Deadline for the mass adoption of HDTVs likely to be extended
Date: August 11, 2004
The evolution from traditional television models to high definition televisions (HDTVs) is taking place, but at a sluggish pace. HDTVs have been on the market for about five or so years and provides superior features then the traditional TV sets. Amongst other things, HDTVs offer high clarity and wide screen format. However, fewer then 10 percent of American households have one. Some analysts predict that half of the nation will be watching HDTV by 2009, but sales have been slow and below both the original industry and government expectations, thus forcing the Federal government to reassess its original deadlines for widespread HDTV adoption.
The mechanics between the traditional TV picture and the HDTV picture are as different as day and night. The traditional TV picture is composed of 525 horizontal lines whereas HDTVs have 1,080 horizontal lines. The HDTV format creates pictures that are roughly 10 times more detailed, as compared to pictures on traditional TVs. Another noteworthy feature is the fact that HDTV screens are wider than they are tall by a ratio of 16 to 9 as compared to traditional TV screens that are wider than they are tall by a ratio of 4 to 3.
The Federal government had believed that these superior features would compel consumers to adopt HDTVs, unfortunately, that has not been the case and has forced the government to reconsider their assumptions. According to the FTC’s web site, all broadcasters are supposed to change from conventional (i.e. “analog”) TV signals to HDTV signals by December 31, 2006. Subsequently, analog broadcasting would cease and analog TV units would only work if they got signals that were converted from HDTV to analog. If the switch takes place as planned, it would allow the Federal government to regain control of the analog part of the broadcast frequency spectrum and auction it off for other purposes.
With less then 10 percent of the American public now receiving high definition television signals, the FCC has determined that the 2006 deadline may be extended until most homes (85%) in an area is able to watch HDTV programming. Since sales of HDTVs are still slow, there is speculation that the deadline will be extended until 2008 or 2009.
More articles at our Flat Screen TV Articles page.
