HDTV World > Understand HDTV > 3 ways to get HDTV programming

Feeling left out every time you see an Available in HD title in front of your favorite show? Wondering why the picture on that new HDTV you bought doesn't look any better than the old one? Curious what all the hype is about?

Don't despair. Yes, you'll need both an HDTV-capable TV and a high-def source to watch HDTV, but it's easier and cheaper than you might think. Prices for HDTV-capable sets have fallen to $500 or less for small-screen tube and LCD models, and even coveted plasmas are within the realm of affordability for many shoppers. As for sources, the major broadcast networks--namely ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC--offer almost all of their scripted prime-time shows in high definition on their HD channels, and there are lots of other networks, such as HBO, ESPN, and Discovery, that offer high-definition channels.

Aside from the initial cost, however, the rosy HDTV bush still has some thorns. Cable and satellite providers don't carry all of the available networks. While almost all network TV dramas and comedies are broadcast in HDTV, you might find that your favorite networks (SciFi, Bravo, and Comedy Central, for example) are still stuck in standard-definition limbo on many systems. Also, many HD channels don't show all of their content in HD; ESPNHD, for example, still broadcasts numerous events and shows in standard-def.

Which HD service to choose?

Below and in the next few pages you'll find a lot of information comparing the three ways in which to get HDTV, as well as a fourth (IPTV services such as Verizon's Fios) that are coming on strong. There are many things to consider when choosing a TV provider, but we can't cover them all here. For example, we're not going to get into pricing because it varies widely by locality, packaging, and what promotions are offered. The same goes for HD image quality; we simply can't compare the various cable providers to Fios to satellite with any consistency, and frankly most viewers are perfectly happy with the video and audio quality of their HD programming regardless of provider.

We will talk about hardware a little, but our main focus is on HD DVRs--check out this comparison for reviews on the major contenders. We don't compare cable box DVRs since again they'll vary widely by locality themselves, but in general TiVo and the satellite DVRs from DirecTV and Dish offer significantly better performance than models rented from your cable provider. Our major focus will be on programming differences between the services. The respective sections of the guide offer their own discussions on programming, and you'll find a big chart at the end that goes through the individual HD channels offered by the satellite services as well as a couple of cable providers and Fios in the New York City area. Other parts of the country will have different HD coverage, so the chart is intended to provide a rough comparison, not a definitive guide. For local HD coverage details, talk to your cable or IPTV provider.

	Upside:		Downside:		Forecast:
	No monthly fees; snow-free signal; all TVs since March 2007 have a built-in HD tuner; most prime-time network shows are presented in HD.		Some older HDTV sets require expensive set-top boxes to decode over-the-air HD signals; outdoor antenna required in many cases; HD signals won't reach viewers in outlying areas; no specialty channels such as ESPN or Discovery.		With the FCC turning off analog broadcasts in February 2009, broadcast high-definition TV is the wave of the future.

A typical outdoor antenna.

For most owners of new HDTVs, getting over-the-air high-definition programming is as simple as connecting an antenna. That's because all HDTV sold since March 2007 include built-in ATSC tuners, which lets them to receive high-definition as well as lower-resolution digital broadcasts over the air. Note that televisions without tuners, technically called monitors, are exempt from having to include built-in ATSC tuners.

On February 17, 2009, over-the-air TV broadcasters nationwide will begin turning off their analog broadcasts, ensuring the reign of over-the-air digital broadcasts for the foreseeable future. Check out our guide for the full scoop, including details on how to preserve that old standard-definition analog TV from extinction.

Setup

Although we recommend a specialized antenna for grabbing over-the-air HDTV signals, you might get lucky with the old antenna on your roof--or even indoor rabbit ears, for that matter. If you still have an old-school UHF/VHF antenna, give it a try before coughing up the extra cash for a dedicated HD antenna.

AntennaWeb.org can help you choose the right HDTV antenna.

If you decide to start fresh with a new HD antenna, visit AntennaWeb.org for help choosing the best model for your location. The site also has a useful guide for aligning your antenna; just type in your zip code, and the site will give you compass headings for the nearest HDTV transmission towers. After a little trial and error, you should get your HDTV. It's a good idea to work with someone who can read the signal-strength meter on your HDTV receiver or TV so that you can get the best signal.

Once you get an HD signal, the picture should be crystal clear. Unlike analog TV signals, digital HD transmissions won't suffer from static interference or ghosting, the faint, duplicate picture that you see when analog signals bounce off tall buildings. They can, however, break up and drop in and out if your local HD signals are weak.

For a more detailed explanation of how to install an outdoor HD antenna--including a full video tutorial--check out CNET's "Watch free HDTV with an outdoor antenna" feature.

Programming

HDTV stations by state.

The number of local TV stations broadcasting in HDTV has grown dramatically in recent years. As of October 2007, more than 1,350 stations broadcast a digital signal, up from about 400 in June 2002 and a mere 66 in June 1999. According to the National Association of Broadcasters, about 99 percent of U.S. households are within range of at least one DTV station. Unless you live in a rural area and have trouble receiving analog TV signals, it's a safe bet that over-the-air HD is available in your neighborhood.

Conan O'Brien went high-def in April 2005

There's also plenty of HD programming on the air. All of the major networks, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS and My9, offer most of their filmed comedies and dramas in high-definition. Most news, daytime, and reality programming is still standard-definition (such as Survivor and The Bachelor), but even that has begun to change. The Young and the Restless has been shot in HD for several years now, while Good Morning, America made the HD switch in late 2005, and American Idol has been produced in HD beginning with its 2005 season. Even late-night programming is getting in on the act, with The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Saturday Night Live all making the jump to high-def.

Although ESPN isn't available over-the-air, sports fans can enjoy most major network events in HD. From the NFL, MLB, and NBA to NCAA, NASCAR, Golf, and horse racing, thousands of sporting events are broadcast in HD each year. CBS, NBC, and Fox show almost all of their football programming in HD, while Fox serves up most MLB games in high-definition. ABC carries the NBA and college basketball in high-definition, while CBS broadcasts March Madness, the PGA Tour, and the U.S. Open tennis championship. NASCAR fans can get their HD fix on NBC and Fox, and NBC's Olympics coverage offers hundreds of hours of high-definition--in venues with HD cameras.

1080i vs. 720p

True HDTV programming is typically broadcast in one of two resolutions: 1080i or 720p. Most networks have opted for the 1080i format, boasting that it provides the highest possible resolution, while ABC, Fox, ESPN/ESPN2, and the National Geographic Channel went for the smoother pictures of 720p. What's the real difference between the two? While 1080i technically offers the most lines of resolution, it's delivered in the old-style interlaced format, meaning that your TV set draws each frame in two passes: once for the even horizontal lines and a second time for the odd lines. The 720p (progressive) format has fewer lines of information than 1080i but draws each frame in a single pass, delivering pictures that look slightly smoother than an interlaced image, especially when there's a lot of movement on the screen. Most videophiles agree that 720p is the superior format, despite 1080i's resolution advantage. For average viewers, however, it's hard to tell the difference (more info on HDTV resolutions).