As you will tell from his letter, John is a technocrat in all other normal male ways.
I thought it was a very good and particularly insightful letter and did asked a good question for those that have not been exposed to HDTV in Erie. (That’s the majority)
I thought who better to answer John’s question than the readers of EMGR themselves. John is sincerely asking for your help. I know we will get both sides of the issue, but I would hope you would stick to answering his question as best you can and not make it a rant on this blog. My opinion is clear enough in my purpose.
But at the end of John’s letter, I will give 10 very attractive reasons for wanting HD as selected by the Swanni himself.
Jack
I'm apparently missing something in this entire discussion of HDTV
as I've followed your blog. Why do I need or would I want HDTV. What's
being broadcast that I would find so interesting or fascinating as to desire to have in a much higher priced format?
I'm not a Luddite. I pay a premium for satellite radio to gain what I can't get
over the public broadcast airways. I have top-of-the-line computers because I
can and do use the features they offer.
But, pray tell, what is on television that makes HD worthwhile. The shows on TV are hardly worth high def. As for sports, OK if you would rather sit and spend your time watching someone else do something rather than doing something yourself, I guess I can understand a desire to see it big screen, HD, or the movie, but is still is not the same as the big screen.Those of us who don't care will have to eventually help carry the cost for those who do.
I wouldn’t mind seeing some discussion on this on your blog….
Thanks,
John B.
(Editor's edition: Ok.. I may be sexist but here it is)
The 10 Sexiest Women In HDTV!
Buying a new high-def set? If you're a guy, here are 10 really good reasons.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (December 9, 2006) -- High-Definition TV can be most cruel. The picture is so clear that you can detect even the hint of a new wrinkle forming on an otherwise perfect face. However, celebrities who are naturally beautiful in real-life look even better in ultra-real HD. Their skin, hair and smile somehow take on an extra radiance, all but overwhelming the viewer with their raw physical attractiveness.So in honor of true beauty, I am now publishing the second annual, Swanni's 10 Sexiest Women in HDTV! These 10 TV actresses are so 'HDTV hot' that they could break up your marriage with a single flip of the remote. So here are Swanni's 10 Sexiest Women in HDTV! (Note: All programming times are eastern.)
1. Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) Washington, D.C. (December 9, 2006) -- High-Definition TV can be most cruel. The picture is so clear that you can detect even the hint of a new wrinkle forming on an otherwise perfect face. However, celebrities who are naturally beautiful in real-life look even better in ultra-real HD. Their skin, hair and smile somehow take on an extra radiance, all but overwhelming the viewer with their raw physical attractiveness.So in honor of true beauty, I am now publishing the second annual, Swanni's 10 Sexiest Women in HDTV! These 10 TV actresses are so 'HDTV hot' that they could break up your marriage with a single flip of the remote. So here are Swanni's 10 Sexiest Women in HDTV! (Note: All programming times are eastern.)
The 43-year-old Vanessa has cried that she hates HDTV because you "can see every pore, every line on an actress' face." And as the villainous Wilhelmina Slater in ABC's Ugly Betty, her aging signs are clearly visible in HD. But she's no Ugly Betty. In high-def, Vanessa's blue eyes shine bright and her Miss America curves could still wow any judge. She's crystal-clear proof that you don't have to be college-age to look sensational in high-def Ugly Betty, ABC, Thursdays at 8 p.m.
2. Evangeline Lily (Lost) The Lost star was discovered by male viewers in the show's premiere episode when she stripped to a bra and panties to take a dip in the ocean. Despite the show's ratings dip this season, Evangeline is still a 10. In high-def, her freckled complexion and sinewy but sexy form is a sight to behold. Lost returns to ABC in February at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.
3. Elisha Cuthbert (24) As Kim, agent Jack Bauer's daughter in distress, Elisha has appeared in every season of 24 except for number four. However, due to 24's secretive nature, it's unknown if she'll return for season six starting in January. We sure hope so. The 24-year-old actress looks like a modern day Marilyn Monroe. In high-def, she might even look better.. 24 returns to Fox on Sunday at 8 p.m. on January 14 with a two-hour episode.
4. Molly Simms (Vegas) In NBC's Vegas, the green-eyed Sports Illustrated swimsuit model often gets under the covers. But in this week's episode, she hopped out of bed and strutted around the room wearing Evangeline Lily's favorite swimsuit. In high-def, the picture was so detailed that you could make out the crimson-color rose tattoo on her lower back. Not that we were looking, of course. 
