First impressions are lasting ones

CatManDoo · 07-30-2005, 08:24 PM

I was just in a brand new 5 star hotel this afternoon (a Marriott) and they had a nice flat fanel tv in the lounge that caught my eye. But upon further inspection, I noticed it was a "Sharp" LCD, probably about 45". But aside from the fact that the game on FOX MLB was interesting, I quickly realized why a lot of people shy away from these new HD technologies. The picture sucked. I can understand why someone else would have negative first impressions of HDTV if this is what they have to compare against their analog tv at home. I've also been in a few other establishments (OK, "bars") around town that don't do justice to what HDTV can really be like. What a shame that these businesses shell out tons of $'s for a nice set only to have a crappy signal or bad connections or other situation that delivers a sub-par viewing experience. It's no wonder people are hesitant to join us in the HD revolution if this is what they think they might end up with .....

Note to business owners: If you're going to display a nice new HDTV, make sure it's the best that it can be. Go the extra mile and get the best possible connection, and have it professionally installed. And whenever possible, show an HD source.

Blue_Tech · 07-31-2005, 11:37 PM

Well said!!! I dont know how many times I've seen this crap. Most rececntly, one of our local McDonalds was copletely remodeled, and this included the installation of two Plasmas in the dining area. Both are fed with a lousy SD Comcast feed, and it really makes these displays look bad.

This is just how its going to be though, the mass majority of the public will not become intimately comfortable and familiar with HDTV until it is mandated. We here on this board are a slightly larger than niche group of people that are VERY interested in this technology. As for everyone else, they just call up the premium content provider of their choice and order service... not wholly aware of what is really available. How many CSR's out there are asking if you have an HDTV???

Furthermore, I am really curious how many people own HDTV's but do not actually watch HDTV because they are uninformed. My parents for one are the types who would be liable to purchase a new plasma, take it home, hook it up to their SD Comcast feed and assume that they are now watching Hi Def. They are not the types to read tech magazines, or watch tech shows, or even talk tech talk. They get their info from the tried and true sources... the so-called "news" and the CSR's of their trusted companies.

NOT the best places to get your information.

LordGamer · 08-01-2005, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_Tech

Well said!!! I dont know how many times I've seen this crap. Most rececntly, one of our local McDonalds was copletely remodeled, and this included the installation of two Plasmas in the dining area. Both are fed with a lousy SD Comcast feed, and it really makes these displays look bad.

This is just how its going to be though, the mass majority of the public will not become intimately comfortable and familiar with HDTV until it is mandated. We here on this board are a slightly larger than niche group of people that are VERY interested in this technology. As for everyone else, they just call up the premium content provider of their choice and order service... not wholly aware of what is really available. How many CSR's out there are asking if you have an HDTV???

Furthermore, I am really curious how many people own HDTV's but do not actually watch HDTV because they are uninformed. My parents for one are the types who would be liable to purchase a new plasma, take it home, hook it up to their SD Comcast feed and assume that they are now watching Hi Def. They are not the types to read tech magazines, or watch tech shows, or even talk tech talk. They get their info from the tried and true sources... the so-called "news" and the CSR's of their trusted companies.

NOT the best places to get your information.

Exactly. And I got something to one up both of you...

My local Best Buy has several HDTVs on display, but I noticed something while looking at them, only two or so, had connections that support HD (i.e. component). Most of them used a crappy RF or typical composite connection. Yet the reps are trying to sell people on the HD quality. Now, imagine Joe and Jill come in looking at these sets, the first thing that is going to come to mind, is there isn't much of a difference or worse, the picture quality doesn't look as good as their set at home.

Until HD is a standard, people will not be familar with it. I know of someone that purchased an HD set, but did not get HD programming. They still think they are viewing HD content and wonder why they are not impressed.

ja2935 · 08-01-2005, 10:23 AM

Absolutely, and, I mentioned this in a previous thread, these establishments (public areas like hotels and bars) often show SD CNN or ESPN or some music channel in FULL SCREEN!!! No wonder people, even on this forum, object to 16:9 in favor of 4:3! - why have widescreen, everything is distorted?

