SHDTV
(Part Unus)

It has been a long battle, but it has been won - big time. HDTV is now de-facto, not only nationally but internationally. The marketing "S" curve is approaching its steepest slope. Indeed, it is getting hard to find a retail TV offering that is not HDTV capable. HDTV programming, distribution options and sources are being augmented on an increasingly frequent basis. (Of course, there can never be enough.)

But, is there another, higher level of home AV that...

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I find any discussion of SHDTV to be rather preposterous. This is not like HDTV - 20 years ago - where we just needed to get "there" but had a view to solve the technical hurdles with known technologies. This is a situation where primary technology in a rational manner just does not exist to deliver the signals. Perhaps when we are all on FIOS (or similar) there maybe enough bandwidth on fiber to push the signal through at a resonable cost...but for more than a channel or two? And while we are somewhat stalled on system processor speeds (silicon limits), how are we to first develop the source, then process that to the screen?

I say this certainly not as a technophobe, but as an engineer. This is just so far in the future, and I have seen a few people hear about it and think they need to consider this "future". This one is very far away. Maybe I am just forgetting that 20 years does produce a lot of change. (or maybe this is being presented in the context of the narrow realm of commercial projection??)

Of course there will be an SHDTV. It will take a while but how does the electronics/ computer industry stay in business except by coming out w/ the next big thing.

While the discussion may be centered on the technological advancement, it should be mentioned that we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that the proof of the pudding is really in the program content which seems to be at an all time low. Program after program is now along the lines of what I essentially call "contests" in one form or another and I'm not talking Sports, and IMHO I think the longer this policy prevails the intellectual knowledge that produces a variety of entertainment may be lost maybe forever. We are faced with the irony that while we the viewers are lusting after the 1080p picture quality that still doesn't come cheap, despite being cheaper every year, the programming that we are served up by the Networks is of an even cheaper standard than ever experienced in the near 60 year history of television. If it wasn't for PBS and the more recent HDTV specialty channels, I really don't think I would be watching TV at all. As an example, I tuned in to watch "America's got Talent" last night despite the fact that it was yet another "contest" but the selections on a Saturday night are rather slim indeed only to find that the entire program consisted of informing "contestants" that they were either heading home or were to advance to the last 20. This is 21st Century entertainment ?

Well, if we're on this side of the subject...I agree, the Networks barely have anything to offer, and I'll be gracious and leave out my thesis on their "news" (but it has something in common with Rome burning). Still...let's just hope the "other" 90% or so (or more?) can learn enough about HDTV to carry the HDTV market and keep the distribution vendors honest and delivering something akin to HD. (Hear that Time Warner?!).

Then, though there is HBO, Showtime and the satellite delivered HD. Hmmm. Tasty.