Help with Non-Believers of HDTV

[Rocketman33]

I currently have a Toshiba 57h84 television a week away from being delivered, and so far I have talked to family members about taking the step to HDTV and they seem unimpressed with the idea, mainly my father. They have have never seen HDTV in action except at stores like circuit city and sears and think it's just as good a picture as my current analog tv. My father repeatedly tells me he thinks paying $1700 for a HDTV is stupid since I already have a 61" RCA 4:3 analog tv. I told him I would give him the 61" and that seemed to quiet him down for a while though.

I really want to see my families mouths drop open when they see the picture on my 57" Toshiba, and I am wondering if just playing DVD's on a Progressive scan DVD player will be enough to impress them because I wont be able to get HD until a few months. Also is there anything I can say to convince them to also take the plunge to HDTV?

[LeeS]

Nothing you can say to convince them, they have to see it. There is a thread about which DVDs to use to demo your system. Let me see if I can find the link. BRB

Best DVDs To Show Off Your System:

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=10381

You might read through the FAQs, be sure to read "What you need to do to your new HDTV". There are many good FAQs to check out.

As good as DVDs can look there is nothing like a true HD program to impress them. Checkout the FAQ on OTA and antennas. You may be in an area with excellent OTA digital television coverage.

Good Luck,
Lee

'Finding Nemo' is a movie that always impresses me, beautiful color and picture quality.....

[mfabien]

The most important person to believe that HDTV is worth it, is you.

If it's worth it to you, do what it takes to get the HD signal.

Unless your decision to get HDTV signal becomes a serious struggle within your family, make the decision for yourself and not based on family members acceptance that you've made a proper choice.

I've had HDTV for over 2 years and my wife will still not join me to see it. Around Xmas I bought her a Sharp Aquos 13" EDTV for the kitchen (where she always had watched TV) and she's happy.

I would be happier to have people enjoy HDTV with me...but even alone to watch it, HDTV has become an important part of my life and it motivates me every day.

And now I'm discovering that listening to CD's encoded in DTS 5.1 with my surround sound system, is just an amazing experience. I close my eyes and I'm there and the musicians are there with me...in the very same hall.

[mjones73]

DVD's will look great on it but you need true HD to make jaws drop. What are you options for HD around you? Superbowl is coming in a month, you want to impress people, have it by then if possible.

[DOORZ]

Here is a little story to tell you how good the HDTV experience is.

When I bought my TV, I took it home, and my father had to help me carry it upstairs. When I first hooked it, I only had digital cable (non-HD), and he wasn't that impressed.

A week or so later I got my HD signal hooked upo through the cable company, and he came back to look at it, and he couldn't believe his eyes. He thinks it's so great, that he has bragged to all of his friends about my HDTV. He has actually brought 2 friends of his to my house so they too could drool all over the TV.


Regular broadcast, even if it's digital, no big deal. HD broadcast thorugh cable ot OTA amazing.

[venez68]

Too bad, they don't know what they're missing.

Your the one who will be viewing it everyday not them, so if it's something YOU want then go for it.

And as for your dad not liking the idea of spending all that cash for a tv just let him know how much these sets were going for about four or five years ago!

Good Luck!

[gparris]

Rocketman33: Your father needs to either open his eyes wider or see an eye doctor.
If he cannot see the clarity of HDTV, maybe he should have those eyes of his checked, including maybe, his drivers license.
DOORZ father doesn't have a problem.

[kevinw]

No need to convince them, In some families the Father is always right no matter what.
Don't bother trying. You do not need anyones approval except ours ;)

[57U]

Two channels showing the same thing - one SD and one HD is always a good demo. A football game or sports event is usually a "killer". Have the "SD" one up when people come in. They will say "what's the big deal". Switch to the HD channel and say "this is the big deal". The jaws should drop.

Then, once they've watched the HD channel for a while and are used to the good picture (say 5-10 minutes), switch back to SD and they will almost avert their eyes at the poor quality.

[Matt27]

funny you should mention covincing your parents:)

I'm still trying to convince my dad to upgrade from dolby pro logic to DD5.1 and DTS.With receiver prices dropping it should be a peice of cake, but like your father, mine is the same way.

He says howcan it sound much better than this, and i say a "BIG"{ Difference.One is digital one is'nt.

[mjones73]

Matt27 - We just got my father in-law a 6.1 receiver to upgrade his 30 year old Marantz, I don't think he would have ever replaced it on his own unless it blew up and he couldn't fix it...

[realmadrid]

I'd say show they Leno or CSI: Miami, they both look amazing

[Matt27]

same here, he says when it dies then he'll make the upgrade,hmm... gives me an idea;)

[armentage]

Tell them to go to hell. The only eyes who's opinion matters are your own.

[mjones73]

It's amusing that we have 12 responses here and none of them are from the orignal poster. I guess we are all passionate about our HD :)

By the way hd4me2, what happened Saturday? That was just ugly!

[hd4me2]

Let's just hope that when our kids have the 3D hologram TV we don't act the same way as our parents do now with HD.

[Matt27]

Tell them to go to hell. The only eyes who's opinion matters are your own.

my sentiments exactly :rofl2: although a bit harsh.

