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You did your research, shopped around and finally picked up the HDTV of your dreams. Now what? Other than watching Blu-ray and upscaled DVDs, what else can you do? We're going to run down some HDTV programming options that you might be interested in.

Let's start off with antenna broadcasting. It's free, if you get a decent signal, the picture is very clean and every HDTV since March 2007 has a built-in HD tuner. I would first try to use the antenna you already have in your house. If that fails to deliver a decent signal, I would then start looking for an HD optimized antenna. Consult online or with your local HDTV expert for advice.

Unless you live in an rural area, getting over the air HD shouldn't be a problem. All of the major networks broadcast in HD. With a few minor exceptions, most of the programming line-up for these networks are in HD.

Most HD broadcasts are in 1080i format. The rest are in 720p. Video experts will say that 720p is the better format. Unlike 1080i, each frame of video is displayed in one pass so the end result is a smoother picture. 1080i will have a higher resolution but that's about it.

For cable HD access, you'll need a tuner box or a CableCard. Either can be acquired for a small fee. Sometimes it might even be free. it all depends on your cable provider and the region you live in.

For paying your monthly cable bill, you can get a good selection of basic and pay channels in HD. As with almost anything subscription based, it's all obviously dependent on how much you're willing to spend.

Thanks to MPEG-4 technology, satellite providers can offer more HD channels than cable. This also means that you'll probably have to get a new satellite decoder box if you want to enjoy these HD channels. Fortunately, the providers are willing to give discounts to help ease this transition.

If you happen to live in an area that Verizon services, you might want to find out if you're eligible for Fios. This a high speed optical technology that can be used for internet access and tv. Think of it as something similar to cable, except it's delivered over an optical line.

Satellite is the current winner right now. They offer the most HD content and their DVRs tend to be an upgrade from what's offered with the cable companies. I believe that's how things will be for the near future. Other technologies might gain favor further out in the future like IPTV. But as of right now, it's too early to tell.

Mike Okada contributes to Home Entertainment Reviews This site specializes in reviewing all things related to home entertainment equipment