Many times if I'm watching something on HD (new Samsung plasma) (ATT versus) I note that the picture will turn clearer and crisper. Now the previous pic was good but this would be crystal.

Geez, I don't think this is a HDMI issue ?

Is the picture crisper with less motion?

yes

The problem is NOT your display.

High Definition video data rates are simply too much for broadcast today. Transmitted video is compressed using compression algorithms which are "lossy", throwing away data. The compression of the original video varies to keep the data rate below a set maximum. More changes in the picture to encode (more motion) results in each change being more highly compressed, throwing away more original data. The result is smooth motion with less detail and static pictures with impressive detail. This is exactly what you are seeing.