I'm considering getting a plasma 42", panasonic ED, later this year. I've been getting most of my info from http://www.highdefforum.com
first question: what is the picture quality hit watching regular $45/month directv no movie channels on a ED (enhanced definition, not Hi-def) plasma? I get the impression that on a larger screen, compared to my 27" 8-yr old tube, that picture quality can be much poorer.
I watch at most one DVD a week that would be rented or ordered from directv payperview. More like once a month actually. So the plasma will be showing mostly satellite programming.
2nd question: what's up with "hi-definition" programming?
My understanding is this, correct me where I'm wrong:
I can spend an extra $1000-$2000 for a HD plasma set, but then I need HD programming.
DVD's are not in high definition, they are 480p. HD is 720p and/or 1080i/1080p. So my dvd player becomes irrelevent.
If I want HD programming, for directv I pay an extra $11 or so a month.
Directv only offers something like 5 out of the 200 channels that I currently get in HD.
If I want HD, not only do I pay an extra $11/month, I also have to spend minimum of $300 for a HD receiver, along with any other costs for getting a 3-LNB oval dish. I have a round 1-LNB dish right now.
I keep reading that everything is going to, or will eventually, go to high-definition. But from what I currently read at hi-def forum, people are complaining that they've been waiting and the corporations/companies/beuracrats keep stalling. and force you to pay thru the nose for it, like blocking free local HD channels to force you to buy there HD package for sports. For instance, channel 8 ABC in my area is HD over the air (free if I have antenna) but for me to get it thru my dtv programming I have to buy their HD package at $11/month
first question: what is the picture quality hit watching regular $45/month directv no movie channels on a ED (enhanced definition, not Hi-def) plasma? I get the impression that on a larger screen, compared to my 27" 8-yr old tube, that picture quality can be much poorer.
I watch at most one DVD a week that would be rented or ordered from directv payperview. More like once a month actually. So the plasma will be showing mostly satellite programming.
2nd question: what's up with "hi-definition" programming?
My understanding is this, correct me where I'm wrong:
I can spend an extra $1000-$2000 for a HD plasma set, but then I need HD programming.
DVD's are not in high definition, they are 480p. HD is 720p and/or 1080i/1080p. So my dvd player becomes irrelevent.
If I want HD programming, for directv I pay an extra $11 or so a month.
Directv only offers something like 5 out of the 200 channels that I currently get in HD.
If I want HD, not only do I pay an extra $11/month, I also have to spend minimum of $300 for a HD receiver, along with any other costs for getting a 3-LNB oval dish. I have a round 1-LNB dish right now.
I keep reading that everything is going to, or will eventually, go to high-definition. But from what I currently read at hi-def forum, people are complaining that they've been waiting and the corporations/companies/beuracrats keep stalling. and force you to pay thru the nose for it, like blocking free local HD channels to force you to buy there HD package for sports. For instance, channel 8 ABC in my area is HD over the air (free if I have antenna) but for me to get it thru my dtv programming I have to buy their HD package at $11/month
