PHILADELPHIA — So you got a good deal on a flat-screen, high-definition TV set from a retailer desperate to increase sales in the recession. Now you’re ready to watch your favorite shows in astoundingly crisp and clear transmission.
First, though, you need to sign up for HD programming — unless you want to limit yourself to over-the-air broadcasts that are in high-definition.
But which HD package is best? Do you go with the one offered by your local cable company or opt for satellite — or, in some places, a TV package from the phone company?
This choice can be hard because the packages, which run from about $45 to more than $100 a month, are marketed in a way that makes the truth elusive. Cable, satellite TV and phone companies all claim to have the most HD content. Obviously, they can’t all be right.
What’s going on? Well, the companies back up their boasts by blurring some important distinctions.
For instance, the channel count can be stuffed with repetitive content. DirecTV Group Inc., which boasts more than 130 HD channels, counts one HD movie channel as two if it repeats its lineup in the Eastern and Pacific time zones.
Similarly, Dish Network Corp. claims 124 HD channels, but that counts pay-per-view channels that have the same movies or shows, just at different times of the day.
Verizon Communications Inc. beefs up its HD roster with about 400 how-to videos, such as “How to Boil Water.” Whether you want to watch that at all, let alone in high-def, is questionable.
Time Warner Cable Inc. has said its HD service is free. But in New York City, it’s free to get 94 of about 100 channels. If you want the entire channel lineup, it’s an extra $9 a month. Also, HBO HD may be free, but you still have to buy the HBO premium channel to get it.
“All the different service providers are inflating channel counts,” said Jim Willcox, senior editor for Consumer Reports magazine.
The market is competitive because HD is a potential treasure trove: At the end of 2008, 41 percent of U.S. households had at least one HD TV set, but only 23 percent were receiving HD programming, according to Forrester Research.
Not all providers can offer more than 100 HD channels, because they have limited bandwidth on their networks. Cable operators are trying to reach that level by shifting some of their channels from analog transmissions to digital, which is more efficient, to free up more space for high-definition broadcasts.
For instance, the nation’s largest cable TV provider, Comcast Corp., expects to start moving 30 to 70 analog channels to digital in half its markets by year’s end. That’s the case in Snohomish County, where it expects to convert 40 channels to digital-only broadcast this year. The broadcasts will, however, require viewers to get a digital converter box to watch. The boxes are free, and subscribers should call 877-634-4434 to learn how to get one.
During Comcast’s conversion, satellite services, which are all digital, might offer you more HD channels. Back on Earth, Verizon’s FiOS fiber-optic service also is all digital and offers an HD channel count that is competitive with satellite TV.
FiOS is not offered in all cities yet, but it is offered in many portions of Snohomish County, including Bothell, Brier, Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Mountlake Terrace, Marysville and Woodway.
How do you cut through all the confusion and find the best deal?
Here are five tips:
Dig into the extra services that might be available. For instance, Comcast is offering TiVo Inc.’s user-friendly interface with HD digital video recorders in some markets. DirecTV and Cox plan to offer that later this year. Dish offers an HD digital video recorder with Slingbox, which lets you watch satellite programming on a PC or any broadband-connected device.
Study the picture quality. DirecTV and Dish are offering some movies in 1080p, the highest resolution available from a pay-TV operator. To fully enjoy it, you need a TV set that can show 1080p. And if you don’t have one, take heart: 1080p offers only minor improvements over other resolutions known as 720p or 1080i.
Know the long-term price. Promotions are enticing, but find out what the HD package will cost after the deal ends. It’s a hassle to switch providers later on, unless you can haggle to extend the promotion. Also, make sure you scope out hidden extra fees that may make the upfront price of an HD package less attractive.
Embrace free HD. Most of the nation’s 1,700-plus TV stations are broadcasting in high-definition, although there’s more HD programming during prime time than other hours. You’ll also get more HD shows if you’re in or near a big city. To make the most of these over-the-air transmissions, get a decent HD antenna for as little as $30 and set it up right. For help, check out AntennasDirect.com or AntennaWeb.org, which is backed by the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Broadcasters.
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