Weekly Written Analysis 4:
Television-Flat Screen HD
In recent years a major switch has occurred in the television arena. In years prior it seemed that the larger the TV and the more area of the room it occupied meant the more money one had to waste on trivial items. Now, though, smaller is better and thin, flat televisions are all the rage. Ten or 15 years ago TVs were still the box-like tube style type that was heavy and awkward to move. Now they are only inches thick and can hang on a wall, taking up no usable space in a room. It is nearly impossible these days to walk into an electronics store and find the old style television, and if you do, almost nobody is interested in purchasing it. Most are interested in LCD, plasma, and now even LED technology. These types of televisions cost more than traditional tube style(though price has dropped dramatically in recent years) but the cost to power them is significantly less than those they are replacing.
The switch to flat screen televisions also brought about the idea of high definition picture. With LCD and plasma technology, it is possible for buyers to have extremely vivid and lifelike pictures in their own home. With a little extra money to the cable or satellite provider, users can have high definition quality with their movies, sports, or favorite sitcom. The push for more HD has become apparent in most lineups, with hundreds of channels now available for the higher quality.
Some traditionalists prefer to stick with their tube style televisions, but odds are once they are in the market for a new TV, little will be available for them to choose from.
References
Petracca, M. & Sorapure, M. (2007). Common culture: Reading and writing about American popular culture. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Weed, William, September 10, 2004. Current Science: Fat to flat: thin tv’s are the rage, but are they all that? Weekly Reader.
