Yamaha LPX510 - LCD Projector - HD 720p User Manual download pdf (Page 8)

HD-STB vs. Integrated Tuners

Cost and Technical Considerations

Several manufacturers started to offer HDTV integrated versions with OTA/cable tuners on

their 2003/4 lines. The integrated TV versions cost between $300-$1300 more than their

monitor-only versions ($704 extra on average). The attached table and manufacturer

specifications include a representative sample of lines and models.

The difference in price is justified by the cost of tuner/s and related components, such as

an MPEG-2 decoder so the digital signal can be uncompressed for the TV to display, 1394 outputs

so the tuned compressed digital signal can be sent out for HD-recording, etc.

HD-STB tuners are still costing between $400 and $900 MSRP. The retail value of tuners

is expected to drop eventually.

Back in 1999, first generation rear projection HDTVs cost consumers between $5,000 and

$10,000, most 42” plasmas started in the $12,000 range; it was expensive for early adopters.

HD-STB tuners were selling between $400 and $900 (although there were some extreme cases

on the $3000 range). At that time, the MSRP relationship between a RPTV and an HD-STB was

approximately 10 to 1 on average.

Today, similar rear projection HDTVs cost consumers approximately $1,000/$3,000, and

the 42” plasmas are now in the $4,000 range, and they are better products (better line-doublers,

lenses, digital inputs, video processors and scalers, etc.). The price of a new HD-STB today has

not changed much, although one can still find some 1999 STB technologies at discounted prices.

Today, the MSRP relationship between a RPTV and an HD-STB is approximately 3 to 1 on

average.

In other words, the price of a HD-STB tuner today, relative to the reduced price of today’s

DTVs, should be much lower than it is. The same should apply to the price of tuners within

integrated TVs, as it can be read on the attached table.

Over the last 5 years, tuners within HD-STBs did not have a record as clean as one could

expect the product to become a component of HDTVs, but they are certainly improving.

A tuner needing replacement or service might become a nuisance if integrated within a

300 pounds RPTV that most probably require and in-home service call/extra cost. Having the

tuner as a separate HD-STB the problem could be solved as easily as just replacing/servicing just

the STB; and if it would be a leased box the cable company should take care of the problem,

which could facilitate upgrades to newer/better models. Leasing could be a good proposition

during the period

a technology needs to mature/evolve, like this one.

HD Tuning Capabilities

A cable-integrated HDTV owner that subscribes to premium cable services would be

required to use a separate cable STB (unless the HDTV has an internal cable tuner with

CableCARD, which are starting to come out on the last quarter of 2003). This subscriber would

be paying for two tuners, one inside their new integrated HDTV for unscrambled services, and

another into the external HD-STB for premium programming/interactive services (which also

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ... 17 18

No comments

Yamaha LPX510 - LCD Projector - HD 720p User Manual Page 8