Confusion about HDTV and the difference between analog and digital television aren’t confined to U.S. consumers, a recent survey from GfK Group shows.
The survey found that German consumers are still unable to come to grips with high-definition TV, and one-third of all German households don’t know the difference between analog or digital TV.
GfK interviewed 1000 people by telephone in each of the seven major European countries over the summer. GfK released to the public some of its survey findings that pertain to German TV viewers.
According to the consumer research group, the findings convey a clear message: Many consumers are not familiar with the latest buzzwords in consumer electronics, such as HD-ready or new DVD successor formats.
When asked whether they own a TV set that is HD-ready, 22 percent of the German households surveyed were unable to answer the question. Additionally, many consumers did not seem to be aware that a special set-top box is needed to receive HDTV.
Similarly, the issue of TV reception is a subject about which one in 10 households knew little or nothing. Overall, one-third of those asked did not know whether they received their TV signal via an analog or digital connection. However, the proportion of German households receiving analog TV remains high. Many German homes have yet to be connected to the digital TV universe. Four out of five homes in Germany still own at least one CRT TV set.
GfK Group’s TV Consumer Survey 2007 was carried out in Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium during June and July 2007. Its findings provide information about TV signal reception, household TV equipment and the development of HDTV as far as consumers are concerned.
For more information, visit www.gfk.com.
