Why did you choose the HDTV you purchased? This was one of the top questions explored in the J.D. Power 2012 High Definition Television (HDTV) Report.
Our colleague Ted Green of The Stratecon Group, discusses some of the survey conclusions on his blog, specifically noting the lack of importance of 3D TV as a sales motivator.
Ted, you wrote:
I know not everyone who reads this post agrees with us, and we’ve taken a fair share of criticism for our viewpoint, but we’ve been consistently skeptical of the power of 3D to drive HDTV sales.
Controversial or not, we agree with you.
We’re right there with you on the “3D-won’t-take-off-any-time-soon” boat. The higher price. The lack of programming. The need for goofy glasses (in most cases.) There are plenty of ways to create a movie theater atmosphere in your home, and none of them require 3D special effects. But back to the J.D. Power study…
Number One Sales Motivator to Choose an HDTV Screen
The J.D. Power reports shows that only 11 percent of respondents listed “3D capabilities” as a motivating factor in the purchase of their HDTV. The number one sales motivator? Drumroll please…
Price.
Here in the AV trenches of New York, whether we’re installing home theater systems in New York apartments or Staten Island homes, or commercial audiovisual systems in retail venues, houses of worship or professional offices, we hear it time and again: “How much is this going to cost?”
We understand. Budgets are tight everywhere. It’s all a matter of knowing where to spend and where to save. If your systems are installed professionally… Let’s put it this way: We’re not going to recommend or specify sub-par AV equipment just to save you few bucks. We’ll work within your budget while providing you the audio video equipment, whether that’s a switcher, control system or plasma or LED screen, that fits your needs and the effect you want to achieve in your living room or commercial venue.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing to shop by price when you’re looking at consumer HDTV screens, because plasmas, LCDs and LEDs continue to drop in price, and you can get a lot of high-quality screens for less and less money, especially if you just need a new HDTV for your living room or family room.
But if you’re putting in a high-end home theater system or planning a large-scale commercial audiovisual installation, a consultant can help you choose the best screen for your money, without sacrificing quality for low cost. Whether you’re buying and mounting your own HDTV or relying on professionals, don’t forget the other important factors to consider.
According to the J.D. Power report, the top motivating factors for picking a specific HDTV screen, after price, were:
- Brand reputation – 60%
- Positive reviews – 37%
- Past experience with the brand – 36%
- Quality of construction – 33%
To come full circle, at the bottom of the list was 3D capabilities. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. If you’re putting together a home theatre system, there are better ways to spend your money than with a 3D LED or plasma screen. Consider 7.1 surround sound for a truly immersive experience, a high-quality remote control or even extra-comfy chairs to enhance your home theater experience.