1. All HDTV can display regular StandTV signal, just not crisp, since it's so big. HDTV is much better for DVD or HD signal. It's still quiet expensive, and usually, people buy HD can afford HD signal, or DVD.
2. Regular STV is 480i (480 horizontal lines, interlaced scanning), DVD is 480p (progressive scanning, so, twice as clear as regular TV). HD signal is mostly 1080i, some are 720p, so, much clear then DVD. DVD and HD are 16:9, and STV,VCR are 4:3.
Actually, the regular cable broadcasting is about 330 lines, VCR is 320 lines.
DVD and HD signal is really clear and crisp in HDTV. You can sit 3 feet away from a 50" HDTV and still feel sharp.