It's not about the pq...
As was mentioned, it's not so much about the pq. I've been into home theater for years. I've always had a great setup and my friends come over often to view (at the time) laser discs then DVDs along with various big sporting events. They ALL say, "Wow! This looks and sounds incredible!" Yet not one of them has EVER run out and bought equipment to improve what they've got. I've even explained they wouldn't need to spend the type of dough I've dropped to get a very good system. The systems are widely available in the Best Buys and other major electronics retailers and they're cheap. Yet, they still don't go and get it.
Now, along comes Voom, my friends come over and say, "Wow! That's even BETTER than what you were showing me!" Again, nobody's running out and buying HD sets and installing Voom.
So why is it? Well, most people are happy with what they've got. If it means any inconvenience (whether that's cost or installing equipment) they'll generally stay with what they've got. After all, they can already watch whatever they're watching on cable or DTV or Dish. Why buy a new set and install another service? Same thing goes with my friends checking out my whole home theater. Sure, it looks and sounds better than the theaters in the area but what do they care? They've got a DVD player and a tv to play DVDs on. They don't care if it doesn't look all that great.
In short, this is HDTV's (and Voom's) biggest challenge--getting the, "regular," consumer to buy into it then actually buy it. As long as there's an alternative and it's an easier/cheaper alternative, people will NOT switch (as a general rule). It's a shame but most people will not demmand quality.
The Rickster