HDTV'S

HDTV's Surging Popularity

by panji

This year alone sales of HDTVs is expected to reach 20 million. In fact, HDTV sales is on track to post a one week record shortly before the Super Bowl, as fans to want to enjoy the big game in all of its high-definition glory. HDTV comes in different prices and sizes. Whether it is DLP, LCD and Plasma. Consumers are confused on what to buy because of their unfamiliarity with the technology.

Studies show that nearly 60% of HDTV buyers are not sure on the difference between LCD, Plasma and Micro Display. Many HDTV shoppers do take time to research but still need to be guided on which product is appropriate for their demands and budget.

          

Cable companies have strengthened the demand for HDTV, as there is already 17 channels that offer HD programming. In addition, HDTV prices have sharply dropped over the past year and some sets cost as lows $1,500.

Comcast has reported that its roster of HDTV customer agents has ballooned to 1,100 and they answer queries and take orders from subscribers. The company has also deployed 1,100 HDTV technicians to assist in setting-up the products at homes.

Terms of HDTV

HDTV - a new breed of TV that combines the capabilites of a HD-tuner and HD-ready display. Nearly all of HDTV’s being sold in the market today use the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. An HDTV tuner can receive analog and digital broadcasts over-the-air.

HD–compatible TV- only composes the high-resolution display. Can only accept digital broadcasts if hooked with a separate HDTV tuner. HD-compatible TVs can have the 16:9 widescreen ratio or the square-ish 4:3 aspect ratio.

Starting on HDTV

A recent study by the Consumer Electronics Association indicated that 71% on consumers it has surveyed plans to purchase an HDTV set soon are already planning and saving up. However, one reality in the consumer market today is that store do have the right number salespeople that have a good grasp on new technoliges.

Most are more concerned on making a quick sale rather than making it easy for the consumer to understand what he is going through. Translating or explaining complicated technology terms is never an easy task.

It's hard enought to expain the difference between HDTV and analog TV and it will be more complicated to clearly tell the difference between HDTV and EDTV.

Setting up HDTV

When you decide to jump into HDTV give yourself time to become familiar with the technology. An HDTV setup normally consists of the following, HD-ready TV, receiver, antenna and HDTV service provider. Many HDTV's nowadays already have a built-in tuner, eliminating the need to purchase an independent box.

TO help you in making the right choice here some of the most popular HDTV products now available in the market.

Receiver

The DIRECTV HR10-250 High-Definition Television satellite receiver is the ideal for those that want to get the most out of watching crystal-clear HDTV broadcasts. The HR10-250 can receive and decode digital signals from DIRECTV’s high-resolution broadcasts. The satellite receiver also features a built-in hard drive digital video recorder.

                  

HD-broadcasts feature images rich in detail and surround sound makes a room alive and vibrant. HR10-250 HDTV satellite receiver can be connected to any HD-ready TV and home audio system.

Specifications:

» HDTV DIRECTV tuner — receives and decodes digital

High-Definition Television signals from DIRECTV’s satellite broadcasts and local

free-to-air broadcasts with the use of a compatible antenna.

» receives digital TV broadcasts in 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i

» dual ATSC tuners

» can record up to 200 hours of standard-definition digital TV

with its built-in hard disk digital video recorder and up to 30 hours of

HDTV

» manual timer recording by channel and time

» Season Pass™

» 1 set audio/video outputs (composite, S-video, component video,

HDMI)

» Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down buttons — ratings system from TiVo

» HDMI, HDMI-to-DVI, component video, S-video, composite video,

and telephone cables

» 1 year warranty

                   

Dish Network HDTV

A Menu Of HDTV From Dish

by panji

The Dish Network is among the top direct broadcast satellite companies in the US. Dish offers satellite audio and television across the US and is operated by its group, EchoStar Communications Corporation. Dish was introduced in 1996 at the same of its chief rival in the cable television market DirecTV. The company’s headquarters is located in Englewood, Colorado.

Dish Goes HD

In launching its HDTV service, the Dish Network first used an 18-inch satellite dish dubbed the Dish 300 to enable its subscribers access a particular signal from a single satellite location.

Currently, Dish is using 20-inch satellite dishes it calls Dish 500. This allows subscribers to access satellite locations at the same time. Considerably larger dishes such as the Dish 1000 and SuperDish have been rolled out and these enable reception of satellite signals from three satellite locations.

The Dish 1000 gets signals from satellites at 110°W, 119°W, and 129°W, while the two SuperDish’s gets feeds from119°W, 110°W, and 105°W and 119°W, 110°W, and 121°W.

The importance of SuperDish and Dish 1000 continues to grow, as the company is constantly increasing the number of programs available in HD. Dish is hopeful that it can improve its offerings for national and local US television network stations and international programming.

The Dish Network has been using the DVB-S broadcasting standard for their channels for several years. However, changes in the MPEG-4 system have been a must due to the introduction of HDTV, which eats up a huge amount of bandwidth. To cope with the situation, Dish announced that all of its new

HDTV channels will only be available in MPEG-4 starting February 1 2006. Dish will maintain its lineup of shows under MPEG-2. Subscribers of Dish will be able to receive the new shows with the use of a new Digital Video Recording that can be availed via an upgrade fee.

Dish plans to eventually convert its entire programming, which includes standard-definition channels and high-definition, to MPEG4 for it to further expand its channel lineup. Dish’s is using Dish 1000 system that pulls from 129 and 110/119 orbital slots for its new MPEG4 system. The MPEG-4 HDTV is being served by the 129 orbital slot. This setup also allow Dish to provide HD Locals-into-locals.

Dish’s HDTV Most Popular HD channels

HDNET MOVIES - Channel 9423

                               

HDNet Movies in Dish has boasts of a massive film library that features the most memorable releases from Sony, New Line, Artisan, Buena Vista, Paramount Warner Bros, Lion's Gate, MGM and Universal. This HDTV channel also features works from the top leading independent producers and HD movies from world television premieres.

HDNET - Channel 9422

HDNet from the Dish Network has a wide array of HDTV programming. The selection includes documentaries, travel programs, live sports, special events dramas, concerts, news features and the popular HDNet World Report. HDNet is the total package in HDTV

                  

ESPNHD - Channel 9424

ESPN HD from the Dish Network gives the widest selection and most diverse program line-up of sports available in the market. ESPNHD offers a mix of special events/series event programming, and anything that comes with sports. Truly ”A Revolution in Resolution.”

GALLERY HD - Channel 9472

Art matters! Gallery HD brings art to life in vibrant HDTV. Discover creativity in the artist's own words with our original series, Art in Progress, and see great museums in stunning detail on Gallery Tours. And Collector Weekends features the world of collectibles plus exciting live sales.

DISCOVERY HD - Channel 9421

Discovery HDTV from the Dish Network has one of the largest lineup of HDTV programming in the world today. Discovery HD Theater features captivating programs about wildlife, science, nature, and technology and world culture.

                   

ANIMANIA HD - Channel 947

ANIMANIA HD from the Dish Network features some of the most exciting animation program in HD. Prominent title include Flatmania, Pet Alien and Ratz and even remastered classing like Mr Magoo, the Pink Panther, and Felix the Cat. This is cartoons at its best and never been showcased as good as before.