27'' TV's cheaper in a year

[NeeBick]

I saw this on Slashdot and thought it was relevant for the community.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20050609/D8AK50QG0.html

It seems that FCC has moved the mandated transition to digital tv up to March 1, 2006 on 25''-36'' tv's.  Hopefully this means that excess stock of analog only tv's will be sold at a bargain (in the US).

I think I might be building another cab in a year...

[Veinman]

I'm sure the arcade monitor manufacturers are evilly rubbing their hands together in anticipation.

[MonitorGuru]

> "evilly rubbing their hands"

You're implying something unrelated (implying arcade monitor manufacturers making boatloads of money because standard definition tubes will no longer be made)


Analog TV's will simply have their tuner circuits replaced with digital tuners. You will receive digital signals but it will downconvert to the quality of the tube.. in other words SDTV (standard definition).

This is not a mandate to replace SDTV with HDTV tubes...    They will still make entry level sets with 340 lines of horizontal resolution, fully compatible with arcade chassis/replacement chassis like they are now.

Yes, over time, more and more TV's will be sold with HDTV tubes, and the tube itself will have less demand when everyone is going with front or rear projection, DLP, LCD or Plasma sets.

But until EVERY device is required to have EDTV (852 horizontal lines) or HDTV (1024), the standard CRT tubes of today will still be around, though in a shrinking amount.

[sc1103]

Since CRT will fall to the wayside eventually, won't that mean the Act-Labs guns will slowly become more incompatible with newer TVs?

[paigeoliver]

Transition to digital is going to take well over a decade. Average people, (not techies), tend to buy medium size tvs and run them for 15 years until they need a cap kit at which point they buy another one. Unless everyone in America magically buys a new set then it will be 10 years before that 85 percent saturation point is reached, perhaps longer, since falling prices on standard sets in the last few years have meant that a HUGE number of people have just purchased new 33-36" standard sets. I know I personally bought a 33" one last year.

Projection TVs are a small percentage of the market, LCD and plasma sets even a tiner percentage of the market. It doesn't matter how much shelf space Best Buy dedicates to them, Joe average isn't buying them, Jane average REALLY isn't buying them, and Grandma and Grampa average will NEVER buy them.

The fanciest TV I have ever actually seen in someone's house is a 36" Sony WEGA (standard set). I was with my friend when he bought it 5 years ago, and even back THEN they were saying that it would all be digital next year.

[Navmaxlp]

Myself and MnMCaputo are the only two people I know with TV's above 50 inches and with HD capabilities. Other than that, I know one person with an HDTV (and doesn't receive HDTV in any format) and one person with a large screen SDTV (one of the old projection models that weighs more than my car). So I'd say you guys are right, HD technology is not nearly as mainstream as we would like to think, even if everyone thinks it looks super cool.

[ChadTower]

Transition to digital is going to take well over a decade. Average people, (not techies), tend to buy medium size tvs and run them for 15 years until they need a cap kit at which point they buy another one. Unless everyone in America magically buys a new set then it will be 10 years before that 85 percent saturation point is reached, perhaps longer, since falling prices on standard sets in the last few years have meant that a HUGE number of people have just purchased new 33-36" standard sets. I know I personally bought a 33" one last year.

Projection TVs are a small percentage of the market, LCD and plasma sets even a tiner percentage of the market. It doesn't matter how much shelf space Best Buy dedicates to them, Joe average isn't buying them, Jane average REALLY isn't buying them, and Grandma and Grampa average will NEVER buy them.

The fanciest TV I have ever actually seen in someone's house is a 36" Sony WEGA (standard set). I was with my friend when he bought it 5 years ago, and even back THEN they were saying that it would all be digital next year.

Don't know, man.  The 85 year old across the street from me had a 60" HDTV when he died a year back.  The 80 year old next to me has a 40"+ LCD.  I know a LOT of people with large projection TVs.  I don't have any, personally I have a regular $350 27", but if you're right, I must know a disproportionate number of people who have very high end sets.

Then again, I also know a disproportionate amount of people who constantly complain about the amount of debt they have and that they're flat broke.

[TOK]

Myself and MnMCaputo are the only two people I know with TV's above 50 inches and with HD capabilities. Other than that, I know one person with an HDTV (and doesn't receive HDTV in any format) and one person with a large screen SDTV (one of the old projection models that weighs more than my car). So I'd say you guys are right, HD technology is not nearly as mainstream as we would like to think, even if everyone thinks it looks super cool.

