Video Asylum

TVs, VCRs, DVD players, Home Theater systems and more.

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Who would waste money on a new "Television" ? A completely dead medium !

Posted by Bambi B on September 8, 2009 at 05:37:27:

PAINTING: "American Zenith, 1958"

Perfume,
Rant: The problem is not television technology, which improves and lowers in cost daily, but the potentials for viewing. Though I saw a lot of TV as a tot, and have a pile of channels, I have increasingly less interest. Cable news is just crap, FOX "News" is a national embarrassment- friends in Europe honestly believe that either it's a deliberate parody or special programming for "special needs" people- and CNN unwatchable- the "floppy arm fear-o'-the day school of impressionistic journalism". I haven't watched network- except "The Simpsons"- for 25 years, but do watch a bit of arts, history, and science programming as well as movies.
The main problem is that these days, I can't tolerate 5 seconds of advertising anymore plus the constant shit run during the programmes and logos etc in the frame during movies. Even IFC, a long time holdout as a self-described defender of the pure movie experience runs ads during the movies and puts it's frucklin logo in the frame. The movie channels are nearly a complete waste and I'm thinking seriously of changing to 2-at-a-time Netflix. The only good feature of movie channels are those rare gems that I might not ever hear about. Though I have many friends with similar musical, automotive, artistic, and equipment tastes, only one also has a similar taste in movies.
I'm perhaps am not the most informed commentator on which TV to buy as the 32" Sony (2005) I have is only the third TV I've ever owned. It replaced a 27" Sony XBR of 1994 that went up in smoke with a Pioneer DVD player when the electrical contractor was working on the house- otherwise I'd probably be watching that one. The 32" cost about $550 and I think it's among the swan songs of the CRT- a very good picture, very good sound, plenty of inputs, many programmable features and adjustments including picture modes.
Therein's a very important lesson about television and monitor technology that it gets both better and cheaper, but when it is a good idea to change? In situations where an advanced technology is not strictly necessary, waiting to buy is like money in the bank,..
The Future: Despite my subject title, there has been superb programming and I think TV has a long, influential, and highly profitable future and when it grows up to be an adult, could be a positive force- but it's unlikely for a long time.
And though it will be along time before I replace the 32" Sony CRT- it's good enough for my use- I do keep a low-level watch on the various TV technologies and I have to say, Blu-Ray on a big plasma screen is amazingly good - the first time I saw it, I was drawn across the showroom floor from 50'- it was just that obviously better. The 1080 LCD's are getting to be very, very good, LED is promising, and even the giant LCD projection screens are becoming of acceptable quality. I well remember the horror of early front projection sets that were washed out if there was a candle burning in the neighbour's house and the image would disappear is you moved 8" off axis. Price is an important aspect for me and the plasma and LCD's continue to drop to being nearly attractive. When I can buy a 42" 1080 line panel for under $1,000- and Blu Ray survives- I might do it. -I remember fondly too when the first large Philips plasma cost $15,000.
As I'm typing, I'm watching on another of the last CRT monitors offered- a 22" NEC - about $450 in 2006. Computers monitors are clearly a realm where I can't see any benefit of any kind to CRT- go directly to LCD. I spend a lot of time with CAD and my next monitor will be a 28" or larger LCD- those will have to improve and drop a bit further in price.
As for adopting a new TV technology, I'll let that purchase be a celebration when my personal recession is over- and after a new computer monitor, new cartridge, new speakers, and new Jaguar roadster- which will have to be a used 2014 model. By that calculation, I'll probably be on the market fro a new TV in about 10 years,..
Happy hunting!
Cheers,
Bambi B