Anyway around blurry standard definition channels on HDTV?

Question

My brother got an HDTV for christmas and I now see how crappy the images are on the standard definition channels. Although the picture looks great hooked up to the HD channels, the PS3 or Blu-ray discs... the majority of the channels (around 200 of the 250 channels available) are the grainy garbage we've come to hate.

I will be buying a TV in a few months and was wondering if there was a way around this. Is there some type of TV that has a hybrid mode where it can show the 480i channels as good as a standard tv while showing the 720 and 1080 channels in their HD glory?

Answer 1

Basically no. HDTVs really are geared to display HD better, and must do conversions to display standard analog TV.

Also, remember most standard analog TVs top out at 32" or so. Most HDTVs are significantly bigger, and thus the standard analog signal TV looks worse as it's displayed bigger.

The good news is, this will be a temporary phenomena. In Feb 2009, everything gets broadcast in digital.

Answer 2

Well, in 2008 there will be signal UPGRADES to several TV stations on the NATIONAL Networks.....

So you'll have LESS SD channels....

But right now if you want ALL your SD channels to look "just as good as" HD channels, your only choice is Fiber Optics to the Premises......

FTTP or FIOS TV services provide NOISE FREE signals to your home, and getting rid of the noise on the signal will make Low Def signals SUPER CLEAN and just a tad sharper.....

Oh they won't have the detail of the HD channels, but the noise is what stands out on low def stations.....all those little grainy dots floating around in your picture.....
And if you have grainy dots, you have LOW signal....and low signal can cause freezing, blocky pictures, distracting imperfections that just JUMP OUT AT YOU while you attempt to enjoy your TV show.....

It's kinda like your little brother smacking your head while you try to ignore him.....