Oh, Canada. Your enthusiasm and honesty knows no bounds. You're ready to leap head-first into new technologies without bothering with minor details like how these technologies work.
In a study commissioned by Sharp Electronics, only 5% of Canadians defined themselves as "very knowledgeable" about high-def terms like 1080p and response times. Nearly 50% said they were "not at all knowledgeable" about HD basics." About 30% said they only get information about HDTV from television commercials. What refreshing forthrightness!
It isn't that we think Americans are more knowledgeable about HDTV tech
specs than Canadians — in fact, plenty of studies have pointed out the
failure of most Americans to define HD requirements when quizzed. Its
just that we don't think Americans would voluntarily fess up to their
lack of expertise on the latest and greatest technologies.
Yet none of Canadians' admittedly limited knowledge of high-def has
stopped them from snapping up new sets. According to Canada's Consumer
Electronics Marketers association, about 2.75 million HDTV's will be
sold in Canada in 2008.
But Canadians, you shouldn't be so hard on yourselves. Turns out you do
know a thing or two about HDTV. The study found that you know the
difference between plasma and LCD: 53% of you prefer LCD. And your
national social consciousness is demonstrated by the fact that 48% of
Canadians polled said they would consider power consumption and
eco-friendliness when buying an HDTV. —Rachel Rosmarin
