Who’s really watching HDTV?
Cory Bergman November 25th, 2007
About 21% of the U.S. population has a HDTV set, but Nielsen estimates that only 11% of the viewing universe is actually watching at least one channel in high definition. ESPN puts the numbers at 23% and 15% respectively. If you work in the business, you can only shake your head — how can someone think a stretched standard-definition screen is actually in high definition? But in reality, HD is one of the most complex of all consumer buying decisions, not to mention the confusing installation that follows.
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6 Comments Add your own
1. echy | November 26th, 2007 at 5:36 am
People are like the ghosts in The Sixth Sense, they see what they want to see.
2. Z | November 26th, 2007 at 6:35 am
Plus, let’s not forget that simply watching a show on a digital set of any sort will still be an improvement on a non-digital set, even if broadcast in analog. Standard TV never showed the full quality of what was being sent over the air anyway.
3. Bill Gorman | November 26th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Many (most?) of the sports bars in San Francisco have plasma or LCD screens that are tuned to standard def channels.
Many people equate flat screen with high def, incorrectly.
4. Mike Gorman | November 26th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Not to mention the satellite providers aren’t making it any easier.
When shopping for a programming package for my new TV, I specifically asked what it took to get an HD signal into my receiver and out to my TV. DirecTV said that I can buy the HD package, but if I didn’t, if programming was sent down by individual channels sent down programming in HD, that my receiver would still display the HD signal.
Dish Network said I had to buy the HD package, otherwise I’d get no HD programming at all.
I’m moderately knowledgeable and I still feel like I’m not getting a straight story from either.
5. Kyle | November 26th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Z - To the contrary, I think nothing makes analog / standard def look worse than a HD set displaying it. Reveals every schumtzy crusty noise present in the signal… add to the equation of the digital stretch and it really looks horrific.
The biggest problem is the fact that you average user is overwhelmed by how difficult it is to use the HD technology.
No longer do you sit down and turn on the TV.
now you turn on the TV make sure it is set to the external tuner make sure you are tuned to the HD channel , not the SD equivalent on your cable system and then enjoy the lack of lip sync in 75% of all live broadcasts!
I work in sports broadcasting and I can appreciate HD daily, but I still find the consumer side of HD technology cumbersome at best.
Oh yeah… the consumer still hasnt figured out how to get their surround technology sounding decent yet either.
My 2c
Kyle
6. Chris | November 26th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Consumer’s aren’t converting to HD because they don’t know how. I work for a television station and know HD/Standard Def backwards and forwards. However, the “techs” at Directv were completely in the dark and couldn’t answer any of my questions. The tech who came to my house had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned 1080i.
And don’t even get me started on Best Buy. The sales team there are beyond lost.
People won’t buy in to HD until it’s as simple as buying a set, plugging it in, and having HD on their screen. And since the conversion will never be that simple, the HD Age is going to slow coming.
Chris
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