6 Reasons HDTV Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be

High Definition Television has been lauded as an amazing breakthrough in television and home video that will forever change the way we view media. Anyone who truly considers themselves a techno-geek needs to fully invest in this exciting leap into new technology. Or do they? Here are the top 6 reasons why its ok to hold off HDTV for now.


6. It's Inherently Confusing

HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, 1080i, 1080p, 720p, HDMI, DVI, Apsect Ratios, etc, etc, etc. I consider myself to be an early adopter and someone up on current technology trends, but even I sometimes get confused within the world of HD. Televsion is a mind-numbing experience and is meant to be easy. Plug it in, connect the cable to the wall and watch. Now in order to get the most out of your set one needs to have at least a passing knowledge of many potentially confusing terms. The draw of previous technologies was they made life easier and simpler. HDTV is nearly the exact opposite.


5. The Format War

Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are essentially almost identical, but different enough to be completely incompatible. We've learned nothing from the VHS vs. Betamax war and now anyone wanting to invest in the ability to view high definition movies at home risks buying the "wrong" system and being out hundreds of dollars. Can't we all just get along?


4. It's Ridiculously Expensive

All new technologies come at a high cost, but considering HDTV is a mainstream technology it seems to be especially pricey. First there's the actual HD compatible widescreen TV. Then you need an expensive HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player (or both if you want to watch all movies released). Finally, if you want to watch cable TV in HD you need to buy a highly overpriced receiver and subscribe to an expensive cable package that only includes a few HD channels. Prices will come down, but until they do there's no immediate rush to jump on the HD bandwagon.


3. Those damn black bars are still there

I was really excited to watch my first high definition movie on my newly purchased Blu-Ray player and widescreen TV. I turned on the movie only to still have the letterbox black bars on the top and bottom of the screen. I thought one of the reasons I was getting a widescreen tv was so that videos would take up the whole screen. I've since become familiar with the various aspects and ratios involved with home video, but really, in today's day and age can't we make all movies the same size?


2. HDMI Cables

I know, I already argued that HDTV is really expensive, but HDMI cables deserve a number all their own. I think HDMI cables are great in that they carry all video and audio in one signal without needing a mess of component cables. I do not however agree with the need to charge $200 for a 3 foot cable. It's no secret there's very little profit in big ticket electronics so stores need to sell lots of accessories with your purchase to make money. I'm tired of being shunned by sales clerks and technophiles for not buying a top of the line monster brand cable when a (still expensive) store brand cable works just as well. Need proof? Buy both and try both. I did to prove to a friend my point. Guess which one got returned?


1. It's not THAT much better looking

Of course HDTV looks good. There's nothing quite like the first time you see your favorite movie star's face up close in all its blemished and pocked glory. Generally speaking though, it's just not the same jump that happened from VHS to DVD or Cassettes to CD's. I enjoy hanging out in electronics departments watching people comment "That's It?" while seeing HD for the first time. If you ever need further convincing just take a look around the room you're in. That's HD in real life and it's as good as HDTV will ever get.