5. Autumn Reeser (The O.C.) In high-def, it's easy to Fall for Autumn who plays Taylor Townsend in Fox's The O.C. In this week's episode, Autumn was the subject of recurring sexual fantasies by Ryan (Ben McKenzie) who finally got the nerve to ask her out. What took him so long?
6. Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives) The Desperate Housewives vixen just got engaged to San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker. And in high-def, you can see why she would need a guard. Beautiful skin and luscious lips. Desperate Housewives, ABC, Sundays at 9 p.m.
7. Nikki Cox (Vegas) The 28-year-old once played the Special Events Director on NBC's Vegas. That makes sense. When Nikki walks into the room, it's always a Special Event. The buxomy actress makes high-def seem like 3-D. Vegas, NBC, Fridays at 9 p.m.
8. Poppy Montgomery (Without a Trace) Poppy plays special agent "Sam" Spade in the CBS crime drama. And her character has a tendency to "Bogart" her fellow cast members; she's had affairs with her boss and a fellow agent. But who can blame them? In high-def, her natural good looks are irresistible.Without a Trace, CBS, Sundays at 10 p.m.
9. Katie Daryl (Dateline; True Music) The ubiquitous HDNet hostess pulls double duty on the high-def network, fronting both Dateline and True Music. In HD, Katie is both sassy and sexy, a lethal combination for any male HD viewer.
10. Kate French (Wicked, Wicked Game) The Wicked, Wicked Game star looks "wicked hot" in high-def. Playing Brooke in the My Network TV primetime soap, Kate's dazzling blue eyes, freckled face and candescent smile are what high-def should be all about. The young actress made her debut in the unacceptable Accepted, but this could be her graduation.Wicked, Wicked Game, My Network TV, weeknights at 8 p.m.
© TVPredictions.com
"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCChttp://www.dtv.gov
Surely...There Must Be Other Reasons To Buy HD!
11 comments:
Wow, it seems he's missed some gals who should have made the top 10! Katherine Heigl (Izzy Stevens) on Grey's Anatomy should have been up there. And I'm thinking the list was kept to TV starlets because Angelina Jolie didn't make the cut. I know she's got that "homewrecker" thing going, but she's still the most stunning creature on the planet.
Well, I DO agree that those women are certainly easy on the eyes...but you still have to endure their mediocre (for the most part) shows to see them. Sorry...not good enough in my book.
John B said it perfectly. Give us compelling content...as Satellite radio seems to be doing...then HD will be worth the expense...both for broadcasters and THIS consumer. Till then...to quote a prime time show that STILL won't be any better in HD..."No Deal!"
I love HD! Getting the new 42" TV with the HD Dish Network package has definitely increased my tv viewing.
I'll sit and watch a show about the ocean on Discovery HD just because it looks so real. The tv looks like an aquarium, as if you could reach your hand right in and touch the fish.
I watch football on NFL network no matter which teams are playing simply because its in HD.
I watch American Chopper in HD to see how old Paul Sr. really looks.
Its fascinating. If you're a curious person, you'll find reasons to watch HD. Even if it means watching that Blue Angels show over and over again, just because you can.
I find the original argument weak. You can't just go out and play in an NFL game. If you're not a fan of sports, so be it.
The fact is that John may simply be in the minority of people who don't appreciate what HD offers. He may not be a luddite, but he may simply not care about television programming, be it sports, something on the Discovery HD channel, etc.
Right now it seems that you don't need a HDTV. Closer to 2009, you'll need it. Right now our local tv stations don't offer much in HDTV and probably won't until over-the-air becomes digital. Signals for HDTV are quite weak and WSEE's is weak enough no one can watch it (they don't broadcast in digital at all). Cable and satellite tv is another story. Cable providers don't offer much HDTV without having to pay extra. Satellite companies are offering digital packages that provide you with a better viewing experience. Simply put --- you don't need HDTV unless you are being presented oppurtunity to take advantage of it.
I can certainly appretiate the scenery on this post as much as any of you men on here, but some of us do pop in during work hours :P Please keep us in mind.
Where's the sexiest MEN on HDTV? Let's get some fair and balanced reporting ;)
Here’s my reason for getting HDTV:
While you may not find current programming available in high definition “worth it,” you should ask yourself how often you are going to be watching movies. As far as whether the programming is worth it, you have to decide that for yourself. Through satellite, there are stations besides the networks you can watch. If that’s not your thing, this is where the movies come in.
