HDTV You've Got It But Can You Really See It?

You paid a lot of money for an HDTV. But you may not actually be seeing high definition programs. How can this be?

You see, it's not enough to just buy an HDTV receiver. You must be able to receive programs that are broadcast in HDTV.

For example, many local stations are broadcasting some programs in HDTV. But to see these programs, you must either live very close to their broadcasting towers or have a special, HDTV antenna on your roof.

If you subscribe to "analog" cable, you won't be able to see HDTV even if it says the program your watching is being broadcast in High definition. To see HDTV programming, you must first upgrade to digital cable. Once you have digital cable, you can then sign up for HDTV. For example, here in the Denver area, if you subscribe to Comcast's Basic Digital package, you can get the HDTV channels basically for free. The only cost is $5.00 per month or the set-top box you will need to attach to your "HDTV Ready" or "HDTV Capable" TV.

The satellite TV provider Echostar (DISH Network) also offers packages of HDTV channels ranging in price from $49.99 (DishHD Bronze) to $99.99 DishHD Platinum. All packages include some number of standard definition (non-HDTV) channels, plus anywhere from 23 to 25 channels of HDTV programming. However, to get the HDTV programming, you will need to lease or buy a special HDTV receiver (set-top box).

There is also the issue of local channels. As you know, most local stations broadcast both network programs and their own local programming. If the network program is broadcast in high definition and not all network programs are -- you will see it as an HDTV program. However, many local programs are notbroadcast in HDTV. For example, here in Denver, only one of our three network stations broadcasts its news in HDTV.

So, if you're HDTV picture doesn't seem a lot better than the picture on your old, standard TV, stop, drop and make sure you can really receive HDTV programming.