Some help on HDTV

[Keith4USC]

I got this zenith HDTV monitor coming today...... I'm gonna switch back to my cable so I can get my locals on HDTV (we have 3 already in HDTV at primetime)...... I'm confused and the more I read the more I get confused..... Will this TV show HDTV in full screen or like the cinema??? Might be a dumb question but I just don't understand this stuff...... I think I should have gotten a cinema screen but my budget couldn't go that deep..... In other words, when I watch the Final 4 in HDTV, will it be full screen or cinema screen......

Someone help me soon, it is being delivered at noon...... At least the delivery was free......

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006HCJS.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Martyva]

By definition HDTV is shaped similar to a movie screen. Our current TVs and your TV is 4X3, HDTV is 16x9. When showing HDTV on your set there will be either medium size or large economy sized black bars above and below the image. Check your set aspect adjustments, you may be able to adjust to full screen with distortion. Whether the distortion is acceptable is a matter of personal preverence. Is your local cable company bringing a digital receiver for HDTV?

[Cyclone]

I will likely look the same way a 16:9 widescreen DVD would look on the TV. Black bars top and bottom. But let us know what you see.

[durl]

Like the others have said, you'll have bars on the top and/or sides of your screen when you watch a true (1080i or 720p) HDTV signal.


I was curious why you went back to cable though. When I bought my HDTV late last year I just hooked up a $15 local antenna to my Directv HDTV receiver and I get my locals in HD perfectly. I should note that my Directv receiver has a satellite and local HD tuner however.

[Keith4USC]

I did not get the TV...... I'm gonna wait and get one of them wide screen TV's..... I think I would be happier..... The reason I was considering the cable was it wasn't gonna cost me anything to get HDTV unlike the directv system...... I had to purchase a new receiver and get the latest dish...... But for now, I'm gonna stick with my 20inch TV and wait on the HDTV.... That's a tough investement when there is only a few channels..... And the one I really wanted is gonna cost me more money monthly (ESPN HD)..... I thought these channels were just bonuses for having an HDTV...... I think I will go get me a cheap flat tube TV and wait til the fall for the HDTV..... And yes I'm gonna keep the directv for now..... And I just got my MLB package for the season....