Do you want your DVDs to look the best they possibly can? Do you watch a lot of movies? To really get that WOW! experience, get an HDTV (and go the extra step and invest in a good home theater system). If you really enjoy movies, this is your ticket. Don’t use the cheap $30 DVD player on your new TV. Make sure you get at least a progressive scan DVD player (which really improves the picture) and hook it up with component cables (the red, blue, green cables). You can do even better by going with a new HD DVD player or Blue Ray and getting the appropriate digital cables.
(Hey Jack, maybe its time for a HD-DVD verus Blue Ray post?!)
I’m not sure it’s the best reason but if you want to seem better than Mr. Jones, why not get a sweet TV and be prepared for the future? Once you have your HDTV, you’re going to like it. In fact, I think it is safe to say YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE IT! You’re going to be proud of it. You’re going to want your buddies to come see it. Heck, maybe you’ll even let your wife through a party for the Golden Globes where her friends come over and talk about how ugly Jessica Simpon’s dress was (ok, I doubt she’d be there, but you get the point.) Then all of her friends are going to tell their husbands how awesome your TV is. And from there, after some consideration, your friends will get TVs… and eventually, more programming will become available in high def.
Now, by the time programming is WIDELY available, you may want a new TV. Or your TV could break. Because the reality of today’s electronics is—they don’t make ‘em like they used to. They make TVs with cheap parts and they want to sell you a new one in four years.
My recommendation is not to break the bank on your new TV (because they’re going to get cheaper), but go ahead and get high definition…
Jennifer...
If The Swanni has a post for men, I will make sure to cover it. If he doesn't we can do our own top ten with the ladies (of course) making the choice.
Blue-Ray and HDDVD... I have thought about that if it weren't so confusing. Even more confusing than the HDTV debate. Lot has been written but I promise to do one before Superbowl time.
p.s. I wouldn't have even posted this top ten if it wasn't for the question John asked. I was trying to give him a reason.
Hehe, I didn't mind the pictures :P
John, You ask an excellent question. I would like to try and answer for you.
There are many cable documentary channels that now broadcast in "Glorious" High Definition. Have you ever watched Lions hunt in the Serengetti on National Geographic in High Def? Absolutely breathtaking - like you were actually in Africa.
This past spring I had the pleasure of watching "The Masters(tm)" gold tournament from Augusta National for the first time in High Def. I could actually count the individual blades of grass on the fairways.
There was an Expedition to the Titanic broadcast on the Discovery Channel in, you guessed it, High Definition. I could have sworn I was scuba diving in the North Atlantic!
I guess I could ramble on and on about all the great viewing choices available in High Definition. The truth is there are many compelling reasons to want High Definition.
At first, High Definition (Digital) was mandated by the Congress. However, after consumers witnessed the stunning contrast and clarity of High Definition, the sets became more affordable.
Think back to the days when VHS and BETA players/recorders first came out. The price for one of these was $1200! Today you can get a very nice quality VHS for around $50-$100 (give or take!)
When DVD first came out, again, around $750 to $1000. Now you can get a DVD/VCR COMBO for around $100!
The beauty of supply and demand in a capitalist-driven society! Don't fret about having to shell out big bucks for HDTV. The prices are coming down and will continue to go even lower as more and more consumers discover the beauty of HDTV.
You won't have to help carry the cost - well, you may have to help carry 12th and Peach but that's for another topic!
The next time you are at BestBuy or Circuit City as one of the sales reps to put the HDTV on Discovery or Nat'l Geographic.
Those are some compelling reasons for HDTV in my book.
Hmmm. You might want to think about adding Amanda Congdon to the list, but that could just be my old Bland Anglo Chick thing talking.
This is John B., who started the post discussion.
OK, the Discovery Channel and National Geographic examples gave me pause. The women took my breath away. There is apparently life in this old guy.
Still, the point is that most programming, at least for me, does not seem to make HDTV worthwhile. As prices come down, I suppose the argument would disappear.
I found the replies that once you get it you will love it and watch more TV interesting. I'm not sure if I want anything that will have us (my family) sitting around watching a tube anymore than we already do. I did not mean to offend anyone in my comment about watching sports on TV rather than getting up and out and doing something, but I do have the sense most Americans live vicariously rather than truly live life. TV plays to that.
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