Are you one of those people who want to watch their favorite shows on an HDTV? Sure you are! But are you also one of those people who have no idea why they want to watch an HDTV? Many folks are scrambling to get hooked up for high definition without really knowing why it’s better. The other thing you may be wondering about is which satellite service is better for HD -- Dish Network vs Direct TV. This article will make you more HDTV savvy.

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For years we’ve watched regular TV programs sent by an analog TV signal. Many of us even managed to become quite proficient couch potatoes, not knowing that the picture quality was less than it could be. And then one day, probably by accident, we saw a picture on a TV that was more like looking through a window than looking at a TV screen. Colors were brighter, images were more lifelike and it looked as though you could stick your hand in the screen and pet the dog in the commercial. HDTV images are just that lifelike.

Without boring you with all the technological reasons that make it so, I’ll just briefly say the reason HDTV images are so much more advanced than regular standard definition is because of resolution. The higher the resolution, the more vivid and clear the picture will be. This resolution is measured by the number of scan lines. A regular TV image usually has about 525 scan lines. HDTV uses nearly twice that number – up to 1,080 – and this increased resolution is what makes high definition images so much better.

Okay, so you’ve got the HDTV signal being sent by Direct TV or Dish Network, in all probability, (you’re not STILL using cable, are you?) and you think you’re watching high definition programming. But are you sure?

In order to receive the HD signal, your TV must be either HD ready or HD enabled. Here’s the difference; if your TV is HD ready, it means it has a built-in HDTV tuner. It’s ‘ready’ to receive the high def signal. If your TV is HD enabled, it’s able to display HDTV images only if a tuner is connected to it. So if you can’t see the enormous difference between what you used to watch, and what you’re seeing now, make sure you have all the components you need.

Direct TV and Dish Network both offer state of the art receivers for their subscribers. With the right sound system, they allow you to enjoy the theater-like sound quality of Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound used in most high definition programming. Take advantage of their HD-DVRs and record your favorite shows in HD and standard definition.


High definition television is changing the way we watch TV. If your TV is not HD enabled or HD ready, you may want to seriously consider replacing it. If you’ve never seen the difference that high def makes, you owe to yourself to make a trip to your local electronics store and witness it for yourself. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll find yourself among those saying “I want my HDTV!”

Remember, click here for everything you need to know to compare Dish Network vs Direct TV for HD programming. You can thank me later.