Crap in Crap out... Basic cable is not so good.. (Premium cable is not so good either for that matter)

Have you tried amplifing the signal? SOmetimes that helps.

Other wise, run it through your VCR, usually the tuner in VCRs are pretty good.

Is HD cable not available in your area yet? I assume it isnt because I cant understand why someone wouldnt spend the extra 15-20 bucks a months if they invested in an HDTV.....

I bet you have a DLP/LCD or Plasma HD set as well.... Basic cable is only about 200 lines of resolution. (60-75k pixel equivalent) and your HD set is doing 1Mil+ so that TV has to take that crappy signal and blow it up a LOT to fill the screen. This is even more pronounced on Pixel based HD displays. Simply looks Bad. nature of the beast........

Good Luck....