Large flat-panel LCDs are still way too prone to dead pixels and, along with plasma displays, are way too expensive for serious consideration unless you've got Bill Gates' budget for gadgetry.

Were I buying a new television today, I'd still opt for one of the larger 4:3 (1.33) ratio standard screens such as Sony's KV-36HS20 or Toshiba's 36HF72. These give you a very large standard image while still offering a fairly large 16:9 image at a lower cost that the screens designed specifically for 16:9 ratio images. They also accommodate all resolutions currently available.

However, I don't plan to buy a new television today. I have 20-inch and 32-inch models that were the top-of-the-line standard televisions as of about 5 years ago. Their resolutions are no match for current models but they are not that far off considering the material being broadcast. It just isn't worth the cost of upgrade yet.

In another 2~4 years, there will be much more HD content and the equipment will become much less expensive. I plan to wait (& spend my current $$$ for more (hopefully) high-quality gay porn).

As for DirecTV and its kin, I'm all for them. However, again, as inexpensive as the regular receivers are (look at the Sony SAT-B65 or the SAT-A65), and considering the lack of across-the-board HD support to date, there is no way I'd spend the extra bucks for the HD versions of these units.

I'm perfectly happy with my Sony SAT "B" series DirecTV receiver (the cheap one), my apartment building antenna for local stations, my three ReplayTV 3060 hard-drive video recorders (Sonic's ReplayTV models are much better than TiVo IMHO) and my several DVD players & changer.

I do still have a VHS VCR; however, I've only turned it on 2 or 3 times in the past year! VHS is dead.

~ GaySatyr

Edited by - GaySatyr on 3/8/2003 5:16:46 PM

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Jay - do I have to change my programming from my previous platinum package, or will I now receive those programs in HD quality?

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But right now, all the programming is being broadcast in dual mode, the only difference being some extra resolution and the difference in aspect ratio. At least for the stuff produced for television, there is no difference in content and the material is being framed for the old 4:3 screens anyway. For the movies being broadcast in HD format, most (if not all) are already available on DVD.

I really don't see the point in jumping on the HDTV bandwagon at this stage in its development.

~ GaySatyr

Edited by - GaySatyr on 3/9/2003 4:07:33 AM

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I did get a new dish. (We actually kept the old one for the one TV, and got the new one for our new TV.)

The new TV is a plasma TV, and unless I'm even more tech-stupid than I thought, I thought that all plasma TVs are HD. ????

I have looked at channel 199 (I think that's the number), which is just generic-type HD programming, and I think I see a difference in quality there, so I don't know.

I HAD noticed that there were more HBO's and Showtimes, but hadn't really checked out the differences.

Thanks again.

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I have DirecTV HD, but it is currently necessary to either have access to an Over The Air (OTA) signal or cable in order to receive the majority of HDTV programming which is currently being boradcast by the major networks. I have a roof antenna with a rotor installed in order to receive programming from both NYC and Connecticut (this is because half of the HD transmissions from MYC were being sent from the World Trade Center). ABC & CBS are broadcasting all of their scripted prime time programming in HD (16:9 aspect ratio, not 4:3) and NBC is boradcasting the majority of its prime time programming in 16:9 HD.

Next year, CBS will be doing at least 1 NFL game every week in HD as will ABC for Monday Night Football. The HD CBS game will be part of the DirecTV Sunday Ticket package.

Over at AVS Forum, there is a great sticky thread: The Official AVS HDTV Programming Synopsis – Winter 2003!

Tricia,
It is likely, but not definite that your plasma is HD ready. Not all of the newer plasma sets are capable of displaying HD. The new Gateway plasma set that is selling like hotcakes for ~$3K is advertised as being HD ready, but in that case it just means that it can accept an HD signal. It converts the 1080i signal to 480p. So this is really only an EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV).

Also, even with the correct equipment, it needs to be connected via the HD Component connectors. Using S-Video, will only get you standard definition.

Based on the difference between SD and HD on my two sets (56" & 34"), if you don't see a difference, then either the set is not displaying the full resolution, it is not hooked up correctly, or it might be time to get your eyeglass prescription checked.

Depending on when you bought your oval dish, you may need to have an additional LNB (the little balls attached to the arms on your dish) installed. Most of the original oval dishes came with only 2 LNB's. There is a slot in the middle of those two arms to allow the addition of a 3rd LNB (this piece is known as the Sat C kit). This extra LNB is needed in order to receive Showtime HD which is on a different satellite than the other HD programming (eventually most DirecTV HD programming will be on Sat C).

The "generic" HD programming that you saw on 199 was the "demo" loop from HD Net. This is often on during the day for stores to use as an HD demo. At night HD-Net has a lot of sports (mostly hockey and baseball). They have some original programming (there was one great news show from Afghanistan with Peter Arnett) as well as some programming from other sources. One of these other programs is "Smart Travels w/Rudy Maxa". It's basically a travelog through Europe. Seeing sculptures and paintings in HD is almost like being there.

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All I'm saying is that as I already have several fairly new, high quality sets, there is no way I would go out and spend big bucks for HDTV today, given the current state of technology, broadcast content, and prices. However, were I to find myself in need of a new television today, I would certainly purchase one of the more cost-effective, HD-ready, 4:3 units on the market. This would get me by for the next 3~5 years while the HD market and products mature (and prices fall).

In the meantime, I'd spend bucks on ancillary home theater equipment that is not likely to change significantly over time, e.g., amplification and speakers.

~ GaySatyr

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