Technology changes in the blink of an eye for most of us. Of course, it takes years for new products to hit the shelves, but we do not recognize this unless we follow the technology world. A lot of us dont keep up with the new technology we cant afford so when we are faced with the technology after a few years or even exposed to it on television we still have questions. There are still people out there that do not understand what HDTV means. Below is a little information on what HDTV is.

First HDTV stands for high definition television. I know makes a lot of sense now, right Okay so HDTV is a digital signal transmitted from the broadcasters to the service providers who then transmit the signal to you. If you have satellite TV you are already receiving HDTV signals, however you may not have the proper television to transmit the signals to your eyes. Along with a growth in technology comes the need for new televisions that can produce a high quality picture, which means you have to have these televisions to gain the HDTV signal given by the broadcasters.

The signal is usually 1280x 720 pixels on a normal television screen. Pixels are what makes the picture.The more finite the pixel the better picture.If you have seen a photography enlarged from a 46 print to an 810 you probably saw the image as less clear. This is because of the pixels. Larger televisions use to show these pixels because of a lack of technology now it looks like any other television picture.

 
 
 
 
 
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Satellite TV vs. Cable
Feature
Feature
Digital Cable
 Basic Package
$29.99
$51.42
 Local Channels
$5.00
FREE
 Additional Rooms
$5.00
$10.00
 Total Monthly Cost
$34.99
$61.42
Based on national average
We'll show you how DISH Network is at least twice as good as cable.
(and costs less too)!
Location
Apartment Or a single-family/duplex home
A clear line of sight from a dish antenna to the southern sky is necessary to receive a direct signal from the satellite. Nearly 98 % of all residences are able to have a dish antenna.
True Digital
Is the cable provider in your neighborhood offering analog-only, true digital, or a hybrid analog/digital service? Satellite signals are considered to be the highest quality as they are first generation (directly from the Broadcaster to you). Digital Cable cannot be considered "Truly Digital" as it is generally a fourth or fifth generation signal relayed from sub-station to sub-station before reaching your residence. The relay of Digital Cable diminishes the overall quality of your picture and sound.
Programming Packages
Cable packages range from neighborhood to neighborhood, whereas satellite packages are the same across the nation. "Digital cable" offers nearly as many total video and audio channels as satellite but at a slightly more expensive price per channel. Savvy viewers need to think ahead about what channels or types of programming they want to see, and chose packages accordingly.
Leasing Options
Leasing vs. cash up-front vs. normal "free" offers are typically provided by the satellite providers. The cable operators typically offer a "lease" model whereby consumers pay a small percentage of their monthly bills to "lease" the set top box. These need to be investigated and compared.
Interactive Features
Not much interactivity is available at this stage from cable providers, except for electronic programming guides (EPGs) made to look like satellite guides. Satellite offers EPGs and a new line of services from DISH Network and DirecTV. DirecTV offers TiVo, for recording, but at an upfront cost of around $400 to buy the receiver. While, DISH Network today offers its 508 series set-top box, with free basic personal video recorder functionality at a cost of $49 at time of activation. This has also been supplemented by DISH Network's 721 series, allowing consumers to simultaneously record one program and watch another. These interactive TV services offer personal video recorders - which pause, record and rewind live broadcasts -- plus enhanced broadcasting are only offered on Satellite.
Internet Connection
This is one area where the true advantage goes to cable. 2-way satellite offerings do exist, however, at soonest, satellite is still several years away from a price, speed and quality that readily competes with cable's. Yet, cable internet connections are only available in select areas, whereas Satellite connections can be established anywhere the United States, Canada and Mexico.
HDTV
Cable still is facing problems delivering HDTV. Both DISH Network and DirecTV offer HDTV programming. DirecTV, with its single LNB (the receiving end on the Satellite Dish) will experience bandwidth problems as programming increasingly switches to HDTV. DISH Network has planned ahead and has launched innumerable programs to ensure unlimited bandwidth capabilities.
Bundled Packages
Again, advantage cable. Some larger cable systems offer telephone, Internet and video services all bundled together. Satellite does not. And why would they want to Satellite companies stick to what they do best-offer the best TV packages at the best prices.
How many TV's
Previously, Cable's almost nationwide "lease" model allowed the maximum number of set-top boxes to be served at the lowest cost-per-set compared to satellite operators. Nonetheless, satellite (DISH Network in particular) has recently catching up here, and new "additional box" plans of up to 4 receivers are being offered to the consumer at a better price than cable.
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