Unfortunately, HDTV comes with a steep price tag. Even after several years of price erosion, quality HDTVs still command well over a grand. But at some point, you just have to bite the bullet. I did so recently and it put a serious dent in my wallet. But the pictures that it produces are amazing! As much as it cost, I think that it's worth it for the improved entertainment experience.
Sure, the amount of HD content is still relatively minuscule. However, it is constantly improving. Take golf HD programming, for example. It was pathetic just several months ago. Very few tournaments were broadcast in HD last year. It seemed that only the majors received the HD treatment, and even then, only the Masters delivered a high quality picture. But it seems to be different this year.
I was pleasantly surprised last weekend to find that CBS' first 2007 golf broadcast, the Buick Invitational, was broadcast in delicious 1080i HD goodness! In fact, all CBS golf broadcasts will now be shot and broadcast in HD! As a byproduct, my favorite slo-mo technology, SwingVision, is also now in HD! I'm trying to figure out where to get my hands on SwingVision HD videos for you to enjoy, but in the meantime, check out the photo of my Sharp Aquos HDTV displaying HD Swingvision via an antenna (click on it to expand):
CBS has been leading the national broadcast networks in terms of HD picture quality. It used to be that if you wanted to show off your HDTV, you would tune it to CSI or a CBS HD NFL game (CBS will deploy 47 HD cameras for this year's Superbowl!). Now you can do the same by tuning it to a CBS golf broadcast. Let's hope that CBS continues the trend and that its competitors follow suit. If you're a golf fan and still don't own an HDTV, now may be a good time to jump on board. Nick Faldo in high def...does it get any better?
Labels: SwingVision
