[Wayde]

comparing scenes in LOTR from my SD-DVDs to the HD releases found on HD-PPV and movie channels on cable TV.

The real difference is when there are wide panoramic shots. It's just not even close. I used my splic screen once to show the difference to friends. The exact same frame saved on a PVR'ed HD version and the same from on the SD-DVD. Although SD-DVD looks very good... it's those panoramic shots and there are plenty on LOTR. They just look breathtaking on HD.