February 4, 2008 Super-sizing the Big GamePosted: 08:59 AM ET
Would you pay $2 billion just to get a better picture of a football game? According to the Consumer Electronics Association, that's just what we did this weekend. While the final totals aren't in, it's estimated that high definition TV sales spiked to about 2 million extra units - inspired by the Super Bowl. With HD-capable monitors now averaging about $1,000 each, that 's a two-billion-dollar boost for HD. We already know that the outcome of the actual game is far less of an event than the commercials. Regardless of the Giants' upset, America's biggest football game soon may actually be the third most important element of Super Sunday. Two million HD sets, sitting atop an economic pyramid that's built on stuff from the electronics store, and the chips aisle of the grocery. More than a third of US homes are now estimated to have at least one HD screen. And bars and restaurants have already made the plunge: There's a chain sports bar in my neighborhood that boasts over 400 HD screens. (I seriously doubt they've ever been able to boast having 400 customers in the place). After a slow start, HD now appears poised to add itself to the list of Things We Can't Live Without. But if you rushed out this weekend to hook up a new TV to your satellite service for the Big Game, you may have been disappointed. There are some published reports of a month's wait to install the converter box and new satellite dish. I called my satellite provider, and they confirmed. But I'm not in a rush; I'm not the kind of guy who drops a thousand bucks for a better picture of the football game. I'll be happy if it's up and running for the Final Four. Filed under: HDTV |
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