Maybe this should be in the Computer/Technology Forum, but I was wondering who has HDTV and do you think it is worth it?

I'm still trying to talk my parents into considering it, but they don't see the point in buying a new television and all the hardware necessary for fitting HDTV, and paying the big bucks on the cable bill. I have friends at U. of MD that had HDTV set up in their house, and I've been obsessed ever since. I mainly watch sports games and it seems perfect and logical to have HDTV.

I will have HDTV as soon as I have a place of my own, but I just wanted opinions and/or advice on if you believe it is worth it?

I've had an HD-capable widescreen television for probably 4 years and HD broadcasting through cable for as long as it's been available in my area(since Jan. 04, I think).

I can't watch sports any other way now. It's like you're right in the stadium. For sports, I'd compare it to going from black/white to color television....it's that big of a difference.

For movies, sitcoms, drama, etc., HD isn't as impressive. It's still light years better than regular tv, but it doesn't blow you away with the difference. With my setup at least, I'd compare it to watching a quality DVD picture.

The price structure isn't that bad. Antietam cable offers about 10 or 12 HD channels for 10 bucks a months. That price can be a little deceving, since you must already have digital cable first, to upgrade to HD. Before HD, I didn't have a cable box, just the cable line plugged straight into the tv, using the tv's internal tuner. So my net increase was a little less than $25/month to upgrade.

Not all network (CBS, NBC, FOX, etc.) programming is in hi-def all the time. Usually just the prime time lineup, but it increases all the time. Heck, I see the DC news (ch. 9, I think) is going to start broadcasting in HD.

I'm sure there'll be people chime in saying it's not worth it. You've seen it though, and obviously feel that it's worthwhile. It's the future of television and worth every penny to me.


EDIT - Also, the bigger the television size, the more dramatic difference you'll see by switching to hi-def. HD on a 27" won't blow you away like HD on a 57" will.