Increasingly, broadcasters and viewers alike are giving High-Definition TV high marks.
If you think you're ready to make the leap, here are a few points to keep in mind:
• Purchase an HDTV-ready or HDTV-capable television set. There are several kinds of HDTVs, such as rear-projection, plasma and LCD, but the two main distinctions you need to be aware of are HDTV-ready and HDTV-capable. HDTV-ready means that the television has an HDTV tuner built in that enables it to receive over-the-air high-definition signals from your local networks. HDTV-capable means that the television is able to receive HD signals, but only in conjunction with the use of an HDTV converter box from your cable or satellite provider.
• Get an HDTV converter box from your cable or satellite provider. Depending on your HDTV programming service provider, you may be able to lease one for $5-$10 a month. There are great deals and trial offers right now, so shop around.
• The channel you want to watch must be broadcast in high definition to see it in true HD. All the major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and FOX) transmit at least some programming in HD. DIRECTV announced that it would have 100 HD channels on its service by year's end. Many cable networks are offering HD versions of their popular channels. For example, Discovery Communications recently launched HD simulcasts of Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC and Science Channel. Besides your local broadcast networks, there are HD channels in just about every possible genre: news, sports, documentary, nature, science, movies, music, history, home improvement, cooking-even reality.
• HD versions of your favorite channels are often on a completely different end of your on-screen channel guide. The good news is that most HD channels are grouped together to make things a little less confusing.
Once you decide on an HD television set and have your HD converter box hooked up, you're ready to go.
With an HDTV set, you can watch spectacular HD shows like Discovery Channel's "Planet Earth."
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