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TVs fade out as technology takes over
Stuff.co ^ | 9/14/06 | SMH

Posted on 09/14/2006 7:37:16 AM PDT by qam1

If you had to choose between your PC, TV set or mobile phone, which one would you pick?

That was one of the questions researcher Forrester posed to almost 4800 households in the US and, although the TV set still ruled the roost in most homes, the study showed that it was no longer the top gadget of choice among the young and prosperous.

Forrester found that less than 20 per cent of the gen Y group (aged 18-26) ranked TVs top compared with the 37 per cent who rated their PCs as the most important. A further 27 per cent preferred their mobile phones, while the remainder nominated other gadgets.

Among the older gen X age group (27-40) only a quarter of respondents gave their TV set the highest rating against a more substantial 28 per cent who preferred their PCs, with only 19 per cent nominating their mobile phone.

Those earning above $US75,000 ($100,000) a year also had a marked preference for their PCs with 32 per cent electing them as their favourite devices compared with the 27 per cent who nominated their TVs. However most of those earning under $US75,000 still preferred their TVs.

TVs also triumphed among older age groups, and they claimed top spot overall with nearly a third (32 per cent) of all those surveyed still nominating them as the most important device in their lives, compared with 21 per cent who preferred their PCs (desktop or laptop). Mobile phones, meanwhile, ranked third as the must-have device for only one in seven.

Forrester said: "It's inevitable that TVs' long reign as the most important device in consumers' lives will come to a close as computers, cell phones and other connected devices transfer control over entertainment, communications, media and creativity to consumers."

But with 54 per cent of homes expected to own an HDTV by 2011, the researcher added: "The TV set isn't dead, it's just shifting to become only one of many devices that advertisers, content owners and distributors and media companies should live with in the TV present while preparing for the PC and cell phone future."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: genx; tech; technology; theresnothingon; tv; vastwasteland
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1 posted on 09/14/2006 7:37:18 AM PDT by qam1
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To: qam1

I don't watch TV anymore because... there's nothing to watch. (We don't have cable.)


2 posted on 09/14/2006 7:39:02 AM PDT by sionnsar (†trad-anglican.faithweb.com†|Iran Azadi| 5yst3m 0wn3d - it's N0t Y0ur5 (SONY) | UN: Useless Nations)
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To: qam1; ItsOurTimeNow; PresbyRev; tortoise; Fraulein; StoneColdGOP; Clemenza; m18436572; ...
Xer Ping

Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social (and sometimes nostalgic) aspects that directly effects Generation Reagan / Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations (i.e. The Baby Boomers) are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.

Freep mail me to be added or dropped. See my home page for details and previous articles.

3 posted on 09/14/2006 7:39:35 AM PDT by qam1 (There's been a huge party. All plates and the bottles are empty, all that's left is the bill to pay)
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To: qam1

I read Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace back in 1995 or so and it poked fun at the demise of TV...and it turned out to be a prophetic comedy.


4 posted on 09/14/2006 7:39:38 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: qam1

PCs and soon Mobile phones are starting to function as TVs. Who would have thought that with the advent of the Internet, the telephone is now a much more important communications device then the new fangled TV.


5 posted on 09/14/2006 7:39:53 AM PDT by Borges
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To: sionnsar
I don't watch TV anymore because... there's nothing to watch. (We don't have cable.)

Even with cable, there's still nothing to watch.

6 posted on 09/14/2006 7:40:46 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: sionnsar

Well, we have no TV and no cell phone, so I guess our choice is easy. (We DO watch DVDs on the computer screen, but that is hardly mandatory for our inner happiness.)


7 posted on 09/14/2006 7:41:40 AM PDT by sittnick (There is no salvation in politics.)
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To: dfwgator

Old movies on cold weekends.


8 posted on 09/14/2006 7:42:31 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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To: qam1

TV isn't dead. But "television" is.

My "TV" has a receiver but most of the time, even when I watch something that is "broadcast" (air or cable), I am using the tuner/remote from my DVR or CVR.

So my "TV" doesn't need a receiver of its own (my DVR will even let me record one program while watching another).

