Digital killed the television star

(ARA) - From the late night war between Conan and Leno to the cult following surrounding the series finale of "Lost," there seems to be more drama going on off-screen than on. But while "American Idol" and NBC's coverage of the Olympics garnered enviable TV ratings and market share, there's no denying that in the era of the DVR, "must-see TV" is pretty much dead.

When TiVo was introduced in the late '90s, it was initially a novelty to television viewers who were used to using their VCR and videotapes to record programs when they weren't able to watch the original broadcast. Less than a decade later, the combination of DVDs and DVR technology have essentially rendered the videotape obsolete. Add to this the transition from analog to digital broadcasting last year and television became firmly entrenched in the age of the time-shifter.

With almost a third of the American population using their DVRs, the practice of scheduling appointments, events and activities around beloved television programs has also moved toward obsolescence. Many cable and satellite providers now offer DVR equipment free with service sign up, so cost is rarely an issue. And with a little research, savvy consumers can easily find cable deals, like a Uverse coupon, on the Internet to make the cost even more affordable.

The transition to digital broadcasting forced many television viewers to upgrade their TV sets. Those obtaining the new digital signals from cable or satellite could go on viewing their favorite programs as usual, but those who utilized antennas to pick up analog signals were forced to purchase digital converter boxes or invest in a set with the ability to receive digital signals. In order to fully experience the benefits that digital TV has to offer, upgrading from an analog set to an HDTV is recommended. Once prohibitively expensive, the price of HDTV sets has dropped in recent years and often electronic retailers feature deals and promotions, such as Best Buy coupons, that offer significant savings.

The rise of the Internet and high-speed connections has also spawned a generation that is more and more obtaining video content via their laptops or PCs. YouTube, Hulu, Disney Online and television Web sites offer a wide variety of content for users to peruse at their leisure - no TV schedules necessary. Nielsen reports that more than 147 million unique viewers watched online content in January and that number continues to grow.

Making the ultimate leap from television viewer to online streaming could require better computer equipment. In addition to adequate bandwidth and a faster Internet connection, it may be worthwhile to invest in a hard drive with better processing CPU and sufficient RAM as well as larger-sized monitors with higher resolution and faster refresh rates. Continually improving technology means that memory, CPU upgrades and monitor upgrades are cheaper than they once were, but it still pays to seek out discounts wherever possible. With a NewEgg promo code, for example, consumers can benefit from free shipping, percentage discounts and other promotions.

Even though the days of the family gathering around the television set to watch "Uncle Miltie" have gone the way of the Edsel, thanks to increased programming options from cable broadcasters, time-shifting flexibility via DVR technology and online video streaming, people are watching more TV than ever according a recent Nielsen Three Screen report. But thanks to digital video recording or access via your personal computer, "prime time" has become "my time" as viewers set their own television schedules.

Courtesy of ARAcontent