What justifies purchasing an HDTV set?

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Just recently started researching the purchase of an HDTV set. This is something i am more than willing to do, i just want to be sure it is the right time to do this and i want to be sure it will be a worthy venture. I'm not rolling in the dough by any means so a 2K investment in such a thing as a tv is something i must consider seriously.
I currently have a 25" CRT TV with a Scientifc Atlantic DVR cable box(Charter Communications-FW, TX). I am looking at a set between 35-40"...either plasma or LCD. I saw a JVC LCD LT40X667 that looked nice, for $1800.
My concern is...how many true HDTV channels will i have access to and what will the quality of said channels be. I assume i will either upgrade to the Charter HDTV tuner or Direct TV or Dish Network. I would go to Direct TV as a lst resort. I would like to refrain from lining the pockets of Murdoch if at all possible.
Now, concerning these cable/satellite services...is the picture true HD...or will the Showtimes and HBOs and ESPNs and CNNs of the world that proclaim to broadcast in HDTV come across as some kind of compressed bastard child of true HDTV. They may offer 720 or 1080 resolution but won't there be compression artifacts out the wazzou?

And...would Direct TV or Dish Network offer better picture quality than what a Cable company could provide? It seems logical that there would be more bandwidth in a satellite signal that a digital fiber optic signal...which is what Charter is.
Also...isn't there a way where i could use a regular TV antenna on my house to bypass the cable box and receive my local HDTV channels more clearly?
I guess what i'm asking is what is the most i can expect out of HDTV programming now and, say, in the next 6 months?
Oh, and what reasons are there to go for a 1080P as opposed to a 720P set? Is it just a matter of picture quality or are there compatibility issues with other equipment, ie. blue-ray/DVDHD, etc. Most all of the sets i can afford are 720P...should i wait for 1080Ps to come down?

thanks

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The Cable Cooker

Topic - What justifies purchasing an HDTV set? - dingo dave 00:26:43 09/10/06 (11)

I can only think of 3 things that justifies purchasing an HDTV set.... - millen 22:23:12 09/11/06 (1)

Exactly right - Daryl Zero 07:02:03 09/12/06 (0)

Football! (nt) - SalD 11:12:34 09/11/06 (0)

Not a whole lot - DWPC 11:07:13 09/11/06 (1)

That's The Way I Feel About It - Robertc88 09:05:13 09/12/06 (0)

You didn't mention where you live - johnvb 19:37:38 09/10/06 (0)

Size matters - Jack G 07:29:58 09/10/06 (0)

P.S. go cruise the AVS forums for more tips. nt - oscar 06:39:28 09/10/06 (0)

Re: What justifies purchasing an HDTV set? - oscar 06:36:10 09/10/06 (2)

Re: What justifies purchasing an HDTV set? - dingo dave 12:12:00 09/10/06 (1)

Higher resolution means a better picture assuming everything else is equal... - oscar 20:04:06 09/10/06 (0)

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