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Published on August 27, 2007

And even if you've decided that the time is now, do you go for HD Ready, Full HD, Sporty HD, Posh HD, Evil HD, HD Double Latte, Hello Kitty HD, Jatukam HD or just see what's playing at the cinema?

Those still trying to decide whether to take the HD plunge are stewing over what is technically known as The Big But. In this uniquely Thai twist, you pay a bundle for a fancy big TV and then discover there are hardly any programmes available in high definition.

Yes, if you buy an HD TV, they will come. But the fact remains that the visionaries among us are buying into the future.

Soopsip has tried to nail down a prediction on the timing of this great leap forward from analogue broadcasting, but all we've been able to confirm is that cable operator True Vision (motto: "We're not a monopoly!") has the HD signals all ready to go.

Most foreign programmes come with high-definition signals built in, and Ongard Prapakamol, True's chief commercial officer, for one, can attest to the miracle of HD. "It's crystal clear and I enjoy it," he says.

So, uh, what about the rest of us, Khun Ongard? Well, he says, True is waiting for more people to buy HD receivers before it starts broadcasting in HD format.

So what we have here (and you really have to laugh, don't you?) is one of those wonderful chicken-and-egg situations.

Millions of football fans have saved up the money to buy an HD TV and are keeping it in their sock drawer ready for the day when Liverpool matches (or possibly Man City) start appearing in high resolution. And True has access to those very matches, with every crystal-clear kick, ready to beam out on the day when enough football fans have bought the sets.

We can only hope that, as soon as he gets the Israelis and Palestinians hugging each other in the Middle East, ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair can come here and broker some progress in Thai television.