A Canadian industry member recently told me that retailers are experiencing an increase in the returns of HDTVs. This reportedly isn't because flat-panel displays aren't up to snuff, or content isn't available: in fact, HDTVs are looking the best they ever have, and there's more HD content available than ever! The problem is that apparently, the average consumer still doesn't understand how to get HD content. Are you for real? I had to ask. Unfortunately, he was. Consumers, he said, are disappointed with the image quality when they plug in their units, and frustrated when they find out they aren't instantly getting HD.That said, let's go through the basic "idiot's guide to getting HDTV". Step 1: Buy a high-def flat-panel TV. It will be labeled 720p, 1080i, or 1080p; or it should just say high-def on the spec card in the store. To make your life easy, just ask an available salesperson to help you. You're one step closer. If you plug this TV into your regular cable or satellite box, you'll get, you guessed it, regular cable or satellite. A high-def image will not magically appear. I know, it sounds like a fantastic idea - why not? We'll get to that point at some time in the future, I'm sure. For now, HD is a step up from standard TV, so logically, it will require additional equipment to obtain.
Step 2: call your cable/satellite service provider and ask for a high-definition set-top box. Most will have more than one choice, one of which is likely a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) that will let you record TV content right onto its hard drive, which you can then view any time you like. I'd highly recommend one of these if you're a heavy TV watcher; or often not home or available when your favourite shows are on. But that's besides the point. Once you know which HD box you want, order it. Then replace your old, standard definition box with this one (usually, the provider will send a technician to swap them out for you).
Step 3: As much as you'd like, having the box and the TV still doesn't instantly get you high-def: you need to subscribe to access it. Call your service provider, or visit its Website, and find a channel package that includes that provider's available high-definition channels. Basic cable won't cut it. Remember, even when you order high-def, only certain networks and certain programming are currently available in HD. For instance, Rogers Cable has about 36 available HD channels. Bell ExpressVu has more than 50. Some providers might give you a few of these for free upon purchase/rental of an HD set-top box. But in the end, you'll need to subscribe to an upgraded channel package to get all the ones you want permanently added to your daily listings.
Once these three steps have been followed, you're all set. Now you can get HDTV. All of the HD channels should be lumped together in your on-screen guide, and "HD" should be somewhere in the name so you know which ones they are. If you're not sure, check online or in the brochure you likely received with purchase/rental, and you should be able to find everything you need to know.
The whole process sounds more difficult than it really is. It's a simple concept that can be likened to buying a cup of coffee. You can buy the cup and pour the java in, but that doesn't make it a latte. If you want a latte, you have to order a latte. Starbucks, Second Cup, or wherever you go will mix up the glorious concoction for you, and charge you accordingly. But you can't order a coffee and expect a latte; despite the fact that all the basic ingredients are there.
It's unfortunate to know that salespeople still need to explain this. But if you want to ensure there are no product returns, I'd suggest explaining these three steps to your customer before he walks out the door with his fancy new TV. If it turns out he's an informed customer, laugh it off and tell him this story. If he's an uninformed one, you may have just saved yourself (and him!) a lot of time and money.
Step 2: call your cable/satellite service provider and ask for a high-definition set-top box. Most will have more than one choice, one of which is likely a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) that will let you record TV content right onto its hard drive, which you can then view any time you like. I'd highly recommend one of these if you're a heavy TV watcher; or often not home or available when your favourite shows are on. But that's besides the point. Once you know which HD box you want, order it. Then replace your old, standard definition box with this one (usually, the provider will send a technician to swap them out for you).
Step 3: As much as you'd like, having the box and the TV still doesn't instantly get you high-def: you need to subscribe to access it. Call your service provider, or visit its Website, and find a channel package that includes that provider's available high-definition channels. Basic cable won't cut it. Remember, even when you order high-def, only certain networks and certain programming are currently available in HD. For instance, Rogers Cable has about 36 available HD channels. Bell ExpressVu has more than 50. Some providers might give you a few of these for free upon purchase/rental of an HD set-top box. But in the end, you'll need to subscribe to an upgraded channel package to get all the ones you want permanently added to your daily listings.
Once these three steps have been followed, you're all set. Now you can get HDTV. All of the HD channels should be lumped together in your on-screen guide, and "HD" should be somewhere in the name so you know which ones they are. If you're not sure, check online or in the brochure you likely received with purchase/rental, and you should be able to find everything you need to know.
The whole process sounds more difficult than it really is. It's a simple concept that can be likened to buying a cup of coffee. You can buy the cup and pour the java in, but that doesn't make it a latte. If you want a latte, you have to order a latte. Starbucks, Second Cup, or wherever you go will mix up the glorious concoction for you, and charge you accordingly. But you can't order a coffee and expect a latte; despite the fact that all the basic ingredients are there.
It's unfortunate to know that salespeople still need to explain this. But if you want to ensure there are no product returns, I'd suggest explaining these three steps to your customer before he walks out the door with his fancy new TV. If it turns out he's an informed customer, laugh it off and tell him this story. If he's an uninformed one, you may have just saved yourself (and him!) a lot of time and money.