The real culprits who could so easily make it right are the retailers - they could educate AND sell more sets.

SLedford · 08-01-2005, 01:06 PM

I have friends over all the time and they are always amazed at my HD picture (usually on DISCOVERYHD if I am showing off). Their comment is "it doesn't look that good at _______."

The comment CatManDoo made about first impressions brings back memories. We were at Sears once when color tv was trying to get started. The demo tv had people with greenish faces, etc. My dad made the comment that color tv was a lot of hype. He ended up buying a replacement B&W tv, so that crappy display cost us 10 more years of watching B&W tv. You can bet there are similar situations today.

BTW, does anyone go to Sears for electronics anymore? Acutally, does anyone go to Sears anymore for anything?

ja2935 · 08-01-2005, 09:31 PM

I've seen competitive electronics prices at Sears. Also, you can't beat its Tool Section!

jsslifelike · 08-01-2005, 09:38 PM

I went to Best Buy to shop around a while ago and found that the lower-end priced CRT HDTV's were all hooked up by RF, like you said LordGamer, and the more expensive sets are all run through component cables. They don't even give a shit about CRT customers anymore apparently. All they care about is "Look how much better the picture is on this $4000 plasma set as opposed to that crutty widescreen tube" type of crap...

Blue_Tech · 08-01-2005, 11:34 PM

This whole thread rings through truer than anything else I've read on this board for a while... BRAVO!

Too bad those who could rectify this situation arent reading, nor giving a crap either.

You know for a damn fact that they dont care about the CRT's that are wholly capable of cranking out a killer HD picture and would rather push those plasmas, but on the other hand, money makes the world go round.

It's more realistic to be expecting them to at least demo the high end sets correctly, but half the retailers cant even do that much right.

When HD is finally mandated across the board, the public at large will at last be forced to stare at this mystical beast known as HDTV. - No Mommy, No... I dont wanna!!! Please dont make me!

jsslifelike · 08-02-2005, 05:07 AM

You'd think that the more people were educated, the more business these places would have. Technologies like these that are still in their own early maturity depend on word of mouth to become popular. Case in point(if I might bash Best Buy yet again)- I saw some young salesman running the remote control while an eighty-some year old lady and her husband sat in the home theater sweet spot in front of a 50-some-odd-inch LCD(this a year or so back and it was still pricey). He was saying that this is "the new standard" and "exactly what you need". While I do admit that LCD's are nice, he was essentially feeding them a shit sandwich and calling it Prime Rib. The only reason I say that is that they were browsing CRT's until the guy ripped them away to sit in front of that monstrosity. I dunno, maybe that's what they're instructed to do; you never know. Do BB's and Curcuit Cites work off of commission?

LordGamer · 08-02-2005, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsslifelike

Do BB's and Curcuit Cites work off of commission?

Nope, just plain stupidity.

I believe Sears does though.

Like I have said other times, don't go into a BB or CC expecting "after school" Jimmy, to be much help. I'm not knocking the people that work there, but it's clear you don't have to know what you are selling to sell it. Sadly, while your typical customer service staff is fine for helping the customer locate an item or answer general popular questions (i.e. about music, movies), it doesn't work in electronics.

HD goes deep, much deeper than I thought a couple months back. I'm not your average consumer, the majority of us on these forums aren't. We do research and get the knowledge behind the products we want. I have a background in other technology fields (PCs, consoles, etc), but I knew I did not know much about HD...so, I came here.

But Joe and Jill that walk into a BB are solely relying on Jimmy to educate them. The problem is, Jimmy doesn't know squat and probably doesn't care.

And I agree jsslifelike, these retailers are probably losing a fortune by not having CRTs and other low cost HDs not getting a proper HD feed. Not everyone wants to drop $2,000+ or wants a 50" set in their home. So, if they look at the 30" widescreen and don't see what the big deal is, they are going to just walk away.