[Rocketman33]

Thanks for the responses guys. He is a football fanatic so I believe after mentioning the supebowl in HD I seen a glint in his eyes. :D I might spring for a good OTA box because I am anxious to see some tru HD also. :smokin:

[Rocko]

Let's just hope that when our kids have the 3D hologram TV we don't act the same way as our parents do now with HD.

Only if we can't afford it and are jealous. :mecry: You're either into gear or you're not, regardless of age. And it appears that we all are here cuz we're very much into it.

[HDTVBob]

Rocketman33,
57U's suggestion is a good. Generally outdoor sporting events provide the best contrast between SD and HD viewing to wow the heathens. Then followup with with Discovery HD and finish off with INHD or HDNet depending on whether you have cable or satellite. When I demo my set in this fashion, I have had nothing but 100% WOWs!!

[armentage]

Tell them to go to hell. The only eyes who's opinion matters are your own.
my sentiments exactly :rofl2: although a bit harsh.

Hahaha! If I wasn't censoring myself, I'd have said F'em too!:rmoon2:

Honestly I hate people who come over and bash your HDTV setup. They often have no clue, and are just trying to feel superior by making it seem like you wasted money on whatever. It's a bad attitude in general, and I see it often. I used to be guilty of it myself in my vivacious youth, but I've since clamped down on that bad habit.

Sadly, I know many older people, dissastisfied with their own fotures who like to poke at our big toys
:(

[LeeS]

Let's just hope that when our kids have the 3D hologram TV we don't act the same way as our parents do now with HD.
LOL, I am the parent/grandparent and the driving force in technology in the family :D

[logman]

Two Words... Bikini Destinations... on HDNet. I had a whole bunch of the wow factor on New Years Eve.

Jim in Houston

[labatt90]

You have to watch true HD. Nothing compares, not even a dvd. Finding nemo was amazing though. I like ABC NFL football the best though. WOW!!!!

[Chuckf1]

Hahaha! If I wasn't censoring myself, I'd have said F'em too!:rmoon2:

Honestly I hate people who come over and bash your HDTV setup. They often have no clue, and are just trying to feel superior by making it seem like you wasted money on whatever. It's a bad attitude in general, and I see it often. I used to be guilty of it myself in my vivacious youth, but I've since clamped down on that bad habit.

Sadly, I know many older people, dissastisfied with their own fotures who like to poke at our big toys
:(

Hey, Hey, Hey, I'm an older person at 48 years old and I love my HDTV. Don't make me take off my shawl, put down my bowl of bland soup, get out of my rocking chair and take my cane to you, sonny! :rofl2:

[IRM]

I've had HDTV (on a Mitsubishi WD-62725) for a couple of months now, and while the rest of my family has been impressed as all hell, my wife never understood what the big deal was about. Then on New Year's Eve we came home at about 4AM, and with the lights off watched the fireworks show on INHD. She was simply amazed! Her jaw just about hit the floor. Now she's almost as enthusiastic about it as I am. :rockon:

[Sheabuff]

First off I agree with everyone here HDTV is like total kick *ss and stuff. But it is not for everyone. Alot of people still do not see the big deal with DVDs over VHS. Personally I think they are idiots but whatever. My fam thinks I wasted money getting my TV and it is a low end model (Morons).

Anywho, I saw do not mention anything about your setup let the 'rents view HD in all its mind numbing glory (and it is mind numbing for anyone who like me ends up watching Discover HD for hours on end and learns more about the sperm counts of Sand Sharks than they ever needed to know). If they aren't impressed at that point, you have a couple of options.

First, you can call Tommy over and have him hit them over the head with a tack hammer because they are RETARDED (maybe I have seen Tommy Boy one or two dozen too many times). Or, next time you are at their house watching regular tv, politely ask them to turn it off because the crappy picture is burning you eyes and you can not believe they wasted a couple hundred dollars on such a piece of junk that gives you nothing more than an out of focus picture of crap. If they are watching the Cosby show you can comment on how much hotter Oprah looks in HD.

Peace Out!!!!

[Tryton]

First off I agree with everyone here HDTV is like total kick *ss and stuff. But it is not for everyone. Alot of people still do not see the big deal with DVDs over VHS. Personally I think they are idiots but whatever. My fam thinks I wasted money getting my TV and it is a low end model (Morons).

Anywho, I saw do not mention anything about your setup let the 'rents view HD in all its mind numbing glory (and it is mind numbing for anyone who like me ends up watching Discover HD for hours on end and learns more about the sperm counts of Sand Sharks than they ever needed to know). If they aren't impressed at that point, you have a couple of options.

First, you can call Tommy over and have him hit them over the head with a tack hammer because they are RETARDED (maybe I have seen Tommy Boy one or two dozen too many times). Or, next time you are at their house watching regular tv, politely ask them to turn it off because the crappy picture is burning you eyes and you can not believe they wasted a couple hundred dollars on such a piece of junk that gives you nothing more than an out of focus picture of crap. If they are watching the Cosby show you can comment on how much hotter Oprah looks in HD.

Peace Out!!!!


Hell Yeah!!! Now that is exactly what should be done! :rofl2:

[Matt27]

:rmoon2: I liked the part when he said hit him over the head :bow:

[armentage]

Sadly, I know many older people, dissastisfied with their own fotures who like to poke at our big toys
:(


When I said this... I meant 25 year olds :)