Regular TV on an HDTV: Aside from being able to display high-resolution HDTV shows and movies, a high-definition set can also make regular TV look a little better. Almost every HDTV has a processor that takes the regular TV image and converts it to progressive-scan for a more stable image. This conversion won't work miracles, however, and many HDTV buyers are disappointed by how regular television looks on their new sets. That's because the big screen exaggerates the flaws in standard TV programs. No matter how nice a TV you buy, there isn't much you can do to make regular TV, including digital cable or satellite, look better.