TV Tech: The 10 Dumbest Moves Of 2011!

tvpredictions.com ^ | 12/29/2011 | Phillip Swann

[Las Vegas Dave]

Washington, D.C. (December 29, 2011) -- Let's face it. It wasn't a great year for the TV technology industry. TV sales were flat; home 3D became better known as 3DOA; streaming companies invested heavily in new services but persuaded relatively few Americans to give them a try; and pay TV providers, with the exception of DIRECTV, saw their subscriber totals dwindle.

Of course, the nation's sluggish economy didn't help the cause with many consumers deciding to cut spending until things got better.

But we also have to be truthful here: Some of the industry's problems were self-inflicted. Unforced errors, as they would call them in tennis. All year, TV technology companies goofed, blundered and stumbled their way into various troubling situations.

Since everyone is doing their obligatory year-end stories now, I thought it would be instructive to compile the '10 Dumbest Things In TV Technology Industry In 2011.' I offer these 10 dumb-headed moves in the sincere hope that the companies don't repeat them in 2012.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Click on link: http://www.tvpredictions.com/dumb122911.htm

[Las Vegas Dave]

Pinging the HDTV list.. HDTV pings.

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Please Freepmail me (freepmail works best) if you would like your name added to the HDTV ping list,
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Note: if you search Freerepublic using the keyword "“HDTV”, you will find most of the past HDTV postings.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

60 “ Sharp for Christmas...

[Malsua]

Definitely some bone head moves in there.

This one caught my attention:

In the spring of 2011, DIRECTV and its studio partners launched a $30 Video on Demand service, called Home Premiere. The satcaster charged $30 per viewing of movies made available 60 days after their theatrical release and at least one month before their DVD or Blu-ray launch.

Some analysts, particularly the Wall Street know-nothings, praised the venture, saying it could revolutionize the home video and movie theater industries. Smart-minded types, though, asked, "Who on earth would pay $30 to watch a movie once?"

The only issue with the $30 is the timing. If they could shrink that 60 day window to zero or 7 days, people would pay it. It costs me $30 every time I take the wife to a movie. Consider tickets, gas, popcorn and the inconvenience, I would pay it on occasion for a good movie. 60+ days later who cares, the movie is old news. Timing is everything.

[MarkL]

Well, I'm LOVING my Amazon Prime! A combination of free 2 day shipping for stuff I buy on Amazon, PLUS tens of thousands of free TV shows they stream. I love it.

Mark

[oh8eleven]

It costs me $30 every time I take the wife to a movie.
Real Conservatives do not support Hollyweird.

[Malsua]

Real Conservatives do not support Hollyweird.

I go to the movies about once every 2-3 years. The last movies I saw in the theatre? Passion of the Christ in 2004, Apocalypto in 2006, Avatar in 2009(BIL bought everyone tickets) and this year, the Muppets Movie with my 8yo niece. Take your über conservatism blather and stuff it.

[TomGuy]

Pretty accurate list.

Netflix loses $billions in value because of their two major dumb decisions.

I have been laughing at Cox Cable’s claim to 100s of HD channels. I get about 40. They did add a few more (4 or 5) channels just before Christmas.

$30/month for VOD. Cox Cable has VOD and most times, it sucks, primarily due to the networks’ regulations. Originally, many programs were available OD the day after they broadcast on the network. Then, networks changed that to an 8-day delay. OD is more hassle than it is worth, by the time one cycles through the various menues, sub-menues, etc.

No real surprise that 3-D didn’t work out. This is about the 3rd time in my lifetime that Hollow-wood has tried it. There was a push for 3-D movies in the 50s/60s era, then another push about 20-30 years later, and the 2011 push. 3-D gets a lot of hype and then slides back into oblivion for a couple of decades.

[exDemMom]

3-D gets a lot of hype and then slides back into oblivion for a couple of decades.

I'm sure part of the reason for it is that some people simply cannot watch 3-D without getting severe headaches, nausea, etc. I'm not sure if hubby and son can tolerate watching 3-D, but we're not going to go to the movies and then sit in separate theaters so that I can watch the 2-D version while they watch 3-D. We all watch the 2-D version as a family.

[KarlInOhio]

The only issue with the $30 is the timing. If they could shrink that 60 day window to zero or 7 days, people would pay it.

