HDTV, A Pricey Conspiracy

HDTV or high definition television use is on the rise. Due to FCC rulings that demand television stations start broadcasting in HDTV, more consumers are making the switch. Broadcasters are beginning to see the benefits of high definition and broadcast in both analog and digital. Since high definition television and cable broadcast are often more expensive consumers wonder if the expensive and mandatory switch to HDTV is a conspiracy between the government and the electronics companies.

High definition television took off in popularity as the FCC announces that all analog televisions would be obsolete in 2006. Many people wanted to upgrade their entertainment systems but could not justify it. The FCC proclaimation gave some people the excuse they needed to buy an HDTV and HDTV compatible components. The government gave broadcasters channels to broadcast in analog and high definition. Broadcasters embraced the challenge and experimented with digital.

For viewers, the high definition viewing is not that easy. An analog television station can not broadcast digital. So, for us couch potatoes, the only choice is to either purchase a special adapter to make analog work with digital or to purchase a special high definition television. The special adapters cost around a hundred dollars which makes it a pricey band aid. Because when your analog television finally dies, you’ll have no more need for the adaptor.

Currently, most consumers have analog television. HDTV sets that are available are for the most part big screen and are quite expensive. Most HDTV sets that are available for sale are big screen and they are generally expensive. Smaller-screened televisions with digital capabilities are slated to hit the market in 2007. It is estimated that only about 30 million televisions in the United States have digital tuners, out of the several hundred million sets already installed in homes.

So, how much will it cost for consumers to go to high definition when the time comes? First, when consumers convert to high definition, any old cable provider will not work. Viewers must subscribe to a digital cable service that offers HDTV. Many viewers are disappointed to find that not only is the picture not any better than the standard cable service, but many channels do not come in HDTV. This service is generally higher in cost than standard cable.

Another added expense is the television itself. Many people shy away from purchasing high definition television sets because they are much more expensive than analog TVs. Some can costs into the thousands.

When shopping for a HDTV set, it is recommended that consumers research the product before hitting the electronics stores. With all of the new technology, buying a new television is not like it used to be. The days of simply picking a TV for the brand name and size are over. HDTV can be confusing. There are many different types, brands and sizes to choose from. Ask questions about what is available and shop around.

The choices for HDTV are staggering. Consumers can purchase plasma, LCD (liquid crystal display), DLP (digital light processing) or LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon), which are all types of monitors. There are also projection displays to consider. They also come in LCD, DLP, and LCOS.  Many viewers prefer the wall display monitor that either plasma or LCD offers. But, these are usually the most expensive of the high definition sets, especially the ones that are sized between 40 to 70 inches. Lower on the cost spectrum, but equally good, are the LCD displays that are sized at 42 inches and under.

Also, before making any purchase on a new HDTV set, check the warranty. Most high definition sets come with a one-year warranty, which is good. Also, take into consideration the cost of extended warranties that most electronic stores offer. These sets can be a major purchase. A standard plasma television should last around seven years. An extended warranty is usually good between three and four years. An extended warranty may be a good purchase.

Something else to consider before spending a lot of money on a new HDTV set is how long the technology will last. With the technology changing quickly and offering better performance in TVs, spending thousands of dollars for a TV that may last only seven years, might not be wise. As the popularity rises, the prices will come down on HDTV sets making them more available to the general public.

Still for many, especially those setting up home theaters and movie lovers, high definition is worth the expense. Some feel that the picture clarity, superior audio quality and larger viewing area on the screen far outweigh the price.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 at 5:12 pm and is filed under HDTV. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.