So when is HDTV a must?

[Lord Banshee]

Just wondering as i am a SDTV user and have not taken the plunge to upgrade my TV(s) because (1) i don't watch them very much and (2) they are expensive. Also i rather wait until all the stations are hi-def as i don't want to see pixels when watching TV. Hoping for better tech also by then

So anyone know when the date is they will stop the SD signals and force the HD?

 

[jtvang125]

Currently there are no intentions of forcing the television stations to broadcast in HD as of yet. There is a mandated switch to all digital broadcasting by Feb 17, 2009 in the US.

I think you either make the jump or not. If you keep waiting to see what's on the horizon you'll be waiting forever.

 

[Lord Banshee]

the the mandate is only for digital.. well thats not as bad as you would just have to use a digital cable box, which i already do on one of my TVs. I thought it was Hi-Def.. well thanks for clearing that up.

It isn't that i keep waiting for the best thing since slice bread just it seems i have no reason to buy a HDTV, yet.

thanks again

 

[montypythizzle]

1080i/720p is almost a must anymore, 480i looks like crap, digital broadcasts however do make 480i look like a nice polished turd

 

[dwell]

The state of HD is a mess. Most areas get only a handful of HD channels and on most of those channels HD is shown only a portion of the time. It's pretty discouraging paying $2000+ for a television to watch 480i content upscaled to 1080p looking like a YouTube video.

Unless you're planing on buying/renting a lot of HD discs or watching Discovery HD all day, HDTV is not ready for prime time, IMO.

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: Chris
The state of HD is a mess. Most areas get only a handful of HD channels and on most of those channels HD is shown only a portion of the time. It's pretty discouraging paying $2000+ for a television to watch 480i content upscaled to 1080p looking like a YouTube video.

Unless you're planing on buying/renting a lot of HD discs or watching Discovery HD all day, HDTV is not ready for prime time, IMO.

OBJECTION!
We get all local channels in HD and we also paid for the HD tier, which we get ~6 HD channels for 10 dollars a month and includes TNTHD and both ESPNs in HD along with the HD DVR.
Even regular channels look good upscaled, but yes still look like a VERY HQ Youtube video.

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
OBJECTION!

I hope that was a Phoenix Wright reference

We get all local channels in HD and we also paid for the HD tier, which we get ~6 HD channels for 10 dollars a month and includes TNTHD and both ESPNs in HD along with the HD DVR.
Even regular channels look good upscaled, but yes still look like a VERY HQ Youtube video.

True. My advice to anyone looking at their first HDTV is to invest in one with a good scaler. The higher-end Olevia's or the Pioneer 8G are two examples. The high-end Onkyo receivers have killer scalers too.

 

[montypythizzle]

http://objection.mrdictionary.net/go.php?n=2102519
For you, Chris.

 

[Shawn]

I get all the local channels in HD for free which is about 75% of what I watch. The only other networks I watch are FX for Nip/tuck, USA for The 4400, and Scifi for BSG and Stargate. I think all 3 of those stations are going HD this fall. It might get me to finally pay for HD channels through Comcast.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

If the shows that you do watch are in HD, then the decision is entirely up to you. It's not quite a necessity yet, but still an expensive commodity . Also what other digital sources will you be viewing from? video games? computer use? bluray or hd-dvd? If all you do is watch TV occasionally I wouldn't say it's worth it. If you are getting it just for the sake of having HDTV then it's a lot of money for something that's not entirely purposeful, especially if you want to watch more then just your local channels

 

[Nickyct]

My Parents has Dish Network. I subscribed them HD package. It's playing HD content 24/7
I also put an HD antenna on top of their roof and they got ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW off the air with 80+ signal (With Fox it's 100% all the time).
Most major network won't show HD content till after 8:00PM week day which is where most poeple relax and have their TVs on.

Flat LCD is just getting cheaper and cheaper every year that means more poeple are buying more. I'm pretty sure they'll be more HD programs showing once they turn off Analog signal.

 

[Mullzy]

HD is a must once you've watched it one time. You just can't go back to SD.

Seen ANY sport in HD? No SD version of that game will ever be watchable again! Watch Lost/24/Rome/Dexter/Heroes/<insert nbc/abc/fox/cbs serial here> in HD? You will not even turn your head to look at the SD version. I haven't bought DVD for over 6 months because I don't want to *waste* money on low res versions of today's great looking movies.

Of course... I converted from SD right to HD with a DVR. Recording TV shows and sporting events to watch them when I want *might* have even impacted my television experience more than the HD. All I know for sure is... I literally could not live without either of them now.

Good luck!