There needs to be an HD police...going around bopping retailers, bars, etc., staff on the head with a paper towel tube for not having the right connections. Come to think of it, what are you guys doing on the weekend?

**PFC5** · 08-02-2005, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordGamer

Nope, just plain stupidity.

I believe Sears does though.

Like I have said other times, don't go into a BB or CC expecting "after school" Jimmy, to be much help. I'm not knocking the people that work there, but it's clear you don't have to know what you are selling to sell it. Sadly, while your typical customer service staff is fine for helping the customer locate an item or answer general popular questions (i.e. about music, movies), it doesn't work in electronics.

HD goes deep, much deeper than I thought a couple months back. I'm not your average consumer, the majority of us on these forums aren't. We do research and get the knowledge behind the products we want. I have a background in other technology fields (PCs, consoles, etc), but I knew I did not know much about HD...so, I came here.

But Joe and Jill that walk into a BB are solely relying on Jimmy to educate them. The problem is, Jimmy doesn't know squat and probably doesn't care.

And I agree jsslifelike, these retailers are probably losing a fortune by not having CRTs and other low cost HDs not getting a proper HD feed. Not everyone wants to drop $2,000+ or wants a 50" set in their home. So, if they look at the 30" widescreen and don't see what the big deal is, they are going to just walk away.

There needs to be an HD police...going around bopping retailers, bars, etc., staff on the head with a paper towel tube for not having the right connections. Come to think of it, what are you guys doing on the weekend?

Congrats on going over the 300 post mark!

I'll race you to 400.

jsslifelike · 08-02-2005, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordGamer

HD goes deep, much deeper than I thought a couple months back. I'm not your average consumer, the majority of us on these forums aren't. We do research and get the knowledge behind the products we want. I have a background in other technology fields (PCs, consoles, etc), but I knew I did not know much about HD...so, I came here.

Thank goodness that I am "electronically" saavy enough to know that research really can be the difference between a wise purchase and a bad decision. I've always done the legwork on finding out whether a technology is mainstreamed and affordable or simply a high-end toy for those who warm their domociles by burning stacks of cash. That was another reason I bought at Rex. When I walked in, I saw ALL of their sets were connected componently. The salesman was very knowledgable and mirrored a few few of the points that I was going to bring up, but apparently I didn't have to. I actually let him go on a bit and enjoyed hearing things I had read here and various other places.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordGamer

There needs to be an HD police...going around bopping retailers, bars, etc., staff on the head with a paper towel tube for not having the right connections. Come to think of it, what are you guys doing on the weekend?

I'll join the posse, but I'm still a bit green. Maybe you could deputize that salesman of mine... LMAO

LordGamer · 08-02-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

Congrats on going over the 300 post mark!

I'll race you to 400.

Bring it!!!

Though to be fair, it would probably be better if we shoot for 500. You are already half way to 400.

I would of been posting more, but I have actually been doing work, at work...I know, weird.

Blue_Tech · 08-02-2005, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsslifelike

...feeding them a shit sandwich and calling it Prime Rib.

HAHaahaAhahah! Thats classic

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordGamer

There needs to be an HD police...going around bopping retailers, bars, etc., staff on the head with a paper towel tube for not having the right connections. Come to think of it, what are you guys doing on the weekend?

An HDTV consumer advocacy consortium? HDTVCAC

Sounds like a plan... I'm in. You start the website, we'll rally the troops.

jsslifelike · 08-03-2005, 08:58 PM

I just have to reiterate how much my first impression of my 34HF84 and my Comcast channels has me smitten with HD. Man, the CRT's just give you such an incredible picture that it urks me even more about the whole RF hookup situation. I'm tellin' you, the only better picture definition and black levels I've seen are on a sets for almost 3-4x what I paid. And you really don't get the full effect until you connect your components correctly in the comfort of your own home. I haven't stopped watching for the 6 days that I've owned the TV and I think that may be why I'm going on a 5-day headache... LMAO

