The first high-definition-television (HDTV) sets are making their way from dealers’ warehouses to living rooms in several areas of the United States. In another year, the service should be available in more than 30 major cities. With delivery of the first sets and the start of programming, US consumers get their hands on technology that, arguably, is more sophisticated than any ever mass-marketed in this country. Those who have seen HDTV receivers in operation say that, once the units are properly set up, they are easier to use than today’s TVs. Nevertheless, you can make a strong case that the new receivers embody technology that is even more complex than that of high-end PCs. Read the rest of this entry »