Aaron Adams’s Blowhard Blog

Back in the “olden” days, you bought a TV, plugged it in, moved the rabbit ears, turned a knob, and watched your shows through the air for free.

Now you have to choose between many different TV technologies when purchasing. You have to make sure the TV has the right kinds of plugs for your other AV components, or to just receive basic programming. You have to decide between different screen formats and resolutions. You have to know whether your TV includes a tunrer for the type of signal you intend it to receive. You may have to buy separate speakers for your TV. When you get your TV home, you usually have to plug in a number of components for full functionality. You usually need (or just want) pay service from a cable or satellite company. That company has to install hardware of some kind at your home and enable the service from their end. A wire (or wires) need to be run from the service provider’s hardware to your new TV (with the correct kind of plug). Sometimes the service provider doesn’t have the proper equipment available for you to receive the signal your TV was designed to use, so you’re placed on a waiting list. The TV and each component comes with a 400-button remote control, and no remote control performs all functions with all devices. If your TV is capable of receiving a certain kind of high quality signal, the broadcasters in your area may frequently forget to switch on that high quality signal during certain shows, or your service provider may not carry the high quality channel(s) you like, reducing the value and utility of your new equipment.

Is this progress?