What's the point of HD TV?

You said "then there is Satellite". Is that a good or bad thing? How does their content compare to cable?

Also you said...

"or require an add on box which will downconvert the signal, thus you will watch HD content, in regular TV format (525 lines"

What does that mean? You mean if it doesnt have a tuner built in, you will wont be able to watch it in it's full quality?

HD is the future. You can't even buy a quality TV anymore that is not HD ready, all the old analog tvs are now made in China junk.

It is hard to see just how good HD can look if you are in a Best Buy or CC. They have the TV's misadjusted and have the time not even properly hooked up to true high definition content.

There are 3 ways to get high definition. Over the air (with an old fashioned antenna) cable, or satellite. Right now the majority of network prime time programming and sports are in HD (CBS NBC ABC Fox PBs) as well as TNT, Discovery, ESPN, and all the premium movie channels. Cable and satellite also have their own HD channels too. I have a calibrated rear proction TV and DVD movies and HD programming look BETTER than anything I have seen in a movie theater in years

The day I hooked up my new hi-def t.v. with the Dish 811 sat system I became addicted (worse than drugs) now after spending over $11000 dollars and broke Iam in sort of a hi-def heaven and now that Iam retired I only do 2 things chat with you folks a cnet and trip out on my home theater also just bought yesterday a new TOSHIBA 72HM195 JAWDROPPING no reviews nada so if you see this monster let me know what you think have a nice day mr pro

I know HD TVs have a much better picture. Thats not my point.

I'm saying I think its crazy how many people have these TVs when its so hard to find what you want to watch in HD. Also, almost everything is still in 4:3, so if your TV is 16:9 you have those ugly bars on each side.

This is ALL the HD programming available from my cable provider (Time Warner)

Included in Digital Tier:

1010 10NBC
1011 WXXI in HD
1013 WHAM HD
1014 INHD1
1015 INHD2
1016 WB16 HD
1030 Discovery HD Theater
1033 TNT HD
1047 YES HD
1060 High Definition HBO
1061 High Definition Showtime

Included in HD Tier:

1050 HD Net
1051 HD Net Movies
1052 ESPN HD

Ok. I see 5 channels there that I like. NBC, WB, Discovery, HBO, And Showtime.

Dish Network has a little better selection, but I hear you can only hook up two TVs with a dish...and that's just not enough for us.

I have 3 boxes hooked up to my dish network one is hi-def and the other 2 are standard. Ok With a cheap outside antenna I receive 18 local digital channels 9 of which are in hi-def I also have over 20 channels of hi-def with my dish system for $67.00 per month. Sounds like time to get rid of time warner even comcast is better than that good luck stewart

Is your satellite provider Dish Network?... Because I just check to see how much it would be with them and its $96 for HD silver, DVR, Local programming, and HBO + Showtime (On 2 TVs)

Also there is a $300.00 Lease fee for the DVR, and $50 commitment fee which I dont really get. And to top it all off there is a $240 cancelation fee (which lass for 18 months). Thats some scary stuff right there.

Right now im paying $90 a month for ~200 channels, (40 of them being movie channels), DVR, and all channels (-The movies) in all other rooms. Also they charge nothing for the upgrade to HD.

Dish network has more HD channels, but TW is much cheaper. This just further supports my opinion that its not worth it to have a HD TV now.

Cant coment on d.v.r. service With 28 hi-def channels I could care less about d.v.r DISH is coming out with there new 211 system which will receive all your network hi-def stations free. O.K Forget the movie channels. VOOM is awsome, and the hi-def package is all you need also h.d. net movies has much better movies than h.b.o. etc. I pay $65.00 per month for 28 channels of hi-hi-def channels with all those channels you dont need a d.v.r good luck stewart

I have one of those TV's: a 60-inch 720p rear-projection set. However, I still do *not* have HDTV service. For me, it's not worth it yet.

As you mentioned, the selection of HD channels is still quite limited. I have basic cable, but to upgrade to HD service will cost me in the neighborhood of $15-20 extra per month. I don't watch that much regular TV anyway, and I don't need to see the news in HD, so I'm not jumping yet.

Eventually, all broadcasts will be digital and HD programming will be everywhere, so my TV is a good investment for the future. In the meantime, the main thing it buys me is a 60" screen size and a terrific sharp picture for DVDs.

