You should get a TV that is HDTV ready and a satelitte receiver that is capable of HDTV. Don't pay for a TV that has a HDTV converter because the ones that come with the TVs are not capable of converting the higher channels so you wil get nothing in HD except your local channels.
The HDTV picture is excellant however at this time, there isn't much being broadcasted in HD and it is up to you whether or not it's worth the expense at this time.
The HDTV picture is excellant however at this time, there isn't much being broadcasted in HD and it is up to you whether or not it's worth the expense at this time.
The picture is incredible - I know, I bought a HDTV-capable TV a few years ago, then bought an HDTV satellite receiver (RCA) to get the signals. Works great with my satellite service, DirecTV.
They are worth it - I am VERY happy I didn't wait a few years for the price to go down.
When you go to buy one, if they are HDTV-capable, it simply means you'll have to buy a set-top receiver box which will convert the analog signals to high-definition signals and feed them to your TV - that's what I have.
A HDTV-ready television means it has a receiver built-in - make sure you completely describe to the salesman whether you're getting cable or satellite, and from WHOM, to ensure you'll be able to RECEIVE high-definition signals on your HDTV television.
Please understand that you don't even need cable or satellite to get high-definition programs - it depends on where you live. I cannot speak for cable, but in Kansas City I have the DirecTV satellite (the dish I have receives all THREE satellites) and I have a separate old-style TV antenna mounted on my roof.
Some of the TV stations in KC are transmitting HDTV signals (or at least DIGITAL signals), over the air - so for example tonight, I switched the input on my receiver to the TV antenna and got the Raiders/Broncos game in true high-definition, because the local ABC station is broadcasting the MNF game signals over-the-air in high definition, and my RCA receiver translates that signal to one that my TV can display in high definition. It was GREAT!!! Far better than watching the game on DirecTV, on the same receiver but through DirecTV which only broadcasts our local channels in DIGITAL resolution, which is NOT ANYWHERE CLOSE to high-definition.
Other over-the-air stations in KC are being mandated to provide true digital channels soon, but whether they will use that bandwidth to transmit TRUE high-definition signals remains to be seen.
In the meantime, I've forked over an extra $10.99 per month to DirecTV to receive a small number of additional channels broadcasts in high-definition - foremost among these is the ESPN-HD channel, which most of the time is not in high-def but looks fine anyway.
Since I pay for the standard HBO channel package, I also get the high-def HBO channel 509 - watching Tony in the Sopranos is fantastic.
Also, I always pay for the full NFL package on DirecTV. This year, without additional charge, they are showing select games in either high-def or high-resolution in the low 70's channel range - for those who don't know, the new digital standard allows for 18 different transmission resolutions, with 740 'progressive' and 1080 'interlaced' commonly being known as 'high definition'.
Finally, make sure you have a DVD package (a DVD and a blue plastic strip) that allows you to set your HDTV TV to the proper settings to get the best possible picture. It makes all the difference - DVDs like 'The Gangs of New York' look unbelievable on an HDTV with a high-quality DVD player that has progressive scan. And if you have the cabbage, pick it and spend it on a theatre-level Dolby Digital 5.1 or better system that will allow you to FEEL the movie as well as see it - I play the remake of 'Godzilla' for guests, the scene where he's tearing through NYC, to show them what my system is capable of - usually they're behind the couch before the end ...
[This message was edited by Jazz on September 23, 2003 at 02:00 AM.]
They are worth it - I am VERY happy I didn't wait a few years for the price to go down.
When you go to buy one, if they are HDTV-capable, it simply means you'll have to buy a set-top receiver box which will convert the analog signals to high-definition signals and feed them to your TV - that's what I have.
A HDTV-ready television means it has a receiver built-in - make sure you completely describe to the salesman whether you're getting cable or satellite, and from WHOM, to ensure you'll be able to RECEIVE high-definition signals on your HDTV television.
Please understand that you don't even need cable or satellite to get high-definition programs - it depends on where you live. I cannot speak for cable, but in Kansas City I have the DirecTV satellite (the dish I have receives all THREE satellites) and I have a separate old-style TV antenna mounted on my roof.
Some of the TV stations in KC are transmitting HDTV signals (or at least DIGITAL signals), over the air - so for example tonight, I switched the input on my receiver to the TV antenna and got the Raiders/Broncos game in true high-definition, because the local ABC station is broadcasting the MNF game signals over-the-air in high definition, and my RCA receiver translates that signal to one that my TV can display in high definition. It was GREAT!!! Far better than watching the game on DirecTV, on the same receiver but through DirecTV which only broadcasts our local channels in DIGITAL resolution, which is NOT ANYWHERE CLOSE to high-definition.
