When the FCC forces everybody to upgrade to HDTV, will you?

[Deja Q]

Added incentive: The FCC is mandating that a 'broadcast flag' be used in the HDTV signal that recording devices will be unable to capture. (in other words, we now must rely on the industry to release the TV shows they will be airing. Therefore the TV show must be seen as 'economically viable'.)

[Maple]

1. I've been TRYING

to upgrade to HDTV since 1995 when they promised it in the first place.

We are years past due for this!

[GOPisEvil]

2. Yes. I've been scouting HDTVs at the Sony Outlet Store.

I might upgrade within the next year or so.

[Catholic Sensation]

3. just wanted it to be even

though my buddy's high def tv really makes the porno look really good :D

[supernova]

4. Yes, on condition

that HDTV (esp HDTV plasma screens) continue to fall in price. I'm not buying a $10,000 TV.

[Deja Q]

6. They will, but make sure you wait until the last possible moment

Another kicker is that older (and maybe even semi-recent) sets may not be able to be upgraded with the broadcast flag/descrambler mechanism. (the newest models may already be fitted, so when 2006 rolls in you'll be okay, though your recording devices won't record HDTV shows anymore.) But the inability to upgrade means the HDTV won't be able to show the program.

That means current owners will have to buy a NEW set. Again.

Don't y'all just love how corporate america is sodomizing you?

2 years ago I would have upgraded as well. But the FCC, bought out by a merciless, greedy MPAA, has made me change my tune big time. I will not support them nor empower them. They are enemies of freedom.

Of course, some are saying 2006 is too early of a deadline. It's all still a game of "wait and see". But even if there's a delay, they'll still get their copy protections in. It'll take a miracle to get that reversed and, unlike 1980, our whole system has been purchased by the corporate sect.

[HamstersFromHell]

21. Easy...buy one HDTV compatible.

I have a 48" JVC HDTV ready...to get HDTV now, all I need do is add the appropriate set-top box (i.e. tuner).

For now, it absolutely rocks for "regular" TV...automatically "upconverts" normal analog signals to 1080i...finally a big screen with none of the huge black lines most older big screens had.

And DVDs are awesome using component video.

Once any "new" HDTV standards are set in stone, you can rest assured someone out there won't leave all those existing sets to rot...they'll no doubt come out with a scan line "downconverter"/tuner to add to older sets to convert HDTV into something useable for older sets.

[soothsayer]

5. where's the "move to Canada" option on this poll? (eom)

[Deja Q]

7. Why do you ask?

As much as moving to Canada is cool, I suppose we really ought to stay and fight.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

8. I just don't get the attraction... who do you think is gonna pay

for all that crap? The networks? Ha.
Nope, the taxpayer... and to what end? So we can watch pablum much clearer? No thank you.

[Sting]

9. I think it's pretty sick...

that we have to buy new tv's just to watch them. Some of us who can't afford new tv's will be sitting there w/o one. What's the real reason they want us to switch? Possibly because they're going to be a "telescreen".......................? 1984.

[LTR]

10. All about money

The plan is to switch current stations off the VHF band to UHF frequencies. Following that, the VHF spectrum will be sold off for alternate broadcasting uses (cell phones, wireless internet, etc).

The whole move to digital TV is just an FCC fundraiser.

Look for the deadline to be extended.

[Deja Q]

11. Agreed - but consider these points too

RatTerrior does make an interesting point about the future use of the no-longer-used frequencies, however:

It's not as much the forced upgrade as it is the fact people can't trade in their old TVs to get a rebate of some sort or any sort. That's a joke and is proof of their greed.

I suspect cable will be useless too on non-HDTV sets.

Will VCRs work under the copy-protected HDTV? Dunno. My guess is that they won't, as that defeats the purpose of the signal scrambling and broadcast flag. But the industry is obviously scrapping VCRs as they're harder to find in stores and far fewer new releases are being made for the format. (tangent: Also consider that most of the money spent on a movie on a VCR tape pays for the license/privilege of watching it. The fact you can't get a rebate when trading in the VCR tape for a DVD is further proof of greed.)

Add in the inability to record shows for private use and you've got me boiling mad at 212 degrees Farenheit.

[Guaranteed]

26. If they can FORCE us to buy new TVs, then they can

FORCE PEOPLE TO BUY HYBRID OR GASOLINE FREE CARS!

[mitchum]

12. No. Why would I want to watch high resolution shit?

[BiggJawn]

15. Same here.

Crappy content is STILL crappy content. Even if you SWEAR you could reach out and stuff Pam Anderson's nipples in your mouth...

"Friends.....in HD!" No Thanks!
Same goes for an HD version of Jerry Springer

[Zech Marquis]

13. hell no

I'll upgrade when I'm good and damn ready, not because Collin's boy said so :evilgrin:

[ldf]

14. if i could afford it right now

there would be a 50 or 60 inch hdtv plasma screen on the wall.

hey, the prices are coming down. i saw a samsung 50 inch for only 8,000. sony's 42 inch was also about 8,000. could not discern much difference in the picture quality.

and this was on the in-house circuit city video loops.

edit for spelling

[Syncronaut Seven]

16. What's HDTV?

Is it one of those CRT thingies that make a loud pop when you smash 'em?

[hlthe2b]

17. For those of us who've been ignoring this issue...

Could someone do a bit of a primer on the issue?
e.g., issues with recording; are those dvd recorders going to be obsolte?
what, if any thing will standard (older) tv sets be able to pick up;
etc., etc.

THANKS!

(one who is trying to watch less, not more tv and thus is totally ignorant of the coming HDTV revolution)

[madddog]

18. I've had mine...

for 3 years now...and there's finally something to WATCH in HD these days...man, football rocks in HD. Oh, yeah....so did the the Victoria's Secret special lol. EVERYTHING rocks in HD.

[Catshrink]

19. I won't upgrade until my tv craps out....

[shanti]

20. same here

i'll survive.

[LastTime2BeFree]

22. Why watch hi-res feces? You can't polish a turd.

I'll blow up my TV, move to the country and try to find Jesus on my own thank you not too very much.

[HamstersFromHell]

23. Hey now!

A John Prine concert on HDTV with 5.1 surround would just be too cool. The next best thing to being there.

On edit....Welcome to DU!

[LastTime2BeFree]

25. Thanks and thanks for getting it

It's so rare in these times...

[HamstersFromHell]

27. You're welcome!

Although maybe we ought to be singing to the right wingers: "Your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore"

Prine is the shiznit!

[Interrobang]

24. I wouldn't.

I haven't owned a tv since I moved out of my parents' house ten years ago or so, so I guess when the Great Switchover happens, it'll be business as usual for me. :)