Conference turris::video

    
    We are all expecting HDTV is coming soon.  My 10 years old
    Sony tv is broke.  I am waiting for the HDTV.  I know it will
    be expensive at first.  But I don't want to spend money on one
    which will be phased out in 10 years.  What about VCR, are the
    future VCR be able to receive digital signal only?  I would guess so.
    Because I need to buy a VCR and think about waiting for the
    future VCR too.  Any suggestion?  
    
    Are all the TV stations converting to digital in the future 10 years?
    How about those VHF stations?
    
    
    Jason

    If you need a set, go ahead and buy one.  Same goes for a VCR.  There
    will be adaptors to allow analog TVs and VCRs to receive the digital
    signals.
    
    Eventually, the current VHF and UHF spectrum will be "returned to the
    government" so they can auction it off and reduce the deficit.
    
    				Steve

    re: .15
    
    If you're worried about not getting your money's worth, think about
    this:
    
    	1)  Your current TV lasted 10 years.  You know there's at least 10
    	    years of old-fashioned TV left (personally, I have a
    	    hard time believing they'll accomplish a total cut over in 10
    	    years; there are too many older sets out there and people will
    	    balk at adaptors unless they are nearly free).  When the new TV
    	    becomes obsolete (ignoring the adapter availability), it will
    	    still have done as well as its predecessor.
    
    	2)  Want a short-term solution so you can jump on the new TV ASAP?
    	    Around here (Maryland), used 19" TVs are dirt cheap ($25-$50 or
    	    so) in the local papers.  Get one for a few years, then toss
    	    it when the new 86" ultra-HDTV unit with octophonic sound and
    	    stereo aromarama shows up (and, no, don't ask me for technical
    	    specs on the unit  8^).
    
    Passable VCRs can be gotten for about $120.  Stereo VCRs can be gotten
    for $200 these days.  VCRs are disposable items, as far as I'm concerned.
    A VCR purchased today will be limping by the time HDTV hits critical
    mass.
    
    So, if you aren't interested in buying something that will last more
    than 10 years, just go cheap.  Even $150 can give you years of mindless
    entertainment.  8^)
    
    -- Russ

    
    
        The 27 inch Sony we bought was 800 bucks about three/four 
    years ago.  Now the same modle can be purchased for 550.  You
    should be able to find a nice size model in either 27 or as 
    high as 32 inch for less than 500 these days.  Top of the line, 
    no, but who cares. 
    
        In any event, get a 32 inch and be happy for the next eight
    years knowing that you'll be able to get a very nice D-TV in 
    that time frame without paying for new product introduction, 
    inflated prices that will be seen for the first three years or 
    so.
    
       -Rick.
    

>>  Eventually, the current VHF and UHF spectrum will be "returned to the
>>  government" so they can auction it off and reduce the deficit.

    Like they auctioned off the digital TV spectrum?   ;-)