Thanks for your input. I followed up with my cable company and the price is only $6.95 a month for basic HDTV and that includes a tuner and whatever. What would be the cheapest 46" or above HDTV ready TV you'd recommend?
Quote Originally Posted by wasch_24
I have had my 65" Mitsubishi HDTV and Voom since March. I will be glad to provide as much insight as possible.

The majority of the folks I know and chat with in forums like this get their HDTV via the local cable company. Cable companies vary throughout the U.S. but for the most part you can get all of your local stations that are HD (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB) plus ESPN-HD, DHDT (Discovery HD Theater) and either HDNet or INHD for a nominal fee in addition to what you currently pay for digital cable. The cable company will need to 'install' a different STB (Set Top Box) then you currently have.

If you get an HDTV with an integrated tuner you can install an antenna and receive the HD broadcast from the networks for free. I would recommend that you visit www.antennaweb.org and input your zip code and select digital stations only. These will typically be UHF stations. That website is fairly accurate but like anything on the internet must not be interpreted as the final authority. The color system noted refers to the type of antenna you will most likely need to receive the stations in your area. Some folks are able to use rabbit ears on top of the TV, some folks can put one in their attic, and some need to erect an antenna on the roof. It seems old school but it is the same if not better, picture and sound quality you would get from the cable companies HD feed.

As far as Satellite goes, Voom offers the most HD channels but you have to be able to use an antenna to get your local HD stations. Voom has 35 HD channels available not including what you are or are not able to pick up with an antenna. They will also install, or try their best to install the antenna for you. Check out Voom's website and compare their line-up to DirecTV and Dishnetwork.

Fell free to ask any specific questions. I will check back periodically.

EDIT: I forgot to address the sports question. This past weekend in my area their were three HD college games on Saturday on ESPN-HD, four NFL games on Sunday; two on FOX, one on CBS, and one on ESPN-HD. Monday Night Football was HD on ABC.