More viewers are confused by HDTV
Oh look - another article telling us that consumers are confused by HDTV.
The article, published at The Register, suggests that half of those quizzed in a recent uSwitch survey didn't realise they would need some kind of HD set-top box to receive high-definition programmes. Two-thirds were unaware that they would need to pay a monthly subscription to get the most services, whilst others assumed that if they had bought an HDTV, they were already watching high-def content.
Researchers think that there is confusion between Digital TV and High Definition TV. We're getting told about the big UK switchoff between 2008-12, and that we need to go digital - however this is a different issue to that of HDTV itself.
Chris Williams of uSwitch said "Although there has been a lot of publicity surrounding the HD broadcast of the BBC's and ITV's coverage of the World Cup on 'free-to-view' channels, viewers will still need to pay at least £10 a month to receive the HD service from either Telewest or Sky."
That's true Chris, but there are other options such as the Humax or Pace HD satellite receivers - still not free by a long way but does remove the monthly fee requirement.
For the record, your favourite online UK HD resource (here, of course) will be publishing a "Beginner's Guide to HD" article or two in the next few days.
Amazing what morons are out there - the problem is that products usually get 'dumbed down' to accomodate them.
Posted by: Simon Harris | May 27, 2006 9:51 PM