Which brings up its other role, as a monitor to display DVDs, laserdiscs, videotapes (VHS and 8mm)...

A lot of people are watching tv shows/concerts/clips on YouTube and other multimedia website. Is that "tv" or "PC"?

The distribution method doesn't really matter when you examine what is being watched.

If someone watches The Sopranos or 24 on DVD (from Netflix or Best Buy) instead of on Fox (live or Tivo), are they still "watching tv"?


9 posted on 09/14/2006 7:43:29 AM PDT by weegee (Remember "Remember the Maine"? Well in the current war "Remember the Baby Milk Factory")
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To: qam1

The revolution will not be televised!


10 posted on 09/14/2006 7:45:13 AM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: qam1

I have always been a TV junkie and will always be one regardless of what's on.


11 posted on 09/14/2006 7:45:15 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: dfwgator; sionnsar
No MNF for me this year (dang!).

With broadband, you can downstream shows, or highlights as required. World Cup soccer was a great example of that: downstreamed the SUN UK audio, some of us caught matches on ESPN 360 online, Univision was broadcasting on TV.

In the UK, they offered all matches via broadband!

12 posted on 09/14/2006 7:46:28 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: sionnsar

Well, let's see. Cell phones can connect to the Internet and download streaming audio and video, including motion pictures and broadcast television programs. Computers can make telephone calls using VoIP and can certainly download and play movies and programs on any size screen. Televisions can be hooked up to WebTV and some cable/satellite providers provide two-way service, and cable companies are strating to offer telephone service.

So, my PC can mimic a phone and a TV in any size (Blackberry and Palm to giant Plasma), a phone can mimic a small computer or portable TV, and a TV can provide some of the features of a phone or computer. I guess the convergence is happening, and the question is almost moot.


13 posted on 09/14/2006 7:46:51 AM PDT by sittnick (There is no salvation in politics.)
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To: P-40

It was inevitable that tv's place would diminish.

It isn't "gone" and won't completely "go away".

With digital broadcasts, your viewing habits will be capable of being monitored (meaning targeted SPAM, er advertising, and even "live feedback" on gameshows, "top of the pops" video shows, political polls, etc.). Your TV will BECOME a computer.

People are watching tv on their phones now.

The same content is available through different sources.

The GOOD thing is that the "traditional" media schedule will become a thing of the past. No more "news block", junk/rerun block, and MAYBE the trend towards informercials (even on the major network affiliates after midnight) will end.


14 posted on 09/14/2006 7:48:32 AM PDT by weegee (Remember "Remember the Maine"? Well in the current war "Remember the Baby Milk Factory")
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To: qam1
No surprise here. I got rid of my TV in March of 1995.

I have a PC, And a Pocket PC/phone.

15 posted on 09/14/2006 7:50:38 AM PDT by MrEdd (The easiest way to LIE with statistics is to use the average instead of the Median.)
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To: qam1
>If you had to choose between your PC, TV set or mobile phone, which one would you pick?

Hey. GUYS! This is called
a "girl." They talk, like TVs,
but they're warmer and

even when they're not
plugged in you can often get
entertaining shows . . .

16 posted on 09/14/2006 7:50:39 AM PDT by theFIRMbss
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To: qam1

Without a doubt, my PC. Just got a new laptop yesterday...17" screen WOOHOO!!!


17 posted on 09/14/2006 7:50:44 AM PDT by Hildy
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To: weegee
Your TV will BECOME a computer

That was the way it became in the book. You basically just ordered whatever content you wanted and it was delivered by modem.
18 posted on 09/14/2006 7:50:49 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: P-40

I read that book... it was excellent. Didn't care for his other stuff, but 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again' wasn't bad.

I don't watch TV either. If I had to choose, I'd pick the computer. Don't use a cellphone either; I have one for emergencies, but I don't use it.


19 posted on 09/14/2006 7:51:06 AM PDT by Venerable Bede (ConservativeUnderground.com... come join the party!)
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To: dfwgator
Even with cable, there's still nothing to watch.

What about Sponge Bob?

:-)

20 posted on 09/14/2006 7:51:41 AM PDT by LasVegasMac (Islam........not fit for human consumption.)
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