HDTV: Research Shows a Clear Picture of Consumer ConfusionIn recent years, HDTV has become the next big thing. With the promise of impeccable, life-like picture quality, consumers have been buying HDTVs in record numbers. A recent study by Forrester Research showed that by the end of 2005, over 16 million homes had HDTVs. The problem is that research also shows that less than half of them (only around 7million) are actually experiencing a true High-Definition picture. A Common Misconception With few exceptions, your HDTV requires a subscription to HD services, an HD cable tuner and an HD quality signal. According to a recent study by Scientific-Atlanta, many HDTV owners believed that they would automatically receive an HD picture with their new HDTV. More specifically, the following four misconceptions occurred causing them to forgo purchasing the appropriate equipment/services: 1. “An HDTV salesperson told them they didn’t need any special equipment" 2. “Believed that the HDTV set would give them HD channels without any additional equipment” 3. “A message at the beginning of a program tells them that the channel is broadcast in HD” 4. “Believed that overall the picture quality was better with the HD television” (Scientific-Atlanta Online Survey; Sept 2005) Finding a Solution To address this issue, many cable operators are joining together to educate consumers on how to get the best quality HD picture. There are also websites dedicated to this issue such as buyingHDTV.com which outline a list of steps consumers should take to receive the ultimate HDTV experience. Step 1: Purchase a TV that is HDTV-Ready or HDTV-Capable Step 2: Call your cable company and get an HDTV converter box. Some DVR subscriptions will automatically come with a HD tuner. However, you’ll need to call your cable company to connect your new TV with the box and “turn on” your HD channels. Installation is usually inexpensive and HD cables are provided. Step 3: The channel you want to watch must be broadcast in high-definition. Although the network may be high-definition, not all providers broadcast in HD. Step 4: The program you want to watch must be broadcast in High-Definition. Keep in mind that High Definition programs have to be on High-Definition Networks. Therefore, if you want to see the game in HD, you’d have to tune into Channel 622 (FOX Sports Network HD) instead of Channel 9 (FOX Analog Signal). (buyinghdtv.com Steps for Getting HDTV) For more information about getting connected to a true HD-quality picture call Midcontinent Communications at1.800.888.1300 or email us at mccomm@midco.net. Related Article Links Steps for Getting HDTV by buyinghdtv.com New Research Proves HDTV Still “Fuzzy” for Consumers Off-Air HD Antennas Experience the True-Def of High-Def Confusion over High-Definition TV Terms HDTV (High Definition Television)- means broadcast of television signals with a higher resolution than traditional formats (NTSC, SECAM, Pal) allow. HD-Ready- A Television set that has an HD tuner built in that can allow for receipt of over-the-air, high-definition networks without the assistance of an external digital box. (Note: even with this option, you may still need to have your cable company come out and connect you so that you can now receive all HD channels offered with your current subscription package). HD-Capable- A Television that is able to receive high-definition signals, but cannot receive the signal without the assistance of an external HD converter or tuner. Over-The Air (OTA) Channels- These channels are free and are broadcast over the open airways by a licensed broadcast network, and can be easily picked up by an HDTV off-air antenna. These stations are usually analog but many are slowly moving to a digital format. Off-Air HD Antenna- used to receive over-the-air signals from broadcast television stations. |
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