Violent Revolution (a brief history of HD)

Fanboy-dom aside, I think we should mention or at least disclose that Albert's and my choices for next-gen movie players puts us a pretty interesting position a few electronic sectors. And while we can throw cheap shots at each other, and our respective next-gen camps, until this turns into blogger "yo mama", there's some educating I'd like to get done first...

When the people want a revolution it is bloody, violent, and most importantly quick. (see. 10th grade world history) When the US Government and several multi-national corporations want to revolutionize home entertainment... well it can feel like the 100 Year's War, with out Milla Jovovich. Now, there's a lot more history than I'd care to write right now and I'm guessing if I shoot my wad this early, nobody will be back for more. With that in mind, we'll delve into some of the reasons why the US government wants YOU to switch to Digital/HD TV.

In the late 80's the FCC , best known as the reason Howard stern is on satellite radio, began asking corporations and research firms to come up with standards and guidelines to introduce HDTV to the masses. After the standards were set and congress decided it was time, a bill was passed in the late 90's that mandated that the transition from analog televisions to digital television* by 2004. But why is the government so eager to get you to watch the fugly Asian woman on Grey's Anatomy in higher resolution than her face warrants? Well, without getting too technical or long winded, the amount of bandwidth it takes to broadcast a show digitally, is less than that of analog shows. During the current transition period, television stations are getting extra bandwidth to broadcast shows in both formats. However, soon ,as in three years ago, the government wants that extra bandwidth back. (For military communications and the like.) Of course, 2004 came and about 10% of homes in the US actually owned digital TV sets, so the deadline was delayed. Currently, by government mandate, the transition to HDTV must be completed by February 17, 2009. On that day, analog broadcast for all television stations must stop. Of course, all that only matters to losers who don't have cable.

So there you have it. Why the FCC wants you to get a new TV. Of course, if you wanted to, you could look at it more optimistically; I'm sure the government only wants you to have clearer television. Like I said earlier, HD is about choices, and these are just some of the reasons to choose from when telling yourself its time to buy a new TV.


*for the purposes of this post, digital television is HDTV. Clarification will be provided in a later post.