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October 5, 2007
HDTV owners, are you happy with HD programming?
I came across an interesting survey from The Nielsen Company (the company that does the TV ratings). According to their survey, "85 percent of HD owners gave a 4 or 5 rating (with 5 meaning "excellent" and 1 meaning "poor") for picture quality but only 39 percent provided the same rating for programming selection.
High definition (HD) television owners are much more satisfied with the picture quality of HD television than they are with the amount or selection of HD programming." For the complete story go to Neilson HDTV Customers
I have to agree, the picture on my HD television can be spectacular, but all too often the show that I want to watch isn't available in HD, or the "HD" picture is subpar. I don't regret my purchase, but I wish there was more programs with a great picture (and sound).
Another interesting result of the survey was that only about 1 in 6 of the respondents got an HD signal from an antenna. At my home I get a great signal from all the local stations. Sometime the best things in life are free.
If you own an HDTV, do you agree with this study? And have you tried getting an HD signal from your local stations using an antenna?
Posted by Bob Gatton at October 5, 2007 9:10 AM
Comments
I'm on Comcast cable and would wholeheartedly agree with those findings. I've been looking at DirecTV, but hate to shell out another $400 for 2 DirecTV boxes with hard drive storage capabilities. (They don't have any promos where you can get those.) I just prefer not to get so locked in to one programming source. DirecTV offers a LOT more HD programming....but oddly enough, cable has provided a more reliable signal source. Free HD is a good thing....but I gotsta have my ESPN. When Blu-Ray HD recorders get here this will be a much easier decision.
Posted by: Randy at October 10, 2007 6:32 PM
I am happy with my HD programming but I think it could be improved.Off -air HD is still the best but you do not get much content,, the only way I would know that my Sat HD is not the quality it should be is because of Blu-Ray the picture and sound is so incredible that it make everything look bad.
Posted by: Interconnected at October 11, 2007 10:13 AM
OTA is fine 5 stars out of 5. DirecTV was around 4/5 when I bailed out in July. Dish is 4/5 for locals but 5/5 for other stuff. Since most of us only remember antennas like the 'bunny ears' necessary while waiting for the cable/sattelite guy to show up when moving into a new place. The poor analogue reception from these situations is enough to put off most people to the idea of antennas.
Annoyances are still around for OTA, broadcasters using multiple sites to service an area meaning that aiming an antenna is a 'best compromise' situation. Antenna manufacturers seem to be rather bold with mileage ratings.
I find that in real life for the first 20ish miles a very simple antenna will get a good signal, even up to 45ish miles is easy. For terrain challenged folks like myself (big hill in the way and very close) need an antenna rated for 60 mile 'deep fringe' even though I am 22 miles from the towers.
Many Home Owner Associations are incredibly hostile about antennas, some (like mine) make you wonder just how cozy they are with the local cable company...
Current tuners:
14 OTA
4 Dish
1 Analogue cable (comes with internet access)
Bottom line: TiVoPrincess is happy and HDTV goodness is currently available all over the house
Posted by: TiVoPrince at October 11, 2007 5:54 PM
