More than half of all US households now own an HDTV

Jay · 08-06-2009, 04:58 PM

The Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM), released a survey this week showing that 53 percent of US households now own an HDTV. This represents a remarkable improvement over last years figure of 35%.

Larger screen television -- 32 inches and larger -- ownership has also improved and can now be found in 59 percent of households compared to 52 percent in 2008.

Commentary: Are these statistics a result of the digital transition, big sales on overstocked LCDs, or is the US economy starting to come out of a recession?

EscapeVelocity · 08-06-2009, 05:05 PM

HDTV & Flat Panel Desire, Digital Transition, Falling Prices on HDTVs. But nothing to do with coming out of a recession, especially since we arent coming out of a recession, no matter how the MSM spins it.

Jay · 08-06-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity

HDTV & Flat Panel Desire, Digital Transition, Falling Prices on HDTVs. But nothing to do with coming out of a recession, especially since we arent coming out of a recession, no matter how the MSM spins it.

GDP shrunk by 1% this quarter and is expected to grow by 2-3% next quarter. If the job market picks up too....one can only hope...

Lurker Lee · 08-06-2009, 05:53 PM

It doesn't appear to count how many households actually watch HDTV, which may be different. For example I have a HDTV, but I don't watch HD. When I wanted to buy a new TV for my BR last yr, and had a Circuit City coupon about to expire, I bought a 19" flat panel TV. I wanted it because it was a smaller footprint and more light weight. I really wasn't looking for HD; it just came with it. It's hooked up to Comcast, and I don't care enough about HD to pay for the HD package.

So I wonder if some people bought a HDTV more because they wanted a digital TV, to avoid the converter hassles, then because they wanted HD. (Granted there are probably a substantial number of people who did go out looking for HD, but I could honesly envision some of my older family members who would do it because of the digital tuner than the high def).

Jay · 08-06-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurker Lee

It doesn't appear to count how many households actually watch HDTV, which may be different. For example I have a HDTV, but I don't watch HD. When I wanted to buy a new TV for my BR last yr, and had a Circuit City coupon about to expire, I bought a 19" flat panel TV. I wanted it because it was a smaller footprint and more light weight. I really wasn't looking for HD; it just came with it. It's hooked up to Comcast, and I don't care enough about HD to pay for the HD package.

So I wonder if some people bought a HDTV more because they wanted a digital TV, to avoid the converter hassles, then because they wanted HD. (Granted there are probably a substantial number of people who did go out looking for HD, but I could honesly envision some of my older family members who would do it because of the digital tuner than the high def).

In the same survey, they reported that "seven in ten receive HD programming package". I've been researching to find out what that means exactly. Does it include viewers who receive OTA HD?

I have a theory on the Digital Transition...It gave a lot of people leaning on the edge of, "Should I buy a new HDTV", an excuse to splurge. IMHO.

Lurker Lee · 08-06-2009, 07:23 PM

Well, yeah technically I "receive" HDTV, at least if I unplug the cable and plug in the antenna. So I guess they'd include me in the "receives" category.

May be a good thing I didn't participate in the survey.... I'd probably confuse myself as well as them

bicker · 08-07-2009, 02:24 AM

The numbers about how many HDTV owners don't watch HD, though, have another message, and it's not good news for videoheads: Apparently, the need for greater resolution isn't as strong in the general population.

Piggie · 08-07-2009, 01:19 PM

I still say content is king. I appreciate if what I want to watch is also HD, added bonus. I don't watch something because it's HD. I don't pay for HD but on an old SD plan with DirecTV that suits me fine. So do I count?

Lee, can't you take some video feed out of the cable box and put it in your TV? That frees up your antenna jack for your OTA signal. Or buy an A/B switch (Radio Shack even has one with a remote) so you can switch.

I bought a wide screen way back, to watch letter box DVDs by zooming them to fill the screen. That alone if you watch even one a week is a good reason these days to buy widescreen even if you don't have an HD source.

EscapeVelocity · 08-07-2009, 01:30 PM

Im Content is King as well. I think that OTA will be saved by Subchannels and more programming choices. However dont say that on the HDTV forum, KenH will scold you and you will be viciously attacked by groups of HD piranas.

bicker · 08-07-2009, 01:40 PM

Yeah? You've had run-ins with KenH eh? He's actually one of the most reasonable posters there. I often find myself in the minority there (practically everywhere online consumerists outnumber capitalists 10-to-1 or worse) but KenH I've found to be a moderate and mediating voice. :shrug:


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