Being a former retail electronic salesman, I was paid to convince people the HDTV was for them. I would enthusiastically explain the advantages of LCD, PDP, or DLP, and I would explain 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p, should it be required. Of course, I'd be quick to show the simplicity of HDMI, but, in the same breath, also try to upsell them on a home theater system. It was with great zeal that I would convert those foolishly devoted to their standard definition tube TVs. However, looking back, only I was being foolish. Though HDTV is better than SD, and I'm sure everyone would enjoy having it, it is still not for everyone.

Take, for example, John Doe. John has been watching his favorite shows on the same TV for 10 years. He's perfectly happy with his current set-up; after all, he only just got it in 1997. However, John has seen the commercials for High Definition, and his cousin/co-worker/neighbor has told him all about how great the picture is. John decided to check out the local retail store, and after seeing the display models, he is bit by the HD bug and start planning on how he is going to buy one.

So, after a while, John buys his HDTV. He buys a big one, and spends a couple hundred dollars more than he was planning on, but, he figures, it is worth it for the added quality. Once, he gets home, he's ready to hook it all up, so he unpacks everything to get it set up. While trying to figure out how to hook up everything, John's wife (yes John is married) starts to complain about the amount of space the TV takes up, but she is actually upset about is how much he spent. John suggests buying a wall mount and cutting holes for all the cables. John's wife envisions her husband cutting holes in their wall and decided she doesn't like the idea.

Anyway, John figures out how to plug in the cable to the TV, but he doesn't like the picture. The DVDs don't look much better. He notices how bad it looks compared to what he remembered seeing in the store. Everything seems like its being "squished" to fit on the screen and everyone looks fat. He decided to go back to the store to figure out what he is doing wrong.

At the store, he finds the TV wall mounts. They're $359, so much for mounting the TV. Also, he asks a sales rep about the picture quality, and only then does John learn that he need to get an HD system through his cable company or with satellite. The rep tells him it will probably cost around $15 more a month, and possibly a $250 up-front charge, but he would have to call the company to be sure. The sales rep then tries to sell John on $120 worth of cables. Frustrated, John leaves without buying anything. He drives home considering if he should just return the whole thing.

I'm sure John not alone in his frustration. Upgrading to an HDTV system is an expensive and complicated process. There are a large number of things that must be considered that historically people just didn't have to think of. It also doesn't help that electronic elites, like me, insist on people getting the best. SDTV is no longer enough, and HDTV without at least a Dolby 5.1 sound system is a crime. Even the trusty ole' DVD player isn't good enough and needs tossed out, in favor of a new HD-DVD or Blu-Ray disc player.

The world of HDTV can be overwhelming and the pressure is on to move into the future of television. For those that are wavering, I want tell you what the retail sales people won't tell you. That is, it is ok not to move to HD! Although, it is true that HDTV is better and the TVs are more affordable than ever before, neither of these will change by waiting another year or two. If the standard definition television you have now is enough for you, then by all means, use it! Use it until it dies! Then, once you're ready for something new, get HD. By that time, you may not have a choice.

____________________________________

If anyone is curious about HD and has questions I'd be glad to answer them. I have 4 years in retail experience, in the United States (no PAL), so I am more qualified then the new hires you'll meet at the store this Christmas (and also I don't care if I sell you anything). I can tell you the best way to hook up your cables, but I can't tell you how to hide them behind a wall. For detailed install questions pertaining to a specific home, it would be best to talk to your local CEDIA certified installer.