It's funny how many young people think technology is the best thing since sliced bread. But I'm sure you probably haven't noticed how high-definition has actually turned back the clock as far as TV is concerned.
Long long ago in a galaxy far, far away (around 1963) I was a rabid New York Giants fan. (Still am.) Problem was, in those days the NFL had a total blackout rule for home games, even when there was a sellout. And my team had been sold out since the beginning of time. Since the New York City station could not carry the Giants, we turned our attention, and antennas, to the nearest CBS affiliate in Hartford, Connecticut.
The scene was something like this on Sunday mornings. My dad on the roof, swinging the antenna toward Hartford. I was the "relay man" on the ground. Mom kept an eye on the set. A typical exchange went like this:
Dad: "Anything?"
Me: "Mom, anything?"
Mom: "Snow."
This went on until my mother could see what was a passable picture. Of course if it really was snowing in New York, it made the game nearly impossible to watch. Eventually we got a remote-controlled rotating antenna. There was no cable, no satellite, and no monthly bill. TV was free.
Flash forward. We've been paying an exhorbitant rate to get a decent picture on the tube.
Until high-def.
Now I can get a spectacular picture from my rooftop antenna which is better than the one you can get with cable or satellite. Free. Just like 1963. Without getting on the roof.
Few people know that high def TVs will actually work with old fashioned rabbit ears or an antenna. You don't need special converters if you have a high definition TV, which has been incorrectly reported in many media outlets. And the picture is better since you are getting it directly from the transmitter. (And there's your story idea for sweeps.)
Just funny that we think we've come so far, when in reality we've just gone back in time.
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