What is HDTV?


HDTV stands for High Definition Television. It is fully digitalized. The major differences that differentiates HDTV from other standard TV are

• An increase in picture resolution

• 16:9 widescreen as standard

• And ability to support multi-channel audio( Dolby Digital)


The unique quality of HDTV is that it has greater resolution. HDTV broadcasts in one of the two formats; 720p and 1080i. The number refers to the number of lines that are used to display picture and the letters mean whether the signal is progressive scan, ‘p’, or interlaced, ‘i’. The 16:9 widescreen helps deliver the picture properly. The pictures are not panned or scanned during transmission and you can view them with integrated 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound.


VOOM HDTV

VOOM HD Networks was developed by Rainbow Media. When the company saw the dawn of loss it was picked by EchoStar, the parent company of Dish Network. VOOM HD networks have the largest retinue of high-definition channels from which 10 were taken and were added to HDTV packages as an option for an extra $5. By 2006, when Dish networks convert their receivers from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, Dish would add another 11 high-definition VOOM channels. VOOM broadcasts in 1080i, utilizing 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. This package as whole offers 1700hours of HDTV every week.


Comcast HDTV

Comcast HDTV is the high definition service focused on broadband cable, commerce and content. Its contents include HBO, ESPN, Starz, Showtime, TNT, and Discovery. Depending upon the TV, Comcast will supply you either HDTV set-top box or an HDTV CableCard. With this cablecard you can watch encrypted cable HDTV with a CableCard slot. CableCard doesn’t allow an access to features like interactive TV, pay-per-view and on demand.


Requirements for HDTV

To receive HDTV broadcast you need either a TV with a built-in HDTV tuner, a HDTV receiver and cable HDTV or satellite HDTV receiver like Dish Network HDTV.


Dish HD Programming

Dish Network HD Programming includes top 29 channels with 200 hours of programs per day.



Sport channels: It includes ESPNHD, ESPN2Hd, HDNet, HDNFL, TNT, World sport and rush hd.

Movie channels: HDNet MOVIES, HBO HD, SHO HD, MONSTERS, WORLD CINEMA, FILM FEST, FU, Starz HDTV.

Entertainment channels: Discovery HD, Animania, HGTV, RAVE HD, TNT, GAMEPLAY HD, Family Room, universal HD, National geographic channel.

News and Variety: GALLERY HD, HDNews, HDNet, TreasureHD, ULTRAHD.


DishHD Pricing and Packages

It has 4 major packages
• DishHD BRONZE - $49 : includes 25 high-definition channels plus over 80 standard channels.

• DishHD SILVER - $59 : includes 25 high-definition channels plus over 200 standard channels.

• DishHD GOLD - $69 : includes 26 high-definition channels plus over 240 standard channels.

• DishHD PLATINUM - $99: includes DishHD Gold Package, HBO HD, Showtime HD, and Starz HDTV.




Mike Lazier is a senior editor and an expert panelist with AFreeDish.com - one of the leading Authorized Dish Network Web Retailers.