First of all, your "full HD" doesn't exist yet. Stations are only broadcasting at 720p or 1080i, and each has its pros and cons (it's also 1920x1080, not 1950). Second of all, "HD Ready" doesn't mean is has an "HD socket on the back." What it means is that the TV can display an HD source, but it does not have an HD tuner built-in. Very few HDTVs have a tuner, since cable and satellite companies normally require their own boxes to be used anyway, and not many people get over-the-air HD with an antenna.
I really doubt the replacement plasma TV you got was 1080p, since those cost about 2-3 times as much as 1080i plasmas, and 6 times as much as EDTV plasma screens (what you probably had before). Most likely it's 1080i.
I do agree with you however on the quality difference between DVD quality and HD quality content. I don't have an HD player yet, since I'm waiting to see which one becomes the standard, but HD cable looks good enough that I'd rather watch a movie in HD with ads than on DVD without ads.
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Jimmy - you are wrong
First of all, your "full HD" doesn't exist yet. Stations are only broadcasting at 720p or 1080i, and each has its pros and cons (it's also 1920x1080, not 1950). Second of all, "HD Ready" doesn't mean is has an "HD socket on the back." What it means is that the TV can display an HD source, but it does not have an HD tuner built-in. Very few HDTVs have a tuner, since cable and satellite companies normally require their own boxes to be used anyway, and not many people get over-the-air HD with an antenna.
I really doubt the replacement plasma TV you got was 1080p, since those cost about 2-3 times as much as 1080i plasmas, and 6 times as much as EDTV plasma screens (what you probably had before). Most likely it's 1080i.
I do agree with you however on the quality difference between DVD quality and HD quality content. I don't have an HD player yet, since I'm waiting to see which one becomes the standard, but HD cable looks good enough that I'd rather watch a movie in HD with ads than on DVD without ads.