Find tech advice for business here
Home audio & video: 5 reasons people "just dont get" HD
5 reasons people "just dont get" HD
by techfiend - 3/29/06 2:41 AM1. I read in usa today that over 63% of the people with an HDTV dont have HD content from their providers. Meaning, they may not even know that is the reason their TV looked so much better in the store.
2. Price, for some people the "wait for the price to drop" isnt getting near their point of purchase
3. intimidating technology, a year ago I had no clue about 480i/480p/720p/1080..., or EDTV vs. HDTV
4. The ever growing list of technologies LCD,CRT,Microdisplay;LCD,DLP, Projectors, plasma, and the list keeps growing.
5. The broadcasters, they put a very small portions of channels in HD, however I watch every single one of my 15 and they are all quality
re: 5 reasons people ''just dont get'' HD
by KB1234 - 3/29/06 7:19 AM In reply to: 5 reasons people "just dont get" HD by techfiendA lot of this doesn't surprise me. One day I was flipping through the channels and came across a home shopping channel selling a 32-inch HDTV (flat-panel, LCD). I watched for awhile, and it was a typical pitch for such a TV: "see the great picture". Nothing was untruthful. But what I wondered was whether everyone watching with me, and especially those that were placing an order, understood that some external support is required to get that great picture (i.e., an HD video feed). That is where the pitch was lacking.
A naive purchaser might buy expecting to plug in their current cable or antenna signal and be 'wowed' by this expected ''great picture', but it would not be found.
I am not necessarily blaming the shopping network for this. This is the way most sales tactics are done for any product. Truth in advertising doesn't always mean you have to pitch a products shortcomings. But I couldn't help wondering just how many people will end up with some disappointment in their purchase due to their not being totally educated on the entire technology involved.
MORE FOLKS WOULD BUY IF THERE WAS INFORMATION OUT THERE
by stewart norrie - 3/29/06 9:57 AM In reply to: re: 5 reasons people ''just dont get'' HD by KB1234I guess I was lucky, I joined cnet chat room read every home theater magazine I could find And was able to assemble a home theater system of my dreams. I did however contect N.B.C local k.n.t.v. which has a TECH NOW show. And told them they should have a series of shows all about hi-def t.v., I did get an answer that they will GREAT. It would be wounderful if the broadcasters who have spent millions on there digital hi-def equipment to have programming to educate the public on this subject
The details!!!!!!
by techfiend - 3/29/06 12:30 PM In reply to: re: 5 reasons people ''just dont get'' HD by KB1234people dont know they have to set their cable box to the desired res; 720p/1080i for HD and a nice 480p for sd channels.
Also DVD players which go hand in hand with the HDTV must also be adjusted to 480p,
And for the above you need to know about the proper cords
Details
by marinetbryant - 3/29/06 12:50 PM In reply to: The details!!!!!! by techfiendNo kidding! Talking with Charter the other day and the tech told me about it and boy what a difference. Bought an upconverter or upscalable dvd player and it does seem to make a difference.
Tom
My original reason for buying an HDTV
by Dan Filice - 3/29/06 10:25 AM In reply to: 5 reasons people "just dont get" HD by techfiendI bought my original Toshiba RPTV four years ago, which was way before HD content was as prevalent as it is today. My original reason for buying the set wasn't for HDTV, it was because it was 16:9 format and 50". Back then, I was oblivious to the differences between 480i to 1080i stuff. I just wanted an "home theater" experience when I watched DVDs and I didn't care even then about how good or bad regular TV channels looked. Luckly SD channels looked excellent (thanks to Toshiba) and DVDs looked even better (thanks to progressive scan, 3:2 pulldown, etc.). I still have the TV (and anew LCD set) and the old workhorse Toshiba has new life with HD cable service. I don't regret one bit ever buying into the HD TV technology. I'm just giddy now that HD is a reality. It's only going to get better.
Thats what makes us the difference
by techfiend - 3/29/06 11:03 PM In reply to: My original reason for buying an HDTV by Dan FiliceWe make informed purchases with staying power
"just dont get" HD
by jcrobso - 3/31/06 8:27 AM In reply to: 5 reasons people "just dont get" HD by techfiendWell said. Costco now has posted by each HDTV that they are showing a HD component feed and that you will have to get HD service to get the same picture quality.
The many different TV types is very confusing to many.
