Tube TVs versus HD TVs in 2008?

Question

I heard a crazy rumor about non-HD TVs not being able to get channels sometime in 2008? Is the truth that: channels will be offered in HD, but non-HD TVs could still get them (at low quality of course)?

Or is this rumor.... true?

Please Explain, thanks!

Wow...
two REALLY good answers...

I'm going to have to put this one to a vote!

Oh yeah... Thanks!

Answer 1

First of all, there is nothing in the technology that prevents CRT's from displaying more than 525 lines per frame, although that's the case with most historical TV's. Furthermore, all standard TV's will be able to display 480P, which is a step up from standard NTSC analog. There have been high end tube televisions than can display up to 1024P, although these were priced far beyond most budgets. From this time forward, I expect that new mass market display devices will use DLP, DILA, or LCD technology.

It's true that standard def broadcasting is scheduled to go off the air on Feb 17, 2009, but I suspect the date will keep moving out until HD receivers are absolutely dominant. This doesn't mean that you have to scrap your TV, since an HD picture can be scaled to any resolution, and displayed on an analog device. All it takes is an HD reciever with integral scaling hardware, similar to a cable box, placed between the TV and the antenna or other source. People on cable or satellite will not notice any change in service, because their cable box or satellite reciever will do the scaling. But whenever the time is right for you to install a new TV, you will pretty much have to go all HD digital.

Answer 2

It is a firm date that by Feb 2009 all analog TV broadcast in the US will cease. There is no way that will change, it is a law passed by Congress and signed by the president. It means a lot of money to the gov't when this happens, so they won't change it now. All TV stations after that will broadcast digital signals. It doesn't matter whether your TV is tube, LCD plasma or whatever, it will need a digital tuner to pick up broadcast TV. Late-model sets have such tuners built-in, but earlier sets, even HDTV sets, do not (they are called "HD Ready"). You would then need an external digital tuner box to receive broadcasts. They are supposed to be available at low cost (the law include gov't subsidies to reduce the cost of this box). Connect the box, and any TV will work just fine; in fact, even on old tube TVs the picture will look better than before. Finally, if you get your TV from cable or satellite, this will not affect you at all.

Answer 3

Cathode ray tubes can final for 15 years under wide-spread use until now they start to coach deterioration. a lot of this progression in existence (interior the 1950's lots of them failed after a million or 2 years) became because of the tube pre-warmers. This technologies does not prepare to sought after flat displays. easily, kinfolk televisions with LED or Plasma displays have not been around long adequate to get any significant data on their existence. people can purely wager at their existence consistent with laboratory predictions. keep in mind that lab circumstances are actually not the comparable as conventional kinfolk use and abuse. additionally word that compuer reflects do not use LED or Plasma technologies so any prediction consistent with which would be dodgy. A CRT are in a position to show HD high quality offering the electonics are able to it. i don't be attentive to of any CRT instruments that are marketed as HD waiting. The tube itself could be limited in decision, relies upon who made it (not inevitably the call on the television set) so which you will locate which you will not watch HD television on one besides. kinfolk television tubes weren't made to the comparable decision and geometric high quality as Studio video show instruments.