QUERY: Analog TV Broadcasting Signal Shutoff Date?

[The_Universe]

HDTVs also have a built in tuner - if you're going to get a new TV, don't waste the money on an SD set. Inputs aren't a problem on our set in the slightest - if we had more than one HD device, we'd have no trouble hooking them all up to the TV.

 

[Ranger REG]

HDTVs also have a built in tuner...

True, but there are more HD-ready & ED-ready TV sets (with analog TV tuner but no digital TV tuner) than there are HD & ED TVs available on the market now and at affordable price. Those that have built-in digital TV tuner right now are of screen size 27 inches or more. Forgive me for being finicky, but I prefer a 20"-24" TV set.

Inputs aren't a problem on our set in the slightest - if we had more than one HD device, we'd have no trouble hooking them all up to the TV.

Well, if you already have a built-in digital (ATSC) tuner, then that's great. You only need just one set of component video input for your DVD players with progressive scan feature.

Most ED- & HD-ready TVs only have one set, so when the time comes to get a digital tuner box, you'll have to demote your DVD player to S-video or RCA that won't display any progressive scanned picture (going from 480p, 720p, or 1080p down to 480i ... or interlaced).

If you're shop-savvy though, perhaps you'll get a ED- or HD-ready TV with an HDMI or DVI input, in addition to component video inputs.

Sorry, being finicky, but when it comes to shopping for high-tech electronics, I have to be a little selfish.

 

[Ranger REG]

OBTW, FCC mandated that new TV sets -- including small-screen (15-25 inches) -- manufactured from March 2007 and on must have a built-in digital (ATSC) tuner.

What they fail to leave out is whether the TV makers must make the TV unit display ED or HD quality picture with the built-in digital tuner.

What is also sad is an article I googled...

http://broadcastengineering.com/newsletters/bth/fcc_digital_tuner_20060814/index.html

 

[The_Universe]

True, but there are more HD-ready & ED-ready TV sets (with analog TV tuner but no digital TV tuner) than there are HD & ED TVs available on the market now and at affordable price. Those that have built-in digital TV tuner right now are of screen size 27 inches or more. Forgive me for being finicky, but I prefer a 20"-24" TV set.


Well, if you already have a built-in digital (ATSC) tuner, then that's great. You only need just one set of component video input for your DVD players with progressive scan feature.

Most ED- & HD-ready TVs only have one set, so when the time comes to get a digital tuner box, you'll have to demote your DVD player to S-video or RCA that won't display any progressive scanned picture (going from 480p, 720p, or 1080p down to 480i ... or interlaced).

If you're shop-savvy though, perhaps you'll get a ED- or HD-ready TV with an HDMI or DVI input, in addition to component video inputs.

Sorry, being finicky, but when it comes to shopping for high-tech electronics, I have to be a little selfish.

Like I said above, we've already got an HD set we're quite pleased with. It's no 20-24" tube (it's significantly larger, and thus definitely not the sort of thing you're looking for), but it meets our needs well.

I'm still not sure I see the advantage of picking up an SD set, but if makes you happy, good for you! Best of luck to you on your TV search!

 

[Ranger REG]

I'm still not sure I see the advantage of picking up an SD set, but if makes you happy, good for you! Best of luck to you on your TV search!

There's not so much advantage of picking up an SD set other than economic reason. Why buy a compact car when a scooter is a good enough transportation?

Then again, I think the TV makers are shortchanging us by offering the ability to receive digital TV signal yet the picture won't take full advantage of the quality it offers ... in SD TV.

Personally, I'm swaying toward at least an ED TV and far from SD TV.

 

[The_Universe]

There's not so much advantage of picking up an SD set other than economic reason. Why buy a compact car when a scooter is a good enough transportation?

Then again, I think the TV makers are shortchanging us by offering the ability to receive digital TV signal yet the picture won't take full advantage of the quality it offers ... in SD TV.

Personally, I'm swaying toward at least an ED TV and far from SD TV.

Price concerns I understand, but I doubt the TV makers are sitting in their offices, twirling their mustaches and cackling evilly.

HD components are (as far as I can tell) a good deal more expensive than SD components, except in the largest TVs (where the price difference is rapidly shrinking). We got our 52" for an even grand - by comparison, my dad bought an SD big screen 3 years before for $1500.

But yes - there's almost no HD availability in smaller sets, unless you're willing to pay as much (or more) than I did for my big screen.

 

[Ranger REG]

Price concerns I understand, but I doubt the TV makers are sitting in their offices, twirling their mustaches and cackling evilly.

HD components are (as far as I can tell) a good deal more expensive than SD components, except in the largest TVs (where the price difference is rapidly shrinking). We got our 52" for an even grand - by comparison, my dad bought an SD big screen 3 years before for $1500.

But yes - there's almost no HD availability in smaller sets, unless you're willing to pay as much (or more) than I did for my big screen.

Perhaps but it is a lot cheaper to buy a 21-inch flat panel computer monitor than a 15-inch LCD HD-ready TV.

 

[The_Universe]

Perhaps but it is a lot cheaper to buy a 21-inch flat panel computer monitor than a 15-inch LCD HD-ready TV.

True 'dat. However, I believe that's because LCD computer monitors have slower refresh rates than LCD TV's - the pictures on a computer screen typically change less often than they do on a TV. Fewer frames per second, er something (which is why it's taken some time for LCD screens to pick up with the PC gaming market).

That said, I'm not convinced the human eye can tell the difference. Perhaps you should consider pickup up an LCD screen, and one of these. Seems like it would help fit the whole shebang into your price-range/size requirements.