I posted a siml. ? in HT/VID forum but maybe get more FB here.
With digital tv broadcasting coming and elim. of analog, what to get now in a good crt tv? Digital ready or wait and get a digi. conv. box later? Satellite/cable supplies boxes, are they digital and conv. to analog? No interest in HD lcd/plasma, too many $$. So what's a good crt tv make in 30-32" now that will be good for future? A tv wondering mind needs to know.
Thanks.

in 2006, the plug is NOT going to be pulled on NTSC broadcasting, everyone involved realizes now that was an unreachable goal, much like the CARB 1998 mandate that 2% of cars sold in CA would have to be Zero-emissions vehicles. That was shelved, and so has this been.

From tech discussions with those in the know, and such, the REAL plan, is that NTSC will be dropped, when at least 85% of homes have at least ONE HDTV set, and the purchase of NTSC receivers is declined to that ratio, also.

SO, don't worry. the end(of NTSC) is NOT near. not even close.

85 %, sheesh, that may never happen. At least not at current prices. The only way it would happen is if the prices became comparable, say like a 75 dollar difference. Or they stop making the regular sets. I bought mine knowing the change was coming, but needed a set, what's a guy to do?

Is there a reason that cable/sattelite couldn't send out NTSC FOREVER? I can't imagine my wife or I ever watching enough tv to warrant HDTV; I think of my father, who watches a lot, but who just bought a "Walmart special" 27" Sylvania, and he is in hog-heaven. He has DirecTV.

Another big drawback to HDTV, at least from my perspective - virtually every "HDTV" I see advertised is "HDTV Ready" but if you read the fine print a "separate decoder" is required. The profusion of television technologies (DLP, plasma, LCD, et al) is also confusing for the layman.

No way will they have 85% market until they start selling true integrated HDTV units. Cripes, there isn't even 85% market share on Dolby Digital/DTS decoders and that's been around for years.

Bit of relief knowing a std. tv bought today will still be usable 5-10 yrs from now. Sure thought they were going to dump analog NTSC in a few yrs and go all digital. Have been lookin at Panasonic, jvc and samsung 32"rs. Now can do some serious shopping.
Thanks for the input.

By law, all HDTV sets sold now must have an over-the-air tuner which will receive the 8VSB transmission system that stations use. Cable digital is a different standard called QAM and is not covered by the law. Thus the need for their box. "HDTV ready" sets are older models still on the shelf.

Dave A

Hey "oldhifiguy"! I would check out Toshiba's. I think you may be surprised. Of the choices you listed, Panasonic and Samsung are pretty good. I have heard of reliability problems on JVC's. And I know this wasn't your choice, but in my opinion, stay clear of Sony. Mine got returned in 2 days, it was JUNK. I went with a Toshiba and love it.

jstout66, thanks for the jcv tip. Will look for toshiba too. Not seen one yet.
Not too impressed with the remotes I've seen, cheep, tiny buttons and not userfriendly. Sony is out for $$ reasons. About 200 more than everythng else.

This is slightly off topic, but LG-Philips seems to think there's a future in CRTs. They've developed a line of very wide deflection angle CRTs to reduce cabinet depth. I'm not sure when we'll actually see products with them, or if we'll see them in anything but Philips and LG junk.

http://www.lgphilips-displays.com/english/index.htm

If you do not want NTSC to die in 2006, you might write your congressman. There is a Republican congressman(Joe Barton-not in my district) in my home state, Texas who, with another Republican congressman is trying to get a law passed to kill standard NTSC TV next year.

I have no idea how good his chances are. In my opinion, he is doing this because his big donors want it done. In general, he is a whore to big business and does whatever they want. Luckily, other big businesses (in the broadcasting industry) are against him.

The supposed reason for this is to free up spectrum for sale. I am sure his supporter is one who would benefit greatly from this-little guy be dammed.

I also like the HDTV picture and plan to get one at some point. But forcing millions of the little guys to purchase new equipment just so some big guy will benifit is highly unethical.

Not according to the people, in the broadcasting business,(including one who works for whio, dayton, ) who tell me different. I am trying to keep abreast of this situation.

duh, hes gonna favor big business. Hes a republican. its a political thing.

I saw that in the paper about Joe Barton. Anyone got his address?

I did a google search and his web page shows up.

http://joebarton.house.gov/contact.asp

Better yet, contact YOUR local congressman. I'm involved in politics enough to know they do pay attention. They may not pay any attention to this matter unless they start getting a lot of calls & then they will sit up and listen.

(without getting too political, I am willing to bet I agree with the congressman on 98% of issues but I always seem to be at odds with the party on broadcast issues)