Survey shows consumers aren't apt to trash analog sets post-cutover

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 2nd 2008 at 10:55AM

Granted, almost half of OTA-only households in America (48-percent, to be precise) are planning on picking up a digital converter box in order to get a few more years of life out of their old set, but for those taking other routes -- like spending their stimulus checks on a new flat-panel -- it seems as if tossing 'em in the garbage is a last resort. According to new research from the Consumer Electronics Association, fewer than 15 million NTSC-only TVs will be removed from homes through 2010. Of those, 95-percent will be resold, donated or recycled -- or so the owners say. We can also remember a time when Salvation Army accepted bulky, inefficient CRT computer monitors with open arms, but trying to hand one over today can be a lesson in futility depending on the store. All in all, we figure it's easy for respondents to voice good intentions, but shortly after these sets become useless in the OTA realm without a DTV converter, we have our doubts about the vast majority of them dodging the dump for very long.

Filed under: Industry, Displays, CRT

Tags: 2009, cea, crt, cutover, donate, green, recycle, research, sell, study, survey, switchover, waste

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

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Big Sam @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:24AM

My mom has my old analog sets since hers were finally going out. Don't worry, I also bought her a HDTV over a year ago.

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Bradley @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:38AM

I have an old 13" set hooked up in my computer room. It's hooked up to cable and I use it when my PC is doing high level processing. I don't plan on replacing it even if goes out. I also have a 19" sitting in a closet that I only pull out with I dump stuff off of my DVR to my DVD recorder.

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Mr. E @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:24PM

Let's hope people aren't dropping old CRTs in the dump. With all the toxins in them, those things definitely need to be disposed of as household hazardous waste so the proper recycling will happen! Call your local waste management company for more information.

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Jim Mallory @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:55PM

We have two RCA ProScan TVs...a 20-inch that is connected to the Velocity Micro HTPC in the office and a 27-inch in the bedroom which is feed mainly from an XBOX 360 running as a Media Center Extender (plus a Sony DVD Recorder and an RCA S-VHS deck). We will be keeping these until they die. We also have a 50" LG Plasma in the living room.

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vindansam @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:05PM

Thats funny, I still have that pictured TV. :) As long as there is a converter box available, people(like grandparents), will most likely keep their TVs as long as possible and forgo the extra cost of a new TV.

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Me @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:13PM

TVs are one of those things that if it's not broke, why replace it? Most people have TVs at least 10 years, and it's not uncommon to go far longer.

It's like a car. Just because a new model is introduced every year, doesn't mean you have to buy one.

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Joel @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:09PM

Manufacturers should offer a rebate program to help people turn in their non digital and or HD televsions. Provide a pick up program at least, many people won't get rid of those old sets because they don't want to move them or can't. Give them a real reason to upgrade these sets!

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Eduardo @ Apr 2nd 2008 9:55PM

I'm definately keeping mine. But, it's not for TV shows, it's for video games.

Older systems like the Playstation 1 and the N64 had quite a few games w/ 320 x 240 rez (like Mario 64, NBA Jam TE) that look awful on an HD set but quite good on the SD sets they were made for.

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