Best Buy kicks analog TVs to the curb
By Matt Burns 
posted Oct 17th 2007 1:48PM
posted Oct 17th 2007 1:48PM
Best Buy is saying sayonara to analog TVs by announcing that it has pulled all analog sets from its shelves, which marks the first time a big box retailer of this magnitude has publicly announced an exit from the analog TV biz. Of course, this decision now enables the firm to shamelessly proclaim that any television purchased within the confines of its brick and mortar walls will work in the all-digital future -- and for those not willing to pick up a new set, it also stated that it will be participating in the NTIA DTV Converter Box Coupon Program starting early next year. At first glance, the announcement sounds like much needed progress towards getting folks ready for the 2009 switchover, but for moms and pops scouting a 13-inch analog CRT on the cheap for that garage / playroom, it looks like you'll be "forced" to check out one with a digital tuner... or an LCD. As if you needed another excuse, right?
About time. Now lets see if they can get rid of all the 4:3 sets as well...
Actually it is a shame that we can't get the 4:3 ratio in the LCD/Plasma TV's The widescreen ration is very wasteful of space and unnecessary for viewing most things.
"but for moms and pops scouting a 13-inch CRT on the cheap for that garage / playroom, it looks like you'll be forced to throw down for an LCD or head elsewhere"
Apparently you haven't ever looked for a 13-inch CRT with an ATSC (digital) tuner at Best Buy.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8203552&type=product&id=1165610378944
So when is BB going to kick HD DVD to the curb as well? I'm guessing by Q1 of 2008. HD DVD will not survive the holiday season unless they start giving them away in Happy Meals with 10 free discs.
For the second time, what the hell does hd-dvd have to do with this?! This is the second post that you've made this comment, so you must have a point to make and I'm willing to hear it. The problem is that the 2 times you've brought it up, it has nothing to with the article listed. So please, get it off your chest.
If you actually pay attention and read what is posted on this website, you would know that HD DVD actually has more titles CURRENTLY available than Blu-Ray due to Paramount going HD DVD only, so it's not going away anytime soon. I'm not even rooting for one over another but I couldn't help pointing our your ignorance.
JDM- I have to respectfully disagree. The only thing I even watch in 4:3 now is The Simpsons. Everything else I watch on TV and almost every movie I watch is widescreen. The 16:9 ratio isn't wasteful- its closer to the ratio of movies, and it mimics the field of human vision more. And the more 16:9 TVs get out there, the more content the providers will send out in widescreen.
TJ - agreed. Now that DTV has added so many channels, I've actually trimmed my channels down to show only the HD channels in my program guide. The only three exceptions are my freaking local NBC affiliate that I can only get in Lo-Fi, my local CW station and Fox News. Virtually everything else I could care less about.
I'm also boycotting my local NBC affiliate by shifting all the viewing I can to the re-broadcasts on Sci-Fi, USA and Bravo. I have been able to get Bionic Woman and Life and occasionally Chuck this way. I'm just so tired of watching a crappy picture when everything else looks so killer.