The FCC now requires that TV manufacturers begin to phase in HD broadcast tuners in 50% of sets 36" or larger. By July 2007, all new TV sets of 13" and up will be required to have built-in HD tuners.
For now HD and analog TV signals exist side-by-side. But when 85% of TVs have HD tuners, or 2006, whichever comes later, the over-the-air analog signal will disappear. Analysts believe that won't happen until at least 2008 or 2009. Until then your analog TV will work just fine.
Even after the analog signal is gone, your set will continue to work with cable and satellite channels, VCRs, DVD players, and video game consoles.
But if you're relying on rabbit ears or outdoor antennae to pick up broadcast signals now, you'll need a way, such as a set-top box, to step-down the quality of the over-the-air HD signals (losing the HD quality in the process). Analysts expect these boxes to cost perhaps less than $100 by then.
Technological improvements have a way making simple tasks more complicated. When you bought your last TV, for example, you probably took it out of the box, plugged it in, connected the cable and sunk into the couch to enjoy the show.
But if you're in the market for a new high-tech, crystal-clear HDTV, you first have to find out if you can get a signal, then buy the right antenna and maybe a tuner, or shop your local cable and satellite services for programming options and prices. Otherwise, you're stuck with a big-ticket TV and little or no HD.
If you're going to spend between $500 and $30,000 for a television, what's a few hours' research or another $60 or $70 per month?
Defining definitions
An HDTV is a type of digital television, but not all digital TVs are high-def. You have three levels of digital clarity to choose from:
Standard definition. SDTV offers about a 50% better resolution than a traditional analog TV, around 300,000 pixels compared with 200,000 pixels. Many digital cable and satellite broadcasts use SDTV. The typical SDTV screen is the same square shape as traditional analog TVs. You'll usually see it referred to as having a resolution of 480i, which means that 480 lines of resolution fill the screen in an interlacing pattern, odd lines then even lines.
Enhanced definition. EDTV, described as 480p, gives a smoother, more detailed picture than standard definition. The 480p means that 480 lines of resolution appear on the screen from top to bottom, or progressively, like a computer monitor. EDTV is better than standard definition but not as good as high-def, so EDTVs cost at least a few hundred dollars less than high-def TVs.
High definition. This is the highest quality and provides the smoothest, most lifelike images with resolutions of up to two million pixels (available only on the biggest and most expensive plasma and LCD flat panel screens). At minimum, HDTVs feature 720 lines of resolution scanned progressively or 1080 lines of resolution in an interlaced pattern.
Mixed signals
Most primetime programming on the broadcast networks is available free in HD. But in addition to a TV with the resolution to display the higher-quality signal, you'll need a new antenna, which can run from $25 to $100. The television must also be capable of decoding the signal with either a built-in or set-top tuner (from $300 to $500 or so).
Models labeled "HD-ready" or "HD monitors" typically do not include built-in HD tuners. More expensive "HDTV sets" do. If you plan to get your TV signal via cable, you can feel comfortable buying a monitor without a built-in tuner. You'll probably need to rent special set-top box to receive the HD cable signal anyway, or, if your TV is one with the new CableCard slot, you'll need a card from your cable provider.
Some satellite subscribers will need a bit more hardware. In addition to the HD antenna and tuner for network broadcast channels, they'll need to rent or purchase a set-top tuner for the satellite system and special dish to pull in the HD signal.
Be prepared for a higher monthly bill, too. Satellite and cable HD packages usually add between $7 and $17 per month to a subscription (plus a possible equipment cost). If you currently watch analog cable, you'll have to upgrade to digital and pay for the HD package.
The number of HD stations varies from one service to the next. Voom, a satellite service trying to position itself as the leading HD provider, offers the most HD channels, 35, plus 50 standard definition cable channels and 18 music channels for about $40 per month. You can rent the tuners ($9.50 for the first box and $14.50 for each additional box), or buy them ($499 for the first box; $199 for extras). Installation may cost extra. While customers rave about the picture quality, Voom gets mixed reviews for service. Setting up the system is definitely not a do-it-yourself job, often requiring software downloads and resets. And changing channels can take several seconds.
All of the major satellite and cable operators we contacted offered some channels in HD, including HBO, Showtime and ESPN, and a few even offered all-HD channels such as HDNet and Discovery HD. The table below is a representative sampling of services. The number of HD channels and service prices will vary depending on where you live. Check your cable provider's Web site for exact prices and to see what's available in your area.
*some channels not available in all areas. **not including premium channels; some non-premium HD channels require additional fees; see your provider for details and prices.
GETTING STARTED
