I know there are alot of different options for watching TV Channels in HD. I was just about to call Time Warner to upgrade our cable to the box that provides HD, but then I thought I should find out if that is the best option. Which option has the most HD channels? Which option is cheaper?

Listings and prices are usually readily available. What is harder to research is picture quality (aka PQ) if that's an important factor. PQ can vary quite a bit among providers due to added compression from rate shaping or re-encoding, and is probably the most discussed issue on AVS regarding channels and providers.

So which is best for PQ? Cable systems vary by area while the sat providers are consistent (good and bad) across the country. If FiOS is an option many feel it's among the best. Everyone is having growing pains trying to accommodate new channels so things are in a state of flux. A good place to start may be a local thread.

And it depends on what you want to watch in HD.

Sports?

Movies -- current releases or classics?

Network programming?

Try to match your family's viewing favorites with a provider whci offers the most of what you watch at a price you believe to be appropriate.

I posted in the Kansas City local thread.

We watch all movies... children and adult. We don't watch sports. We like shows like Lost, House, Law and Order and such. I definatly want Discover HD because it looks amazing and the kids would like it.

What is FiOS?

There are four or five possible choices of HD for you:
1. OTA - You didn't mention where you live but I would assume that most of the country can receive OTA HD. These are free.

2. Directv - They have the most HD channels currently available and will add more later this year when their new satellite becomes operational.

3. Dish Network - They have the second most HD channels available. They added a bunch of new HD channels this week while removing 15 Voom HD channels hours later. Dish has stated they add more HD channels by the end of the year.

4. Time Warner cable - check your local TW thread for information about there HD choices.

5. FIOS - check to see if this is available in your area.

I recommend going to the various websites and seeing the pricing, packages, and offers that are available.

A good website to find info about what HD channels are in your area is


www.whereishd.com

There are only 3 options for viewing TV in HD; local Digital TV (over-the-air, from an antenna), Digital Cable (including Verizon FiOS or AT&T U-verse if available in your area), DBS satellite (Dish Network or DirecTV).

Which is best can vary depending on a number of factors that only you will know. DBS will usually have the most HD channels (DirecTV in particular), while local HD, with up to 7 HD over-the-air networks, is free, assuming you can get the stations where you live. Digital Cable can vary widely based on your local cableco(s).

I'd take the advice above and check the local topic for your area, found here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453241

Yeah I posted there. Not getting much feedback.

What is FiOS?Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse are the two telco's offerings to compete with cable TV. They supply TV, internet and phone service via optical fiber. The services are usually only available where the respective telco already offers service, and only a small but growing percentage of that.