Posted: 7/23/2008 6:31:42 AM EDT
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My folks are about to pull the trigger on an HDTV in time for the Olympics. My question is: Regular programming doesn't get the HD enhancement unless it says it's in HD or is on an HD only channel right? |
Yes, the HD converter box allows you to receive HD channels, but theres not that many of them yet.  Local networks broadcast in HD, so a good antenna covers that... Not sure if your folks have cable or satellite, with cable they should get the locals in the HD channel package. |
and the major networks broadcasts can be obtained OTA (over the air) like regular channels. Of course who does that. But that it work that way is a .gov requirement. Everything else, such as cool channels like Sci-Fi  , require a box (or in-TV card)
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Yeah, so look at their "Digital tier package" for the HD pack, thats what "enhanced" channels they get. On the bright side, an upconverting DVD player will make their DVDs look real nice They can get into Blu-Ray at some point, but in the meantime, upconversion and widescreen standard DVDs works great. |
Can't speak for Comcast, but on our stuff we have a HD tier, with our most popular non-OTA channels, as well as local channels. Thing they'll need to realize, all broadcasts on an HD channel are not in fact HD. Many commercials, Judge Judy, most soaps, the nightly local news, none of these are recorded/broadcast in HD, so they'll view it in a 4:3 format with black bars on the sides. CSI, American Idol, primetime whatever usually has a little "broadcast in HD" symbol pop up, and you get a full 16:9 picture in HD. Basically, if they're watching the NBC HD channel for the Olympics, the Olympics will most likely be in HD, but random commercials and other programming may not be. Honestly I have no idea if they'll be recorded and broadcast in HD, but it seems likely. Now tell them to boycott the Olympics b/c of the commie host nation and buy a non-Chinese TV if they can find one. 
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it was expensive..and it had a wired remote control I remember that annual "memberships" at movie rental places were hundreds of dollars too. The first movies we rented were Holy Grail and Breaking Away |
I remember our first VCR had a wired remote as well. Also, VHS movies were over $100 a piece to buy when they first came out, IIRC. Breaking Away 
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IIRC, DirecTV wants around 10 extra bucks a month for HD service - plus another 10 bucks a month for local channels - just so you can receive many of the same HD programs that the local broadcasters are offering for free. That's 240 bucks a year I'd rather spend on something else! |