The Seven Days of Super Bowl in HD
Day Two
Putting the HD in your HDTV

The task for Day Two is simple but critical to the viewing experience on Sunday. You need to assure that you are supplying your HDTV with a high definition signal.

Without a doubt in my mind, when watching on an HDTV, programs presented in high definition are incomparably better looking than their standard definition counterparts. Please do not fall into the illusion that just because you have a high def TV that you automatically will be watching programs in HD.

If your TV delivery system is cable and you haven't dealt with HD programming before, you will probably have to order an HD set top box and the HD tier of programming. The same is true with satellite services like DirectTV or Dish. If you haven't done it already, get on the phone and do it today. Hopefully, they can deliver the necessary equipment to you in time.

If they can't supply you before Sunday, you probably have another old-fashioned option. The Super Bowl is being broadcast by CBS in both standard definition and HD. If your local CBS station is transmitting digital channels, then you should be able to tune in the game through an antenna. Depending on how close you are to the station's broadcast antenna, you may be able to use a good indoor antenna. If your reception isn't that great, you will need to climb on to your roof and install an outdoor antenna.

Of course with an over the air antenna, you won't be able to watch the day long coverage of the game on cable stations like ESPN, but that may be a blessing in disguise.

Terrestrial Digital's
Lacrosse HDTV Antenna

Let me reassert that you do not want to see the Super Bowl in standard definition on your large screen HDTV. It will not be a pretty sight - think guacamole left out over night. If you can't supply a high definition signal, I would suggest that you roll out your old standard definition TV or invite yourself to your neighbor's HD party.

For more information on receiving HD programming contact your cable or satellite provider and read Feeding Your HDTV a High Definition Diet.

Day One: Buying the HDTV