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Ugh.. you don't NEED an HD-TV in order to get digital cable. If you have cable currently, then you're fine. If you have rabbit ears, then you'll need to get a tv that can take a digital signal (via coax cable).

It's really obnoxious that people keep pushing the "YOU NEED TO BUY AN HD-TV!" fear and hype. It's not true! And it's not that big of a deal... unless of course you don't currently have cable and rely on an analog antenna. But even if you do, you don't need to spend $500 on an HD-TV!

sparkle - i agree with you so much. people have some much misinformation on this subject. I have gotten in a few arguements with people because they honestly don't believe them when i tell them if they have cable or sat they are fine...

I did see a commerical the other day that just put it out there and said "if you have cable tv you are fine" it was good to hear.

On the other hand, by plan is to possibly buy a new tv with mine anyways because i would like to replace the super deep 27" tv i have and free up some space. I wouldn't mind if places wanted to throw in some extra money with it. Although i wouldn't be buying an expensive tv at kmart anyways... if BB or HHgregg did it, i'd probably check it out. The other problem would be is our check will probably be 1200 for married couple instead of the 600 single, and i don't need to spend 1200 on a tv, so i wouldn't want to do the whole check anyways.

On the subject of tvs... I need people's opinion. Should i get a 720 tv now since i don't have blue ray or anything else hd, spring for the 1080, wait for them to phase 720 out more and get once cheaper, or just wait til that point and get a 1080 since they improving them all the time and might have some less expensive ones. I've been having this debate in my head for a long time now.

Meijer is offering a similar deal: For every $300 in gift cards you purchase, they'll throw in a $30 coupon.

I'd just like to point out that you don't *have* to spend the refund on a TV. Use it over time on stuff you would normally buy anyway. Takes a bit of the burden off of your bank account.

As for the Digital TV discussion, if you don't have cable or a digital-ready TV, you can buy an digital-to-analog converter box and your old TV with antenna will work just like it does now. The government is even offering coupons for free: https://www.dtv2009.gov/

DONT BUY 1080P! -unless you get a deal like I did. I watch tv from the midwest on the westcoast over the internet and game (I have a Bluray player/ps3).
NOTHING is broadcast in 1080p. 1080i occasionally which is essentially upscaled 720p. Your eye can barely detect the difference and if it can it's when you are really close to the tele.
Consult this chart for more info
http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html

Hey jmorey, wiscompton is right about the nothing being broadcasted in 1080p. There really isn't a whole lot of ACTUAL HD content on television (despite the endless amount of HD channels you can get, that doesn't mean that they air ONLY HD content).
But of course, that doesn't mean that you should absolutely NOT buy a 1080 display. There IS a reason that all of the networks and broadcaster have HD channels. They will eventually start to produce more and more TRUE HD content, but it will of course be a slow process. Buying a 1080 display won't be a complete bust if you watch a lot of DVDs (that are HD/Blu-Ray), but if not... then a 720 should be aplenty.
And it'll last a while. It's not like broadcast industry is going to go completely HD within the next 2 years. :)