Do you plan to purchase an HDTV television set?

Hell no! I do NOT want one. I hate the fact the government is forcing a complete change in broadcasting standards. The system of broadcasting we've had for 60 years has been perfectly fine. I have a 35-year-old Sony 13" color set that still looks and works like the day it left the factory. I am out in the sticks and use a roof-top tv antenna. I hate the cable and satellite companies and would never pay for tv service.

I can't stand those horrid wide screen tv sets. Television is and should remain 4:3 ratio. A tv is a tv is a tv. It should be built to last. Look at all those old Philco "Predicta" sets still out there operating.

I think that will happen as fast as the USA switched over to the metric system, which is never!

I don't care about television shows or broadcast/cable on my HDTV front projector, but it is marvelous for watching DVDs and the eventual HD-DVD (or Blu-Ray) releases. No better way to watch movies at home unless you have a 35mm setup.

When my present televisions break.(Right now they are in excellent condiiton) Hopefully by then the prices will come down on the good HDTV sets.

I said "No, I already have one" but I could be wrong. I have a Panasonic rear-projection TV that I got a few years ago when I got satellite, because it was supposed to be "HDTV ready" and it allows me to change the perspective from 4:3 to watch widescreen letterbox format movies in a full-screen format. But now I'm not even sure if it will truly display HDTV or if it has to have some kind of higher-resolution screen to do so, and Dish Network is charging so much for HDTV that I haven't been tempted to try it -- and anyway, who wants to be able to see Larry King's nose in high definition?

I said "No, I already have one" but I could be wrong. I have a Panasonic rear-projection TV that I got a few years ago when I got satellite, because it was supposed to be "HDTV ready" and it allows me to change the perspective from 4:3 to watch widescreen letterbox format movies in a full-screen format. But now I'm not even sure if it will truly display HDTV or if it has to have some kind of higher-resolution screen to do so, and Dish Network is charging so much for HDTV that I haven't been tempted to try it -- and anyway, who wants to be able to see Larry King's nose in high definition?

they can keep trying but a tv is never gonna give me the same effect as a good old fasion silver screen

I agree that no home theater (at least none that I can afford) will ever equal the experience of seeing a film on the silver screen in a big old theater with a crowd of mature cinema enthusiasts. However, I do have a big 60 inch Sony HDTV LCD projection unit that I received as an Xmas/Birthday present last year... and I love it. I have a really big living room so it doesn't overwhelm the space, but it delivers a nice big sparkling sharp image and makes for enjoyable DVD viewing. It's also great for viewing letterbox presentations on cable channels like the terrific Turner Movie Classics.

It greatly enhances my home viewing enjoyment, but it'll never replace (for me) the thrill of a proper theatrical movie-going experience.

Here in the UK all programmes have been made in (and broadcast in) widescreen for several years. Only US made programmes, old TV repeats and old movies pre-1953 are shown in their original 4:3 aspect ratio.

Satellite and Terrestrial TV is digital and HDTV is being introduced early in the New Year. My 32" widescreen LCD flat panel tv is already HDTV ready, and I bought it over a year ago.

This is the last Christmas that retailers will be selling VHS Video cassettes and players in the UK as DVD takes over as the prefered recording and viewing mode.

Technology, will eventually make it mandatory to own one. Just like subscribing to cable TV. What do we call it? Evolution or inevitability?

"Technology Police! Open this door! We understand you still don't own one! Move aside, we're coming in!!"

I believe that the fed gov't (USA) has already auctioned off the old broadcast NTSC frequencies (VHF-UHF).....to the highest bidders, of course.
I'm sure this has alot to do with them mandating the conversion to the new digital freq's.
I heard there will be "backward" converters available (?) for those who don't want to bother with new HD sets.
I've got a Sony Trinitron that I love, and I'm sure it will still be working fine after the mandated conversion.

I bought a 52" wide screen rear projection HDTV last year and really like it. My movies look great,both DVD and Video. Even regular TV programing is nice to watch. I have had satalite, which I also like, for about 10 years and the new set makes it even better. Since I don't care for the multi plex movie experience I rarely go to the theater to see films. There is 1 single screen theater open in my area and I patronise this theater only, but they have to be playing something I want to see. My new TV makes movie watching most enjoyable.

I'm hoping to get a 32inch-ish flat panel sometime in the next year.

When I watch movies at home, I usually do so on my computer. My Mac has a 23in Cinema Display which, combined with a reasonably good sound system, is quite decent for watching DVDs.

The best part is... I live across the street from a movie theater. So, it's the best of both worlds!

I agree with Ken Layton that TV should remain in 4:3 ratio. The widescreen format is ideal for a wide cinema auditorium but not so good for a TV in a small living room.

As Ken Roe commented in the UK with have had wide screen TV forced on us for a couple of years. Even old Academy ratio films sometimes get cropped for 16:9 ratio!

I appreciated colour when it came to TV and stereo sound as they both offered improved technical features, but wide screen just changes the shape.

In the same way I expect I will appreciate High Definition TV as again it gives an improved technical specification.
I hope they sell some large screen 4:3 ones!.