Great attention is being paid to the current high definition television (HDTV) system proposals that are being examined by the Federal Communications Commission Advisory Committee, and due to be tested over the next few years by the Advanced Television Test Center and by Cable Television Laboratories. Arguing that the focus of this activity has tended to mask some of the factors which may prove more pivotal to the successful establishment of HDTV in the United States, this paper discusses some of the factors that seem to be fundamental to the success of HDTV, poses questions, and identifies issues of concern to broadcasters and to operators of cable television systems. A review of basic spectrum architectures of the systems currently proposed is followed by discussions of related consumer issues, standards, and costs for producers, distributors, and viewers. (GL)