Read this in the paper this morning:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3697268a28,00.html
Hi-tech TVs may not get the picture
12 June 2006
By ANNA CHALMERS
Television devotees who have spent thousands on new "high-definition" sets may not be able to access the technology when it arrives.
Sky has warned government officials, retailers and electronics manufacturers that most TV sets sold in New Zealand are not capable of screening high-definition pictures, which it plans to introduce next year.
"We believe that there are large numbers of consumers who have purchased a new television, have been assured by the retailer that the device is HD (high definition) capable, but when HDTV launches will be unable to view Sky programmes and other broadcasters' product," the company said.
Sky and TVNZ, which plans to launch a digital service, have met manufacturers – including Sony, Panasonic, Philips and LG – and the Consumer Electronics Association to tackle the issue.
Though many consumers have been told new sets are HDTV-ready, they will not work without a key component – an anti-pirating device. The internal hardware protects programme right-holders from unauthorised showing or copying and must be in place before shows can screen. Consumer Affairs Minister Judith Tizard has met Sky bosses about the issue and the ministry is investigating.
Consumer Electronics Association executive officer Garth Wyllie said representatives agreed action was needed.
The association planned to spearhead an update of six-year-old standards to ensure future televisions sold as "HDTV-ready" had the anti-piracy component.
Mr Wyllie could not say how many models were affected, but said cheaper brands would be more susceptible. The sets might still be compatible with the digital services offered by TVNZ and TV3.
He said a consumer education programme that could include a "tick box" showing which TVs were HDTV compliant was being considered.
It was likely components could be added to existing sets to make them HDTV-ready. "The question is whether the TV will work with it."
It was unclear whether consumers who believed they had purchased HDTV-ready sets that were not compatible had any comeback.
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3697268a28,00.html
Hi-tech TVs may not get the picture
12 June 2006
By ANNA CHALMERS
Television devotees who have spent thousands on new "high-definition" sets may not be able to access the technology when it arrives.
Sky has warned government officials, retailers and electronics manufacturers that most TV sets sold in New Zealand are not capable of screening high-definition pictures, which it plans to introduce next year.
"We believe that there are large numbers of consumers who have purchased a new television, have been assured by the retailer that the device is HD (high definition) capable, but when HDTV launches will be unable to view Sky programmes and other broadcasters' product," the company said.
Sky and TVNZ, which plans to launch a digital service, have met manufacturers – including Sony, Panasonic, Philips and LG – and the Consumer Electronics Association to tackle the issue.
Though many consumers have been told new sets are HDTV-ready, they will not work without a key component – an anti-pirating device. The internal hardware protects programme right-holders from unauthorised showing or copying and must be in place before shows can screen. Consumer Affairs Minister Judith Tizard has met Sky bosses about the issue and the ministry is investigating.
Consumer Electronics Association executive officer Garth Wyllie said representatives agreed action was needed.
The association planned to spearhead an update of six-year-old standards to ensure future televisions sold as "HDTV-ready" had the anti-piracy component.
Mr Wyllie could not say how many models were affected, but said cheaper brands would be more susceptible. The sets might still be compatible with the digital services offered by TVNZ and TV3.
He said a consumer education programme that could include a "tick box" showing which TVs were HDTV compliant was being considered.
It was likely components could be added to existing sets to make them HDTV-ready. "The question is whether the TV will work with it."
It was unclear whether consumers who believed they had purchased HDTV-ready sets that were not compatible had any comeback.
_______________________________________________
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