65" Toshiba here. I also think conventional TV's will be available for a while. Nobody goes out and replaces all of their TV's. There is also always going to be a market for cheaper "bedroom" sets. Most people don't want to drop 2 grand plus for a bedroom TV.

[Veinman]

52" Mitsubishi DLP here. I LOVE IT.

[NeeBick]

I have a 60'' Projection Widescreen HDTV.  I got it a year after HD sets started coming avaible and have enjoyed it ever since.  As a nerd who strives for the best picture quality I am glad the government is forcing a transition.

[ChadTower]

I could care less about HDTV.  Don't want to drop the cash on one, don't want to upgrade my Tivo, satellite receivers, and dish.  Don't want a 50" TV.  HD is practically useless on a 27" TV.

[AlanS17]

I like the idea of HDTV, but I'd rather spend the money on other stuff. I'd rather have alot of pretty cool stuff than a little bit of really cool stuff.

[Zakk]

Then again, I also know a disproportionate amount of people who constantly complain about the amount of debt they have and that they're flat broke.

I know of at least one person that complains about everything. 

[ChadTower]

I haven't complained in this thread. 

[Zakk]

As fer myself, I have a DLP ceiling projector with an 8 foot screen for movies, and a 51' HDTV Sony for regular tv watchin'.

[dphirschler]

MY main viewing is done on a standard 27", but I have my projector downstairs for HDTV viewing.

[Zakk]

I haven't complained in this thread.

[ChadTower]

As fer myself, I have a DLP ceiling projector with an 8 foot screen for movies, and a 51' HDTV Sony for regular tv watchin'.

I'd rather have the $4500 you probably spent on that than what you spent it on, personally.  I can't imagine a TV show or movie worth spending that amount to see clearer.

[AlanS17]

As fer myself, I have a DLP ceiling projector with an 8 foot screen for movies, and a 51' HDTV Sony for regular tv watchin'.

I'd rather have the $4500 you probably spent on that than what you spent it on, personally.

[Zakk]

Umm, it IS a projector, and actually that unit is a BENQ ($790 CAN after taxes through a redflagdeals.com purchase).

I dunno, but $800 for a projector (plus $250 for the 8' screen), is money WELL spent.

[Navmaxlp]

As fer myself, I have a DLP ceiling projector with an 8 foot screen for movies, and a 51' HDTV Sony for regular tv watchin'.

I'd rather have the $4500 you probably spent on that than what you spent it on, personally. I can't imagine a TV show or movie worth spending that amount to see clearer.

I'm sure some people find it hard to believe there are arcade games out there worth spending the money we spend on our cabs as well. It's all in the eye of the beholder. And I only spent $3300 on mine LOL.

[ChadTower]

I'm sure some people find it hard to believe there are arcade games out there worth spending the money we spend on our cabs as well. It's all in the eye of the beholder. And I only spent $3300 on mine LOL.

I haven't spent that much on any of my cabs, actually... combined, sure, but the prices most of us pay for cabs is not going to have decreased overnight the way it does on a TV. 

[rackoon]

I got a ceiling mount sp4805 projector and have a 8 foot wide screen that swings down on a frame. This plus 7:1 speakers and a good receiver coast me around $2000. I totally believe it was Worth it because I spend many hours watching UFC fights, DVDs, Playstation2 (ps2 rocks on a 8 foot screen) and the SCIFI channel.

BUT, how much am I willing to pay to finish my cocktail cab total and re-live my youth; About $1800. most of which if a WG D9200.
I have seen hobbies that cost more.

[Zakk]

I'm also a hobby reefkeeper.  If you want to talk about a hobby that costs a FORTUNE. 

I'd better go sell something to someone so I can buy some more diamond sparkles for my white owl slippers

[mnm1200]

Everyone seems to be better off than me in this sesnse lol.

My only TV is a 23" SDTV.

I was planning on picking up either another similarly sized TV or a computer monitor for my cab, but if prices are coming down, I can just get myself a large TV and put my old one in my cab

[danny_galaga]

[quote author=ChadTower
Don't know, man.

[danny_galaga]

Everyone seems to be better off than me in this sesnse lol.

My only TV is a 23" SDTV.

I was planning on picking up either another similarly sized TV or a computer monitor for my cab, but if prices are coming down, I can just get myself a large TV and put my old one in my cab

got you beat there, im currently watching dr who on a 5.5 inch b & w !!