I just purchased a new HDTV its a Samsung 52" 7 series. I want to get into HDTV, which is a really good cable box???

I don't know much about them.. would there be much difference by using hdmi then component??

Thanks

Before buying anything else, sit in front of the PC and do some reading. In the long run it will be much better than someone spoon feeding you the answers.

Having said that, just plug any antenna or cable connection you have into the TV and enjoy.

There's no point in us recommending cable boxes, we don't know who your provider is or what they have available locally to you. You should be able to see what's available and get some opinions by looking at the local hd info section for a thread for your DMA.

As for HDMI vs component, been discussed to death here, some searching should turn up plenty of opinions on the topic.

which is a really good cable box???

If you're interested in only the HD local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, maybe also CW and MyNetwork), most cable companies don't encrypt those channels so you don't need to use your cable company's box. If your HDTV has a QAM tuner (it probably does), just plug your cable into it and do a channel scan.

If your HDTV doesn't have a QAM tuner, see the Official AVS HDTV STB Synopsis (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=179095) which is a sticky post at the top of this forum. Look for units with "clear QAM."

If you're interested in HD "cable" channels (ESPN, Discovery, etc.), most cable companies encrypt them so you have to use their box, and lease it from them. They don't let you use boxes from other sources. I don't think most cable companies give you a choice of models. You take whatever they give you.

My local cable company doesn't give me much choice regarding set top boxes. You get what they have. In other words, there is one choice for an HD box and one choice for an HD DVR.

Other than local HD as noted above, the only real options for cable HD subs are the TiVo HD and Moxi, which still require a CableCARD from the cableco. Otherwise, you take what they give you.

At some point in the future, probably before the end of the year, cable subs will have more options as tru2way stand alone boxes start hitting the shelves.

my cable provider is CRTV in Campbell River, BC Canada. They offer pace and motorola boxes. The lady said I can get a used one but would have to get them to program it which they do for free. So I'm thinking I can pick up a used one for a lot cheaper then renting or buying new. They have a new motorola DCT6200 for $150 at FS is that a good deal and a good box? Thanks for all your help, I will do some reading this evening. Cheers

CRTV in Campbell River, BC Canada

If you had said that in the beginning, it would have helped. The situation is somewhat different in Canada versus the USA, where most of us are. I wouldn't have tried to answer, myself.