How to play HD avi files on my tv?

[enchanted]

For some time, I've been downloading tv shows in avi format from the newsgroups and playing it on my regular tv via a Philips dvd player (DVP 3960). I've finally got an HDTV, and although I see that many shows are posted in what appears to be HD format (the file sizes are twice what I usually download), I'm unable to play them. When the Philips tries, the screen displays "unsupported resolution", and I only hear the video.

What do I need to play these on my TV? Going directly from computer to TV isn't really an option.

[edDV]

see certified divx-hd players and be prepared to pay ~$300

[poisondeathray]

You can't play HD DivX/XviD files on that or 99.9% of standalone DVD players.

You need a media player that supports HD DivX, that has one of the newer Sigma EM8623 or SMP8635 chips. These also support h.264, mkv, and many more formats. An example would be Tivx M-6500A

[Baldrick]

A bluray player and buy/rent the tvshows on bluray when they are released.

[jagabo]

Use a HTPC.