Rave: HD tv

[planet planet]

OK, explain how I can get maximum HD exposure. I have Dish too. Do I need to purchase an HD receiver from Dish and pay the higher monthly fee for HD programming? Also, if I only have one HD capable TV (I think), is it a waste of $ to get the receiver that supports 1 - 2 TVs instead of just 1?

If someone could explain the steps and make recommendations, that'd be awesome!

[Fat_Bulldog]

HD TV is quite clutchy.

[Popeye_Card]

OK, explain how I can get maximum HD exposure. I have Dish too. Do I need to purchase an HD receiver from Dish and pay the higher monthly fee for HD programming? Also, if I only have one HD capable TV (I think), is it a waste of $ to get the receiver that supports 1 - 2 TVs instead of just 1?

If someone could explain the steps and make recommendations, that'd be awesome!

I believe you do need to get the HD receiver. Mine receiver supports 2 TV's--one in HD, the other standard--with 2 DVR's (i.e., you can record on either or both TV tuners). It's awesome. The only thing you can't do is record two different things while watching another.

--P--

[cardinalkarp]

OK, explain how I can get maximum HD exposure. I have Dish too. Do I need to purchase an HD receiver from Dish and pay the higher monthly fee for HD programming? Also, if I only have one HD capable TV (I think), is it a waste of $ to get the receiver that supports 1 - 2 TVs instead of just 1?

If someone could explain the steps and make recommendations, that'd be awesome!

I believe you do need to get the HD receiver. Mine receiver supports 2 TV's--one in HD, the other standard--with 2 DVR's (i.e., you can record on either or both TV tuners). It's awesome. The only thing you can't do is record two different things while watching another.

--P--

You got it exactly right and the HD DVR w/ the dual tuner is sweet (we have one as well).

And planet, if you have an HD tv and not utilizing it through a HD box is ALMOST pointless in having the HD tv. Of course you may be pulling some off air local channels in HD if you have the correct antenna. But yes, you definitely want to get the HD package w/ dish (its $20 per month which is a little pricey but worth it, like I said you get about 40 HD channels). I think they may have a promo going that you get $10 off for 10 months for the HD though so its really only $10 for about the first year. Trust me, don't hesitate, just do it.

[G. Keenan]

I'll watch a crappy show sometimes if it looks really good.

That is how I found myself watching the premier of K-ville on Fox the other night.

Have you watched the Planet Earth series in HD? It's unreal.

[AdmiralKird]

To get Fox,CBS,NBC,CW,ABC,PBS around St. Louis all you need are rabbit ears. Any regular antenna receives OTA(over the air) HD, all you need is a box that can decode it, or if your HDTV already says it has a tuner built in, then you don't even need a decoder box, just hook it straight into the TV's antenna jack. If you don't watch anything more than the standard network programming you don't need the 40 HD channels, most of them are crap anyway. Plus baseball season is ending, so you might as well just wait to get the full package until April when FSN announces their Cardinal HD lineup.

Oh and if you're looking to buy a TV thats under 50", don't get 1080p or you're wasting your money. To see the difference between 1080p and 720p on a set thats 37", you're going to have to sit about 4 feet from the screen.

[fulldeck]

HD is so good I have been watching golf.

[cardinalkarp]

If you don't watch anything more than the standard network programming you don't need the 40 HD channels, most of them are crap anyway

That's not true, there's actually quite a few pretty good ones. Definitely some I don't watch but there I plenty that I do.


Keenan, Planet Earth is sweet!! I like watching alot of stuff on Discovery HD Theater. They actually just added the regular Discovery HD so now I get a couple different options. I always catch myself watching National Geographic HD and also the new Science Channel HD. Sometimes I'll watch the Rush HD which shows alot of extreme sports.

[clevername]

50 inches is weak. 120in. or bust.

QFT.

I'm currently watching my HD/playing video games on a 116 inch 720p screen. 1080p in around a year or so. Build a sound system to boot (still working on that) and you're all set. I could never go back.

Saturdays are interesting. Family/friends come over and the projector is displaying life size HD football for 12 hours.

[cardinalkarp]

50 inches is weak. 120in. or bust.

QFT.

I'm currently watching my HD/playing video games on a 116 inch 720p screen. 1080p in around a year or so. Build a sound system to boot (still working on that) and you're all set. I could never go back.

Saturdays are interesting. Family/friends come over and the projector is displaying life size HD football for 12 hours.

I'm not sure I need to watch something THAT big on an everyday basis for tv. For sporting events and movies sure. Actually it would just look ridiculous in my living room.