Im going to buy a new tv this weekend, looking to spend between $900 and $1000. I dont like projection tvs, I like the widescreen with the tube. I dont plan on getting HD programming any time in the next year but I am wondering if I should spend the extra money to get an HD set. I dont want to buy another tv for another 5 years so I was thinking of getting an HD for later use with HD programming. I have basic cable, not digital, and I watch lots of DVDs. So is it worth it to pay for HD now even though I dont plan to get HD programming for another year or so? Ive heard that HD sets have grainy pictures when watching non HD programming. thanks in advance for any comments.

What size are you looking for, and where will you be shopping?

Just so's we're clear here, you do mean an HD-ready set, not an HD set, right?


Hmm. Let's propose some scenarios and see where they lead.

If you can afford to buy a non-HD-ready TV now and a whole new HD-ready TV in one year, and you want to have two large TVs, only one of which will play HD, then buying a TV now that is not HD-ready is feasible.

If you intend to always have just one, that is one-point-o televisions, one year is a pretty short time to amortize $900 - $1000 if you REPLACE the non-HD-ready set. This option is the first option except you give away this year's TV, sell it, or take it out for target practice.

So the thing to do is get an HD-ready set now. You buy one TV, don't replace it, don't have to sell one, don't have an oldie hanging around....

Which brings us back to size: what can you get that is HD-ready, for $1000?

It's worth it to get an HD set. Get one with an HD tuner and you'll most likely be watching HD right away.

You can get 27" LCD HD for under $1000. With tuner, IIRC.

Get the HD set now with the built in digital tuner so you can get HD programming OTA. DVD's will also look better on a HD Widescreen.