| Pages:
1
2
3 |
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
Gnukid, this discussion isnt so much about what the terrestrial broadcasters are doing as it is about what will be uploaded to the sats and what
receivers will be able to download the HD signals.
I am a confirmed HD convert, too. I bought a Sony 34XBR960 (CRT) approaching 3 years ago because of all the problems with DLPs and plasmas and their
pricing. LCDs weren't really an option then. Plus, I dont need 50 inches at the distance I view. I trust tube technology to last me for many years and
it still is a superior picture in many aspects.
But I dont want to spend several hundred more on sat technology that may become obsolete in less than two years.
I'm leaning towards going Direct TV and upgrading the dish size when I move to Mexico.
|
|
|
MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
|
|
Viewing into the Crystal Ball.
Having been involved in Electronics and Communications related technologies the majority of my adult working life, I have found that The history of
that industry has shown us that This is the sort of esoteric debate wherin either of us could be proven correct. Looking more than a year into that
future is all guesswork.
Various Tech magazines that I have subscribed to feature articles from time to time looking back on their own predictions and noting which proved
accurate and which proved wildly wrong. The latest issue of PC Magazine has one such article looking back to their predictions in the year 2000.
The continued acceleration in the sales of Digital Television will be determined to a great extent by the continued drop in price in LCD technology,
which is emerging as the most popular (in terms of sales) NEW TV/Monitor technology. Given that a 13" LCD Television is still in the $200 range while
the same digital-tuner TV in CRT is $50 or less, there is still a long ways to go. Those who are fixated on new technology (myself sometimes
included) often assume that the market is driven by others with similar enthusiasm. However, the MAJORITY of current purchasers are still buying the
cheaper CRT technology.
|
|
|
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
The most recent articles I could find on HDTV sales were from mid-2006. At that time, HDTV sales were accounting for 41% of all sales. In 2005, it was
25% of all sales.
I think it a pretty easy extrapolation to assume that HDTV sales are now over the 50% mark, over a year after this article was written.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,126759-c,hdtv/article.html
Another survey I found said that 47% of all households in the US were planning on buying an HDTV in 2007. That's pretty significant. If you figure
that there are significant percentages of people in the 53% that arent planning to buy who have:
1-already purchased an HDTV or
2-have no plans on buying ANY TV in 2007
then I think that your assumptions on lukewarm HDTV penetration based on costs of the units is just not supported by the available info.
|
|
|
MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
|
|
Quien Sabe ?
I don't have any current stats so, for now at least, I'll defer to yours. It doesn't really matter to me other than as a bystander in the Tech race.
While I can't say that I'll never buy an HD, I don't see any reason to since I'm satisfied with my current crop of Tvs (seven in the U.S. and and five
in Baja) running from a couple of 12" B/W in the garages to the largest at 25". I did have a 27", but it died and the 25" was a great deal at
Walmart. $149.00. The picture is better than anything I care about.
You have piqued my curiosity, though. In the next few days, I'll dig through my techie magazines looking for the last article I read on HD and
Digital.
Interestingly, I did happen across a NY Times article from Dec 06 which indicated that interest in HD was declining rather than increasing:
"According to a recent survey by Frank N. Magid Associates, the number of people buying [HD] sets who are looking forward to watching television shows
in hi-def format has actually declined, to 47 percent from 63 percent two years ago. And while nearly half of current owners of HDTV sets said that
their main reason for buying one was to watch programs in HD, only 25 percent of those now shopping for the sets feel that way."
That is odd.
|
|
|
bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
|
|
Article from USA Today - about the HDTV sales -
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2006-10-24-hdtv_x.htm
VIDEO RICH PROGRAMMING
Although HDTV sales are growing smartly, well-to-do consumers dominate the market.
Annual household income Have an HDTV
Under $30,000 6%
$30,000-$50,000 8%
$50,001-$75,000 17%
$75,001-$100,000 25%
Over $100,000 38%
Source: Leichtman Research Group
Looks like us peons have a way to go in the HDTV race--
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
|
|
MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
|
|
HDTV Broadcasting
Still looking for numbers, but I did run across an article which addressed the question of compatibility with HD broadcasting. I had understood that
this was the case, but had no ready references:
"The resolution of viewers' sets does not affect the logistics of the transition to digital TV since all sets with ATSC-compliant tuners will be able
to receive and decode all resolutions, even though they may not be able to display the signal at full resolution."
SO, regardless of what TV you own, should a program be broadcast ONLY in HD, that TV will be able to decode and display the program.
[Edited on 10-19-2007 by MrBillM]
|
|
|
Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
Article from USA Today - about the HDTV sales -
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2006-10-24-hdtv_x.htm
VIDEO RICH PROGRAMMING
Although HDTV sales are growing smartly, well-to-do consumers dominate the market.
Annual household income Have an HDTV
Under $30,000 6%
$30,000-$50,000 8%
$50,001-$75,000 17%
$75,001-$100,000 25%
Over $100,000 38%
Source: Leichtman Research Group
Looks like us peons have a way to go in the HDTV race-- |
What I find astounding is that 6% of folks making less that 30,000/year have HDTVs. Presumably, that's gross. Either way, considering that an HDTV
setup (pretty much requires cable or Satellite in most places) will be between 2K and 3K in the first year. That's up to 10% of income. 
I'm in the wrong business.
|
|
|
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
You're not in the wrong business.........just the wrong class.
It's part of the whole "rich get richer, the poor get welfare and the middle class gets screwed" scenario.
