We are in the process of moving to digital TV in the UK. Whilst this gives the costumer (how I hate the word consumer) better quality and more choice it also helps big business make more money out of our debt ridden population. To upgrade requires extra hardware (a freeview box or cable subscription) and in many cases a new TV. Also some aerials need replacing. Then there are the expensive widescreen options and HDTV. All pricey but optional. Then there are the VCR recording problems meaning you cannot record another channel when watching a programme (and maybe multiple programmes on different channels when away). This makes VCRs all but obselete. More sales for expensive digital recording solutions.
Now lets jump on the environment bandwagon. How are we going to deal with millions upon millions of old TVs and VCRs hitting the landfill sites at the same time?
There is a great solution called TV on demand available via PC. Channel 4 and channel 5 are doing this. Then there is the TV license. Why continue this when the BBC can create a TV on demand service where people pay for premium TV they use and stop taxing everyone for TV they do not always use? TVOD could get the BBC a lot more money than the license ever did.
A great marketing ploy is to get people to buy new things as upgrades and then make these appear obselete within a few years. Computers, mobile phones and cars are particular victims of this. We should have less bits and pieces. An integrated and fully upgradable integrated PC/TV/Stereo solution would cater for most needs. Then when more powerful chips and modules come out all we should have to do is replace a small circuitboard or parts that have broken down.
Now lets jump on the environment bandwagon. How are we going to deal with millions upon millions of old TVs and VCRs hitting the landfill sites at the same time?
There is a great solution called TV on demand available via PC. Channel 4 and channel 5 are doing this. Then there is the TV license. Why continue this when the BBC can create a TV on demand service where people pay for premium TV they use and stop taxing everyone for TV they do not always use? TVOD could get the BBC a lot more money than the license ever did.
A great marketing ploy is to get people to buy new things as upgrades and then make these appear obselete within a few years. Computers, mobile phones and cars are particular victims of this. We should have less bits and pieces. An integrated and fully upgradable integrated PC/TV/Stereo solution would cater for most needs. Then when more powerful chips and modules come out all we should have to do is replace a small circuitboard or parts that have broken down.
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