HDTV Set Top Box

Hi Angela,I recently upgraded to the Toshiba TW40X81 HDTV ready set myself, and am curious to see what you come up with. Kenny, thanks for the tip, i'll check it out later. For those interested, one of the old Panasonic models does allow high definition recording. My friend brought it to my apartment, but we couldn't get a high def signal with the antennae provided (just experimenting), so I will have to see if my landlord will let me install a dish, (I won't bet on it).

I read a recent article in the LA Times regarding frustration in getting HDTV programming... very interesting and enlightening. Based on the article, don't assume that DirectTV re-transmits HDTV signals. The long and short of it is that the writer wound up with a large antennae on the roof and finally got decent reception and HDTV. I wish I had saved the article as the gyrations this poor guy went through were funny. I am interested in the DirectTV/HDTV set up and will be checking this out further.

thanks, Jim. I am doing a lot of reading. I agree, it is NOT as simple as they would make you believe. I think I'll use my energy on researching a better center channel instead :-)

I am also interested in getting HDTV. I want a good local antenna and a dish. I heard that the Sony waited 6 months to make sure they had everything and the RCA is a pain in the rear. Which way to go?

Martin, we have the same TV. It's awesome, isn't it? We like the size since it's not so BIG and the theatre wide format is perfect for DVD's. We got tired of trying to read all the fine print on the movies to find full screen and didn't like the black bars. Toshiba finally released their set top box in January for around a $1000. I see them on eBay, new in box, for around $800. It's looking like satellite is the way to go and we just don't watch enough TV for that. So, I am not sure that we are going that route yet. When it's more prevelant over cable, maybe. We mostly use it to watch movies and have a pretty good setup for that. So.... I don't know yet. The HT is my project, the audio system is my husband's. I want to upgrade the center channel and would like to get one of the ML's.