There is just so much FUD out there. John
Costco and HDTV
by Dan Filice - 3/31/06 10:06 AM In reply to: "just dont get" HD by jcrobsoJohn,
Costco's posting of HD info next to their TVs is probably due to the fact that they have so many people returning their sets. I swear, each time I visit Costco (once a week) I see two or three people returning HDTVs. I wouldn't be surprised if Costco changes their exchange policy because of this. I think a large percentage of people who buy TVs do it based on impulse. I would say most people don't research before they plunk down $2500 for a new TV. It's not all their fault that they have a rude awakening when they see that SD broadcast looks cruddy on their new $2500 HDTV. I think the manufactures don't devludging this info on purpose, because if they did, flat panel TVs wouldn't be responsible for Best Buy stock going up by a large tic since the holidays.
(NT) HDTV, really? I can't see the difference.
by vicbrasil - 3/31/06 1:52 PM In reply to: 5 reasons people "just dont get" HD by techfiendPrior to buying my new $3400 Sony XBR HD set, I did a lot of research(net and publications), talked to neighbors with HD (also watched their HDTV), talked to salesmen, and watched a lot of TV. While in the stores, I asked where did they get their feed. Best Buy from a computer, Circuit City from a live feed, etc. Then I spoke with DISH, my provider and then with DIRECT. I decided on DISH with its HD channels and VOOM. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE! The new 622 DVR automatically sets the screen to the signal. The color, vibrancy, optical clarity, etc. makes it all worth while. The 622 can also record HD signal!!! But it was not impulse buying. Three months of research and talking. On the other hand, I have two friends who have HDTV but are not seeing it. Original equipment, poor signal, and lack of knowledge. Bottom line - DO YOUR RESEARCH!
TONY LITE AND SLIM
by stewart norrie - 3/31/06 2:29 PM In reply to: (NT) HDTV, really? I can't see the difference. by vicbrasilIts crazy but folks are willing to spend all that extra money for something flat. lite and can stick on the wall, I agree those old heavy tube sets really have a better picture good day stewart
Sony with free rootkits
by wawadave - 4/2/06 7:53 AM In reply to: (NT) HDTV, really? I can't see the difference. by vicbrasilDid your new Sony come with free rootkits?
Or did they hide them so well they are not found this time??
Where Do CRTs Fit In?
by tonyny77 - 3/31/06 2:23 PM In reply to: 5 reasons people "just dont get" HD by techfiendMay I contribute to this by asking a related question, please?
I've been wondering whether my eyes deceive me, or do CRTs still provide a superior picture when compared to flat-panel LCD and plasma TVs?
Knowing I cannot yet afford (and don't yet need) one of these newer large/wide-screen technology TVs, I haven't yet taken the time to research this matter very carefully. However, during the holidays, I walked into a Circuit City showroom and took a walk through the TV section.
I was VERY surprised, not to mention puzzled because out of all the TVs I saw, there seemed to be no doubt that the ''large'' screen CRTs I had seen produced MUCH clearer pictures than ANY of the other high-tech TVs I checked, including the LCD and plasma models.
Knowing how expensive the high-tech TVs are, I felt some of the TVs may have been out of proper adjustment or there was something wrong with the video input signal they were receiving. So I spoke with a salesman to ask what's going on. I simply said that picture quality was much more important to me than size. I also asked why the ''low-tech'' CRTs I had seen seemed so much more clear than the high-tech models.
To my surprise, right ''off the bat,'' he said that the quality of the LCD and plasma TVs hasn't yet caught up to old-fashioned CRTs.
So, I'm wondering what some of you forum readers might have to say about that. Was the salesman right? Do my eyes deceive me? Or is the whole world getting hysterical about the newer TVs only because their screens are bigger???
Thanks, all.
Tony
CRTs do look better
by techfiend - 3/31/06 2:46 PM In reply to: Where Do CRTs Fit In? by tonyny77But they also involve calibration, bulb replacement, and the narrowest viewing angle of all the technologies. Its the oldest of the technologies so they have it down to a science at this point
CRT vs LCD & Plasma
by vicbrasil - 3/31/06 2:56 PM In reply to: Where Do CRTs Fit In? by tonyny77I believe you may be right on picture tube quality vs LCD/plasma. If one has optimum signal, all will look good. But, when do we ever have optimum? When I watch a ‘regular’ signal from my DISH system, the picture quality is average. This is due to an HDTV set, LCD, 50”, 16x9 screen with 1080p capability. It just appears more pixilated. When I watch a DVD, it improves – the picture quality is better. When I watch a HD signal (HD Discovery, HD NET, VOOM) it is unbelievable – one can see the legs on mosquitoes, the hair on caterpillars, and other minute details. On my picture tube TV, it is a good picture but it is a 30” set. DVD is still good. And when I watch the HD channels on this set, it is still good. So the bottom line, stay with tube until you are ready to move to HD, and then see the difference. But you will be able to buy smaller HD sets that are picture tube equipped.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
