Why are you critics so critical??

You are way off base on this article. I do not even know where to start. No where in your article did you happen to mention how good HDTV performance is or how antiquated our ancient NTSC system is.

Consumer demand for high quality HDTV performance is driving the DTV revolution, not the Federal Government analog shut off mandate. Somewhere around 20 Million HDTV sets were sold in 2007 alone, driven exclusively by the "private sector". Myself, I have sold thousands of HDTV sets and never one single time has a customer indicated they are making the purchase because they need to be prepared for the analog cut off date imposed by the feds. The reason people are buying all these HDTV sets is pretty simple, they want better performance and they are willing to pay for it. Some people actually do want superior audio and video quality believe it or not.

I also have a real problem with the concept of letting the majority (private sector) decide what technology I will be able to enjoy. The majority likes i-pods and hates Super Audio CDs. The majority loves Top 40 music and hates Blues and Jazz music. The majority thinks our 60 year old television broadcast standard is excellent and HDTV is a rip off. The majority thinks it is ridiculous to pay for satellite radio and FM is outstanding. The majority thinks McDonalds has the best hamburgers..........

For the first time in my life, I am going to have to take up for the federal government. If it takes a mandate from congress to speed up the HDTV broadcast industry, I am all for it. The coupons are a big joke and they are wasting billions of dollars but what else is new?

I just think you were way off base on this one. I do agree with many of your points but the article was way to negative and never once mentions that HDTV is actually a good thing.

Thanks.

Scott Huffman