HELP!
Dear Gary: I am very worried about HDTV taking off with consumers. For it to succeed, people have to be willing to make a financial commitment. But, has anyone seen the displays at Best Buy, Good Guys, etc.? They are terrible! My RCA 36-inch NTSC set properly calibrated looks much better than sets they are selling for 6, 8, and 10 grand! I read and read about how impressive HDTV is but do not know where to go to see it at it’s full potential. “High-end” stores are guilty as well. I was impressed with a Toshiba set but it was only being run with a DVD using S-video cables. I asked about the progressive scan inputs and the guy working there said he had never seen it with those hooked up, but assured me it would look better. There were ISF signs in the store but I was told the set had not been calibrated by ISF. Why would a store not want to display its products at their very best? Why would I buy an HDTV without even getting to see it displaying HD material? I really, really want this to work but I can’t shell out 10 grand on a leap of faith (I am married you know!). Has anyone else had this experience? Is anyone else worried? Is CEA going to address this? HELP!
Dean Smith
Editor Gary Reber Comments:
The situation is frustrating. The CEA blames the broadcasters for lack of commitment and the broadcasters say there aren’t enough HDTV-capable TV sets to justify their financial commitment. This is a vicious circle that has no end unless the FCC steps in and dictates a solution. Cable-compatibility also is still up in the air. Consumers who have purchased HDTV-capable TV sets have no absurdity that their sets will be compatible with cable DTV distribution. Overall, the benefit to date has been improved sets capable of better displaying NTSC and DVD. I agree with you that it is shameful that a retailer who badges itself as an ISF dealer does not care enough to practice calibration of its sets on display in the store. If HDTV is to succeed every retailer will be required to demonstrate the picture potential fully of each and every set they carry. How else are consumers to see the benefit of purchasing HDTV-capable sets that cost far more than standard NTSC-only sets
You can E-mail Widescreen Review @ mailto:editorgary@widescreenreview.com