Want to Watch a Movie? Here Are Some of Your Options

DVDs and VHS:

You can still buy or rent regular DVDs or VHS cassettes and watch them on any TV with a VCR or DVD player, but those formats won't let you capitalize on your recent HDTV purchase.

HD DVD and Blu-ray:

Blu-ray and HD DVD are competing to be the next-generation DVD. Both offer high-definition video that looks great on high-definition TV sets but will be wasted on a non-HD set. More movie studios have gone with Blu-ray than HD DVD. Blu-ray also has more storage space than HD DVD. Players for both formats will also play regular DVDs.

Online or cable downloads:

Movies downloaded via the Internet may let users bypass discs altogether. Netflix, iTunes, Unbox and Hulu offer online video download services, but so far none of them offers downloads in high definition.

Other Things You Should Know

Analog: All analog, over-the-air TV signals will be discontinued in February 2009 and replaced by digital signals, which use the airwaves more efficiently.

Digital: You can receive digital television if you have digital satellite or cable TV service, or a digital tuner for on-the-air signals. You can purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that will allow you to continue to watch TV over the air on your old analog set, though your set will not be able display high resolution.

High Definition: High definition is newer technology that can display sharper and more detailed pictures than a standard TV set. High-definition signals are broadcast digitally or played on Blu-ray or HD DVD players.