Washington, D.C.
(February 15, 2007)
--
I get scores of e-mails
every week from readers asking everything from whether
they should buy a new HDTV to when will their TV
provider add new high-def channels.
So, from time to time, I will publish my responses here in this column called, "Ask Swanni!"
Q. Please help! I live in Georgia and I am trying to decide whether to get cable or satellite for HDTV. Which one should I get? -- Wayne C.
I get this question all the time -- but there is no right answer. Some cable operators are offering more high-def channels than DIRECTV (but not more than EchoStar's Dish Network, which leads in national HD networks) but others do not. So it depends on what your local cable operator offers.
If cable has a strong high-def lineup -- with more than 10 national HD networks and all the locals in high-def -- it might be the right choice. (You won't have to install the dish.) But if not, DIRECTV or EchoStar might be better, particularly if they offer local HD service in your area.
Bottom line: You'll have to do your homework.
Q. I've been thinking about getting a Vizio HDTV because the prices are so low. Have you seen one in action? Is it ok? -- Sheila C.
I own the Vizio GV47LF 47-inch LCD and I am very pleased with it. The flat-panel set, which cost $1,899 -- far less than most comparable 47-inch 1080p LCDs -- is particularly good for movies. The colors are just eye-popping and they project a real cinematic feel.
I like my Panasonic 42-inch Plasma HD better for sports, but the Vizio LCD is a close second. So, yes, it's ok.
Q. Swanni, I love your site! Check it every day. But why do you write so much about DIRECTV? -- Harvey C.
Thanks for the kind words, Harvey. We try to cover all things related to high-def, but I have to admit that it seems that DIRECTV makes more news than any other TV provider. I believe that's largely because it has 16 million subscribers -- and unlike any given cable operator -- it has subscribers in every state. When DIRECTV does something, it's national news.
That said, if anyone ever has a tip regarding the cable TV industry, please send it to me at: swann@tvpredictions.com Your anonymity will be protected.
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Q. Come on, how can you say that the FCC should get involved in stopping these HDTV food fights between the local stations and cable guys? What about the free market? Let the marketplace decide! -- Gary H.
I wrote in an editorial this week that the Federal Communications Commission should order a binding arbitration if a local TV station and cable TV operator can not decide on compensation for the station's high-def signals.
Gary, I would love to see the marketplace decide these fights, but here's the problem: The marketplace is broken. In some cities, cable TV subscribers have not been able to watch local HDTV channels for years because the local station is preventing the cable op from offering them because it won't pay up. So would you prefer these situations go on indefinitely? I would not -- the high-def owner needs to be protected. Binding arbitration would bring these disputes to a quick end.
And, lastly, there is no free market here. By law, in almost every case, a cable or satellite operator can not carry any network feed except for the local one. Why is that? The National Broadcasters Association, which represents local stations, used its considerable influence to force Congress to approve that law.
If a TV provider could offer any network feed it wished, then it could have a fair negotiation with the local station for its high-def signals. But it can't so the local station effectively has a monopoly in its area. That's not a free market.
Q. If you could suggest one trick -- one little thing -- that would improve my HDTV picture, what would it be? -- Candice F.
I'll give you two.
1. HDMI cable. With a HDMI cable connecting your set-top to the set -- rather than Component or RCA cables -- you'll get a better picture, although don't expect a dramatic difference.
2. The HDTV Wizard Calibration DVD. The disc will help you adjust your set's picture by simply following instructions on-screen. You can order it at Amazon.com and other online sites.
Patrick "McDreamy" Dempsey of Grey's Anatomy.
Q. Why doesn't ABC do more to promote shows like Grey's Anatomy in high-def. McDreamy is particularly dreamy in HD! - Sandy G.
I agree that the networks are not doing enough to reach high-def female viewers -- but truth be known? -- they are not doing enough to reach male high-def viewers, either. You would think that ABC and all the networks would be screaming high-def all day and all night by now.
Q. Why hasn't Cox added more HDTV channels? I'm getting tired of waiting and I'm thinking of getting the dish! -- David S.
Cox will likely add more HD channels this year, but first they must find more bandwidth. It's worth nothing that Cox in Arizona is asking local officials for permission to jettison some public access channels to make room for additional HDTV networks.
Q. I read your article saying that the federal government will likely offer $40 coupons so people can get Digital TV converter boxes when we all switch to Digital in 2009. Why wouldn't they just let us use the $40 to get a new Digital TV?! -- Tom P.
