HDTV – What’s the Deal with HD?
Standard definition TV (SDTV) has been dealt a seemingly fatal blow. HDTV is making more and more inroads into the living rooms of consumers around the nation. What’s the deal with HDTV? Why the big fuss over simple television programming? What does this form of TV offer you and your family? HDTV may be the biggest thing to hit TV since the inception of color. It takes a static environment and turns it into a dynamic viewing experience with “active watching”.
What’s active watching? Simply put, it is the act of actively engaging in a dynamic presentation. As such, it is drastically different from watching standard television. While your standard television shows may be sufficient to “hold your interest” for an hour or so, HDTV ramps up that enjoyment to entirely new levels. HDTV creates a vibrant picture, incredible texture and provides amazing detail. The pictures are so real it seems like you can actually reach out and touch them. Yes, this sounds cliché, but there are few more apt descriptions of the situation.
High definition TV provides you with many of your favorite shows, sports, events and much more, all in incredible detail and vibrancy. You’ll find that your enjoyment reaches entirely new levels with any HDTV package.
What about the different formats available? What’s the difference between 720p and 1080i? Can you find all HD formats with both satellite providers? The different HD formats refer to the size and the quality of the picture. Simply put, the higher the number, the better the resolution and the larger the picture. For big-screen HDTV’s, a higher resolution is required for optimal viewing. Of course, you can watch in other formats, but the picture will be smaller, usually in “pillar box” format.
As far as satellite companies supporting HD formats, the answer is “yes,” both DIRECTV and Dish Network support all formats of HDTV. However, the comparison ends there. DIRECTV is the uncontested leader in HD programming, with an incredible selection of channels and packages available. The sheer number of available channels can be somewhat surprising, as can the number of new channels introduced. Recent introductions are HD Pay-Per-View channels, HD sports channels and HD sports packages. Imagine watching Sunday football and all but feeling the bone-crushing tackles!
As you can see, HDTV is the wave of the future. While standard TV is finally moving to the digital platform and select local stations are broadcasting in HD format, the only place to get your fix of HD programming is through a satellite provider. Cable companies don’t even enter into the equation. That said, choosing the right satellite provider is vital to your enjoyment. Making the wrong choice can leave you wondering why you bothered to buy an HDTV in the first place. DIRECTV is the only choice for TV lovers, sports nuts, movie buffs and everyone else who wants to watch high quality HD programming.