Cheers!
Speleo.

P.S. Widescreen-format TVs have stretch modes, and a lot of 4:3 programming doesn't look too bad stretched to fill the screen, if you find those side bars annoying.

Not only are the hi-def channels awsome but the program contect is over the top discovery h.d theater alone is worth $15.00 extra h.d.net and h.d. net movies are super, also I pay $5.00 extra for VOOM 5 channels great movies , sports, and rock and roll in digital 5.1. I pay only $65.00 for 28 hi-def channels and its worth every penny. Also with dish network The picture and sound is fantastic .

I know you know from my other posts that I'm not cheap when it comes to my entertainment, but this is simply a case of my watching so little programming that I don't think I'd get much value for my $15/month (which I think is more like $20 or $25 because of equipment rental costs or new gear to buy). If I'm not going to watch Discovery HD, then it's not worth paying for.

I also don't want to contribute to the escalating monthly costs of cable / satellite. If this were 2009, HD programming would be required and I wouldn't have to pay extra for digital service and extra again for HD. It's already hard for me to justify $40/month for basic cable--if it were up to me I'd drop that, too, but my wife has a few CATV shows she likes.

Anyway, I'm mainly a movie-watcher, so $15/month is an extra $180 a year I could use to buy DVDs or spend on Netflix or something. That would be a better value for me.

Cheers!
Speleo.

I meant that HD content is available through both the digital sat services. Is it better?? Many areas the cable HD channels are better, less compression. As for the "box" If you have a "regular TV" probably like the one you have now, assuming you haven't bought a TV in the last 6 or 7 years. You will eventually have to add on some sort of box that will allow you to continue to use that TV to watch all the new HD signals. Over the next few years there will be fewer and fewer channels available to watch on the older analoge TV's. Even today you can still buy an analoge TV, thus your question...
There are others posts about people that buy the high end gear, just as a note, many high end clients are already updating their first HD TV's (going bigger or better) These are not really that new anymore, HD ready and true HD TV's have been around for awhile now.

Duh.

I mean we all have different opinions, on our gear/set-up/wires/etc.
But HD???
How did this guy even find this forum, on his tandy?
Im pretty sure every guy on this forum owns or is looking to own an HDTV.
I wont even go into the advantages if this guy cant see them

...I've ever seen on an "A-V" Forum.

Like I said to this genius, his question is akin to asking why you need a BMW when you have a perfectly good skateboard to get you from place to place.

DUH!!!

;~)

A lot of people come here to learn and get their questions answered. So this guy might not be up the technology as undoubdtedly most here are. No need to insult the guy, just put him right, consider your good deed done for the day and move on.

Considering the improvements and price drops in the future, many of us are perfectly happy to spend a grand or less for a nice HDTV ready 32" LCD, and upgrade later when things are cheaper and even more advanced.

I get local OTA HD broadcasts that are 40 miles away in great with a $20 indoor antenna. Most of my sports and prime time shows are HD, my DVDs look great, and I have no problem watching non-HD broadcasts as it looks fine in Panorama 16:9. So without breaking the bank, I am happy for a few years and not having to miss out on HD.

I have 28 channels of awsome hi-def channels. also 90% of my viewing is hi-def. I just dont know why someone would buy a hi-def t.v. then complain about spending $15.00 extra for hi-def programming. it makes no sense

why you didn't post your reply TO the person who
"would buy a hi-def t.v. then complain about spending $15.00 extra for hi-def programming" ...??

All the points you quoted in your original message means nothing if cost is low enough for adoption. If a 40 inch HDTV can be had for $300, confusing spec, lack of programming and the next-gen DVD war don't mean jack to the average consumer!! Most people don't want to spend thousands on their TV even if there're tons of HD programming, a clearly defined HDTV spec and next generation DVD spec. Take a look at the cell phone industry, there're many conpeting cell phone technology from many carriers, and cell phone contracts are confusing as heck, but almost everyone has a cell phone these days because the cost is tolerable for most people. Simple economics!!

HDTV is not that confusing. Not everyone is ignorant or as confused as you think. Some people just don;t want to take the plunge due to lack of programing and the high price of Tv's. My local cable company only offers 19 channels in HD. With a few of the local channels simulcasting HD on 3 or 4 of the local channels during primetime tv events.