What do I need to Buy in order to receive HDTV Programs?

There are lots of options!!

Prices have plummeted drastically, and options abound sufficient to mystify shoppers who face an assortment of display technologies and terms such as HD-Ready and fully integrated HDTV's. "There is no question that consumers are being barraged with options, and it takes some dedication to wade through all of this information," said Rob Sabin, executive editor of Sound & Vision magazine.

Each of the models/types has at least one trade-off: Flat-panel LCD's and plasma TV units take up the least space, but they also tend to cost more. Rear-projection systems are the most affordable, but their large footprint hogs floor space. Front projectors often offer the largest images, but they need a very dark room to deliver their best performance.

HDTV has been around long enough that some early adopters are now considering moving up to the latest cutting- edge models. Sony is counting on that demographic in part for its new Grand WEGA SXRD high-definition TV, which boasts more than 2 million pixels to deliver a contrast ratio of 5,000:1. "It's true high definition, a 1-to-1 picture representation to the screen," said Ray Stanley, Sony's senior manager of training and content. Sony's Grand WEGA SXRD steals technology previously used only in its high-end 70-inch Qualia 006 model, which sells for about $15,000. The Grand WEGA SXRD now sells for $3,999 for the 50-inch model and $4,999 for the 60-inch model. Impressive performance at affordable prices best describes the Sony offerings.

Mitsubishi just released the HC3000U, which the company describes as the first high-definition DLP projector to be sold at under $3,000.

Most of the new TVs on the market today are HD-Ready. However, they must still be connected to a separate HD source, such as an antenna, satellite receiver or cable, if direct over-the-air HD content is not available from a programming provider. Integrated HDTV's have a built-in tuner, which allows viewers to experience HD broadcasts out of the box with no additional investment. The HDTV formats usually employ Dolby Digital Surround Sound to deliver a movie theatre like experience.

To get true HDTV quality requires not just a High Definition TV set but also an actual digital, high-definition broadcast. After a slow ramp-up following the introduction of HDTV in the late 1990s, most of the major network prime-time series are now in high definition, and a couple of shows - and others such as Saturday Night Live and Good Morning America are just making the High Definition transition. A full conversion to HDTV programming and transmission is expected to occur by 2009.