How far from the TV are you sitting? 37 inches is good-sized, but not huge. If you sit farther from your TV than the average person, it's very likely that higher resolutions won't be noticeable to you. There's a famous chart floating around the internet that will give you a rough idea of what I'm talking about. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I've never seen it specifically denounced, so I think it's decent. Anyway, according to that chart, you're likely not to notice HD at all at distances around 13-15 feet (lower than that for 480p, but SD is 480i, so I'm guessing 13-15). That's not an excessive distance if you have a big living room, maybe have the TV above your fireplace or something, etc. Besides, even if you're a little closer, the difference may be marginal.
Other possible factors:
1) Cable "HD" is not always the best quality, and can vary by program. Put in a blu-ray for an accurate test.
2) TVs have processors that handle your source material before it's displayed. Your TV may be particularly good at showing SDTV, and perhaps not great at HDTV, making the difference more marginal.
3) No offense meant, but your eyes may genuinely not be that great. *shrug*
If I were you, I'd stand 5-6 feet from your tv, and find a program that's playing on both HD and SD channels at the same time. Sports are ideal. Flip back and forth between one and the other. If you see only a very marginal picture difference under those circumstances, you probably need your eyes checked. If you see NO picture difference (other than brightness or whatever) then something may be wrong with your setup in some way.
Other possible factors:
1) Cable "HD" is not always the best quality, and can vary by program. Put in a blu-ray for an accurate test.
2) TVs have processors that handle your source material before it's displayed. Your TV may be particularly good at showing SDTV, and perhaps not great at HDTV, making the difference more marginal.
3) No offense meant, but your eyes may genuinely not be that great. *shrug*
If I were you, I'd stand 5-6 feet from your tv, and find a program that's playing on both HD and SD channels at the same time. Sports are ideal. Flip back and forth between one and the other. If you see only a very marginal picture difference under those circumstances, you probably need your eyes checked. If you see NO picture difference (other than brightness or whatever) then something may be wrong with your setup in some way.
HD. What's the deal?
20/12/2010 06:27:40 PM
- 1525 Views
I used to work at a cable company. A few things:
20/12/2010 06:53:15 PM
- 1023 Views
Re: I used to work at a cable company. A few things:
20/12/2010 07:42:11 PM
- 1150 Views
Re: Filling the entire screen
20/12/2010 09:59:35 PM
- 1000 Views
If the picture isn't filling the screen, then it's not HD
21/12/2010 04:06:27 AM
- 1096 Views
Time for a new eye glasses exam *NM*
20/12/2010 08:01:29 PM
- 511 Views
Re: Time for a new eye glasses exam
20/12/2010 08:22:21 PM
- 1037 Views
Well damn...
20/12/2010 09:33:58 PM
- 908 Views
I'm glad you like it better, but everything I've read says that's incorrect.
21/12/2010 07:06:26 PM
- 873 Views
If you have to ask....
20/12/2010 09:36:01 PM
- 1023 Views
I can see the wrinkles and nose hairs much more clearly. I am not necessarily keen on HD. TMI. *NM*
21/12/2010 12:43:59 AM
- 463 Views
Re: I can see the wrinkles and nose hairs much more clearly. I am not necessarily keen on HD. TMI.
21/12/2010 11:10:29 AM
- 851 Views
The deal is... you've gone crazy!
21/12/2010 04:45:33 AM
- 1375 Views
The only Blu-Ray I've seen is those in the stores comparing that to DVD.
21/12/2010 04:48:04 AM
- 990 Views
No one seems to have asked you this yet.
21/12/2010 05:56:55 PM
- 1180 Views
Since everyone else seems to think you're weird or offbase...
21/12/2010 11:35:42 PM
- 984 Views
There's nothing wrong with not caring, only with not being able to tell.
22/12/2010 02:31:24 PM
- 840 Views
I'm with you, dude.
22/12/2010 07:12:24 AM
- 853 Views
Blu-ray looks fantastic on the right set, but I wouldn't go crazy over subscription media. *NM*
22/12/2010 02:20:16 PM
- 489 Views
Have you let your horse at the special mushroom patch again?
22/12/2010 02:40:21 PM
- 989 Views

Damn!
22/12/2010 03:16:39 PM
- 875 Views
If you really want to see the difference, watch HD only for 1 month then switch back! Like wine...
23/12/2010 11:34:13 PM
- 858 Views
Something's wrong witg your settings, or you have a perception problem....
26/12/2010 08:36:07 PM
- 1066 Views
So... My conclusions from this discussion.
28/12/2010 03:03:13 PM
- 928 Views
I've seen people with the exact same problem as you before
30/12/2010 12:25:00 AM
- 918 Views
So I'm an idiot for not believing in the all mighty power of the HDTV?
30/12/2010 12:31:44 AM
- 954 Views
No...
30/12/2010 02:05:18 PM
- 936 Views
I fail to see how calling him names contributes to this discussion. *NM*
03/01/2011 11:11:35 AM
- 485 Views
Re: I fail to see how calling him names contributes to this discussion.
04/01/2011 10:27:43 AM
- 945 Views
Re: I fail to see how calling him names contributes to this discussion.
06/01/2011 08:28:25 AM
- 933 Views