I have a standard (Non-HD) TV with an HDMI cable box. Why do HD channels appear clearer?

Question

I don't understand why I'm able to view HD channels at a higher quality when my TV isn't an HD model -- I'm not complaining, just curious! :-)

Answer 1

Your Analog Channels may not Broadcast to your TV's Full Resolution, so they don't quite look as good.

HD Channels have a Higher Resolution, so your Getting the Full Resolution that your TV can Produce onto the Screen, in 480i. Even if your TV isn't HD.

Answer 2

I agree with stephen .Its because your cable tv  converts  digital signals  which is at the broadcaster end  to analog  signals and thus quality becomes weak  while HDbox delivers digital picture quality and remains digital and ofcouse the pixel resolution also gives a better picture .Hope you get it

Answer 3

The cable company delivers a digital signal to your HD cable box. The box converts it to an analog signal that your old TV can understand. It's similar to a DVD player taking digital information from a disk and converting it to an analog output.  

On the other hand, with analog cable the signal is (typically) converted from digital to analog at the cable front end. Then the analog signal goes through miles of cable and electronics. The analog signal degrades as it passes through the cable system causing the picture quality to be worst than it was at the cable front end.