Is HDTV too expensive and confusing for the average Joe?

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
I think the whole HDTV expensive is too expensive right now. However, this opens opportunities for bottom feeders like myself.

The high-end of the analog market is imploding. People aren't spending $1000+ on analog sets anymore and this must be creating a glut of large-screen analog sets in retailers' inventories. Case in point (as I mention in another thread): I bought a 36" Panasonic Tau set yesterday for $799. This set would have cost $1399 just one year ago. I could have bought a 32" version for $599 (last year's price: $999). Very recently, prices like this were unheard of for such large flat-screen TVs. Sure I could have purchased a nice high def set for under $2000 but I would have to replace my DVD player for a progressive scan one, I'd have to pay more to subscribe to digital cable and I'd have to replace my VCR since it lacks a remote cable box controller. It's just too much money since I know HDTV sets will come down in price dramatically in the next several years. Those 34" 16:9 sets going for $2200 now will be $1000 in three years, mark my words. So you buy a big analog set now and a lower-priced DTV later and you still come ahead: lower overall cost and a better-featured TV later.

True...but sets have already come down dramatically...remember the 1st plasma sets at $15,000 and up? 55" RPTVs at $6,000 and up?

And, waiting another 3 years you'll be missing out on a lot of programming (NCAA Basketball/Football, Super Bowl, Monday Night Football, NBA Finals, The Masters, U.S. Open, Stanley Cup, CSI, Tonight Show w/Jay Leno, HBO, Showtime, HDNet, ESPN, Discovery, wow...quite a bit! )

That programming will also come in regular NTSC so you won't be "missing out".

I look at the grander scheme of things. I'll likely live for another 45-50 years and if I have to watch regular NTSC during 4 of those years, I'm not going to lose much sleep. Sure better quality is ideal, more desirable, more fun. But it costs money and being a prudent homeowner and a fervent saver (will sock away $15K into my retirement accounts this year alone) I will not shovel my money on something that will come much cheaper in the near future. Patience will provide healthy dividends.

 

[spidey07]

Same can be said for all technology.

Especially computers.

Next year will always be cheaper/better. Using your reasoning one should not own a computer, camcorder, camera, microwave oven, etc.

Oh well, people have different priorities. But HDTV is not too expensive and confusing for the average joe.

Buy TV, plug in antenna (or cable or dish) and turn on. There you've got HDTV. And remember to avoid tube HDTVs - cost too much, resolution too poor.

-edit- even a quick look at bestbuy, hhgregg and circuit city reveal 47" 16x9 HDTVs at 1200 bucks.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001

That programming will also come in regular NTSC so you won't be "missing out".

I look at the grander scheme of things. I'll likely live for another 45-50 years and if I have to watch regular NTSC during 4 of those years, I'm not going to lose much sleep. Sure better quality is ideal, more desirable, more fun. But it costs money and being a prudent homeowner and a fervent saver (will sock away $15K into my retirement accounts this year alone) I will not shovel my money on something that will come much cheaper in the near future. Patience will provide healthy dividends.

I think I've used the car analogy in the past (a Kia gets me to/from work just as well as a Mercedes could). It's just the level of comfort in which I arrive at work is much better in a Mercedes.

And retirement? Pffft...we're all gonna die someday!

Actually, about the only reason I finally made the jump to HDTV was I happened into a lucrative self-employment contract and rewarded myself after the 1st year. Being a regular 9-5er now, though, I'm a bit more stringent on the spending.

 

[DrPizza]

EGADS! What's all this talk about a tuner?? You only need the separate HDTV tuner if you intend to watch locally broadcasted stations in high definition. You can *still* watch the locally broadcasted stations that you are now, on an HDTV, with the same quality of picture that you're viewing now. And, that's only for the people who have hdtv channels broadcasted locally... not many of us, and certainly not me.. That's why they're not built in. Most people have cable, and as such, do *not* need the separate tuner. For me, HDTV is great for movies, especially from dvd's, but not worth it if all you watch are sitcoms and the news.

 

[0roo0roo]

whats too confusing for the regular joe? amd processors. i wonder at how many cores have been destroyed/chipped/burnt.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
EGADS! What's all this talk about a tuner?? You only need the separate HDTV tuner if you intend to watch locally broadcasted stations in high definition. You can *still* watch the locally broadcasted stations that you are now, on an HDTV, with the same quality of picture that you're viewing now. And, that's only for the people who have hdtv channels broadcasted locally... not many of us, and certainly not me.. That's why they're not built in. Most people have cable, and as such, do *not* need the separate tuner. For me, HDTV is great for movies, especially from dvd's, but not worth it if all you watch are sitcoms and the news.

Not many of us???

But, yeah, you could hook the cable from a cable box or from a satellite receiver into the set and watch analog programs with no problem.

 

[vi edit]

Ok, so let me clear this up....

What EXACTLY do I need to receive an HDTV broadcast from a local station?

Is it:

1. HDTV compatible TV
2. Regular old antenna
3. And then an HDTV reciever?

Is that what I need?

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Ok, so let me clear this up....

What EXACTLY do I need to receive an HDTV broadcast from a local station?

Is it:

1. HDTV compatible TV
2. Regular old antenna
3. And then an HDTV reciever?

Is that what I need?

Pretty much...

HDTV-ready TV (or one w/built-in tuner but I'd forego that option).
Any ol' antenna you've used before...well...you may have to get one w/better gain (like, say, a ChannelMaster 4228) in the case of a low-power transmitter or fringe reception
ATSC Tuner (DISH 6000 for DISH, any # of DirecTV HD receivers, or an OTA-only tuner - I believe Samsung makes one, or an HTPC with an ATSC Tuner, like mine with the MyHD card)

 

[Muse]

... snip...

With that said, I can't see HDTV programming extending beyond primetime shows for the major broadcasters because of the costs associated with it. And I think most average non-videophile users could care less for HDTV. Case in point, when I tried pointing out to my gf how much clearer Alias in HD looked, she just shrugged and said it looks the same. Doh!

It boggles the mind how some people just don't perceive improved imaging. I thought Super VHS would take off once people had a look at it and realized how much better it is than VHS with its pasty colors, but NO! It never caught on the way it should have. People didn't buy the machines particularly and it's almost impossible to find movies on SVHS. Now DVD's trumped all that stuff, but HDTV is another matter. It looks like the technology to provide HDTV quality to movies on media is a ways off.

 

[Muse]

...snip...

And, waiting another 3 years you'll be missing out on a lot of programming (NCAA Basketball/Football, Super Bowl, Monday Night Football, NBA Finals, The Masters, U.S. Open, Stanley Cup, CSI, Tonight Show w/Jay Leno, HBO, Showtime, HDNet, ESPN, Discovery, wow...quite a bit! )

You are saying you need to be a sports fan, stay up late or have a cable feed to dig HDTV programming at this point in time?