bev 9200 has option to output sig. to match your tv. 480i, 480p, 720i, 720p, 1080i or something like that. I have a Samsung 1080p 50" that converts all incoming sigs. to 1080p. What in your opinion or experience converts most efficiently or results in best end picture quality?

Keep 720p on 9200 and TV if the program is 720p; use 1080i on 9200 and 1080p for other HD programs.

The 9200 doesn't have a 1080P option does it? There also is no 720i. Therefore the (only real) choices for HD programming are 720P or 1080i. Most HDTVs prefer a 1080i incoming signal, however BEV is converting a lot of the 1080i broadcasts to 720P for transmission to the STB, therefore it may be better to leave it set to 720P. It's best to simply try both and see what you prefer. I doubt many people change formats to suit the incoming format to the STB. See the following:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=73528 Formats

And: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741 Please read - lots of good information and relevant links for newbies

It would also depend on which device, the 9200 or the HDTV, has the better scaler. The scaler in the 9200 is good but HDTV scalers can range from bad to very good. I suggest trying several signals with both 720p and 1080i on the 9200 to see which looks best with this combination of devices.

The only time I do switch back and forth is for sporting events, I usually search online and see what the specific game is being broadcast in, and there is a marked improvement if you match up the signal for the game with either 720p or 1080 in the settings on the 9200.

Where can I find out what resolution a program is being broadcast in? Is there a website for this?

That is actually a great question, a site with a database would be an interesting idea.

The way I found out about a few channels was someone with an FTA receiver, although that receiver shows some American shows as being in 720i, which I am told is impossible.

CBS and Fox do 720p, most others do 1080i.

Where can I find out what resolution a program is being broadcast in? Is there a website for this?
Please read the following link. It's not by programme, it's by broadcaster and sometimes affiliate, then possibly modified by the service provider. The latest thread on BEV's formats is linked in that thread.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76129

Deaks2 is incorrect CBS is 1080i. ABC is 720P.

That is actually a great question, a site with a database would be an interesting idea.

The way I found out about a few channels was someone with an FTA receiver, although that receiver shows some American shows as being in 720i, which I am told is impossible.

Yep, 720i doesn't exist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/720i