How much difference between SD and HD

I doubt it. Make sure a portable antenna is compatible with both SD/HD if you intend to upgrade to HD programming at some point.

So IF we get a carry-out self-finding antenna that is SD only, we will still be able to pick up the HD programs and maybe, someday, they'll come out with an HD antenna for DirecTV or I'll switch to Dish. Thank you all.

ATSC is for over-the-air broadcasts. I see from your original post that your question concerns satellite broadcast? So not applicable. But, yes, your Vizio LCD HD does have ATSC.

So it sounds like we have to learn how to aim our dish, huh? How do we know if the TV has an ATSC digital tuner? Will it say so in the instruction book for the TV? We have a Vizio...2 years old, I think.

Yes, if the TV has an ATSC digital Tuner.

Okay. Another SD vs. HD question....if you only have SD, do you still get the HD channels but in SD instead of HD??

Bill.Satellite wrote:
I could instantly answer both questions (seriously, B and W?). You say you need HD when you are watching a bunch of cars driving really fast in a repeating circle? If you missed it on the last pass it will show up in the next pass (repeated 250 times)!

I agree - I would be able to answer both questions as well.

However, I disagree with you about NASCAR. I get it that you don't like NASCAR but now that I don't get the races in HD, I miss it quite a bit.

I think the difference between SD and HD is night and day but DW doesn't think there's much. Mind you, I have much better eyesight.

RCMAN46 wrote:
Something I have discovered.

If you are watching a really good movie and half way through the movie turn off the tv.

Now ask your partner if the movie was in color or black and white.

Also ask if it was in HD or SD.

Likely neither of you will be sure provided the question is asked after the tv is off and there was no prior knowledge the question would be asked.

A good movie is OK in black and white and SD.

But I do enjoy my HD TV when there are things I need to read such as which car is in the lead on the Sunday NASCAR race.

That's the dangest thing I have ever heard. I could instantly answer both questions (seriously, B and W?). You say you need HD when you are watching a bunch of cars driving really fast in a repeating circle? If you missed it on the last pass it will show up in the next pass (repeated 250 times)!

Bumpyroad wrote:
when I watch TV I don't even bother going to those high numbered HD channels.
the plus for HD is that you can see every wrinkle in Jerry Springer's face. the minus is that you can see every wrinkle in Jerry Springer's face.
bumpy

You must be using a very old receiver; my HD channels are fully integrated in the Guide with the SD ones and normally I block display of SD duplicates.