HDTV Basic Help Needed.

[Jerry317]

First let me say that I do not know anything about HDTV except that I would lke to have one.

I have purchased but not delivered as yet a Panasonic CT 32 HX 41 HDTV televison.

I have been reading as much as I can and came accross an article that basically says that if you do not have the (don't even know what to call it) newer wider and narrower type it is not really a true HDTV.

Do not see any HD transmissions available on my cable system. I live 20 miles south of New York City.

Do I need Satellite Dish?

Are DVD's made in the HD format?

Any help on this and other suggestions prior to delivery on Saturday would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks---Jerry---

[ZeroDegreeK]

Jerry317,

A true HD broadcast is in 16:9 aspect ratio (wide and narrow), while normal tv broadcasts are in 4:3 (more square). High Definition TVs can handle the HD broadcast in two ways. If the tv screen is 16:9 it will fill the screen. It the set is 4:3 it will display the HD broadcast as letterbox, meaning there will be black bars on the top and the bottom. A lot of shows are being broadcast in this widescreen format already, like ER, so I am sure you are familiar with the black bars. HDTVs do not have to be 16:9, but it is preferred because they are optimized to display the widescreen HD broadcast.

If you have Time Warner cable outside of NY, they offer HD channels, and will give you the equipment. Otherwise the alternatives are Satellite and receiving the signal over the air (OTA) with an antenna. Satellite only has a few (2) HD channels, while OTA you can get the locals in HD, which look really good. I am unsure of OTA in NY because I think the broadcast antenna were located on the WTC.

DVDs are not in High Definition. They can be viewed in enhanced definition and look outstanding, but are still a few steps down from true HD.

I hope this answered some of your questions.

[Jerry317]

Zero,

Thank you very much for the reply and the helpful information.

My cable provider is Cablevision, wish it was T/W.

I don't know where the NYC transmissions are coming from now since Sept 11th.

I guess it seems at this time that I should wait until the cable/satelite industry catches up with the TV manufactures. A lot of money for not much of a return.

Again, thank you very much for your help.

---Jerry---

[zarlor]

That depends on what kinds of programming you watch. I think there is still at least one of the NYC affiliates which had their ATSC antenna on the Empire State Building and is still broadcasting HD (I think I heard it was the CBS affiliate, but I could be wrong.) I also heard that at least one fo the NYC affiliates that lost their antenna was going to be able to piggy-back onto an antenna on the Empire State Building in the very near future until a new one could be built.

On satellite it depends on your provider. Dish Network will give you Showtime HD (which has some HD transfers, but quite a few upconverts), HBO-HD which has most of their programming in HD and, I belive, a channel of PPV HD movies.

DirecTV has HBO-HD and HDNet (an all-HD network) and supposedly one more HD channel coming down the pipe, but who knows when that will be.

To get an idea of the HD programming that is available you might want to check out HDTV Galaxy (http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/broad.html) for a more complete listing of what is showing on some of those channels.

For me, it was definitely worth it, especially to get those movies in HD and Dolby Digital 5.1, not to mention the Olympics. Great stuff!

[Jerry317]

Lenny,

Thanks for the reply.

Your post gives me something to check into and think about.

Just put off delivery to next weekend in order to decide what I will do.

Thanks again---Jerry---