We had recently published the new EICTA “HD Ready” certification logo that we thought would be of great help to any HD potential buyer in a rather confused market. EICTA stands for European Information, Communications and Consumer Electronics Technology Industry Association, for their web site click here.
Well… there’s some disappointment about the veracity and transparency of today’s offers in the retail shops, according to some BBC report… GfK, an analysis and market research company claims that no more than… 1.3% (YES!) of all products claiming to be HD compatible are indeed HD Ready certified or certifiable. Those products lack true HD compatibility either on their back –no true HD connectivity- OR “inside”, i.e. they are not even equipped with the proper HD resolution OR BOTH…! Astra, the satellite operator, has determined that up to 74+ devices come in one or both of these No-True-HD categories. Frightening…!
Nothing you can do there but being very conscious and patient, as well as very demanding when you finally decide to enter the 21st century image market. First check the HD Ready Logo requirements, take good note of them on a piece of paper and go to the shop asking silly questions. Then, read all about the news releases and articles and reviews about the new releases of manufacturers, and check their announced availability on the UK market (see EICTA web site link above). Finally, look out for the HD Ready logo everywhere. And good luck…