...Polaroid 42 in LCD HDTV, and I am not receiving OTA HD channels clearly (they are breaking up). Some of my regular cable channels break up, as well.

Do I use an HD antenna, or is my TV just crappy?

Thanks for your help.

Do I need a 75 ohm connector? I connect the cable to this TV directly thru a coaxial cable.

If you want antenna recommendations, please post your zip code so we can see how far you are from the broadcast towers, what directions they are in, and whether they are all UHF or are some on VHF. Are you in a house or apartment/condo? This is Thanksgiving weekend, so don't expect quick responses.

As for the cable connection, are you asking about the cable line or the antenna connection? You can connect the cable line directly to the TV, but you will only get the analog NTSC channels and if the TV has a QAM tuner, the unencrypted digital channels. For most cable systems, only the local broadcast stations are provided in the clear (unencrypted) on the digital channels.

I appreciate any help I can get, and I do understand about the delay.

My zip code is 27609, and I live in a house.

As for HD, I had a Magnavox 37 in which received crystal clear OTA HD channels. That leads me to believe it is the TV, not the reception, that is subpar. It does say it has a cable ready ATSC tuner. Is that analogous to a QAM, which the specs do not say it has? I do receive the digital channels, but it is not a very strong signal.

I'm concerned because my Magnavox had a strong, clear, sharp picture with my current set-up, and the Polaroid does not. I've played DVDs on it, and am happy with the quality there. It proves the Polaroid is capable of such quality, if only I could tweak the actual TV viewing problem.

Will the 75 ohm connector improve the quality, or is that the same as a regular coaxial cable?

How do I receive the optimum picture, HD or otherwise, from my TV?

As for HD, I had a Magnavox 37 in which received crystal clear OTA HD channels. That leads me to believe it is the TV, not the reception, that is subpar. It does say it has a cable ready ATSC tuner. Is that analogous to a QAM, which the specs do not say it has? I do receive the digital channels, but it is not a very strong signal.

Will the 75 ohm connector improve the quality, or is that the same as a regular coaxial cable?
Given that the Magnavox worked I'm wondering whether you need to select the ota atsc tuner in some sort of setup menu. If you give the model of the tv people will be able to figure out what it has, tuner-wise. You don't need an hd antenna, by the way, so don't pay extra money for "hd". What antenna do you have now? I think the 75ohm connector is the same kind of connection that you have on the coax--however, you may have or need a 300-75 ohm adapter where the coax attaches to the antenna.

The model number for the 42 in LCD Polaroid is: TLX-04240B (yes, I was one of those fools waiting in the wee hours at Walmart for their $798 sale ;) ).

The only thing I'm using is my coaxial from the cable company, and I screwed it directly onto the back of the TV. Is the 75 ohm some sort of upgrade on the coaxial?

I upped the Noise Reduction, and that seemed to help the quality, but the digital and HD channels still break up quite a bit.

One other question...I have an Oppo 1080p upconverter connected. The sound is a lot lower than regular TV. I don't have any receiver set-up, just the TV speakers. Should I use another cable besides the HDMI for sound?

Again, thank you so much for taking the time to help. :)

The coaxial is 75 ohm.

If the signal is breaking up, it's probably not strong enough for your TV.

The model number for the 42 in LCD Polaroid is: TLX-04240B
The only thing I'm using is my coaxial from the cable company,
Should I use another cable besides the HDMI for sound?

Again, thank you so much for taking the time to help. :)

First, there is a new avsforum thread for owners of this tv posted below; I'm sure that people there will be able to help you, and I would post a question there. Until then I'll just guess. I'm guessing that you need to scan for channels with the atsc (digital) tuner to get the hd stations. On cable I think that means QAM, so if you scan with the tuner you may get your stations, but I have no experience with cable, so I can't say more. If you add an antenna then you will likely get ota channels, but again I'm guessing that you will have to perform a scan to get them, which you would do by getting into some kind of menu setup on the tv. If you are in Raleigh you might not need an expensive antenna, and once you get to this stage I think people will have suggestions.

Try this, because these people have your tv:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12295395#post12295395

Thanks! :)