Other over-the-air stations in KC are being mandated to provide true digital channels soon, but whether they will use that bandwidth to transmit TRUE high-definition signals remains to be seen.
In the meantime, I've forked over an extra $10.99 per month to DirecTV to receive a small number of additional channels broadcasts in high-definition - foremost among these is the ESPN-HD channel, which most of the time is not in high-def but looks fine anyway.
Since I pay for the standard HBO channel package, I also get the high-def HBO channel 509 - watching Tony in the Sopranos is fantastic.
Also, I always pay for the full NFL package on DirecTV. This year, without additional charge, they are showing select games in either high-def or high-resolution in the low 70's channel range - for those who don't know, the new digital standard allows for 18 different transmission resolutions, with 740 'progressive' and 1080 'interlaced' commonly being known as 'high definition'.
Finally, make sure you have a DVD package (a DVD and a blue plastic strip) that allows you to set your HDTV TV to the proper settings to get the best possible picture. It makes all the difference - DVDs like 'The Gangs of New York' look unbelievable on an HDTV with a high-quality DVD player that has progressive scan. And if you have the cabbage, pick it and spend it on a theatre-level Dolby Digital 5.1 or better system that will allow you to FEEL the movie as well as see it - I play the remake of 'Godzilla' for guests, the scene where he's tearing through NYC, to show them what my system is capable of - usually they're behind the couch before the end ...
[This message was edited by Jazz on September 23, 2003 at 02:00 AM.]
TTinCO: absolutely, there is. I'll switch from time to time between the DirecTV transmission of my local ABC signal, for which I pay 4.99 per month for the local channels package, to the TV antenna mounted on my roof, an old-style antenna, which is receiving the high-definition signal from my local ABC affiliate who spent the money to upgrade their transmissions - there's absolutely no comparison.
I can see every color completely distinct, with no bleeding whatsoever. If a player had acne, and they show him in close-up, you can see everything. Same goes for cheerleaders and the women in the stands. This Saturday, I watched the Boise State game in high-def on channel 79, and it was unreal - both teams had bold colors, the field had bold colors and all the fans did - and absolutely nothing bled into the picture, it was crystal clear, and when they showed the fans in the stadium, you could pick out individual colors distinctly.
If you can get high-def pictures, without question to me it completely elevates your experience. But, you need to get a wide-screen TV to fully appreciate it - I have a 65" and a 57" - I can explain further if need be.
I can see every color completely distinct, with no bleeding whatsoever. If a player had acne, and they show him in close-up, you can see everything. Same goes for cheerleaders and the women in the stands. This Saturday, I watched the Boise State game in high-def on channel 79, and it was unreal - both teams had bold colors, the field had bold colors and all the fans did - and absolutely nothing bled into the picture, it was crystal clear, and when they showed the fans in the stadium, you could pick out individual colors distinctly.
If you can get high-def pictures, without question to me it completely elevates your experience. But, you need to get a wide-screen TV to fully appreciate it - I have a 65" and a 57" - I can explain further if need be.
Jazz, we'll continue this when either of us can see straight, but if anyone is in the market, you can save a TON of $$$ of you can do the ebay wholesaler thing & wait 4 to maybe 6 weeks.
$500 off retail & that's even after delivery to my door-factory sealed.
I have a 20x20 room & I don't think that anyone wants anyone over 47" or 53" for a room that size-unless you sink it in the wall.
$500 off retail & that's even after delivery to my door-factory sealed.
I have a 20x20 room & I don't think that anyone wants anyone over 47" or 53" for a room that size-unless you sink it in the wall.
my experience is similar to Jazz'
HDTV sound is like DVD sound and the picture is BETTER.
But note that it also depends on the quality of equipment used to record the program. The Monday night football HDTV crew does great. NHL finals too.
NBA finals was not so good (the camera seem to be distracted by flash bulbs, which made rapidly moving objects appear blurry).
TTinCO - what is "ebay wholesaler"?
HDTV sound is like DVD sound and the picture is BETTER.
But note that it also depends on the quality of equipment used to record the program. The Monday night football HDTV crew does great. NHL finals too.
NBA finals was not so good (the camera seem to be distracted by flash bulbs, which made rapidly moving objects appear blurry).
TTinCO - what is "ebay wholesaler"?
