About one-tenth of U.S. households had a television capable of displaying a high-definition picture by the end of 2004 – in theory, the critical mass that could mark a turning point in the technology’s adoption.
HDTV sets, including the flat kind that hang on walls, are some of the hottest electronic products around. But about two-thirds of the 12.8 million homes with HDTV sets weren’t tuning in to a single program in full-blown high-def, according to the market research firm In-Stat.
“Most of the people with HDTV sets are just using them to watch DVDs,” said Michael Paxton, a senior researcher at the firm.
Some of the factors that will affect the public embrace of HDTV are:
TV sets. A host of new technologies are captivating customers, but a quality HDTV set still costs way more than a traditional model.
Programming. Although many shows are available in high definition, most aren’t.
Gadgets. Manufacturers, along with cable and satellite providers, have been slow to introduce video recorders, movie players and video-game consoles that take advantage of HD’s crisp images.
Regulation. Broadcasters, tech companies and others are grappling over when to force the public to switch to digital-only broadcasts.
Comments are no longer available on this story