Hi-Def Fans Allege Low Blow

TV enthusiasts are miffed that high-definition channels aren't looking as good as they should on expensive home-theater systems, the AP reports. Without much spare bandwidth, compressing the signal is cheaper for the cable companies than increasing capacity. "They have to figure out a way to deliver more HD content through their distribution networks," says a tech expert.

That's easier for satellite TV companies, because they have the option of launching new satellites, rather than having to redo existing infrastructure. Comcast insists its compressed signals shouldn't be noticeable, but subscribers say the problem is plain to see. "It kind of looked like they took the standard definition and just blew it up," one irked viewer said. (More high definition stories.)