A few years ago I made the switch from standard definition TV to a high-definition world. I’ve never looked back. Once you see sports and your favorite shows in HD, it’s hard to watch them any other way.
Especially sports.
What’s interesting is when you hear people still say “there is nothing like being at the game. It’s so much better than watching it on TV.”
That opinion is slowly changing. According to Motorola, which conducted a survey of around 1,000 adults nationwide, 45% of those asked said they prefer to watch the game at home on their high definition televisions.
That’s pretty remarkable. Football is the most popular sport in America and one that comes with a long history of tailgating and parties. People spend over 5, 6 even 8 hours at a stadium doing the pregame food cooking, the football tossing and just general fan festivities. And then they watch the game.
So what does it say that almost half of Americans would rather watch it in HD?
While many sports these days are broadcast in HD, football seems to be one of the best ones to watch on your new plasma or LCD widescreen. You get all the great replays in HD, the huddles, the sidelines and just a wider vision of the field than you used to have. And unless you have deep pockets, what you see in HD on your set could be closer and look bigger than what you would see from upper level seats.
I for one am with the 45% group. I subscribe to Direct TV and therefore must have the NFL Ticket. There is nothing like having every game at your fingertips, with almost every one in high definition. You also get things like player stats, Red Zone channels and fantasy team updates.
Yet some sports are still more exciting in person I think. I’m a huge NBA fan and while watching on TV is absolutely awesome, nothing beats being in a basketball arena during playoff time, with the crowds and noise.
Basketball is a much quicker game too, with less breaks and more continuous action. Football has tons of pauses between plays, timeouts and quarters/halftimes. Filling those breaks in with replays and stats helps make it a better viewing on TV.
So with that being said, you’ll find me at home tomorrow, watching football on the couch where I belong, while I still haven’t seen the new Cardinals stadium from anywhere other than the freeway.
I paid a lot of money for NFL Ticket and I plan to get the most out of it.
No question watching the NFL in HD is far better than being there and NFL sunday ticket rocks! I’ve been to the new Card’s stadium and it’s nice, but not as nice as my living room and my big screen with HD.
Basketball to me is a little closer. I like watching it live, but at home in HD is still better.
Baseball is the only sport where I actually prefer to see it live. The action is slower and is easy to follow. Noting like being at the game for the D-backs or sitting in the bleachers in you favorite outdoor stadium. I used to love the Padres when I lived in San Diego and had many great afternoons with the Orioles when I was in college.
On a side note motor sports are also better in person.
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I just wish that watching it at home included someone serving me the junk food standards that come at an arena… Cotton Candy, corndogs, etc. Somehow being at the game makes junk food devouring less guilty!
Are you asking me to serve you that next week? On my BLOG?
You could just ASK me in person you know