HD Satellite TV -- Compare HDTV Services

HD Satellite TV

HD (high definition) refers to the quality of the picture being transmitted to your television set.

Picture quality is measured in scan lines. The more scan lines that are transmitted to your TV, the clearer the picture.

For instance, analog (over-the-air) TV has 525 scan lines per image. HDTV, on the other hand, has up to 1,080 lines per image -- almost twice as many lines of resolution giving you twice the clarity of analog TV.

There's a huge difference between watching TV on a regular TV set as opposed to watching an HD TV. The HD picture is sharper and the colors are brighter. The picture is so realistic it's almost like watching a scene through a window.

HD Satellite TV Features

Here are the main features of HD satellite TV:

* High resolution picture -- HDTV produces a super-sharp image, resulting

in a clearer, more lifelike picture.

* Widescreen picture -- you get a full-width picture just like you see in the movies.

* Digital audio -- HD audio programming is broadcast Dolby Digital format so you get a three-dimensional surround-sound listening experience.

HD Satellite TV Providers

Both DISH Network and DIRECTV offer HD programming. Here's a rundown on their HD satellite TV channel lineups ...

DISH Network HD Satellite TV

DISH Network offers two HD satellite TV programming packages:

The DISH Network HD Pak

This package includes HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPNHD, Discovery HD, and TNT in HD.

The DISH Network Voom Pak

This package includes Ultra HD, Monsters HD, Rave HD, Equator HD, Gallery HD, Anamania HD, Rush HD, HD News, Guy TV HD, and Majestic HD.

In addition to the above packages you can also get HBO HDTV, Showtime HD, DISH on Demand Pay-Per-View in HD, and CBS HDTV.

In order to receive HD programming from DISH Network you must have an HD receiver. When you order satellite TV service from DISH Network you can get an HD receiver free.

Note: For more information on current DISH Network HD programming and subscription fees, or to order satellite TV service with a free satellite TV system, click on the links below.

DIRECTV HD Satellite TV

DIRECTV offers one HD satellite TV programming package:

The DIRECTV HD Package

This package includes ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies, and Universal HD.

In addition to the above package your can also get HBO HD, Showtime HD, and DIRECTV Pay-Per-View, plus ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and the WB channel.

Sports packages include NFL Sunday Ticket HD and NFL Sunday Ticket SuperFan HD.

In order to receive HD programming from DIRECTV you must have an HD receiver. When you order satellite TV service from DIRECTV you can get an HD receiver free (after a $199 rebate).

Note: For more information on current DIRECTV HD programming and subscription fees, or to order satellite TV service with a free satellite TV system, click on the links below.

The Bottom Line

The only drawback to having HD satellite TV is the cost. If you don't already own an HD TV set, then you'll have to buy one. And the HD programming fees are another expense that will add to your satellite TV bill.

However, if you want to see your favorite shows in near lifelike clarity and you can afford the extra expense, having HD satellite TV is definitely worth the added cost.

Click on the following link for more information on free satellite TV systems and service, or these links for HD satellite TV ordering information and the latest free bonuses from DISH Network HD satellite TV or DIRECTV HD satellite TV.

About the Author

Brian Stevens is a professional freelance writer and webmaster who has written extensively on HD satellite TV.

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What Are HDTV's?

In a period of time there comes a technological innovation which brings endless benefits to the population. The tele is such a creation. Ever since the tele's creation the population have been on the quest for better and better tele's. Now alas High Definition television sets have satisfied the urges of many TV addicts.

High Definition television sets or high-definition tele's are an amazing new technological advancement to the HD TV set. Ever since coming to the market High Definition television sets have created a craze. Film buffs, sport fans, and anyone who wants the screen to be as real as real life is amazed at what High Definition television sets bring out on their screens.

Now we may ask what is HD TV set, especially when we have not seen one of these great High Definition television sets in the past? The HDTV basics is that you watch TV at high-definition. A HD TV set has amazing resolution and sublime digital surround sound. A HD TV set removes the awkward black bars that a lot of movie formats come with. Putting it simply - a HD TV set is watching wide screen how it is meant to be! Since High Definition television sets have been released, they have been in extraordinary demand. Anyone who wants the best out of a TV set wants to get a HDTV and learn about HDTV. As with all recent technologies released there is a lot to learn about all the new specifications and which HD TV set to buy.

When buying a HD TV set for home, you want to make sure that you are actually getting a HD TV set. If you don't want to end up with a television with ordinary visual and audio, then you need to recognize the differences between analog and HDTV formats to determine if you really need an upgrade for your watching enjoyment.

