HDTV is High Definition TeleVision. It is the absolute best looking picture you could ask for. As an example look at the difference in picture quality when you switch from VCR tapes to DVD...HDTV is 10x more noticeable from "regular" cable tv than the VCR/DVD difference. In certain cases it looks like you are viewing the program and it awas actually right outside your window. I'm very into my home theater, so this was big news for me...I was very close to cancelling cable altogether and getting a HD Satellite dish instead, but kept putting it off due to the incremental cost a Cable HDTV "box" is priced the same as regular cable box, $3-4 per month. Satellite is the same $3-4 month connectin fee, but they make you buy the box and an upgraded dish for $700-$1,000. So you can see my reluctance to go that route.
The only thing I need now is for CableVision to settle the dispute with the Yankees and the YES network and I'll be one happy camper. (Well that and for the Rangers to win all of their remaining games and the Islanders to lose at least 3 of their remaining games-I can't go another year not making the playoffs)