Why?

Is High Definition TV just going to be another initially expensive piece of marketing?

How many discussions have we seen here that say that DTS is better then Dolby Digital? Is HDTV going to be that much better than what we already have?

I can't see it having much of an impact to be honest.

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

Gnu.....for those who wish quality there will at least be a choice. Having seen HDTV in all it's forms I WANT IT NOW.

Gordon

[Jeff]

I have very mixed feelings about HDTV, sure with the right quality of source material and hardware it's going to look great, but broadcasters can't even be bothered to give sufficient bandwidth to standard definition programs. Standard definition PAL can look awesome, as I have whitnessed on some of the latest DVD's. We could have MUCH better quality digital TV now, without the need for new hardware. They just need to give the channels more bandwidth.

[Stuart Wright]

DTS IS better than Dolby Digital. It's specification is better. It's encoded at a higher bitrate and doesn't use perceptual encoding.
But anyway, I imagine the experice between normal TV and HDTV is similar to that of VHS and DVD.
It IS coming. The beeb have comitted to it.

[Yummy Fur]

Is HDTV going to be that much better than what we already have?

Yes, it really is that much better..... I agree with Gordon I WANT IT NOW. When you see HDTV there will be no going back

One day, the penny will drop with Broadcasters, that an ever increasing number of channels will only be greeted by ever increasing apathy.... perhaps then someone will get the bright idea of launching a 'premium' HDTV channel or two

Yummy Fur

[buns]

Wasnt there another thread in here!? Ah well, to pose my question again....... timescales..... we havent even got digital tv in every home, is it not a bit bold to consider into'ing another new thing?

ad

[Yummy Fur]

Ad, you're probably right. Mind you, if the powers that be were to give the matter sensible consideration, then perhaps the time to launch HDTV is before 'standard' digital gets into every home...

Yummy Fur

[ReTrO]

I did a search for the BBC's HDTV stuff earlier today and the best I came up with was this:

http://www.broadbandmag.co.uk/featur...ch_02/hdtv.htm

Basically it says that the poor soap/drama "Rockface" was shot in HD and down converted to SD for broadcast.

[buns]

Is HD not quite costly too..... didnt the Americans pay through their teeth for quite some time?

ad

[Yummy Fur]

Ad, Yes. It's the classic problem..... Not enough hardware in the market place to justify commercial broadcasting, so any HD broadcasts are likely to be subsidized ....

Mind you, any subsidy/losses can be recouped over a very long time frame...

Yummy Fur

[Kramer]

I can't see HDTV being of great benefit to the masses. The differences on say a 28/32" 16/9 TV will be negligble.

But, having seen some HDTV stuff on my HS10, I echo the earlier comments - I want it now

IMO, there's more scope for a satellite provider covering Western Europe. Economy of scale & all that.

They'll have a far bigger "pool" of potential subscribers. Special events - sport, concerts, etc... Of course, EuroHDTV are looking to launch next year (fingers crossed).

Only those "videophiles" with high res PJs, plasmas etc.. will really see the benefit & hence seek HDTV.

Bring it on

[Yummy Fur]

Kramer said-

I can't see HDTV being of great benefit to the masses. The differences on say a 28/32" 16/9 TV will be negligble.

You're right, but it's not that many years ago that a 22" TV was the norm, and if you were lucky enough to own a 27" TV then that was a big tv..... Although not quite mainstream, Plasmas, RPTV's, PJ's can all be found in most well known warehouses. I think in 5 - 10 years time, screens capable of displaying HDTV to good effect will be owned by the masses....

I was thinking that HDTV would be a European thing anyway (unless the BBC were the driving force behind it-- it would then probably get vetoed by the French.... )-- as you say it's not really practical to broadcast HDTV solely to the UK.

Yummy Fur

[ReTrO]

Originally posted by Kramer
I can't see HDTV being of great benefit to the masses. The differences on say a 28/32" 16/9 TV will be negligble.

Can you see the difference between a 14" TV and a 14" PC monitor? I certainly can!

Roll on HDTV!

[Kramer]

Originally posted by ReTrO
Can you see the difference between a 14" TV and a 14" PC monitor? I certainly can!

Yes, of course, but a PC monitor is usually viewed from < 2 feet. Can't see many people wanting to sit < 6 feet from their 28" TVs - can you?

Also, aswell as acquiring whatever HDTV set top/satellite box is required, I can't see "the masses" upgrading their viewing hardware.

Hence HDTV will really only be viable/desirable for those with high res displays already.

As I've already got a good PJ, I say,

Bring it on

[MartinImber]

Sitting back 7 1/2 foot is borderline with 32" leaning forwards 5.5 ft or sitting on floor 5ft a 32" is ok.


6 foot for a 28"