Will HDTV be the only way to watch TV in the next 5 years?

Answer 1

Yes.
Believe it or not, the current US law states that all tv stations have to be converted to send only HDTV signals by the end of this year (2006) or when 85% of households can receive HDTV signals.
There is a push to move this deadline to 2009, but even then, this falls within the 5 years you specify in your question.

On the other hand, this depends on how you define "watching TV."
You could watch old recordings or DVD's of TV shows that are not HDTV compatible on old non-HDTV equpment in the year 2020 and it could still be considered "watching TV." Also, even after the mandated conversion, there will be converter boxes that will receive HDTV signals and convert them for viewing on non-HDTV hardware. ANd there's always the option of travelling to a country without hDTV and watching TV there. So I guess the real answer would be "No, HDTV will not be the only way to watch TV 5 years from now."

Another resounding "No" based on your phrasing of the question too. Although I think I know that you meant "5 years from now," you stated "in the the next 5 years." One minute from now is within that time period, and there will with almost absolute certainty be ways of watching non-HDTV one minute from now, at least at the time I am writing this, and for the next few minutes as well. I hate to nitpick about the phrasing of the question, but I really want your 10 points ;)

Answer 2

5 years is a good guess, you have hit the nail on the head, there is already legislation in effect that will digitalize tv signals in the near future, the projections are within the five year range. after that it will all be HDTV..the next innovation in tv service. .every service in the country is gearing up for this change as we think about it. Countless ads are being prepared, work has already started on it. Why do you think that cable is digitalized? Satellite tv, too. Don't buy the system yet, what they have in mind will surpass what you are just starting to think about.

Answer 3

TV stations are fighting at this time to prolong this conversion. Yes HD will be the way we watch tv in the future, within a few years. The FCC will require all programs to be broadcast in HD. The FCC will allot bigger bandwidth for each station which will allow several shows to broadcast within that bandwidth, therefore the true high definition signal will come when all the signals within that bandwidth broadcast the same show. Analogue TVs will be a thing of the past. DO NOT BUY ONE!

Answer 4

Why do you may purchase a HDTV? anyhow, that's in all probability that blue ray should be the familiar format for prime def video. in case you want to video reveal video clips in intense definition you'll opt to purchase a blue ray participant. an standard dvd participant will artwork with an HDTV, the conventional isn't as sturdy though.

Answer 5

No, there will still be the old TVs and people will watch them, even though the signal sent will be HD. HD sets are so much more expensive than the old type of TVs, many folks will have several old TVs and one HDTV.

This situation is similar to the conversion from black and white TV to color TV in my opinion. It took longer than five years for people to convert, and today almost no one watches black and white TV, although a B&W TV will still operate and it is possible to watch it.

Answer 6

In five years, I think we'll see a drease in flat screen, plasma, and hdtv, and see an increase of 3D projection sets. I mean, how cool would it be to watch 3D TV?! And with all the TV shows intoducing 3D projections, it's bound to hit the market in the near future.

Answer 7

well there is a law in 2007 or 8 that all TV will have to be digital...Making the old ones that we have obsolete...Soon we will have to get a converter for the older TV. Why you think Circuit city is focusing on the Flat screen TV market lately?

Answer 8

Nothing ever changes completely that quick. There will be a lot more of it available, but it will still be possible for us poor suckers with $25 TVs that we got from a pawn shop to watch something.

Answer 9

No. Too many people can not afford HDTV, even with lower prices. You will need a converter with older models, but either your cable company will rent them out cheaply or give them away.

Answer 10

I don't think so--the adoption of the technology by the broadcasters has been forced by legislation. It costs mega-bucks for them to make the required changes, but I think that our current "old-fashioned" CRT type TVs will still be functional for many years.

As happened with 8-track tape players and tapes, eventually nobody will make them--markets change.