Why to hotels install high spec TV's and then ruin them with low quality analogue channels & pay movies ?

Why to hotels install high spec TV's and then ruin them with low quality analogue channels & pay movies ? And why do they disable the HDMI ports ?

1. Because the TV's are about looking high tech and up to date. Travellers are instantly turned off (at least I know I am) if they see a picture of a room with an old TV in it.

2. Because the system that is installed would cost a very significant amount of money to update. The cabling that runs through the entire building would need to be ripped out and replaced with new cabling capable of HD. The central servers would need to be replaced, and there would be a great deal of labour and cost involved.

3. Most hotels will be fixed into a contract with their TV/film provider. I daresay that this does not allow for an upgrade of the system part way through, so you might see a progressive move to new systems soon.

4. So you watch their movies and not your own (stupid, I know).

I agree this frustrates me. I've had some hotels in the US that have HD - it was great.

Does the Hilton South Wharf have HD? I had a feeling it did... I came across it somewhere in Melbourne. Maybe Westin or Metropol?

I was at the Hilton SW recently and they had great TV's and the quality as well. But then it is a fairly new hotel so no doubt it would have been easier for them or even expected.