I think that's a great idea. The feds should allow people to use the $40 coupon for either a converter box or a new set. Either way, they will be able to watch digital signals -- and isn't that the whole point?
So, from time to time, I will publish my responses here in this column called, "Ask Swanni!"
Q. Please help! I live in Georgia and I am trying to decide whether to get cable or satellite for HDTV. Which one should I get? -- Wayne C.
I get this question all the time -- but there is no right answer. Some cable operators are offering more high-def channels than DIRECTV (but not more than EchoStar's Dish Network, which leads in national HD networks) but others do not. So it depends on what your local cable operator offers.
If cable has a strong high-def lineup -- with more than 10 national HD networks and all the locals in high-def -- it might be the right choice. (You won't have to install the dish.) But if not, DIRECTV or EchoStar might be better, particularly if they offer local HD service in your area.
Bottom line: You'll have to do your homework.
Q. I've been thinking about getting a Vizio HDTV because the prices are so low. Have you seen one in action? Is it ok? -- Sheila C.
I own the Vizio GV47LF 47-inch LCD and I am very pleased with it. The flat-panel set, which cost $1,899 -- far less than most comparable 47-inch 1080p LCDs -- is particularly good for movies. The colors are just eye-popping and they project a real cinematic feel.
I like my Panasonic 42-inch Plasma HD better for sports, but the Vizio LCD is a close second. So, yes, it's ok.
Q. Swanni, I love your site! Check it every day. But why do you write so much about DIRECTV? -- Harvey C.
Thanks for the kind words, Harvey. We try to cover all things related to high-def, but I have to admit that it seems that DIRECTV makes more news than any other TV provider. I believe that's largely because it has 16 million subscribers -- and unlike any given cable operator -- it has subscribers in every state. When DIRECTV does something, it's national news.
That said, if anyone ever has a tip regarding the cable TV industry, please send it to me at: swann@tvpredictions.com Your anonymity will be protected.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Q. Come on, how can you say that the FCC should get involved in stopping these HDTV food fights between the local stations and cable guys? What about the free market? Let the marketplace decide! -- Gary H.
I wrote in an editorial this week that the Federal Communications Commission should order a binding arbitration if a local TV station and cable TV operator can not decide on compensation for the station's high-def signals.
Gary, I would love to see the marketplace decide these fights, but here's the problem: The marketplace is broken. In some cities, cable TV subscribers have not been able to watch local HDTV channels for years because the local station is preventing the cable op from offering them because it won't pay up. So would you prefer these situations go on indefinitely? I would not -- the high-def owner needs to be protected. Binding arbitration would bring these disputes to a quick end.
And, lastly, there is no free market here. By law, in almost every case, a cable or satellite operator can not carry any network feed except for the local one. Why is that? The National Broadcasters Association, which represents local stations, used its considerable influence to force Congress to approve that law.
If a TV provider could offer any network feed it wished, then it could have a fair negotiation with the local station for its high-def signals. But it can't so the local station effectively has a monopoly in its area. That's not a free market.
Q. If you could suggest one trick -- one little thing -- that would improve my HDTV picture, what would it be? -- Candice F.
I'll give you two.
1. HDMI cable. With a HDMI cable connecting your set-top to the set -- rather than Component or RCA cables -- you'll get a better picture, although don't expect a dramatic difference.
2. The HDTV Wizard Calibration DVD. The disc will help you adjust your set's picture by simply following instructions on-screen. You can order it at Amazon.com and other online sites.
Patrick "McDreamy" Dempsey of Grey's Anatomy.
Q. Why doesn't ABC do more to promote shows like Grey's Anatomy in high-def. McDreamy is particularly dreamy in HD! - Sandy G.
I agree that the networks are not doing enough to reach high-def female viewers -- but truth be known? -- they are not doing enough to reach male high-def viewers, either. You would think that ABC and all the networks would be screaming high-def all day and all night by now.
Q. Why hasn't Cox added more HDTV channels? I'm getting tired of waiting and I'm thinking of getting the dish! -- David S.
Cox will likely add more HD channels this year, but first they must find more bandwidth. It's worth nothing that Cox in Arizona is asking local officials for permission to jettison some public access channels to make room for additional HDTV networks.
Q. I read your article saying that the federal government will likely offer $40 coupons so people can get Digital TV converter boxes when we all switch to Digital in 2009. Why wouldn't they just let us use the $40 to get a new Digital TV?! -- Tom P.
I think that's a great idea. The feds should allow people to use the $40 coupon for either a converter box or a new set. Either way, they will be able to watch digital signals -- and isn't that the whole point?