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Watching your favorite TV programs in HDTV requires more than just buying a high-definition TV. Here’s what you’ll need to begin enjoying the amazing picture and sound quality of HD:
1. You need to purchase an HDTV-ready or HDTV-capable television set. There are a several kinds of HDTVs, such as rear-projection, plasma and LCD, but two key distinctions are HDTV-ready vs. HDTV-capable. HDTV-ready means that the television has an HDTV tuner built in that enables it to receive over-the-air high-definition signals from your local networks. HDTV-capable means that the television is able to receive high-def signals, but only in conjunction with the use of an HDTV converter box from your cable or satellite company, or a digital tuner and over-the-air antenna to receiver over-the-air transmissions.
2. You need to obtain an HDTV converter box from your cable or satellite provider, or you can purchase a digital tuner and antenna for free local network over-the-air HD transmissions. Depending on your HDTV programming service provider, you may be able to lease the HD set-top box for $5-10 a month, or you may have to purchase it outright for several hundred dollars. Alternatively, many HDTVs coming to market now have built-in digital tuners that allow you to pick up the free digital broadcasts of local network affiliates (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX, WB, UPN, etc.) over-the-air.
3. The channel you want to watch must broadcast in high-definition. All of the major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS) transmit at least some programming in high-definition. However, although some cable networks broadcast in HD, many do not, and furthermore, not every cable or satellite provider carries every high-def network.
4. The program you want to watch must be broadcast in high-definition. Many popular prime-time programs such as "Law & Order" and sporting events such as National Football League games are now available in HD. Keep in mind that the HD programs will appear on entirely separate channels from your standard channels. For example, NBC’s analog broadcast is on channel 7, while the HDTV version of NBC is channel 40 over-the-air and channel 707 on Time Warner Cable.
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