Tech Bill on 15 Apr 2007 05:32 pm
Why You Don’t Need An HDTV
I’ve been researching HDTV’s quite a bit the last couple of weeks, even though I didn’t have an intent to purchase one yet. I had narrowed my choices down to something in the 40″ to 42″ range and LCD. I chose LCD, because my viewing room is so bright. Then I thought about why I really wanted an HDTV. Why am I bothering to look at them?
Sports Is My Main Reason
I’m an avid college football fan. I’m an even bigger baseball fan. When the picture is clear, I’d probably watch just about any sport. When viewing on a digital signal, Golf is amazing. I subscribe to the Major League Baseball Extra Innings package through Comcast & inDemand. Wouldn’t it be great to watch a bunch of games in HD? Sure. Too bad the content isn’t offered yet. That’s right, I’d spend close to $2000 on a TV that can’t fully be used. (Forget about the fact that Comcast in Tallahassee isn’t offering Game 11-14 yet as part of that package, either.) I really have no idea WHEN it will be fully used either.
Geek Factor Is Another Reason
I’m also a geek at heart. I like my tech toys. I didn’t NEED an 20″ widescreen computer monitor at home, but I bought one as a replacement for my old 17″ CRT. It saves power and looks great. An HDTV is a fun thing to have, and it’s a fun thing to show off. But those aren’t sound reasons to buy a one.
Why I Decided That Don’t Need An HDTV
I have a four year old 32″ Sony Wega standard definition television. At the time, it was expensive, but in comparison to today’s HDTV prices. I can’t beat it for DVDs (it has a 16:9 enhanced mode), or for the digital channels on cable. I can’t say the same for the analog channels, but that’s Comcast’s fault or, most likely the Motorola DVR’s fault, not the television’s. The biggest difference in picture, for me so far, has been the difference in the quality of the signal. ESPN HD down-converted to 480i looks way better than my regular ESPN. But, I wonder just how much better it’s going to look on a new HD TV? As for network shows, I don’t need to watch sitcoms in HD. Even Planet Earth on Discovery HD theater looks amazing on a down-converted signal. On top of that, it uses far less power than a replacement is going to use. If anything, I wish that Comcast would just switch over ALL of the channels on the Digital Cable Box to actually BE DIGITAL.
Until I can watch my Mets in HD almost every night, I might as well stick with my Standard Definition television, and save my cash too.
