HD Tv

[solo]

Is it just me, or are we being fed some sort of crap over this latest leap in technology? I was watching some of these HD TV's in Argos and Comet this evening and I honestly couldn't see any difference, certainly not enough to make me go rushing out and buying one of these things. Are they really the bees knees in the living room (or wherever you decide to locate them) or is it a case of the Emporers new clothes?

 

[Igorian]

Is it just me, or are we being fed some sort of rubbish over this latest leap in technology? I was watching some of these HD TV's in Argos and Comet this evening and I honestly couldn't see any difference, certainly not enough to make me go rushing out and buying one of these things. Are they really the bees knees in the living room (or wherever you decide to locate them) or is it a case of the Emporers new clothes?

Maybe they weren't showing HD channels. A friend of mine has HD, and the picture is stunning. It always bugs me that these stores don't set up the sets properly.

 

[breezer]

i saw a sky tv sales person in a shopping centre, he had a hd tv showing shrek2, i did ask him to confirm what i thought, and yes you really can tell the difference.

shrek2 thye all looked "sort of" 3d

 

[Steve]

They had an 80 inch plasma set in dixons XL in doncaster a while ago, running a HD display, panoramic flyover shots of mountains and trees etc, i had vertigo!!!

 

[solo]

So I don't need my eyes testing again! Strikes me that if you're trying to sell something that is supposed to enhance your viewing experience it makes sense to show it in it's best light. I'd hate to think that I lumped one of those things home to find that the picture was worse than my existing TV set. I don't like my porn to be too grainy!

 

[securespark]

Hmm...what am I thinking??

I thought you said "I don't like my porn too granny...."!!!!

 

[Rider]

HD is the bee's knees when it comes to picture quality in my opinion. I have a 20" LCD wide-screen Sony running on a Virgin V+ box. There is only one BBC channel showing HD test transmissions at present. These aren't always scheduled programmes but they sometimes are.

I've read that HD picture definition is 4 times better than the standard digital picture. I think that information is about right. Perhaps TV specifications would make a difference. I like Sony TVs. This one has a good contrast ratio and a fast response time. These are two figures that I reckon make a difference.

 

[bernardgreen]

But it is pointless putting HD signals into a TV with a low definition pixelated screen.

The resolution depends on the number of pixels in the screen.

 

[megawatt]

Indeed it does so, to sum up the thread, you need a HD TV with a HD broadcast to see the difference which is quite stunning.

 

[notb665]

Depends on how important you regard the TV in general, in my opinion.

 

[Rider]

I understand that true HD may only apply to a pixel number high enough to take it. Nonetheless, the term 'HD' can in looser terms be applied to a smaller TV. The Sony I have has a 1366x768 pixel panel. The V+ box feeds a 1080i signal to the TV. So, scaling is being done. Nonetheless, the TV performs this function well and gives a very good HD picture. Certainly worthwhile having I think.

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

Am I correct in thinking that the BBC have made no commitment with regards their intention to transmit HD signals terrestrially?

I have heard that the existing thirty or forty stations (that one can receive via a freeview box) will not be able to each transmit an equivalent HD signal because there is insufficient bandwith available within the existing digital allocation. Should not licence payers/consumers be lobbying the government to make some commitment re terrestrial HD broadcasting as the only alternative would be subscription to satellite or cable broadcaster?

 

[Rider]

I believe you have assessed the situation correctly. Further to that, I read that ways are being looked into regarding how HDTV can be transmitted within the available space. There are mentions of a system called MIMO and compressed signals. Something extra for us to buy in the future perhaps. I also read that the BBC might be looking into satellite space for free HDTV transmissions. It all seems a bit 'in the air' (pun alert) at present.

 

[Richardp]

by the time its all setup they'll bring out blue ray HD television anon

 

[tim west]

Am I correct in thinking that the BBC have made no commitment with regards their intention to transmit HD signals terrestrially?

I have heard that the existing thirty or forty stations (that one can receive via a freeview box) will not be able to each transmit an equivalent HD signal because there is insufficient bandwith available within the existing digital allocation. Should not licence payers/consumers be lobbying the government to make some commitment re terrestrial HD broadcasting as the only alternative would be subscription to satellite or cable broadcaster?

Certainly possible for the BBC to do so but they need a massive increase in the licence fee to do so, with the fee as it is they are even pondering whether to turn off a major channel they broadcast so what hope HD from them? I think you will be better off subscribing to one of the other providers rather than trying to lobby the government over putting even more pressure on the BBC to produce the goods.