hdtv with basic cable?

As others here have said, HDTV only requires an antenna. Why pay for basic cable when you can get the same stations (and more, because cable doesn't carry the subchannels) for free, uncompressed. It doesn't take much to hook up an antenna. The only thing is like a sat dish, you need a good view of the sky; heavy tree cover can disrupt signal reception. Visit tvfool.com. They have a tool where you input your location and they show you all the local tv towers, signal strength, etc; perfect for aiming an antenna. I set my mom up w/a 32" panel and put an RCA-751 in her attic; she picks up everything crystal clear.

 

No matter what the LCD is going to look better then an old CRT HD or not, most TV off air stations are slowly starting to broadcast HD. Any TV made after May 07 has a digital tuner.

 

I did give her the tv, and set it up for her with her cable connection, the clarity is much much better then what she had, she wants more channels now, haha. I still may get her a antenna if she is willing to go that route, right now she seems very happy with the service she has.

 

this ^

Most (if not all) newer HDTV TV's that have a Antenna In/Cable Input have a digital tuner built in and do not require a converter box.

Since the digitalization of the TV airwaves, many stations now can broadcast shows in HD just like you would with just analog tv.

That ^ is for Over-The-Air broadcasts.

If she wants to watch cable programing like CNN, Discovery Channel, and etc. Then yes you'll need a box from the company. If she will have HD programming through that box, use an HDMI cable not component. Doesn't really matter what brand, don't buy the overpriced monster cable stuff. A cheap Dynex HDMI cable from best buy will suit her just fine. If there is no HD programing subscription, then just use a standard set of RCA cables (The red, white, and yellow ones) and plug it into one of the Video inputs on the back.

You could do both too! As long as you used one of the routes of connecting things above ^ you can. For local programming I don't watch it through my cable box even though it's included, because like people said, the quality is worse. You just need to do a channel scan with an Antenna plugged into the back of her tv in the Cable In/Ant In and let it pick up all the digital channels.

If you'd like I could draw up a diagram on how to connect all your devices.

 

She likes here discovery and history channels so shes gonna keep here cable box. I would hook it up with hdmi but until she gets a hd box fom verizion there is not a hook up for it. No need for a diagram, I understand it all alot more from readig the answers in here.

Thanks for the help

 

No problem. Yep, like you said, no need for HDMI yet unless it's going to use HD signals. Technically you could granted the standard box has an HDMI output, but it's fine as is

And here is a reference guide to common TV resolutions from smaller to bigger here:
i = interlaced
p = progressive (this yields better pictures)

(SDTV) 480i/p = 720x480
(HDTV) 720p = 1280x720
(HDTV) 1080i/p = 1920x1080

Yeah the HDMI cable > Component and it's incredibly easy. Audio/Video all digital, and all on one cable. It's made my life so much easier when I'm helping friends.