TV Cables Confusing Everyone

We have had several customers lately that have purchased new TVs.  This is partly due to the upcoming digital conversion and partly due to people wanting HDTV.  The customers who are also upgrading their cable and satellite equipment to HDTV models are also extremely confused about what cables they need.  For example, a customer came in this morning with a list of cables she needed to hookup her new HD system.  She wanted a set of AV stereo cables, component cables, stereo audio cables, and a coax cable.  She also mentioned purchasing an HDMI cable, but thought she might wait on this one.  Being the shitty salesman I am (as in not trying to rip anyone off), I asked her exactly what she was attempting to do.  She wanted to connect a satellite receiver to a home theater system and that to a TV.  This is when I recommending only purchasing an HDMI cable.  Well, she thought the HDMI cable would not carry sound, which I told her that it would.  She has not been the only person in the store confused about what all the cables do, nor do I expect her to be the last.  Hopefully, I received some brownie points for being honest and not selling her $200 worth of cables.

Television Remote Standardization

Mr. John C. Dvorak, in his PC Magazine column, was discussing the standardization, or lack thereof, of USB cables. Well I have another standardization gripe, TV remote controls.  The majority of the new televisions will not work with the older style universal remote controls.  Not a problem for me personally as I don’t mind using 2 different remotes.  The problem arises when a customer whose satellite remote or cable remote that used to handle all of their equipment, now does not control the new TV.  Suddenly their new and improved TV seems like a downgrade.  Its all about perception in a customers eyes.  When something like this happens they will be sure to tell all of their friends.

Stupid Question of the Day 12/19/2007

Just a quick one before bed. This is a quote, “So how wide is the screen in a 26 inch television?” This is one of those that you stop for a second thinking that maybe its a joke.