07-30-2005, 08:24 PM	#1
CatManDoo Miss-Ti, World's BEST Cat Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 1,817	First impressions are lasting ones I was just in a brand new 5 star hotel this afternoon (a Marriott) and they had a nice flat fanel tv in the lounge that caught my eye. But upon further inspection, I noticed it was a "Sharp" LCD, probably about 45". But aside from the fact that the game on FOX MLB was interesting, I quickly realized why a lot of people shy away from these new HD technologies. The picture sucked. I can understand why someone else would have negative first impressions of HDTV if this is what they have to compare against their analog tv at home. I've also been in a few other establishments (OK, "bars") around town that don't do justice to what HDTV can really be like. What a shame that these businesses shell out tons of $'s for a nice set only to have a crappy signal or bad connections or other situation that delivers a sub-par viewing experience. It's no wonder people are hesitant to join us in the HD revolution if this is what they think they might end up with ..... Note to business owners: If you're going to display a nice new HDTV, make sure it's the best that it can be. Go the extra mile and get the best possible connection, and have it professionally installed. And whenever possible, show an HD source. __________________ "Miss-Ti, World's BEST Cat!"

07-31-2005, 11:37 PM	#2
Blue_Tech Who needs reality? Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 436	Well said!!! I dont know how many times I've seen this crap. Most rececntly, one of our local McDonalds was copletely remodeled, and this included the installation of two Plasmas in the dining area. Both are fed with a lousy SD Comcast feed, and it really makes these displays look bad. This is just how its going to be though, the mass majority of the public will not become intimately comfortable and familiar with HDTV until it is mandated. We here on this board are a slightly larger than niche group of people that are VERY interested in this technology. As for everyone else, they just call up the premium content provider of their choice and order service... not wholly aware of what is really available. How many CSR's out there are asking if you have an HDTV??? Furthermore, I am really curious how many people own HDTV's but do not actually watch HDTV because they are uninformed. My parents for one are the types who would be liable to purchase a new plasma, take it home, hook it up to their SD Comcast feed and assume that they are now watching Hi Def. They are not the types to read tech magazines, or watch tech shows, or even talk tech talk. They get their info from the tried and true sources... the so-called "news" and the CSR's of their trusted companies. NOT the best places to get your information. __________________ Blue_Tech Sony KV32XBR400 Sony DVD Dream 5.1 system Sony PS2 DishNet 522 Dual Tuner DVR

08-01-2005, 10:23 AM	#4
ja2935 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,034	I hear you... Absolutely, and, I mentioned this in a previous thread, these establishments (public areas like hotels and bars) often show SD CNN or ESPN or some music channel in FULL SCREEN!!! No wonder people, even on this forum, object to 16:9 in favor of 4:3! - why have widescreen, everything is distorted? The real culprits who could so easily make it right are the retailers - they could educate AND sell more sets. __________________ Toshiba 34HF84 Comcast Motorola DCT 3416 (all digital), Component/Fiber Optic Toshiba SD4900 (Region Free), Component/Digital Coax Toshiba HD-A2, HDMI/Fiber Optic Yamaha YHT-160 Home Theater System

08-01-2005, 01:06 PM	#5
SLedford HD Fan Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 1,023	You hit this on the head I have friends over all the time and they are always amazed at my HD picture (usually on DISCOVERYHD if I am showing off). Their comment is "it doesn't look that good at _______." The comment CatManDoo made about first impressions brings back memories. We were at Sears once when color tv was trying to get started. The demo tv had people with greenish faces, etc. My dad made the comment that color tv was a lot of hype. He ended up buying a replacement B&W tv, so that crappy display cost us 10 more years of watching B&W tv. You can bet there are similar situations today. BTW, does anyone go to Sears for electronics anymore? Acutally, does anyone go to Sears anymore for anything?

