2006-12-15 04:12:00 · 5 answers · asked by Pattie 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
No you don't have to, but you may not get to enjoy the picture quality the set has to offer.
If your HDTV has an ATSC tuner and you have a good off the air signal in your area, you can get HDTV video from local channels for free. A good low cost antenna is the Zenith Silver Sensor.
If the signal is weak, you could install a higher power external antenna. These can be found at radio shack.
Before investing in an antenna, be sure your market does broadcast channel in HDTV, you can find this on the net. For example:
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/programming/broadcast-market.php?dma_name%5B%5D=New+Orleans
Don't forget BluRay and HD DVD too.
2006-12-15 04:23:15 · answer #1 · answered by PanamaMike 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't have to order the HD channels... some are shown in HD anyway. Even SD programming from a dish or cable will look better than on an older set. The main thing is if you need a new TV, don't fall for the LOW prices of regular sets... add a little extra $ to get the HDTV. Then, if all programming ever goes HD, you'll be ready.
2006-12-17 01:17:48 · answer #2 · answered by Lee W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can receive broadcasts from your local TV stations, and they carry HDTV programs, you don't have to order anything. It is not true that regular programming will look terrible; if it is broadcast digitally, regular (non-HD) programming has the same quality as a DVD. What will look bad are analog broadcasts; but if your local stations are digital, you don't have to watch the analog (even though your set will pick them up). To see what stations in your area broadcast digital, and what kind of antenna you may need, see this site: http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
If you get your TV from satellite or cable, you may have to subscribe to an HD package to get all the available HD programs. Most cable and satellite systems offer some basic HD programming (usually major networks, and if you subsrcibe, HBO and Showtime HD) without extra charge.
2006-12-16 00:21:23 · answer #3 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
SD programs look bad on HD tvs, so yes, you need a HD source for HD programs.
2006-12-15 12:21:02 · answer #4 · answered by icman87 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't see the high def without high def channels. The regular ones come in a little clearer, but that's it. So yes, order them.
2006-12-15 12:15:15 · answer #5 · answered by bigjb92 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