CEA: Half Of U.S. Homes Have DTVs

[HDTV1080P]

It looks like 50% of the US owns a combination of digital 480I (SDTV), and digital 720P-1080P (HDTV). In 2008 and 2009 there might be more SDTV sold versus HDTV since some people do not want to spend a few hundred dollars more for a 720P. All they want is to be able to watch is ATSC broadcasts when the analog cut off occurs. The under $100 480I TV’s with an ATSC tuner will be all some people are interested in. Some experts are predicting more SDTV will be sold then HDTV. There is an estimated 28-30 million people that will need to upgrade their TV’s since they do not have cable or satellite when the NTSC cutoff occurs in Feb 2009.
There might be a shortage of TV’s and converter boxes available at retail after Feb 17 2009. If 30 million people all at once were to upgrade their TV’s it might improve the economy and create a big shortage of TV’s for several months to a year after the Feb 17 2009.
Only time will tell how many people still will use a indoor or outdoor TV antenna. This might be a minor issue like the Y2K scare.

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6515631.html