Two groups of 30 people watched the same video clip, individually, on the same television. Half were told to expect a better experience thanks to HD technology, an impression backed up by posters, flyers and an extra-thick cable connected to the screen. The other half were told to expect a normal DVD signal.
Of course, the group expecting HD reported a far better viewing experience, saying it was clearer and crisper than standard def. It wasn’t, of course. This basically explains why Monster Cable is still in business. [New Scientist via Consumerist]
matt
Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 9:55 AMI hate these stupid tests. some how I still think that my 1080p lcd tv with bluray is still alot better than the family’s old CRT with dvd. so whats the f’ing point of this!
atleast put THE SAME group of people to the two scenarios.
I mean, I could probably tell a bunch of people who had never seen a wheel before that a star shape object was the best type of wheel and they’d probably believe it and be happy with it.
Matt
Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 10:23 AMUh Matt, I think you misread the article. The test was done using the EXACT same tv and video clip. The ‘HD’ test was done by TELLING the people they were watching HD technology. It’s like the medical placebo effect where people think they’re better because they’re told a drug will make them feel better.
dzc12
Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 12:19 PMThis ‘study’, and I use the term lightly, is flawed unless both groups were shown the video clip twice, once as ‘HD’ and once as ‘SD’, as they have nothing to compare the picture quality to, except their expectations.