Fittingly, high-definition television sets seem to be one of the clear choices this Christmas, but some buyers are finding out it takes more than just a new TV to get that perfect picture.
Retailers are surprised by the number of customers who don't know that not just a new TV, but usually a digital service and a converter from the service provider are required to get viewers the HD channels and pictures they want.
The good news is that while there may be additional charges that some buyers don't know about, these may be more than compensated for as prices of the TVs themselves continue to drop.
Prices on the top-end sets have dropped dramatically since last year, making the once-luxury units available to more households. Jeff Samuels, a spokesman for Panasonic, said a popular 42-inch model has a suggested price of $1,400 this year, compared to $2,700 a year ago.
Samuels pointed out that retailers set their own prices and can discount models on their own.
HDTVs were popular items for retailers' limited-time sales on the day after Thanksgiving, and retailers such as Wal-Mart say the discounts will continue.
Retailers say sales are up, and cable providers say subscriptions to the service are increasing. But both said they have been surprised by the number of customers who don't know what is required to get reception.
Lynne Coker, a spokeswoman for Charter Communications, said December is a big month for new high-definition customers.
"It was a trend last year," she said. "It was a huge December for us last year, and we think it will be big again."
But the cable provider has received complaints from some customers with HD sets who are dismayed to find their picture is no better than what they had before.
"People hear about this," she said. "They think when they get home and plug it in, they will have high-definition TV.
"It is a service high-def TVs are capable of showing, but you have to subscribe."
The HDTV receiver rents for about $7, and the service itself adds less than $5 to the monthly bill, depending on service level. Installation is extra, but a self-installation kit is available for about $15 from providers.
People who don't buy HDTVs don't have to worry about losing reception as more providers go to the high-definition signal.
Samuels said there is a difference between digital and HDTV.
"All digital is not HDTV, but all HDTV is digital," he said. Once a signal goes all digital, all sets will require a converter if they are not digital-ready, but the set will continue to work.
At least some retailers figured out the problem and started warning customers. Alabama Power, which operates some appliance and electronic sales centers, now advises every customer of what is required to get the service, according to spokeswoman Jan Ellis.
"When we sell a TV, we explain to the customer that they can't just go home and plug the TV into the wall and get HDTV reception," she said.
She said about half of customers at Alabama Power stores are unaware of the processes before it is explained to them.
Alabama Power only sells TVs that are high-definition now, Ellis said.
Michael Cohen, who manages the electronics department at Cohen's on the East Boulevard, said his customers are a little more savvy and generally understand the process.
He said the availability of programming is driving sales of the sets more than dropping prices.
"High-def is on the top of everybody's mind," he said. "The cable companies are adding more high-definition channels all the time."
Charter offers about 20 channels in high-definition, Coker said. She said the company adds more regularly, based on a couple of factors. Channels are added to the high-definition lineup based on customer requests and the availability of a channel in high-definition.
"We want to provide everything in high-definition," she said. "We are just the conduit. We get the signals from different channels."
Coker said cable facilities can carry high-definition for all of its channels over its existing lines in the Montgomery area.
Those content providers, she said, have to make their own investment in high-definition equipment to produce programming.
Most cable customers in central Alabama have high-definition available, she said. Still, she said customers should call the company before investing in a new set.
"Call your cable company and find out what should you do," she advises customers.
She said anyone shopping different cable and dish high-definition plans should ask not only how many channels are available, but what programming on each channel is in high-definition. Some providers, she said, only offer high-def programming for a few hours or less each day.
Others offer it around the clock.
Cohen said some customers are buying HDTV now to get ready for a major migration to the signal in the next 15 months or so. According to Cohen, all outlets will use HDTV by early 2009.
While cable providers urge customers to understand how HDTV works before buying a set, electronics retailers say they should also look into how well built a set is and what features it has matters.
"Quality still matters, and there is still a big difference in set quality," Cohen said.
Quality, he said, goes beyond simple screen size and screen density. He said buying a known name brand from a reputable dealer is a key to getting good quality.
"There are about 106 different brands of HDTV," he said. "You have to know what you are getting."
He also said style is an issue.
"Thin is in, and everybody wants a sleek TV," Cohen said. "You need to look at more than price.
For people who get the correct set and hook it up correctly, HDTV can be worth it.
"When people get it right, they are sold on it," Coker said.
Source: Montgomery Advertiser, 12/02/07
