do I need a high Defintion TV to get fios TV

[jdz2]

Myapartment complex is being wired for fios Moday and Tuesday. Do I need a high Definition tv to get fios TV?

Jill

[BrianC]

A high def TV is not required.  You simply won't get the HD channels available in the package you select.  Verizon will rent to you an SD box.  If you get an HDTV, then you can upgrade to an HD box and those HD channels will be available to you in your current package.

[Keyboards]

If you want you can get an HD box and it will down-convert for an SD TV.  This would get you the HD channels in letterbox on a 4:3 screen.  If your TV has an S-Video input or composite (yellow, red, white RCA jacks) you will get a sharper picture than by using the RF output of the STB as well as stereo (or surround if you have a receiver that has optical or coaxial digital audio inputs).

[BrianC]

Excellent point from Keyboards.  I hadn't thought of doing that.  The only drawback would be that the HD box is typically $4 more per month, but it may be worth it to you to get some additional channels that are only in HD (depending upon which package you select) and possibly getting a little better picture quality on your SDTV.  Even if you go with an SD box, you can still use S-video to get better quality than a standard coax.

[tns]

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@BrianC wrote:

Excellent point from Keyboards.  I hadn't thought of doing that.  The only drawback would be that the HD box is typically $4 more per month, but it may be worth it to you to get some additional channels that are only in HD (depending upon which package you select) and possibly getting a little better picture quality on your SDTV.  Even if you go with an SD box, you can still use S-video to get better quality than a standard coax.

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Not sure which areas in NJ but in some the HD box is the same price as the SD box.  So if the original poster is in one of those areas he should definitely try to get a HD box.