i have a HDTV ready tv that is in 4:3 aspect ratio. is it worth it to get a HDTV box from my cable company (cost is minimal) what will the tv do with the HDTV programming that is made for a 16:9 ratio. thanks for any help, sorry if this info is already somewhere else.
The aspect ratio won't cause any problems, it'll just be like watching a widescreen dvd, it'll have a black box on the top and bottom. I'd deffinetly get the HDTV box, they make watching TV way more enjoyable.
I have found that with the HDTV channels, I had to use the cable box aspect ratio settings to get certain HD channels to be able to view properly. I have a Phillips 60 inch HDTV 4:3 rear projection. The HD channels are fantastic!!
Problem is now that HDTV is all set in widescreen so if you have a bigscreen tv that is 4:3 you will never get everything out of HDTV you will have to purchase a widescreen HDTV, I have a 65" Toshiba Theatervision Widescreen and all the HD Channels fill the whole thing no black bars, and the color,picture and everything is phenominal. It is definately worth it to get a HDTV box it will even convert Digital Signals for Home Theater.