If HDTV's are high-res TV's.....isn't that what a computer monitor already is?

[pg22]

It's just a question I've always had rumbling in my head.....besides the obvious fact that HDTV's are huge and in 16x9 format (wise-screen)....aren't they just normal TV's with a high resolution?

And wouldn't that make our monitor's HDTV's as well?

 

[downhiller80]

Pretty much I think. And they have a TV decoder and all that crap built in, but essentially it's a bad-ass CRT monitor.

Seb

 

[Soccerman]

yeah HDTVs are pretty much huge monitors that are 16:9, which is why they are so much easier to connect electronics to (ie your computer). yeah that would be a pretty nice monitor!

the only problem is this, the dot pitch isn't as good as a normal monitor, becuase these things are like 30" diagonal, whereas your Monitor is anywhere from 14" to 21". needless to say, the size of the individual dots on a monitor are much smaller.

oh, and if you're wondering, the signal that HDTV is using is at the same frequency range as normal TV, however the signal is sent in Digital format, that is, it is on and off, and nothing in between. that alone allows for compression of the signal, as well as less interference, until the signal is nearly un-recievable by your antenna. the compression that HDTV uses on the video is MPEG2.

 

[pg22]

So that would explain the insanely high prices these suckers have right now.

If my 21 inch Sony Monitor cost me around $1,000....then it would make sense for a 40-inch, wide-screen, Monitor (ie HDTV) to cost $5,000.

Right?

 

[Soccerman]

yeah thats probably the reason for the cost of HDTV's based on CRT's (cathod ray tubes, like normal monitors, or normal TV's). however there are thin HDTV displays based on Plasma technology (don't ask me to tell u what it is, I don't remember), which go fo $15000 American. then you can also have LED based display's, which are also very expensive, but I don't have a price on that so don't ask!

 

[BoNeZ]

Yeah the smaller tube types are basically large high resolution CRT's, however the projection models are basically small computer CRT's (9" if I remember correctly) that are being reflected through a system of mirrors onto a projection screen. This is why the Tubes are so much more expensive than the projection systems, which are around $8000 for a 36" (tube) vs $5000 for a 60" (projection), and neither generally include a tuner, which is about another $1000.

Like everything else prices will fall, and I can't wait!

BoNeZ

 

[Sohcan]

Don't forget that the highest HDTV res is 1920x1080.

 

[Leo V]

Not to rain on your parade, but I suggest that you guys first wait for FCC's decision regarding your right to actually record anything from your HDTV set. MPAA insists on mandating circuitry in VCR's/set-top boxes that would prevent your recording anything they (the providers) deem inappropriate. If this sounds outrageous, that's exactly what it is :|

 

[Soccerman]

heh that's dumb, but I doubt it'll fly.. I could understand limiting the resolution, or the audio quality, but blocking it ALL? that's stupid.

 

[Workin']

Hey Leo, you are so right. The MPAA is running scared these days, and it seems they must destroy that which they fear. I wouldn't say this copy protection crap isn't going to fly, it wouldn't be the first time a format died because of lawyers - anyone remember Digital Audio Tape (DAT)? Copy protection problems sunk that one.

The MPAA doesn't propose a ban on ALL recording of HDTV signals - just certain HDTV programs, like new release movies and other high-value (in their opinion) content - which is probably the stuff you'd actually want to record.

Just another reason why I bet HDTV doesn't become commonplace until about the year 2200, if it succeeds at all.

 

[codeyf]

at any rate, i'm happy with my $600 Wega for now.....

 

[Mutilator]

Actually workin' if I remember correctly (and there's still a commercial that airs locally that states this...) but in a few years (within the next 5?) the HDTV signal will be replacing the standard signals of today... which means if you don't have a HDTV (prices will drop quickly soon) you will have to buy a HDTV->TV converter box... something like that.

 

[Workin']

Yeah, Mutilator, the plan was that by 2005 or something like that all stations would be broadcasting everything in HDTV, but the broadcasters have recently asked that the date be pushed back 10 more years! I haven't heard the official word yet, so who knows? According to projections, the prices for HDTV's should have fallen to nearly the level (maybe 25% more expensive) of standard TV by now, but that's not the case.

But I do know that no format that has burned its "early adopters" by switching standards (like copy protection, for example - the proposed changes would render all current HDTV tuners useless) stands a slim chance of success. I really do hope they get this all worked out, so things can get moving before everyone (i.e., the general public) gives up on it.

 

[Mark R]

Well, in the UK we currently have digital TV broadcasting (on two competing systems, terrestrial and satellite).

Unfortunately, they didn't increase the resolution, and the MPEG bit rate is pitiful. However, the reason I bring this up, is because it already has full support for copy management.

All current digital TV decoders contain macrovision protection which means that it is not possible to record certain programs - particularly pay-per-view events.

 

[downhiller80]

There'll always be a way. Someone'll bring out a hack of one form or another (DeCSS anyone?)

Seb

 

[Workin']

Sure, there will always be a way undo any encryption - but first they have to decide on how they are going to encrypt it.

Plus, you forget that for HDTV to be successful in the US, it will have to have appeal to more than just a few geeks who know how to work around the protections.

I can just see explaining how to use DeCSS to my grandmother!

 

[Soccerman]

in order for it to work, you have to get around the beaurocrats.. it's idiots like those who destroy (or try to) cool things like HDTV, which should become a standard in North America for quite some time.. (it's easy to upgrade too)

ahh well, maybe up here in Canada things will go differently no?

EDIT: HA that's a laugh! Canada screwed up royally in the 1950s when it came to making a product that would sell around the world. it was called the Avro Arrow. unfortunately, an IDIOT government scrapped the plan, even though 6 Arrows had been built and were flying (testing, in those days was different).

and finally, heh Leo V is right. stupid beaurocrats need a taste of their own medicine..

 

[JellyBaby]

Workin', there will always be a way to "beat" whatever protection the film and TV industries apply to hdtv. They need to pick a protection mechanism to appease the fat cats, shareholders, etc. Then gather their courage and release the damn product into the marketplace already. They must accept the fact some people will find ways around protection. But damn let them take their time. Otherwise they'll simply force prices up when things don't go their way. :|

Soccerman, Leo V was dead-on in another thread when he called for a large, well-funded consumer oriented union to represent us. The MPAA sends some serious $$$ to washington and the tech. companies are pretty much sheep and politicians the shepherds.

 

[piku]

What I dont get is why isnt everyone _at least_ broadcasting in satellite quality yet (like DirecTV)? Sure its still the normal resolution, but the picture is MUCH, MUCH clearer and better. And decoders for them are less than $50... which means they could be just bundled with normal TV's.

Sure its not as good as full-blown HDTV, but it looks great and is cheap - a perfect stopgate solution.

 

[Leo V]

I'm seriously considering incorporating many consumer-rights resources into my future website. What JellyBaby said about technology vs. politicians is frighteningly true. Not so much the powerful tech companies (Microsoft&Co certainly succeeded in lobbying for UCITA, another anti-customer trade law), but for the smaller businesses and individuals. The general public's complete unawareness of these grave threats, combined with politicians'/judges' technological illiteracy, is ominous.