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HDTV: What do I need in order to see High Definition TV?

You need the following:

1) a High Definition display such as

a) a HDTV Plasma display panel or
b) a DLP, D-ILA, LCos or HDTV LCD panel or
c) a late-model wide-screen HDTV CRT television

which is capable of 720p, 1080i, or 1080p resolution.

2) a High Definition signal source such as

a) High Definition digital cable TV service,
b) High Definition digital satellite TV service or
c) Over-the-Air (OTA) HDTV broadcasts in your local area.

3) Possibly a few additional items such as

a) the proper HD tuner/receiver box,
b) HD over-the-air antenna or HD satellite dish antenna and
c) the proper connecting cables.

Over-the-air broadcasts: Digital TV broadcasts are currently being transmitted to most of the U.S. TV households . You can find out if any stations in your area are providing digital broadcasts by visiting this link. Most stations are in the normal UHF range (channel 14 through 83), so you can receive them with a UHF antenna.
Digital satellite TV: If you live in the lower 48 states, and have a clear view of the southern sky, you can probably receive HDTV programs via satellite. DirecTV, Dish Network and Voom are the three largest providers. You need to install a HD dish antenna somewhere, usually on a roof and connect it to a HD satellite receiver which is then connected to your HDTV display panel or TV.
Cable HDTV: Note: "Digital cable" has nothing to do with receiving HDTV via cable. Digital cable usually means that you get more channels, and the picture quality may look a little better than regular cable, but it's not HDTV. If your cable company offers HDTV, then this option is a possibility for you. You'll need a HD cable tuner/receiver box which can hookup to your HDTV display panel or TV.

How to get HDTV

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