Opinion on HDTV

[TheYeath69]

New HDTV sets DO look better than regular sets do, but right now they are still too expensive. I heard in 5 years the FCC will mandate that all tv broadcasts must be digital. Therefore the price of a HDTV will be the same price as a regular set now, and think about it how many channels are digitally broadcasted today anyway? Wait a few years and don't get ripped off.

[fordruid]

Or buy now before the demand and price go up:D

[lormad]

My 0.02 cents worth...

An HDTV television for the use of any HDTV sat reciever is a waste. Just one channel really, the other is for demo's and an occasional sport event that isn't really interesting. Too bad.
To waite around for a good movie to show up on 509 isn't really worth the investment of a HDTV receiver... let alone watching reruns of The Sopranos (they are out on DVD anyways).

But do consider an HDTV television if you decide to get a progressive scan DVD player. At least you can choose what YOU want to watch (either purchasing or renting).

Of course, you will need to invest in some good speakers, an audio video receiver and the capability of decoding Dolby Digital Sound Processing... It completes the package.

Oh well, unless DTV turns up the HDTV available channels, I think HDTV'ing the Satellite way is not worth the investment/viewing.

[Kool Aid]

An HDTV television for the use of any HDTV sat reciever is a waste. Just one channel really..........

The second one........ "HDNET" is getting better everyday. Did you know they are going to run the Olympics in HD, on HDNET?

And, what about the OTA channels?

Im my area, I get all 4 major Networks in HD (during prime time).

They don't put that message on the bottom of the screen, for nothing (ie: Simulcast in Panasonic HD, or something like that).

A good set of rabbit ears, and you get plenty of HD content :cool:

[smack]

The FCC mandate is for DIGITAL TV, not necessarily HDTV. Some of the Digital channels up now are not HD, just digital.

Off-the-air digital is still quite an improvement; no ghosting, no snow, no glitches...just a nice clean, clear picture. HD is just icing on the cake. Channel 38 here in Chicago has SIX channels on digital (38.1 - 38.6) so eventually, the OTA content will increase some too.

FWIW

Scott

[PrinceLH]

May 1st, 2002, is the deadline for all commercial over-the-air stations to provide a digital signal to consumers. January 1st 2006, all commercial over-the-air broadcasters will shut off their analog transmitters. Right now, I'm using my Hughes E86 HD receiver to enjoy HBO HD and HDnet. I already have my UHF antenna and diplexers ready to go, once my locals in Rochester N.Y. start broadcasting digitally.

The wave of future is here, in HD, and it's soon going to hit fully! Get in the boat, or be swept away into obsolesence! What do you think DTV is going to do with all that bandwidth that was recently reclaimed, thanks to the locals going to spotbeams? Showtime HD? Starz HD? PPV HD?

[Stonewolf]

I agree with lormad on this subject. Pretty much everything he said was right on track with my opinion's. I would like to add one thing though for those of you who might be into video games...... the new Xbox systems has games that play in 480p or 1080i and are dolbly digital also!!! Any game magazine that has previews of Xbox games will tell you which xbox games are going to be in hdtv format and wether they are in 480p or 1080i format.

[gary3000]

Once you get a taste of HD, you never go back!

Ask anyone who's set up a system, and they'll all reply back that it was worth every penny.

DTV doesn't offer too much, but many local off-air are pumping nice HD signal - X-files, Alias, look sweet in HD.

But while there's a bit of HD here and there on the locals, one of the BIG selling points for the sets is how fantastic DVD's look on them.

Sure, you can wait a few more years and save a thousand or two bucks.
Or, you can jump on it now, spend a few bucks more, but have a kick ass system.

[typhoon]

you know...the price isn't that unreasonable. I just purchased a HD Samsung 32 inch and paid what I would have had I bought the non HD Sony 36 inch flat screen! Even thought it is a Samsung, I'm glad I went with HD. In Tennessee, I paid just $1100 plus tax for a nice 32 inch HD!!!

[typhoon]

you know...the price isn't that unreasonable. I just purchased a HD Samsung 32 inch and paid what I would have had I bought the non HD Sony 36 inch flat screen! Even thought it is a Samsung, I'm glad I went with HD. In Tennessee, I paid just $1100 plus tax for a nice 32 inch HD!!!

[happytv24]

Does anyone know what X-box HD games titles that are actually out for sale now?