Well, I wish that I understood it before I popped $600 that I don't have for a new digital, HDTV ready TV when my old one died last month. I could have had a larger one for half the price, if I'd settled for the old analog variety! At least I know that my smaller sets will still work in 2009. The new TV is great, however, even without HDTV installed. The cable company doesn't answer their phone, and they will increase my rate a lot if I sign up. So, I'll get along with the service I have.
And I agree with you about the garbage. Even Fox News is getting hard to take. But a brand new Monk debuts tonight! And tomorrow there will be a new show on the lives and journeys of the 11 Disciples, so that will be interesting.
By the way, I never understood why color televisions use a frame rate of 29.970Hz. I know it's 3,579,545Hz/227.5/525, but why not use a colorburst of 3,583,125Hz? Or if that would be bad, 3,567,375 (using 226.5 chroma clocks per line)? What's magical about 3,579,545Hz?
Are you sure? USA's website says January 13.