Today's HDTV sets come in two forms. HD-ready sets have the HDTV receiver/decoder built-in, while HD-capable sets require the addition of an external receiver/decoder needed to receive digital broadcasts. In an HD-capable set, the TV is essentially a monitor. You buy the receiver separately.

Be sure any television you buy has input jacks that match the connectors on the VCR, cable box, DVD player and video game console you currently own. For the near future everyone will have to straddle the “digital/analog fence,” using, for example, an analog VCR on your digital TV. At the moment, there are no "standards" for what connections will appear on the back of an HDTV set. Therefore look for composite, S-video and component video as a minimum set of analog jacks so you can use your existing analog equipment with the new set.

HDTV conversion will unfold over several years, as major networks have to agree on what resolutions they will use. There is no FCC mandate on resolutions for the networks to follow. We are witnessing a merging of three industries: personal computers, entertainment, and consumer electronics. Many companies have turf to protect, and a lot of money will be spent on the conversion. That means that the process will be slow. However, the ultimate destination is a significant advance -- better picture and sound for both your TV and your computer!