Most consumers are still relatively uneducated when it comes to HDTV. In fact, according to Rick Chessen, the associate chief and chairman of the FCC, American consumers need to realize that “analog sets will have limited capabilities in their future.” But, is it really important to make the switch to HDTV now. Or should you wait till later?

The answer to this question lies mostly in personal opinion and individual situations. Currently, television channels are not HDTV. Those that do offer HDTV are: ABC, CBS, Cinemax, Encore, ESPN, ESPN 2, Fox, Fox Sports, HBO, HDNet, The Movie Channel, NBC, PBS, Showtime, and Starz, Universal. With the exception of the broadcast networks of ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and PBS, each of these channels requires cable or satellite service to receive.

Therefore, a person who doesn’t watch any of these channels often might not need to run out and buy a HDTV at the moment. By the end of 2006, however, the FCC has dictated that every channel must broadcast in only digital format. Digital format is not the same as HDTV, but HDTV needs digital format in order to run. If the FCC gets its way, analog televisions will be nothing more than oversized paperweights, unless the owner purchases a special digital-to-analog converter. In this case, the television will be able to show programming, but it still won’t be of the higher quality received by those who own televisions with digital receivers.

Of course, most people who watch television watch at least one of the channels that currently broadcast in HDTV. So, the question still remains: Should the HDTV be bought now, or should the consumer wait?

With the FCC’s regulations, coupled with the ever-increasing popularity of HDTV, there is no avoiding the fact that HDTV is in the future of all Americans. But, for the true television connoisseur, there doesn’t appear to be much advantage to either waiting to buy an HDTV or purchasing one now.

True, the price of HDTV televisions has fallen since they were first introduced. And, they are likely to continue to fall. But for the person who is passionate about television, it almost seems foolish to wait to purchase an HDTV because it is simply putting off the inevitable. There are no current HDTV breakthroughs on the horizon, so waiting to purchase an HDTV won’t increase the chances of having the “latest and greatest” technology – which technology has already arrived.

For someone who is, however, an infrequent viewer of television or who doesn’t relish the television viewing experience, it might be a good idea to simply wait. When the time comes that all broadcasters are forced to switch to digital broadcasting, it will come time for these consumers to make a decision. They can either purchase an HDTV television, or they can buy a digital-to-analog converter.

If the current analog television still produces an acceptable picture and is still in good working order, purchasing a digital-to-analog is likely the best choice for people in this category. Most experts believe these will only cost about $50-100 at the time the switchover takes place, which makes buying one of the converters quite affordable – particularly when compared to paying hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars for a HDTV television.

In fact, there has been talk within the government about assisting low-income families in purchasing digital-to-analog converters. This discussion has mostly taken place because it is likely to be low-income families who are most affected by the FCC’s mandate for all broadcasters to switch to digital. The current Bush administration, however, is not in favor of this suggestion.

No matter a person’s level of television passion, a person in the market to purchase a new television in order to replace a new one should seriously consider purchasing an HDTV television instead of an analog television. If a consumer does purchase an analog television, it will soon be obsolete and will require additional money to enjoy television programming. It is worthwhile to save the time and worries and spend a little extra cash on the HDTV now, rather than spend extra money down the road on a television that doesn’t provide the extra perks supplied by HDTV.