I recenty bought a 50" Widescreen Toshiba Projection HDTV and I have cable. While I understand the picture will be better with satellite, I don't want to spend the money on all the satellite stuff I would need for the HD signal right now, so if I simply get the regular free cable hardware that I can get for free from Best Buy, will I notice a huge difference in quality over the cable picture? The pro I have with cable right now is free PPV ;-) If I get satellite, I'll have to pay $30+ per month just to watch the WWE PPV's. Any suggestions?

Not quite sure how to help. The picture may or may not be better. DSS is different from HDTV, so you need to clarify this aspect of your post. Sorry I don't know anything about PPV events since I never watch any of them.

Well basically, I'm just wondering if the quality of the satellite signal will have better picture quality than the regular cable on the HDTV. I know I'll also have to "stretch" the picture in theatre wide mode in order to take advantage of the full screen, so I don't know if that will degrade the quality either.

I have had Dish Network for about 6 years now, and everytime I go to a friend's house that has cable, I realize how much better it is. I'm using a Sony HDTV, but don't have the $600 HDTV box right now.

Digital Cable closely compares to DSS. You cannot possibly compare DSS with the old cable service.

The thing I really love about my satellite TV is that I can take it anywhere I want. I am up in Canada a few months a year, in Kansas City a month or two a year, etc... and I have a satellite dish everywhere I stay. All I have to do is take my receiver and plug it in and I have service instantly. If I move, I can do the install myself and have satellite TV a week or two before the phone is turned on. (This is nice since I move so much)

I spend about $55 a month, and get 300+ channels and I get Fox and ABC out of Denver, New York, and Los Angeles. Cable will never offer that! All for $55. Sure, I spend $5 extra each month to have a 2nd receiver, but who cares unless you are installing 7+ receivers right? Even if you had 4 receivers and had to pay an extra $15 in charges, ... if you have a house with 4 TVs you can probably afford an extra $15.

Satellite is definitely the way to go, and the picture is outstanding!

On the downside, you do need to occasionally wipe snow off the dish, and huge thunderstorms can block the satellite signal, but service should be on all but 3 minutes of a year!

If you think regular DSS is good, you definitely have to buy the HDTV Box. It's not $600. I got mine for $350 by doing a little research and buying it used.

Scrap cable as soon as possible. I did, 5 years ago, and to this day i'm still convinced it's the best thing i've bough for my home...

I think it depends on where you live and what Cable Company serves you. My cable & my folks' cable look like crap but my in-law's and aunt/uncle's look as good as DSS. Some Cable Companies offer HDTV in a few locations.