Well this is shocking news. Apparently some 18 percent of HDTV owners can’t tell the difference between high-def programming and standard-def programing when viewed on their screens. That’s what Leichtman Research Group concludes based on a survey of 1,302 households. That’s a telephone survey, mind you; there’s some controversy surrounding that type of poll these days.
Why is this? For one, I truly think there’s plenty of people out there who have more important things to worry about then whether or not the local newscast is in HD or not; the picture is big, it fills the screen, yay.
Second, Blu-ray has been garbage thus far. Not all movies are authored equally—remember The Fifth Element?—; the players are still flaky (please update now or forget about watching any more movies, bub); movies are still regularly around $35; etc. With no inexpensive high-def disc out the to show people what they’re TV is really made of, people “settle” with whatever’s broadcast. And let’s not forget that advertising pertaining to HDTV is confusing at best, misleading at worst.
It often comes down to people like us, the people who live and breathe this stuff, to tell others about the wonders that is HD. And even then, it’s not like it’s so totally amazing, just a little sharper. And if you’re someone who’s eyesight isn’t too hot you’re really not going to care so much anyway.