Follow-up to new TV and DVD player question.

The antenna shouldn't affect the DVD quality at all. But... only 3 network plus Fox? What about the CW???

PBS is what really matters; and yes, I get CW but reception is only fair and programs are only lousy, given my age bracket. The antenna is so old that I am afraid to rotate it in order to see VM and Gilmore Girls; the damn thing might crack and then I am stuck w. buying a dish. So I occasionally watch CW and then take an aspirin for headache.

Heh. Okay, to my knowledge, you shouldn't have to worry in the slightest about the DVD player affecting the antenna, or vice versa. It's good that you're buying a new TV, since if your television is analog then your antenna wouldn't work anymore soon (sometime in '09, I think). One thing to look out for is the connection. I haven't bought a TV in a while, but given that most TV buyers these days have either a satellite feed or cable, you'll want to make sure that your antenna will hook up to your new TV properly. If it connects via a standard cable-style jack, then you should be in good shape. If it's an older style (I vaguely recall from my childhood that our TV antenna hooked up to our TV with some sort of ribbony thing with little pronged endings... I'm sure there's a more technical name for those) then you might want to have that information with you when you're shopping. Also look for one that has an S-video input for your DVD player. It'll give you the best picture. Make sure that you also see the TV model in action before buying. Some LCD's don't show action (stuff on screen moving quickly) very well, which can make the picture look funky (like it's receiving a couple of inputs at once). Also, price permitting, I'd suggest trying to get one with a high resolution -- at least 1280x720.

Ah, yes, the little ribbony thing w. little pronged endings. They go under 4 screws on the CRT monster I currently own.

So in 2009 when FCC phases out the analog, I will need to face the satellite dish, right?

What a price range for a good 32"LCD Sharp or Samsung w. the high resolution and HD? And I will prob. need a converter cable for at least one input. The TV I presently have (GE -1984-don't laugh)- has such ancient electronics that even an R/F converter and the video store guru attached to it couldn't hook up a DVD player.

I take a schematic drawing of every connection and wire w. me when I shop now. If you throw in the VHS, it is a Rube Goldberg monster. The youngsters at Best Buy just shake their heads. Prob. want to sell me a walker instead.

I think that you'll actually still be okay when the FCC phases out the analog, provided that you have a new TV (which, given this question, it sounds like you will). They'll still be broadcasting over the airwaves, but they'll only be doing it in digital. I have no clue on prices -- I haven't bought an HDTV yet. I want one, though! The schematic thing is a very good idea.

I have checked online about prices. Get out your trust fund or start buying lottery tickets. Thanks for the advice.

dude where u live!!!!!!!!!!!

@orca; check my profile. In no way am I a “dude.” And I live in a very rural but culturally sophisticated area SE of Albany where there is no cable in the hills and farmlands. Few cows watch TV. (Did you use enough exclamation points? )