High-Definition - Yes, or No?

[Andrew]

I posed this question in the Reader's Survey, but I'd like to expand on it a bit more as it does give us quite a good idea with regards upcoming reviews, where our focus should be. The question in the survey was simply one of whether or not you intended going the high-definition route. But I'd like to expand on that more, get more detailed answers on whether you intend switching over to high-def completely, or in stages? How do you plan on going about it, what will your priorities be when you buy?

If you don't intend going the high-definition route, what are your reasons for it? As in completely not going down that road, or are you going to wait another year or two? And what then will your reasons be for delaying? Cost? Doubt over the technology's readiness?

I'd really like to get your feedback on this issue.

[Prince]

 

IMHO I would wait to go HD, not because of the current financial climate, but because the medium is becoming more economically viable by the day. So, I would delay going this route, until the very last.

But a lot of factors are making me wait:
1. Cost of the equipment - I'd have to replace my AVR, DVD Player and TV - and I really don't want to buy cheap or HD-Ready equipment.
2. Unproven technology - HDMI keeps evolving like it should and can only get better
3. Choice of Equipment - not much of a choice when it comes to HDMI AVRs and Blu-Ray Players
4. Expensive Media - Blu-Ray movies are still very expensive to me -"the average joe"

But unfortunately, I would most prolly still have to acquire either a HD LCD or Plasma this year, as my Trusty Goldstar 72cm is on its way out. I have already repaired it 5 times last year. I cannot really expect anymore good quality service after 15 years.

In some ways, I'm kind of "sad" that the HD-DVD format has died, as we do not have another competitor or middle of the road offering. But, on the other hand I can understand why Toshiba took the "$400 million" loss, and got out while it could.

The negatives to waiting are of course that the longer you "wait" eventually you decide never to make the switch. Its like going to buy a PC. Should I buy now or wait?? My philosophy has always been, I buy the best PC technology that my pocket can afford at the time, because hardware changes on a daily basis and I will never be able to keep up with the latest and the greatest.

-let me stop waffling now...

    

[Shonver]

Same here. For now, my PC monitor will have to do. I bought the Mvix 780HD, thinking that I could play HD to my 21" monitor, but found that it is not completely HD-compliant. So much for that...

[Prince]

Same here. For now, my PC monitor will have to do. I bought the Mvix 780HD, thinking that I could play HD to my 21" monitor, but found that it is not completely HD-compliant. So much for that...

-I feel your pain man.

 

[gifs]

I already made switch to HD.

Currently have the following:
720p projector -> Might get a full-HD LCD in a year or so for everyday watching.
PS3 for Blu-ray and media streaming.
HD-PVR for 720p satelite broadcasts (hopefully we gain a couple of channels). I dont see see full-hd 1080p any time in the near future.
My AVR fully supports all the latest HD goodies.

[Andrew]

I already made switch to HD.

Currently have the following:
720p projector -> Might get a full-HD LCD in a year or so for everyday watching.
PS3 for Blu-ray and media streaming.
HD-PVR for 720p satelite broadcasts (hopefully we gain a couple of channels). I dont see see full-hd 1080p any time in the near future.
My AVR fully supports all the latest HD goodies.

But what was your motivation? What I'm interested in finding out are the reasons behind adoption/non-adoption.

[gifs]

My main motivation for going HD was simply that I like to keep up with the times.

Another contributing factor was that I only recently started working after varsity and set up home. So I didnt have any real equipment until I moved into my own place. So I had to buy at a time when HD was all the hype, and I finally had the money to buy something decent. So it wasnt really a matter of upgrading for me, but rather a question of starting from scratch.

I also got a couple of bargains like my projector for R3000 which kickstarted me into HD. Although at the time I was looking for a TV (virtually decided on a 42" plasma when the projector bargain came up and I jumped at it.). As I have said before, I am looking at getting a LCD or plasma anyway as having a projector as a full time tv has its drawbacks. So getting a TV doesn't have anything to with going HD as such.

I also didnt have an old DSTV PVR, so went straight to the HD version.

[KenMasters]

I went HD really early on. The main reason was the (then) impending release of the PS3 and 360. I'm a big gamer and didn't want to buy one of the new systems if I couldn't get the full benefit of the new technology.

My route was quite different than most though. At the time I found the images from LCD and plasma to be unacceptable and bought an HD CRT. I bought it for a very good price and figured I could sit tight for a while and wait for flat screen technology to mature. Three years on and I'm still exceedingly happy with my CRT and now that I've moved to Denmark I have the added benefit of watching my regular TV in HD as well.

When I move back to SA in three years, I will be buying a new flat panel, my current set is only 36" and I'm keen to go up to 50" (currently looking at the Pioneer Kuro's but we'll see how things develop). Also, I'm led to believe that DSTV won't allow you to view HD over component, and as my CRT doesn't have HDMI, I'm forced to buy a new set anyway.

[Bates]

Will wait until i need to replace equipment - 72cm tv is fine for me for now so i guess to answer the question - it will be in stages. 

In addition BR software is still too costly but it seems to be getting better so no need to rush.

[Gerhard]

I already have a full HD 42" LCD TV and a HD PVR. Why? Because I like the size and quality. The difference between HD (even though it is still only 1080i IIRC) and normal (even up-scaled) pictures is huge. I recently got a Yamaha DVD S-663 player because of its HDMI output and up-scaling ability. I have a steady stream of DVDs to watch - but not Blu-ray - and while up scaled DVDs looks good higher def. looks that much better.

Will I buy a BR player? No. Not for a while at least. The price is too high, and there is not enough material available yet. If DSTV get their act together and start broadcasting more FULL HD material, who needs a BR player?

[gifs]

If DSTV get their act together and start broadcasting more FULL HD material, who needs a BR player?

I doubt Full HD broadcast will happen any time soon. I dont think they even have that in the the States or Europe.

Still, 720p is great and a big step up from SD.

[KenMasters]

I doubt Full HD broadcast will happen any time soon. I dont think they even have that in the the States or Europe.

Still, 720p is great and a big step up from SD.

That's another thing that upsets me a little about the ways DSTV has gone about things. Apparently everything is broadcast in 720p despite the fact that the vast majority of programing was shot in 1080i. The olympics looked incredible in 1080i, I would have been quite annoyed if my local service provider forced me to view it in 720p.

[Ian]

Yes and No,
Got a 1080p capable TV in the lounge and a 720p in the bedroom
My DVD players upscale to suit the TV's

Will not buy an HD PVR until the thing works properly and all the features work (subtitles is a pre requisite sp? ) so based on past MC performance with the SD PVR that probably translates to three or four years time if ever.

Am being tempted by a PS3, friend brought one round and hooked it up and it looked fantastic, or a Blu ray player more and more now, as hardware prices are falling, but still feel the disc pricing a bit too much at the moment but know in my heart I will sucumb, maybe when Trevor Manuel finally pays me my due :-(

[Andrew]

So even if, say, most of you get the HD TV sets, is a Blu-ray an automatic given as the next purchase, or are you happy with DVD players that upscale? As you say, the BD players are slowly but surely coming down in price, but the disc prices are still pretty steep. I'll start up another thread on this issue (the discs).

[KenMasters]

Every now and then I get the urge to buy a PS3 or stand-alone player but I just can't justify the expense. Once I buy a 50" set I think it would be a neccessity but not at my current 36".