As we tech fans get bogged down in the differences between HDMI 1.2 and HDMI 1.3, it’s useful to be reminded that a lot of people don’t have even a basic understanding of high definition television.
According to a Best Buy survey conducted in August:
*89 percent of people said they lacked a complete understanding of HDTV technology.
*48 percent of consumers didn’t budget appropriately for the “entire” HD experience. This means consumers allocated their budget almost entirely for the television only and neglected to consider additional costs for cables, audio systems and upgrading to cable or satellite services that offer HD channels.
These are bad numbers for Best Buy and other electronics retailers because shoppers buy an expensive television, get home and realize they don’t know how to hook it up or suddenly discover that they have to spend even more on HD video service, and then return their TV to Best Buy.
While it may be tempting to laugh at those novices, their struggles limit everyone’s access to HD programming.
After all, if those people stick to standard def, that means fewer HD customers, which means less incentive for broadcasters to launch new HD channels.
Best Buy says it’s pumping up its in-store educational efforts this holiday season in order to make sure people go home happy.
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