08-01-2005, 09:31 PM	#6
ja2935 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,034	I've seen competitive electronics prices at Sears. Also, you can't beat its Tool Section! __________________ Toshiba 34HF84 Comcast Motorola DCT 3416 (all digital), Component/Fiber Optic Toshiba SD4900 (Region Free), Component/Digital Coax Toshiba HD-A2, HDMI/Fiber Optic Yamaha YHT-160 Home Theater System

08-01-2005, 09:38 PM	#7
jsslifelike SD is for sissies! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Age: 33 Posts: 314	I went to Best Buy to shop around a while ago and found that the lower-end priced CRT HDTV's were all hooked up by RF, like you said LordGamer, and the more expensive sets are all run through component cables. They don't even give a shit about CRT customers anymore apparently. All they care about is "Look how much better the picture is on this $4000 plasma set as opposed to that crutty widescreen tube" type of crap... __________________ HDTV - Toshiba 34HF84 CABLE - Motorola DCT 6412 III(Comcast) HTIB - Phillips FR-965 Sony Remote Commander RM-AV2500 Proud Co-founder of the Order of the JSS, a gaming guild http://www.jssarmy.proboards24.com/ Wii Console Code: 0648-7039-5517-2890 PSN ID: jsslifelike

08-01-2005, 11:34 PM	#8
Blue_Tech Who needs reality? Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 436	This whole thread rings through truer than anything else I've read on this board for a while... BRAVO! Too bad those who could rectify this situation arent reading, nor giving a crap either. You know for a damn fact that they dont care about the CRT's that are wholly capable of cranking out a killer HD picture and would rather push those plasmas, but on the other hand, money makes the world go round. It's more realistic to be expecting them to at least demo the high end sets correctly, but half the retailers cant even do that much right. *When HD is finally mandated across the board, the public at large will at last be forced to stare at this mystical beast known as HDTV.* - No Mommy, No... I dont wanna!!! Please dont make me! __________________ Blue_Tech Sony KV32XBR400 Sony DVD Dream 5.1 system Sony PS2 DishNet 522 Dual Tuner DVR Last edited by Blue_Tech; 08-01-2005 at 11:44 PM.

08-02-2005, 05:07 AM	#9
jsslifelike SD is for sissies! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Age: 33 Posts: 314	You'd think that the more people were educated, the more business these places would have. Technologies like these that are still in their own early maturity depend on word of mouth to become popular. Case in point(if I might bash Best Buy yet again)- I saw some young salesman running the remote control while an eighty-some year old lady and her husband sat in the home theater sweet spot in front of a 50-some-odd-inch LCD(this a year or so back and it was still pricey). He was saying that this is "the new standard" and "exactly what you need". While I do admit that LCD's are nice, he was essentially feeding them a shit sandwich and calling it Prime Rib. The only reason I say that is that they were browsing CRT's until the guy ripped them away to sit in front of that monstrosity. I dunno, maybe that's what they're instructed to do; you never know. Do BB's and Curcuit Cites work off of commission? __________________ HDTV - Toshiba 34HF84 CABLE - Motorola DCT 6412 III(Comcast) HTIB - Phillips FR-965 Sony Remote Commander RM-AV2500 Proud Co-founder of the Order of the JSS, a gaming guild http://www.jssarmy.proboards24.com/ Wii Console Code: 0648-7039-5517-2890 PSN ID: jsslifelike

08-03-2005, 08:58 PM	#15
jsslifelike SD is for sissies! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Age: 33 Posts: 314	I just have to reiterate how much my first impression of my 34HF84 and my Comcast channels has me smitten with HD. Man, the CRT's just give you such an incredible picture that it urks me even more about the whole RF hookup situation. I'm tellin' you, the only better picture definition and black levels I've seen are on a sets for almost 3-4x what I paid. And you really don't get the full effect until you connect your components correctly in the comfort of your own home. I haven't stopped watching for the 6 days that I've owned the TV and I think that may be why I'm going on a 5-day headache... LMAO __________________ HDTV - Toshiba 34HF84 CABLE - Motorola DCT 6412 III(Comcast) HTIB - Phillips FR-965 Sony Remote Commander RM-AV2500 Proud Co-founder of the Order of the JSS, a gaming guild http://www.jssarmy.proboards24.com/ Wii Console Code: 0648-7039-5517-2890 PSN ID: jsslifelike

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