Satellite TV: HDTV satellite receiver

Leaps and bounds have been made with the quality of home entertainment since the development of HDTV's. HD stands for high-definition, a relatively young technology designed for televisions to deliver superior clarity, vibrancy, color, and life-like qualities to movies and TV programs. Televisions manufactured with HD technology are called HDTV's, or high-definition televisions.

With the increase in popularity of HDTV viewing, satellite TV providers have caught on and modernized their offerings by providing services specifically for subscribers with HD.

HDTV and Satellite TV
Like HDTV, satellite TV has seen a surge over the years in popularity, and has become the means by which many people enjoy home entertainment. Satellite TV providers quickly understood the increasing trend of HDTV's, and, to combine the two very popular entertainment tools, have created options specifically for subscribers with HDTV.
In order to access the offerings of satellite TV, satellite receivers must be installed. Satellite receivers are DVD player or VCR-like machines hooked up inside the home with like home entertainment equipment and make access to satellite TV channels and broadcasts possible.
Satellite TV providers now offer HD satellite receivers designed specifically to be compatible with subscriber's HDTV's. Dish Network and DirecTV, the two major satellite TV providers, both offer satellite TV receiver options, as well as access to special HD channels.

When considering a subscription to satellite TV, HDTV owners should peruse the special offers satellite TV providers have made available. The following are the available receivers from both DirecTV and Dish Network.

The DirecTV HD Receiver
This is the basic HD receiver offered by DirecTV is compatible with HDTV's and displays entertainment with the excellent clarity, sharpness, depth, and life-like quality HD is known for. It includes the following notable features:

• Widescreen images;


• Infrared and radio frequency remote which allows control of another television up to 200 feet away in a separate room;


• Parental controls for restricted or child-friendly viewing;


• Digital surround sound capabilities;


• The ability to store up to 30 hours of HD programming

The DirecTV Plus HD DVR Receiver
This HDTV satellite receiver combines the qualities of DirecTV's best traditional satellite receiver with those of the HD satellite receiver. Features include:

• HD trademark image clarity, crispness, and vibrancy;
• 5.1 Digital surround sound capabilities;
• 66% more HD storage than the basic HD satellite receiver;
• Watch and record both standard and high definition programming;
• Pause and rewind live TV;
• The ability to create instant slow-motion replays;
• Full screen, stretched, letterbox, pillar box, or crop mode viewing options;
• On-screen caller ID;
• The ability to record 2 shows while watching another;
• One-touch TV show recording;
• The ability to pause, rewind, and fast-forward recorded programs;
• Entire season TV show recording, which is automatically adjusted if a show schedule changes;
• A 14-day advance channel guide;
• Menus that allow users to search for programs by title, topic, or performer;
• Parental controls for safety restrictions or child friendly viewing;
• Local and personalized information such as weather and horoscopes.

The Dish Network HD Receiver
Dish Network's basic HD receiver is designed for use with one HDTV. It has many of the features DirecTV's HDTV satellite receiver offers and includes these notable features:

• Support of both high and standard definition programming;


• Receives HDTV digital over the air broadcasts;


• Supports as many as 4 television resolutions;


• 5.1 Digital surround sound capability;


• Widescreen viewing;


• On-screen caller ID.

The Dish Network HD DVR Satellite Receiver
Dish Network also offers a combined HD/DVR satellite receiver for use with 1 HDTV and 1 standard definition television. This HD receiver includes these notable features:

• The ability to record up to 30 hours of HDTV programming;
• Multiple viewing options;
• The ability to record programming on 2 televisions;
• 5.1 theater-like Digital surround sound;
• Widescreen Electronic Program;
• On-screen caller ID;
• DishHOME Interactive TV, capable of displaying 6 channels at once of on-demand
• programming such as weather, sports, shopping, news, and customer service.

Some of these HDTV compatible satellite receivers may require additional monthly subscription fees or costs, and all are available with a satellite TV system subscription from either satellite TV provider.