Manufacturers of high definition television (HDTV) equipment are now getting around to sorting out all the confusion that reigns in the world of HDTV. At present there are quite a few different kinds of HDTV: different standards and different connectors. The industry in the UK has produced a logo to indicate that equipment meets the required standards and connectivity.

BSkyB will launch high definition content in 2006 and will charge a premium for this kind of content. So you can see all your favourite celebrities in their full, sometimes ugly, glory.

It’s a moot point as to whether I would want to view television in HDTV format, although I’ve said to friends that come 2006 I’ll go HDTV. But where do I stick a 42” screen? That would require a significant reorganisation of my lounge, not to mention the purchase of a full home cinema system. It’s worth noting that the industry is happier for people to go for 50” screens.

Then there’s my DVDs. I have a few. More than a few actually. These are all non-HDTV. Would I want to buy my DVDs all over again once they’ve been remastered in HDTV format? Probably not.

In any case, what’s wrong with standard TV? I certainly have no problem seeing films on my 34” widescreen TV. Sure, you get pixellation and artefacts at low light levels. But that doesn’t really spoil my enjoyment. A cricket ball is still a cricket ball in HDTV.