$2,000 HDTV and I can't tell the difference!

Yeah, I'm old and so are my eyes

[jsinger]

Just got the nifty 42" Phillips running in Hi Def and I must say neither I nor my wife can tell much difference even when we switch back and forth on the same show on the regular and hi def channels. A lag time of 2-3 seconds makes precise a/b tests difficult, though.

I do like the set. Even my home videos look sharper on it, and we like the wide format. I just can't see much advantage to Hi Def.

Am I alone?

[roscoepico]

Yes, you are alone. The difference on my 42 inch is undeniable. Do you have a high def cable box? If so, what cable co.?

[redzone]

Of Course,
Roscoe has 120/20 vision, so you may really be alone... :))

[jdMorgan]

Sounds like either the source material you're watching isn't hi-def, or there is something wrong with your setup.

As an example, a recent news story on CNN (I think it was CNN) was talking about how the TV make-up departments were going crazy trying to preserve the "perfect image" of news anchors with the introduction of hi-def broadcasting. In one case, they had to have the camera 'back-off' for a couple of days while they worked things out, because every wrinkle and line on the announcer's face -- invisible in NTSC mode -- stood out like the Grand Canyon in hi-def.

So, if you're watching a hi-def show on a high-def channel through a hi-def cable box, receiver, and display, and you're not seeing a difference, then something in your wiring or device setup is wrong.

Jim

[Rugles]

>>>hi-def show on a high-def channel through a hi-def cable box, receiver, and display

That is correct. Just because a channel is HD, does not necessarily indicate that the show you are watching is HD.

I am guessing you dont have the HD box thing. Mine was built into the tv, it is a Sony Grand Wega, but not all Sonys have the device inside.

I like it when you can see the poorly applied make up. Brings the rich and famous down to earth.

[submitx]

Watch Monday Night Football tonight on ABC. It is one of the best hi-def programs. Even if you don't like football you will love the clarity. Compare the hi-def version to the regular version. After one look, there is no going back.

[Bradley]

Make sure you also have the RGB (red, green, blue) cables that connect your box to the tv.....Without those, you are shooting yourself in the foot. Those cables will run you around $80.

[Hawkgirl]

> Monday Night Football tonight on ABC

I agree - you should be able to see every individual blade of grass (or astroturf)! That's how good it looks in HD.

[bnhall]

I use Time Warner Cable and had to upgrade my digital cable box to an HD-compatible digital cable box. Now when I watch HD channels it's amazing.