if i get a nice new flat screen and don't actually subscribe to get
hd channels, will the flat screen be totally filled with a picture or will
it have bands on the sides? i have digital cable but not really sure i want to spend 100 a month or so on hd???? just curious before committing.
jim

 

Depends. They can transmit a digital signal that is 16x9 and not be HD. Or they can transmit a 4x3 digital signal, where you have bands on the side. Also they may transmit a 16x9 within a 4x3, in which case you can set your set to expand so only the 16x9 shows.
Also, if you are near the transmitters, you can get rabbit ears or an outside antenna and get OTA signals that are HD.

 

how can i tell before purchasing? do certian tv's stretch it out vs others?

 

All HDTVs can change the way they display, full, zoom, etc. You will be able to tell that, just by the remote. Most have an aspect button to change it. Also you can do research on the models you want to do by downloading their owners manuals and reading through them. Every manufacturer's site I have been to has a support area where you can get the owners manual.
Also as to how the signal is transmitted, is decided at the network, not the cable company.
To be honest, if you really look at the picture between a digital channel, and an HD channel, you will want the HD. Far better.

 

I agree with Kingfish. Get the HD, its worth it.

the remote doesnt have to have an aspect button in order to change the ratio though. For example, a lot of samsungs dont have that button on the remote, but you can change the ratio through the menu.

 

Adding the HD channels to a package is only an extra $8-$12 a month, depending on where you are.

The difference is amazing.

Give it a try, the worst thing that can happen is you won't like it and you cancel it.

H

 

Add another vote to spring for the HD package.

 

for some reason i thought it was higher.....i will have to double check when we finally get an upgraded tv....will probably wait till closer to the holidays towards the end of the year unless you guys know a better time when new models are released so the older ones have to go.....thanks.

 

now's a good time because everyone is tryin g to unload their 60mhz tvs to make room for the new 120 mhz.

There are some great deals to be had.

 

Actually, the older model Panasonics, specifically their LIFI LCD projection models are end of model year right now. Starting to get tough to find. I just went from an RCA DLP projection, max 1080i, to the Panasonic LIFI, max 1080p. I didn't think there would be much difference, as the picture quality fom the RCA was very good, but I was wrong. Much better picture in my opinion.
Whatever you get make sure it can do 1080p, has at least 2 rear HDMI inputs, 2 component inputs, and at least one composite for older video sources, plus antenna input in case you want to try OTA. OTA you will get more local channels than with cable or satellite.

Currently I have DirecTV as one of my HDMI inputs, and a Panasonic BluRay player as the other. That is where you get some amazing pictures. With a properly mastered video/audio combo, you can not beat the BluRay. I got the Harry Potter movies on BluRay, and even though I had seen them in HD on DirecTV, it was like watching them for the first time all over. Items on the screen and sounds I had never seen or heard before.

 

I pay $10 per month for HD channels. I get the networks in HD for FREE on my antenna. I have a cheap Radio Shack antenna in my attic that picks up all the networks.

Grim

 

My 40" LCD samsung has aspect ratio on the remote. Plus zoom, pip even though pip isnt offered in that size. Sound modes, etc. Even a button to light the remote up. I wish I were at home so I could take a picture.

As for HD, my parents in laws have a $2000 60" samsung projection. I have an $1800 40" samsung lcd. Their digital non hd channels look like crap. Blurry etc. But their HD channels look great. My digital channels look great, and my hd looks absolutely breath taking. So, make sure you get an LCD! Doesn't matter brand if there is a money issue.

However, with tv's now a days, youll notice on movies "this film has been modified from its original version to fit your viewing screen". No matter what you get, it will fit. 16:9 4:3 1:1, 10000:1 whatever. Whether there is an option on the remote, on the tv, or in the menu, you can change the aspect ratio.

Got to best buy or where ever and get them to show you the tv you like with HD, then ask them to hook up standard or digital cable. They'll be willing to do whatever for a sale, trust me I used to sell tv's.

On my parents in laws, some of their digital cable looks "digitized" without being HD. Projection plain out sucks. Sure for 2 grand you get 61"s, but the picture sucks.

 

Even if you get the HD package you still want a TV that manages the non-HD channels. The Sony LCDs are great. Mine has a menu that you can set to automatically stretch the 4:3 channels (non-HD). I have it set to Wide Zoom and after a little while you cannot even notice. The HD (16:9) channels then automatically go back to Normal Mode.

 

You are comparing apples and oranges. With the old analog, smaller always has a better picture, simply because it is only about 380i. If you compare a 13" to a 27", you will always say the 13" has a better picture. The more you stretch the picture the worse it gets. You need to compare 2 40" or 2 61". There may be a difference, but not as much as you think.

 

I can agree with all of this. But I would look other than Bestbuy for a TV. It is proven that they are more expensive than say a local TV electronics store. You can find better prices at smaller stores, belive it or not.

I would say get yourself a 40"-50" 1080i LCD Samsung. When you walk in to any electronics store you will notice most of the time, Samsungs look the best, they stand out from the rest.

As far as HD channels most on here have said non HD channels look terrible and they do. When you switch into HD it is like the Wizard of OZ, when Dorthy stepped out from black and white to color. There is that much difference. Just wait till you sit back and watch a NFL Football game or MLB baseball game on FOX HD, it will blow you away. When your watching a baseball game you can see right in the catchers mask..

I just recently switched my HD box to a HDMI box. There is not alot of difference from one to another but with the new HDMI box you have the option of changing the ratios from 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i. And also there is no delay when changing into the HD channels, where is with the older HD box, there was a pause and the screen would freeze when switching into HD.