On Fri, 06 Jan 2006 21:53:58 GMT, Don White wrote:

JimH wrote:
"Don White" wrote in message
...

JimH wrote:

"Don White" wrote in message
...


Eisboch wrote:


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...



JimH wrote:



I guess so. We do not have digital cable or HD tv sets so the S-video
works just fine for us.


Comcast hasn't gone to "digital" cable in your part of the country?


Many subscribers, me included up until a few days ago, just have a
basic cable service meaning there is no cable box. The cable is simply
hooked up to the VHF antenna input on the TV and you use the TV tuner to
choose the channels. In this case, all channels are analog.

Eisboch

We updated a year ago to digital.
Getting ready for the big shift to HDTV in the near future.
(read:...saving for the TV)


When all channels in the US go digital (I believe in 2008 or 2009) there
will be no need to upgrade your TV's to HD if you have cable.

Huh?
HD and digital are two different things.


I never said otherwise Don.


here's what Consumer Reports says about HD vs standard def vs ED

Image quality: HD vs. standard definition

High definition is the way to go if you want the best TV viewing
possible. The picture quality can be stunning, especially on a large,
wide-screen set. HD is a digital-TV format that can offer
almost-lifelike clarity. That’s because HD images contain more and finer
detail than other formats. In technical terms, they have higher
resolution, or more picture elements making up each image. HD images are
digital, usually with definition of either 1080i (1,080 lines drawn
on-screen in an odd/even, or interlaced, pattern) or 720p (720 lines
scanned in one sweep, or progressively). You can get HD capability in
all types of TVs: picture-tube sets, LCD, plasma, rear-projection, and
front-projection. However, simply buying an HDTV doesn't get you HD. You
need programming that’s created in HD and transmitted the same way, plus
a digital tuner (usually supplied by special cable and satellite boxes)
that can receive these signals. See our HDTV report for more details.

Standard definition, the type of TV we've watched for years, has much
less detail. These are analog signals with resolution of 480i (480 lines
drawn onscreen in an interlaced pattern), the format in which TV content
is delivered over regular analog broadcasts and basic (non-digital)
cable. On the best TVs, the picture quality can be very good or even
excellent--but it doesn't compare to the best that HD can offer. Most
standard-definition TVs now on the market are picture-tube sets; some
LCDs of this type are also available.

Enhanced definition falls in between standard and high definition. ED
signals are digital, with resolution of 480p (480 lines scanned
progressively). This is equivalent to DVD quality, which is a little
better than standard definition but not as good as high definition. Some
ED sets can decode HD signals when they're connected to a digital tuner.
However, they have to convert them to a lower resolution that they can
display, so the picture quality won't match that of true HD. Still, it
can be quite impressive. Most ED sets now on the market are either LCD
or plasma TVs.

HD is the way to go, Don. But, Eisboch is right. You'll start seeing a lot more
facial hair and zits.

--
John H.

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it."
Rene Descartes