Just a hypothetical thought. NTSC being a analog system and being somewhat fixed in it's abilities probably accounted in some way to the format's long lifespan. Now that television has moved beyond the scope of analog, it is now becoming clear that HD video technology will advance extremely rapidly as has every other form of digital video reproduction. So why fight to make something like 1080i or 720p the absolute standard when even three to five years from now the technology will (in theory and according to past indications) be in place to double the quality possible with today's HD spec. Just something to think about.
This may sound strange, but I see the future being 'everything over one wire' with extremely high bandwidth internet connections carrying everything into our homes, with broadcasts beyond HD quality included.
In any case, I think it is a good idea not to expect your $3000+ HDTV set to last you for 10 years anymore. I expect TV and Video technology to become obsolete as rapidly as computers, and video GPU boards, and digital cameras do today. Such is the nature with anything digital. While this may be a pain for most to keep up with, not to mention a financial strain ...I do believe that technology SHOULD always be pushed forward, and do not think that the technological progress of HD Video should be hindered by congress mandating an absolute set standard on US broadcasters. Those of you advocating HDTV's mandation today, may be lamenting that same mandation five years from now.
This may sound strange, but I see the future being 'everything over one wire' with extremely high bandwidth internet connections carrying everything into our homes, with broadcasts beyond HD quality included.
In any case, I think it is a good idea not to expect your $3000+ HDTV set to last you for 10 years anymore. I expect TV and Video technology to become obsolete as rapidly as computers, and video GPU boards, and digital cameras do today. Such is the nature with anything digital. While this may be a pain for most to keep up with, not to mention a financial strain ...I do believe that technology SHOULD always be pushed forward, and do not think that the technological progress of HD Video should be hindered by congress mandating an absolute set standard on US broadcasters. Those of you advocating HDTV's mandation today, may be lamenting that same mandation five years from now.