::: Features of High Definition television sets :::
Technically, a HD TV set give a much better and improved screen resolution. Basically meaning that your HD TV set, can easily provide you with better picture quality whether you are watching a good DVD movie or a documentary it doesn't matter. You simply have amazing picture quality (though the end result depends on your signal quality). The big highlight of High Definition television sets is that you can watch wide screen as it is meant to be, without having parts of the screen cropped. HDTVs simply give a unprecedented picture quality that is crisper and finer than existing tele's.

A great thing with these new High Definition television sets is that they can easily complement other analog based video equipment, such as your camcorders, DVD players, gaming consoles. On a gaming console such as the Sony Playstation range, you can see a new level of experience with a HD TV set.

Buying a HD TV set can be the best buy you can make. The picture quality is simply breathtaking, and will please many whether used for playing video games on the console or watching a $100 million movie, you will be pleased with a HD TV set. Keep in in mind with High Definition television sets is that your HD TV set may be great, and offer the best possible picture known to man! But if your provider of the signal (TV company, etc) can't give a good signal, it doesn't matter your picture quality will be no good. Also when you buy a new HD TV set to keep in mind to get a flexible HD TV set, one that has features which you may not use now, but might need in future - such as DVI or HDMI.

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HDTV In An Easy To Understand Way

HD, HDTV and High Def, what do I need to understand about these terms mean when I am looking to purchase a TV?

Unfortunately asking for help at a local electronics super store only confuses the issue as they explain things in technical language that you may not understand either.

So lets try to explain things in a simple manner so that anyone can understand it. This way you won't either over spend -- or not get what you are hoping for, while shopping for your next TV set.

So Lets Start At The Beginning...What Exactly Is HDTV?

Simply put, HD stands for High Definition. It describes the quality of the broadcast signal as well as the quality of the picture on your television screen.

Did You Know That There Are Different Levels Of HD Quality Available Today?

As of right now the 3 levels of HD available depending on the TV you buy are:

A) 720p
B) 1080i
c) 1080p


You Are Probably Wondering What Do These Numbers Mean?

The numbers correspond to the lines of resolution on your TV screen. First lets discuss a standard TV, which only shows a 480i picture. This means there are 640 vertical pixels x 480 horizontal pixels that make up your televisions picture.

It only makes sense then that the more pixels or lines of resolution you have…the better your picture quality is going to be.

Are you following me so far?

So Then How Many Pixels Does An HD Plasma or LCD Have?

As discussed befor, there are different grades of HDTV broadcasting available.

A) 720 p has 720 vertical pixels and 1,280 horizontal pixels

B) Both 1080i and 1080p have a resolution of 1,920 vertical pixels x 1,080 horizontal pixels

It only makes sense then that a 720p has a better picture than a typical 480 TV, and a 1080i TV or 1080p TV has a clearer picture than a 720p plasma tv.

Does that make sense?

So What Does The "p" And The "i" Represent?

The "p" or the "i" refers to how the picture is refreshed on your tv screen. The "p" stands for "progressive", while the "i" stands for "interlaced".

Now what does this mean?

Imagine taking a paintbrush covering your entire TV screen with one stroke. That's what happens with a "Progressive" broadcast signal. When you have a 720p or 1080p television all 720 or 1080 lines of resolution are refreshed on your TV at the same time.

On the other hand when it comes to a 1080i or "interlaced" TV, you would take that same paintbrush and just pain in every other line. First all of the even lines of resolution are pained in. Then 1/30 of a second later all of the odd lines are painted in, etc, etc.

Can you see how a 1080p picture would provide a crisper picture then a 1080i?

But there is something you need to know before spending the extra money on a 1080p… All cable and satellite channels are currently broadcasted in 1080i picture. That's right…even if you had a 1080p TV-It would offer no better picture then a 1080i.

When Might You Consider Buying A 1080P

A) You are the type that MUST HAVE the latest and greatest technology
B) You are willing to wait for the cable companies to start broadcasting in a 1080p signal
C) You own or are planning to spend $1000 to buy a Blueray or HD DVD player since they are the only equipment that can produce a 1080p signal that you can see on a 1080p TV.


My suggestions:

If you have never had an HDTV before...anything you get will be an unbelievable difference in your movie experience. If your budget can only afford a 720p-- then go for it. You will absolutely just love the improvement over your old 480i!

If you can afford to spend a few dollars more then go with the 1080i television, you will not regret it.

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