TV & Home Entertainment: Is the growing list of additional features all good?

Warning; rant follows!

You’ve no doubt heard the saying… “bad things always happen in threes”. I recently experienced such an episode (or maybe tripisode?) regarding my home entertainment equipment. Three of my electronic components went kaput, one after another, with barely a week between each.

#1 – Where have all the ‘basic’ TVs gone?

First off, my 42″ big screen TV died. This was not a huge shock as it was getting on for 12 years old. I have it on good authority that one TV year equates to six human years… so, 72 years old is not too bad. This TV was so old it had an analog tuner. Okay, no big deal, off to the stores to shop for a replacement.

I had already decided to go with a similar basic TV but with a larger 55″ display and, obviously, a HD tuner :). I was surprised to find that 55″ TVs were in short supply, every other size was well represented but not my preferred size. I mentioned this to the pimply-faced adolescent sales assistant who responded with a smirk… “Ever heard of popularity?” I snapped back at him… “Ever heard of stock control?” I thought it was a pretty apt riposte but apparently it was a tad too tall for this guy.

Now to the crux of the matter; do you think I could find a ‘basic’ TV for a basic TV price? No way Jose! These modern TVs come with every conceivable feature known to mankind; internet connectivity, 3D, streaming this, connect to that. For goodness sake, all I want to do is watch shows on my big screen TV. Apparently, whether you need or want this interminable array of additional features doesn’t come into the equation, you must pay for them regardless. Seems to me that the big manufactures are so intent on out-featuring one another they’ve lost sight of the ‘basic TV at a basic price’ concept. The outcome was that I ended up being forced to pay for stuff I never wanted and will never use. Now, obviously there are plenty of people who will appreciate all these embellishments, and maybe I’m out of step with current consumer demands, but surely there should be a less expensive option available for those of us who do not want or need all this additional fluff.

#2 – AV Receiver: No problem here

The second item, my AV receiver, is barely worth mentioning. It was an old Kenwood which I bought many years ago and, although its sudden expiration was not welcomed, it was not entirely unexpected either. I include it here only because it is part and parcel of the three strikes scenario. One point I will mention though; this is one area of home entertainment componentry which has definitely improved over time, both in terms of  technology and pricing. There is such an abundance of excellent AV receivers out there at very reasonable prices, the only problem is choosing which one.

#3 – Copyright Police influencing manufacturers?

The third, and thankfully final item, was my combination DVD player/hard drive recorder. I’ve owned a succession of similar devices, 3 in 10 years. Mind you, I do use it to the max. In terms of hours of usage, I’ve actually had a pretty good run. So, off to the store once more.

Again, my main requirement was for the fundamentals only, and again I was sorely disappointed. As with the TV scenario, these things now come with a plethora of additional features, whether the consumer wants them or not. I settled on the most basic model I could find and rushed home eager to hook it up. Imagine my surprise when I took it out of the box only to discover that there were no input connections of any kind… not a single solitary one! Now, some might say that I was silly not to check that in the store beforehand but I didn’t bother because… what on earth is the use of one of these machines if it doesn’t include any input connection? All my previously owned models included multiple AV inputs, it doesn’t make any sense not to. Under these circumstances, the only thing you can record is free-to-air TV via the built-in HD tuner. No PayTV, nothing from any external source whatsoever!

So, back to the store with new purchase in tow. I express my dismay to the shop assistant who informs me that none of the newer standard models include any input connections. I can buy the super-duper, complete with hot and cold running blondes, top of the range model, with even more paraphernalia that I will never use, and which also includes one AV input, for roughly double the price if I like … almost $800.00 … I tell him, no thanks!

At this stage, the store Manager, who had apparently been listening in nearby, approaches and informs me that manufactures have decided to do away with input connections on these devices under advisement (pressure?) from the copyright police… I assume he meant media organizations. Seriously!!! Strangely though, and somewhat contradictorily, input connections remain available on exorbitantly priced top of the range models. After hours spent traipsing around local stores I finally found an older, superseded model which included one AV input… I am now a happy camper! By the way; it was $50.00 dearer than the newer, you beaut models.

I might add; pursuant to the enlightening conversation with the store Manager, I learned that the previously common “dubbing” feature, which allows copying from hard drive to DVD, is also no longer available as standard. So, while it might appear that we are gaining more features for the dollar, in reality, genuinely useful functionality is being substantially reduced. The copyright police?

While we are on the subject of DVD players; why is that USB inputs on more expensive brand name players support only one or possibly two popular video formats, while USB inputs on el cheapo generic brand players support just about every video format known to mankind? The copyright police?

I can’t help wondering just what other areas and decisions the “copyright’ police” might be surreptitiously influencing. Food for thought!

Anyway, it was an interesting exercise to say the least. Shopping for replacements for these broken components re-enforced for me just how quickly the technology is changing, and perhaps not always for the better.

**Pricing, descriptions, and features relate to Australia.