TV and HDTV question
07-30-2007, 04:17 PM
#1
Thread Starter
TV and HDTV question
Only 50 Million+ HDTVs have been sold in the US (approx).
But almost ALL of the top 4 networks are broadcasting HD (16:9) not just DTV.
Several other channels are also available in HD (BBC, ESPN, Disco, etc.)
Even though market penetration is low (around 30%), My argument is that more than 90% of america can receive HDTV (16:9) Based only on ABC.com affiliate numbers.
I know that there are fewer than 50 HD channels available, but of those 50ish I want to know what percentage of the actual watched programming is provided by them and is available to the 90% of america receiving HD.
to put it another way, i know that 150+ channels are not HD, but even though i get the home shopping network, i never watch it, so it doesnt actually figure into the percentage of my shows that are or arent HD.
reason i ask, some guy was trying to say that buying a 4:3 tv now isnt a big deal because market penetration is so low (50 mil HDTVs). My argument is that even though not alot of people have them, the programming is available for a vast majority of everything new that you would watch from now and even more in 2009. so in 2-4 years, widescreen format wil be the norm rather than the videophile exception.
I'm guessing that 75-80% of all actual TV watched can be watched in HD.
Dave
But almost ALL of the top 4 networks are broadcasting HD (16:9) not just DTV.
Several other channels are also available in HD (BBC, ESPN, Disco, etc.)
Even though market penetration is low (around 30%), My argument is that more than 90% of america can receive HDTV (16:9) Based only on ABC.com affiliate numbers.
I know that there are fewer than 50 HD channels available, but of those 50ish I want to know what percentage of the actual watched programming is provided by them and is available to the 90% of america receiving HD.
to put it another way, i know that 150+ channels are not HD, but even though i get the home shopping network, i never watch it, so it doesnt actually figure into the percentage of my shows that are or arent HD.
reason i ask, some guy was trying to say that buying a 4:3 tv now isnt a big deal because market penetration is so low (50 mil HDTVs). My argument is that even though not alot of people have them, the programming is available for a vast majority of everything new that you would watch from now and even more in 2009. so in 2-4 years, widescreen format wil be the norm rather than the videophile exception.
I'm guessing that 75-80% of all actual TV watched can be watched in HD.
Dave
07-30-2007, 05:07 PM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not sure I understand your question.
IMHO, there is no reason to avoid buying a "regular TV" today simply because there might be more HD content in the future. I personally don't see any reason to spend that kind of money to watch a few channels. The claim that 30% of programming is in HD today doesn't sway me. 100% is "regular TV," so it seems obvious I don't need an HD set to watch TV.
If I was buying a widescreen HD monitor, it'd be for movies, not TV.
I'd say that even if 90% of America has access to HD content, the issue is the limited nature of that content, as you stated. In addition, while I'd probably like to watch some programs on the Discovery channel in HD, I fail to see any real advantage to such a thing for most programming. It's a solution to a problem I don't have.
IMHO, there is no reason to avoid buying a "regular TV" today simply because there might be more HD content in the future. I personally don't see any reason to spend that kind of money to watch a few channels. The claim that 30% of programming is in HD today doesn't sway me. 100% is "regular TV," so it seems obvious I don't need an HD set to watch TV.
If I was buying a widescreen HD monitor, it'd be for movies, not TV.
I'd say that even if 90% of America has access to HD content, the issue is the limited nature of that content, as you stated. In addition, while I'd probably like to watch some programs on the Discovery channel in HD, I fail to see any real advantage to such a thing for most programming. It's a solution to a problem I don't have.
07-30-2007, 06:06 PM
#3
I was in a TV store today and prominently displayed at the register was a big sign that warned viewers of "regular" tvs that they wouldn't be able to use them after Feb 2009 as broadcast formats were changing them.
07-30-2007, 06:29 PM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Wildncrazy,Jul 30 2007, 06:06 PM
I was in a TV store today and prominently displayed at the register was a big sign that warned viewers of "regular" tvs that they wouldn't be able to use them after Feb 2009 as broadcast formats were changing them.
07-30-2007, 06:42 PM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NY
Posts: 4,674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
07-30-2007, 07:24 PM
#6
Thread Starter
to clarify, only 30% of americans have HDTVs (market penetration), but 90% has HD program availability. the small increase in price isnt significant.
BTW, the hd programs available are not few and far between, in NC, it is quite the opposite.
Dave
BTW, the hd programs available are not few and far between, in NC, it is quite the opposite.
Dave
07-30-2007, 07:36 PM
#7
Originally Posted by GT_2003,Jul 30 2007, 08:29 PM
well, surely there's no profit motive behind the sign
I wonder how many people cheap out and buy a regular TV and then will try to sue the store for not informing them of the change.
Trending Topics
07-30-2007, 08:18 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,627
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by GT_2003,Jul 30 2007, 05:07 PM
I personally don't see any reason to spend that kind of money to watch a few channels.
07-31-2007, 06:56 AM
#9
Registered User
You will still be able to use analog TVs after Feb 09, you will just have to buy a special external D/A converter.
Also, you can get free HD OTA as mentioned above.. it's broadcast all over, but you need an antenna to pick them up. And to boot, cable providers are required by law to pass to you all the OTA channels they receive, for free. You need a set with a QAM tuner to watch them..No cable box or antenna needed.
Also, you can get free HD OTA as mentioned above.. it's broadcast all over, but you need an antenna to pick them up. And to boot, cable providers are required by law to pass to you all the OTA channels they receive, for free. You need a set with a QAM tuner to watch them..No cable box or antenna needed.
07-31-2007, 07:17 AM
#10
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 3,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Retailers are required by law to post those signs for the few people that still get their TV by using an antenna. I can't imagine buying a decent new TV and it NOT being an HD TV.