Community Newsletter: Q&A: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source?
- 9/7/06 4:35 PM
...as a way of "future proofing", then maaybe...
by ackmondual - 9/8/06 10:59 PM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I say "future proof" in quotes b/c nothing is ever really future proof. Tech R&D catches up and will eventually surpass the latest and greatest, but with HD TV, it may be worth it.
For example, when ppl buy PCs nowadays, they'll go for dual core, 64bit architecture machines. They may not get Windows Vista as soon as it comes out. Maybe wait a year or 2 bef committing it to hardrive, but their decision is to prepare for that possibility.
As with HDTVs, if a consumer may go with an HD service may as well, may as well go for an HDTV. Unlike with the PC example, HDTV upgrades are all or nothing. U can't just swap a better vid card for $300, or replace the whole mobo, proc, and RAM, but still salvage the drives etc, unless that TV was relatively cheap, HD or not, it's going to be used for years and years on end. Don't want to spend all that $$ on something that won't be reasonably close to what u wanted and have to get a new set.
Great info. Thanks!
by pcaldararo - 9/9/06 5:01 AM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well done, Barry. This is indeed a very complex issue and you've explained it quite well. Thanks!
9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source?
by egnlsn - 9/9/06 9:26 AM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My response is to "The US has decreed that NTSC signal broadcasting will cease on February 17th, 2009. Consequently, after that date, a set used as you describe would “go dark” and could not be subsequently used without an external set-top box (STB) of some type."
That cutoff date is for Broadcast ONLY (Over-The Air). Cable television transmissions are not affected. They can continue with analog transmission of channels for as long as they want, and most will for a number of years as a service to their customers. The larger cable companies (Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, etc.) are doing A.D.S. (Analog/Digital Simulcast), and they will discontinue their analog transmissions eventually, but the smaller systems (rural and independent owned systems) are a different story. The cost of adding a digital channel is astronomical. It would not surprise me if many of them remain analog and never go digital.
HDTV
by w5gcx - 9/9/06 7:54 PM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It remains to be seen if regular analog broadcasts ceases on 2009
I don't believe that will be the case...let's wait and see
An excellent tretise
by ramsharma42 - 9/9/06 8:35 PM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The auther hasadone a very good job and has given a very helpful article . I have for the irst time have an article which is really comrehensive and helpful to guide me in the purchase of next TV set
Old TV
by Oldchris - 9/10/06 7:10 AM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Did you say we will still probably be able to receive signals from Directv or Dish Network?
Christy McKenzie
NTSC format selected when making DVDs
by brank - 9/10/06 8:18 AM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I use Adobe software to edit and burn DVDs. The first question asked when starting a project is "NTSC or PAL" format. So I'm burning all DVDs in NTSC format. Come 2009, will these DVDs I'm creating today need some special "Box" to play on future TVs?
HDTV IN THE U.K.?
by john_a_d - 9/10/06 8:32 AM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The Answer Was Perfect EXCEPT....What Do Us Folks Across The Pond Need To Look For? As It's PAL Over Here? And When Do WE All Have To "CONVERT"? BASICALY Same Question But For The U.k. Thanks john GLASGOW
one more thing...
by Jim Dodds - 9/10/06 4:48 PM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Good advice, and helpful, but I would suggest that any set that doesn't handle full 1080 vertical resolution is going to be a compromise for HDTV.
Re: Antennas for NTSC TV can be used for ATSC As Well
by jholmblad - 9/11/06 2:48 PM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Lee,
while an NTSC only TV will go blank on Feb 17, 2009, the antennas used to pick up those NTSC signals will still be useable for HDTV over the air signals. I have tested my in-attic antenna and it works fine with HDTV OTA.
Best Regards
John Holmblad
right
by haf canadian - 9/12/06 11:45 AM In reply to: Re: Antennas for NTSC TV can be used for ATSC As Well by jholmbladAnd I shouldn't have to toss my 36" CRT Sony (no small feat at 200lbs) because some powerful lobbiests want to force me to buy their cable or sattelite services. With a converter I should still be able to get my off the air local stations. My gripe is the "forced" purchase of the friggin box.
And if they won't pay for the box, has the Republican Congress considered a plan to handle the disposal of all those non-HD CRT televisions that will suddenly inundate our landfills the spring of 2009 when richer people than I all go non-CRT HD ? Goodwill sure won't want them.
Wow! Very nice answer; lots of information here.
by Cadillac84 - 9/15/06 6:35 AM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have been one of the "waiters." I think it is soon time for me to make a TV purchase, and I really appreciate all the good advice here.
I, like the questioner, do not want to have to have a STB. Unlike the questioner, I will probably choose a CRT model and that will be ok because I don't need a huge set.
I really don't want any premium content, but my current TV is almost 25 years old, so I should get one now that will last as long as I do, LOL - that may be only another five years! 
Thanks for all the great info.
Chuck
Does 2/2009 HDTV deadline apply to cable?
by janestern - 9/18/06 9:49 AM In reply to: 9/8/06 Is an HDTV worth buying even without an HD source? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I thought I had read somewhere that the mandatory switch to high definition applied only to over the air broadcast signals. I thought that the FCC had much less authority over cable systems.
Are you absolutely sure that my current preferred cable lineup will be all in high def as of February 17,2009? (That is, if no changes are made.)
No, it does not
by amanetti - 9/18/06 1:04 PM In reply to: Does 2/2009 HDTV deadline apply to cable? by janesternHi:
The 2009 deadline only applies to on-air broadcast of analog TV.
Antonio
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