It's easy to buy an HDTV when your getting food stamps, AFDC, unemployment, free healthcare, etc.
Heck, it might be your only form of entertainment until Hollywood pushes for subsidized theatre tix during the upcoming Clinton administration. 
|
|
|
Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
I meant I should be selling entertainment equipment like HDTVs. I am an "early adopter" of HDTV (like I am of most technology-based gadgets), and the
available programming has exploded during the course of the year. DirecTV has launched two new satellites, specifically for increased HD bandwidth,
and will have 100+ HD channels by the end of the year.
|
|
|
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
I meant I should be selling entertainment equipment like HDTVs. I am an "early adopter" of HDTV (like I am of most technology-based gadgets), and the
available programming has exploded during the course of the year. DirecTV has launched two new satellites, specifically for increased HD bandwidth,
and will have 100+ HD channels by the end of the year. |
Bout damn time. I'm tired of looking at SD programming on an HD set. Of course Cox will probably have only about 30 by the end of the year, even
though it's finally become a landslide of HD by the major content distributors.
Once all these channels are available, HD sales will REALLY take off. The lack of content has also limited sales.
Note to Bill: Are there really standard def TVs with an ATSC tuner? I cant imagine why anyone would buy one. I wonder if it is taking a 4:3
cookie-cutter to the middle of the HD picture or whether there is some strange distortion going on?
|
|
|
MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
|
|
TV Tutorial 101
ANY ?
How about ALL ! Every TV now being produced has an ATSC Digital tuner. PERIOD. They Will ALL decode the signal whether it be SD or HD. Read on:
"An ATSC digital tuner is required to receive and decode over-the-air digital television signals. The digital spectrum is comprised of 18 frequencies.
High definition is part of the digital spectrum.
In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is regulating the conversion from analog to digital. As a measure, the FCC is
setting deadlines making it mandatory that all manufacturers include digital tuners in their televisions. Here are the dates:
* July 1, 2005: All TVs with screen sizes over 36" must include built-in ATSC tuner
* July 1, 2006: 100 of 25-35" TVs must include ATSC DTV tuner (right now only 50 required)
* July 1, 2007: 100 of 13-24" TVs must include ATSC DTV tuner
* July 1, 2007: 100 of all interface devices must have ATSC DTV tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR)"
A more detailed explanation of the technology can be found at:
http://www.filmbug.com/dictionary/hdtv.php
In addition, when discussing HDTV penetration into the total market, there is the following from earlier this year:
"New York (NY) - The latest prediction from the Consumer Electronics Association is that 16 million HDTVs will be sold this year, increasing the total
number of sets to over 50 million.
According to CEA, 36.5 million high definition TVs are already in US homes, accounting for about 30% of nationwide households. The trade group expects
that number to rise to 52.5 million, or 36%, by 2008.
CEA has reported in previous surveys that the majority of HDTV owners are pleased with their set, but many of them are still confused about the
differences between actual HD content and content that's upconverted from a standard definition source.
The newest CEA report also showed that 66% of people who receive over-the-air HD content get it through a cable operator, 27% via satellite, and 8%
from an HD antenna.
CEA also found that 30% of HDTV owners own more than one HDTV, and around 5% receive HD content from both cable and satellite."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of (non-Dish) FTA, I have mostly finished aligning and searching my setup and, except for missing some channels (mostly PBS on AMC3), I've
found that there are numerous Fox Affilitates, lots of OLD rerun networks, some news (ABC), but the rest is mostly JJCC ( Jesus, Jihadi and ChiCom).
I can't believe how many Arab, Persian and Chinese channels there are broadcasting to North America. It makes one wonder.
|
|
|
Paladin
Nomad
Posts: 164
Registered: 3-25-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Speaking of morals vs the law, what systems have the best access to porn???
|
|
|
Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Paladin
Speaking of morals vs the law, what systems have the best access to porn??? |
The "system" you're using to read this. 
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
Portable Sat TV
Interesting link for portable sat TV
http://store.freedomgrill.com/prostores/servlet/-strse-49/%2...
|
|
|
rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
GUY
$850 and still only good in US and Canada. according to its advertising
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
would probably work in Baja depending on your Baja location (like Ensenada). I'm waiting for Nomad expert opinions
|
|
|
rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
true... just like a regular 18" dish... I was hoping it would say great for BCS
|
|
|
Bajabus
Senior Nomad
Posts: 892
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Elias Calles B.C.S. or NC USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: My friends..it's good.
|
|
$850.....that seems like a hell of a lot of money for a little dish that would not work very far down the peninsula.
"Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked of such a thing."
Dwight David Eisenhower
|
|
|
Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
|
|
Is DirecTV OK?
DirecTV has a portable laptop-sized unit called Sat-Go that has the reciever, antennae and it's own TV built in. They are marketing it for tailgaters
and campers. I don't think they care where the unit is located these days- so long as you pay big for the programming. All the new HD channels are
kicking in (finally) with about 150 slated. I watch The Discovery and National Geographic channels in HD like a cat watches a caged bird. lol Just
be bad.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?asset...
[Edited on 10-26-2007 by Woooosh]
|
|
|
MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
|
|
DirecTV to go
Some friends of mine living in San Diego Bay mentioned this. I haven't called to find out if they bought, but it seems that the Antenna size would be
a limiting factor if you're traveling in Baja. After all, the standard 18" Dish begins to be marginal south of Gonzaga Bay.
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
