SE fanboy
November 30th, 2005, 06:08 AM
Here is a pretty good artical explaining things about HDTV.
The notion that digital television or extended definition television (EDTV) equals HDTV is getting annoying. Let’s clear up some myths. First of all let’s define HDTV. The only HDTV formats are 720p, 1080i, and 1080p with a minimum of 1280 horizontal pixels at 60 fps. Note: true 1080p performance is beyond the typical HDTV display device at this time. There are tons of manufacturer spec sheets out there that are flat out misleading. After all when it comes to HDTV, does the average consumer really know that compatible and ready are completely different?
HDTV compatible and HDTV ready are two different things. I can take a high definition satellite receiver, plug a composite video cable into the back of it, and run it through a RF modulator and then plug it into a 5.5" black and white Sony video walkman. Do I have HDTV? I feel silly even typing this, but of course not.
That is what’s so annoying about the HDTV misinformation floating around these days, it just isn’t useful. To make matters worse, this sort of PT barnum'esque trickery only slows down the proliferation that HDTV needs to really saturate programming. Look at it this way, a consumer’s looking to upgrade so they go down to a brick ‘n mortar retailer (or online for that matter) to buy what they believe to be a true hi-def device. They take it home, hook it up, and it looks “good”, maybe slightly better than what their accustomed too, big whoop.
Even worse friends, family, or whoever come over and sees it, and thinks the same thing; wow, what’s the big deal? I'm not saying EDTV can’t be an improvement over standard definition television, not at all. It is an improvement, especially with so much of today’s supposed hi-def programming just 480i up scaled. But if you’re spending 3k plus for a new projector or monitor, you’re likely concerned about how it will look 2 years from now, as well as today.
What I’d like to see is a clear branding and distinction between HDTV and EDTV products. It’s really simple to do, so why do manufacturers continue to allow consumers to make the mistake that compatible means "ready"? Easy answer the bottom line. If an easily identifiable EDTV logo was stamped on the box of a 2k projector, who would be confused enough by that to mistakenly call it an HDTV projector?
I understand that in the long run Digital TV in general is a new enough technology that these things will likely shakeout on their own. But companies serious about providing great products and consumer understanding, should be proactive and dispel myths. Not add fuel to the fire.
http://www.hometheaterblog.com/hometheater/2004/05/hdtv_facts_vs_f.html
* An HD set is all you need to get high-def programs.
* The bigger your HDTV set, the better it will look.
* The higher the screen resolution, the better the image quality of an HDTV.
* You have to relinquish the fluid motion of a CRT screen when you move up to HDTV.
* Burn-in will wreck your plasma HDTV within a year.
* Bright LCDs look beautiful everywhere, and they use much less power than plasma or CRT sets do.
* These pricey TVs look so great out of the box that it’s a waste to pay a small fortune to have a professional calibrate your set.
* All true HDTV programming looks equally great.
* Standard-definition TV is unwatchable on HDTV.
* I’ll have to toss all my current analog sets when the digital conversion kicks in.
http://joystiq.com/entry/1234000373070274/
I am making this thread so we won't have anymore of these is this TV good threads. I know there are a lot of Sticky's so maybe you guys could transfer the question about HDTV over here so there won't be many threads about this. I am only making this thread out of annoyance.
There are also some sticky that we don't really use anymore
The notion that digital television or extended definition television (EDTV) equals HDTV is getting annoying. Let’s clear up some myths. First of all let’s define HDTV. The only HDTV formats are 720p, 1080i, and 1080p with a minimum of 1280 horizontal pixels at 60 fps. Note: true 1080p performance is beyond the typical HDTV display device at this time. There are tons of manufacturer spec sheets out there that are flat out misleading. After all when it comes to HDTV, does the average consumer really know that compatible and ready are completely different?
HDTV compatible and HDTV ready are two different things. I can take a high definition satellite receiver, plug a composite video cable into the back of it, and run it through a RF modulator and then plug it into a 5.5" black and white Sony video walkman. Do I have HDTV? I feel silly even typing this, but of course not.
That is what’s so annoying about the HDTV misinformation floating around these days, it just isn’t useful. To make matters worse, this sort of PT barnum'esque trickery only slows down the proliferation that HDTV needs to really saturate programming. Look at it this way, a consumer’s looking to upgrade so they go down to a brick ‘n mortar retailer (or online for that matter) to buy what they believe to be a true hi-def device. They take it home, hook it up, and it looks “good”, maybe slightly better than what their accustomed too, big whoop.
Even worse friends, family, or whoever come over and sees it, and thinks the same thing; wow, what’s the big deal? I'm not saying EDTV can’t be an improvement over standard definition television, not at all. It is an improvement, especially with so much of today’s supposed hi-def programming just 480i up scaled. But if you’re spending 3k plus for a new projector or monitor, you’re likely concerned about how it will look 2 years from now, as well as today.
What I’d like to see is a clear branding and distinction between HDTV and EDTV products. It’s really simple to do, so why do manufacturers continue to allow consumers to make the mistake that compatible means "ready"? Easy answer the bottom line. If an easily identifiable EDTV logo was stamped on the box of a 2k projector, who would be confused enough by that to mistakenly call it an HDTV projector?
I understand that in the long run Digital TV in general is a new enough technology that these things will likely shakeout on their own. But companies serious about providing great products and consumer understanding, should be proactive and dispel myths. Not add fuel to the fire.
http://www.hometheaterblog.com/hometheater/2004/05/hdtv_facts_vs_f.html
* An HD set is all you need to get high-def programs.
* The bigger your HDTV set, the better it will look.
* The higher the screen resolution, the better the image quality of an HDTV.
* You have to relinquish the fluid motion of a CRT screen when you move up to HDTV.
* Burn-in will wreck your plasma HDTV within a year.
* Bright LCDs look beautiful everywhere, and they use much less power than plasma or CRT sets do.
* These pricey TVs look so great out of the box that it’s a waste to pay a small fortune to have a professional calibrate your set.
* All true HDTV programming looks equally great.
* Standard-definition TV is unwatchable on HDTV.
* I’ll have to toss all my current analog sets when the digital conversion kicks in.
http://joystiq.com/entry/1234000373070274/
I am making this thread so we won't have anymore of these is this TV good threads. I know there are a lot of Sticky's so maybe you guys could transfer the question about HDTV over here so there won't be many threads about this. I am only making this thread out of annoyance.
There are also some sticky that we don't really use anymore