I'm just the opposite. I'll gladly wait the few months until the movie hits Redbox and I can pay about a dollar to see it. The exceptions are special effects spectaculars which need the big screen, "events" with friends where seeing the movie is only a small part of a night out, or movies I really want to show my support for like Atlas Shrugged.

[driftless2]

Last month the wife and I bought a new 47” LG for less than half of what we paid for a same-size Toshiba three years ago. And we thought we got a great deal on the Toshiba after exhaustively hunting down bargains. How much did your Sharp cost if I may impudently and rudely ask? You are allowed to give a rude and impudent answer as well ...if you so choose.

[shove_it]

My Atlas Shrugged DVD arrived in the mail yesterday. I ordered it from Blockbuster on line prior to checking new releases on my cable provider, which has AS on pay-per-view @ $4.99. Oh, well, hopefully the other two episodes will come to pass and I'll buy them on DVD also.

[TomGuy]

I noticed some off-brand 32” LCDs were on Christmas specials for as little as $199.

I paid $650 (IIRC) for my VIZIO 32” in 2008.

==

During BlackFriday/CyberMonday, I found a 24” LCD monitor for $119. It is to replace a 20” LCD that I bought about 4 years ago for $149.

==

Side Note: The one thing I like about my VIZIO is that it has 2 AV, 2 Composite, and 2HDMI and a bunch of other connections. Newer flat screens have fewer connection options.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

About $1,900. Bought at Best Buy in Springfield, MO.

We bought a 42 “ Sharp in 2001 when we built our retirement house at Lake of the Ozarks. The house was wired for high tech stuff at the time it was built.

Even though we had TV connections (into our Dish) in every room, we still needed a new HD cable for the 60”. The security company that wired the house for TV/alarm, etc., did the hook up.

The 42” went into the guest BR. It has provided excellent service for the past 10 years.

[RayChuang88]

Interestingly, Comcast has been very good in the Sacramento, CA area. Sure, I wished the prices were just a tad lower, but you can't beat the fact I'm getting just about all the important HD channels I want. Mind you, seeing the faces of Democratic politicians in HD irritates me to no end, though.

[SunkenCiv]

1. Big 720P screens.
2. Mid-sized 720P screens.
3. Small-sized 720P screens.

[Las Vegas Dave]

PINGING THE HDTV LIST. (We have a few newbees that do not have this information.)

720p works fine, but our next TV will be a 43in 1080p set!

For those that are unaware of the broadcast standards, most of your your local HD stations broadcast in 720p, some in 1080i, none in 1080p except for a very limited scattering of 1080p broadcasts and usually on a premium channel that SATELLITE or CABLE service provide, (last time I checked).

The HDTV broadcast standards are as follows in decending order: 1080p, 720p, 1080i, 480p, 480i (standard definition, p= progressive lines, i=interlaced.
IE: 480i is 240 lines, standard TV as we knew it - before HD.

HDTV TV 1080/720 explained (comments on this video are current) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-JXfyvlPh0
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1080p

HDMI (digital cable explained, but is a little old-from 2008):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBpzuH-VZM8
(Note: for newbees I suggest that you investigate http://www.monoprice.com for your cables, 3 ft HDMI digital cables under $3.00, stay away from the higher priced cables. Walmart is even a little pricy but especially MON$TER brand that the big box stores sell!)

HDTV viewing distance/screen size is also a factor, several formulas are on the internet, (bigger is better applies)!

[Eye of Unk]

I still remember in the early part of 2011 when I went shopping for a new plasma and the salespeople were so adamant on trying to sell me a 3D version they were practically laughing at my face when I told them it wasn’t what I was interested in, to them they were brainwashed into selling 3D sets PERIOD.

Then I learned of corporate incentives were very heavy on handing out bonuses for pushing the 3D product. Almost reminds me on how Obama was elected, throw enough cash at the product and eventually it gets bought.

[RayChuang88]

Actually, I think only the over-air/cable channels owned by Fox and the Walt Disney Company broadcast in 720p. Everyone else uses 1080i—and CBS does a masterful job with 1080i on their NFL broadcasts (you really can see every blade grass on the football field).

[raybbr]

Thanks very much, Dave. Your hard work is appreciated.

BTW, what is the resolution of an HDMI output of a laptop? I have a Toshiba L770 that has an HDMI output. I cannot find the resolution anywhere.