HDTV on the Cheap
You want HDTV, but don't want to spend a lot of money. How about spending basically zero? Sound too good to be true - well, with enough asterisks you can get your free lunch.
I was considering HDTV, but the costs quickly escalate. First you have about $2000 for the TV itself, then there is the extra $15-50/month for HD/Digital TV, plus $800 for new Series 3 TiVo, and $750 for a new HD-DVD player. That's a three year cost of about $5000. And I just didn't want to send the message to the kids that "Television is worth $5000". So, I thought it was no HDTV for us - until our existing TV (from 1992) breaks.
But one day I saw a deal on ATI's "HDTV Wonder" - and I thought - could this possibly work? I do have these nice flat screen monitors (17") and a good south-west exposure on the second floor - hmmmm.... Plus the card was on sale for $66. Installation was a pain, but it actually works - I get over-the-air HD for free. $66 not $5000. With TiVo like capability. Did I mention it was for $66? :) :)
OK, the downsides....
* Networks and local affiliates only (ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, KQED, KICU, etc.). No ESPN or FSN or any other cool cable stations. Remember, $66!
* 17" monitors don't really do justice to HDTV, but in my tests it was nice to have TV on the computer - and the picture, though small, looked very sharp.
* Due to my incredibly lame video card (built in ATI X300), I couldn't get 1080i to work (720p was fine). But machines with normal graphics cards shouldn't have this problem.
So, if you have a good graphics card, courage to face some install headaches, and feel like saving big $$, this idea could be for you.