTV and then find our (or know up front) that they have to spend another $300-$500 on an HD Tuner, grow satisfied with the picture that they get out of the box and never end up spending the extra money on the HD decoder.

If the decoders were a more reasonable $100 instead of $300+ or if more were built into the TV you'd see a much higher acceptance rate.

 

[anxi80]

yep, only 15 hi-def channels on cox. the only one i dont got is the showtime hd channel. but i would be glad to see more. and a lot of those are still broadcasted in standard so i get to see the espn logo on the sides during certain events.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I just think that a lot of people end up spending $1000-$3000 on an HDTV and then find our (or know up front) that they have to spend another $300-$500 on an HD Tuner, grow satisfied with the picture that they get out of the box and never end up spending the extra money on the HD decoder.

If the decoders were a more reasonable $100 instead of $300+ or if more were built into the TV you'd see a much higher acceptance rate.

Explain these decoders to me.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: anxi80
yep, only 15 hi-def channels on cox. the only one i dont got is the showtime hd channel. but i would be glad to see more. and a lot of those are still broadcasted in standard so i get to see the espn logo on the sides during certain events.

How is the HD content from Cox? I'm moving to an area where Cox services and can get the HD content through them. I'm not sure if I want to go that route or bite the bullet and buy a decoder and stick with DirectTV.

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
How is the HD content from Cox? I'm moving to an area where Cox services and can get the HD content through them. I'm not sure if I want to go that route or bite the bullet and buy a decoder and stick with DirectTV.

its not bad. i get my padre games in hi def, so thats always a nice treat. here's the lineup i currently get:

HBO HDTV
HBO HDTV is available to Cox High Definition Cable customers who also subscribe to HBO. With over half of HBO movies broadcast in high definition, there's no shortage of great entertainment. One of HBO's most notable highlights is The Sopranos. Among the movies recently made available are American Beauty, Men of Honor, Cast Away, The Beach, and I Dreamed of Africa.
INHD (General Entertainment HD Network) - Channel 701
INHD is a 24/7 digital cable channel that presents the best programming available in the hi-def format including movies, major and college sports and general interest programming.
INHD2 - Channel 702
A network featuring half-hour/hour-long general entertainment programming in prime time.
ESPN HD - Channel 703
Channel 4 San Diego - Channel 704
Local Channel 4 San Diego brings you over 100 Padres games in High-Definition on Channel 704
WB HB (KSWB) - Channel 705
Catch your favorite WB network primetime programs, including Gilmore Girls, Smallville and Everwood, in high definition.
Fox HD - Channel 706
FOX's high-definition programming - including the BIG GAME - in High-Definition on Channel 706.
NBC (KNSD) - Channel 707
NBC broadcasts The Tonight Show, ER, American Dreams, Crossing Jordan, and Frasier. NBC executives have stated a commitment to producing a more significant portion of its primetime lineup in HD in the near future.
CBS (KFMB) - Channel 708
CBS has been the most aggressive about embracing HDTV, with most of its primetime programming airing in high definition. CBS has committed to increasing HDTV broadcasts. Among the series that will air, are: JAG, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Judging Amy, Without A Trace, Robbery Homicide Division, The District, The Agency, Becker, Touched by an Angel, Everybody Loves Raymond, Yes Dear, King of Queens, and The Young and the Restless.
ABC (KGTV) - Channel 710
ABC is offering a greatly expanded line up of primetime programming, including Monday Night Football, NYPD Blue, The Wonderful World of Disney, Alias, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, and a large selection of feature films every month.
PBS - Channel 711
PBS broadcasts HDTV or enhanced wide screen programming 24 hours per day on our DTV channel. Our HDTV schedule includes many PBS programs as well as programs we acquire from other sources.
Discovery HD Theater* - Channel 735
Discovery HD features fiction and non-fiction HDTV programming in all categories of entertainment, including nature, history, world cultures, geographic exploration, science, education, travel and vacation planning, world news and events, children?s education and entertainment, health and medicine and how-to programming in the areas of home, hobbies and cooking.
Showtime HDTV - Channel 740
Showtime HDTV is available to Cox High Definition Cable customers who also subscribe to Showtime. Showtime offers several popular original series, including The Chris Isaak Show, Queer As Folk, and Soul Food. Movies recently broadcast include Out Cold, Hannibal, Mission Impossible 2, Save The Last Dance and Angela's Ashes.
Universal HD - Channel 742
Universal HD offers the best of NBC Universal's library in HD. Programming includes unedited and uninterrupted films, award winning dramas, series, sports, specials and performance arts programming ? all from the Universal library.

 

[rickn]

Voom offered the best content, it's to bad it will probably be years before another provider comes a long and offers the same or more. DirecTV and Dish are all talk when it comes to HDTV content. My local cable company offers more than they do

 

[LikeLinus]

I've been watching TNTHD on Comcast. I don't know if they are keeping TNTHD just for the NBA playoffs or what...but its awesome!

 

[Qwest]

Originally posted by: conjur
Content is scarce? WTF?

I mostly watch CBS and, except for Survivor (which I'll never watch), Amazing Race (or whatever it's called) and 60 Minutes II their lineup is all HD. ABC is almost all HD and so is NBC. FOX has some HD shows including 24 and WB and UPN have HD. PBS has HD. Then there are the pay channels: ESPN HD, HBO HD, Showtime HD, Discovery HD, Bravo HD, HD Net, HD Net Movies, InHD, and I think Cinemax has an HD channel.

not all affiliates carry all HD channels.
in northern nj, i dont get WB, UPN HD, or TNT HD
however, i get the rest.