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Randy

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Par For The Course

Entertainment > Old Television Set
 

Old Television Set

My television set is perhaps 20 years old and still working just fine. The problem is, it's not a flat screen.

Why is that a problem? Well, evidently, TV shows and sports events nowadays are meant to be shown on flat screens. That means with my regular old-fashion round screen, the top and bottom is "squared off", and left/right edges are stretched, which cuts off a considerable amount of the picture.

For example, Paul Ryan took up three fourths of the screen, while Joe Biden's face was partially cut off (during the debate).

"Insets", like baseball game information, are totally out of the picture. This drives me nuts.

But I love my TV set. The actual scenes and people appear normal, not "oblate" (flattened), which flat screens make them look. Everybody looks short, squatty, and fat, i.e., distorted.

So what's the solution? Grin and bear it, I suppose. I'm not going to run out and buy a new television set if mine is not broken.
I haven't complained about anything for awhile, so it was time! Later.

posted on Oct 16, 2012 4:56 AM ()

Comments:

We got rid of some old TV's in a move and I was shocked that I couldn't give them away... Granted they were only 19 inchers, but still! After we put them out curbside one disappeared, so I felt a bit better about it. I don't think we really watch TV on an older TV anymore, we have 3 flatscreens and one old school one that I didn't want to part with.
comment by kristilyn3 on Oct 20, 2012 9:23 AM ()
Did you read my reply to nittineedles below? "If it ain't broke, don't throw it away"!
reply by solitaire on Oct 21, 2012 5:19 AM ()
The formats are different, not just digital vs. analog, but the layout proportions differ as well. Analog is 4:3 and digital is 16:9 which is why your image is cut off. New TVs are much cheaper than they used to be, but I won't tell you how to spend your money. You tickle the s**t out of me. You don't believe in an afterlife and yet you act like someone who thinks they can "take it with them"!
comment by dragonflyby on Oct 19, 2012 9:35 AM ()
Thanks for the techno info! I really didn't know. As far as "taking it with me", ha ha! I do have trouble spending money on myself, but no problems with giving it to my children and grandchildren. Just started two $1000 college funds for the grandchillen. And hey, I am renting that place in Florida for two weeks. That ain't free!
reply by solitaire on Oct 20, 2012 5:23 AM ()
I think the squished look is because of the difference between wide screen and normal. As in the TV stretching a "normal" screen into a wide screen. The top and bottom bars are from watching a wide screen broadcast on your non-wide screen TV. I have a flat screen TV, but just the screen is flat, the TV is still deep. It seems like I'm the only one that doesn't have one of those HUGE flat TVs that mount on the wall. Having one is a status symbol around here. But how can that be when everyone else has one too?
comment by crazylife on Oct 17, 2012 7:58 PM ()
I'm always blown away when I see a mammoth flat screen at someones house. I think holy smokes, how can they afford that? Priorities. I'm too practical (and cheap)! Hope all is well.
reply by solitaire on Oct 18, 2012 4:58 AM ()
Australia has switched to digital from analouge meaning you had to have a digital set so bought flat screen one . the govenment would give free of charge a set top box which would operate in digital to those who kept the old sets
comment by kevinshere on Oct 17, 2012 2:34 AM ()
The U.S. had the same program. I got 2 converter boxes for virtually nothing. But I hate them. I'm too far away from the TV station transmitters to get many channels--and those are only the non-satellite ones.
reply by solitaire on Oct 17, 2012 4:55 AM ()
I never watch TV shows, but I do watch some sports, esp. college football and NFL games, and movies. They are much, much better on a large HD flat screen and, as Fredo suggests, the prices have come down. Certainly by next GOLF SEASON you ought to buy one to watch the majors.
comment by steve on Oct 16, 2012 6:11 PM ()
As much as I like to PLAY golf, I don't really like to watch it. I'm too impatient. I say out-loud, "Just hit the damn ball!" Translation: no new TV.
reply by solitaire on Oct 17, 2012 4:53 AM ()
I shouldn't have assumed you have cable, maybe it's satellite, or you go for the free signal with an adapter. I have no idea about any issues with those.
comment by drmaus on Oct 16, 2012 10:36 AM ()
Living room TV on DISH satellite, kitchen TV on a converter box (which I hate).
reply by solitaire on Oct 17, 2012 4:50 AM ()
We got a 60 inch flat TV because Ed had to have it. It's nice. Didn't need to do it for me. We still have old TVs in the two bedrooms. I only watch one of those if Ed is watching the Western channel (guh, eww, ugh, vomit).
comment by tealstar on Oct 16, 2012 10:28 AM ()
Another reason I don't have a spouse. I remember those days. Ditto on the expletives.
reply by solitaire on Oct 17, 2012 4:48 AM ()
Make sure your new TV, and after 20 years you will be needing a new one soon, is HD. Ours isn't and we get a band of black across the top and the bottom of the picture.
comment by nittineedles on Oct 16, 2012 10:22 AM ()
I have that black band, too. I have no intention on buying a new TV, unless this one goes bad. Heck, I even have a kitchen TV that's so old, it has no remote control! At least 40 years old!
reply by solitaire on Oct 17, 2012 4:46 AM ()
If you're saying that your TV's images of people are short and squat -- stretched horizontally somewhat, give the cable company a call. That sounds like the same thing they've had to adjust on the signal coming in to my TV as well. Even an old TV should still give a normal picture.
comment by drmaus on Oct 16, 2012 8:33 AM ()
No, my TV people are fine. It's the flat screens I've seen in stores and homes where humans are squashed, scenery distorted.
reply by solitaire on Oct 17, 2012 4:44 AM ()
We are now using an old set in the living room, although I'm not aware of the picture being as bad as you describe. Perhaps it has something to do with the signal the cable company is sending to you. Anyway, we're back to the old tube because the 32 inch flat screen only last 3 years (barely). When I mention this to people, not one has been surprised. Apparently the flat screen is expect to last the length of the warranty.

Donna wants a new one (of course) but I'm not ready to invest a hundred bucks a year for the privilege of watching the news (Ok, I sleep through a lot of it).
comment by jjoohhnn on Oct 16, 2012 7:14 AM ()
If flat screens only last several years, that's another good reason to hang on to my old one. Wonder if it'll last my lifetime?
reply by solitaire on Oct 17, 2012 4:42 AM ()
The prices of TV have come down drastic.For goodness sake Randy get a flat tv.
Enjoyed the HD and more.
comment by fredo on Oct 16, 2012 5:05 AM ()
I don't watch much TV anyway. It's turned on mostly for my own company.
reply by solitaire on Oct 17, 2012 4:40 AM ()

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