High Definition Video Sources
To gain the added brightness, clarity and detail that high definition has to offer, you need a high
definition television set. Consumers, seduced by the remarkable color and detail, as well as the thought
of reclaiming space in their family room due to the reduction in set thickness, have rushed out and spent
a few thousand dollars to purchase a HDTV set. Many have reached home and hooked it up to their cable,
digital cable, Dish Network, Direct TV or DVD equipment, only to be disappointed that the picture wasn’t
as good as the picture in the store.
Picture quality largely depends on two factors; the capabilities of the TV monitor and the quality of
the source material being sent to it. Many consumers forget (or are unaware) that their new HDTV sets
need a high definition source to reproduce the picture quality seen in the store. To watch high definition
broadcast television, you will need to hook the television up to HD digital cable, Dish network or DirecTV
HDTV equipment, or use an antenna to receive over-the-air HDTV broadcasts. If you are a movie fan
and watch a lot of DVD, then you will need a progressive scan DVD player, capable of up-conversion to HDTV
resolution; or you need to step up to a HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc player.
If you have been watching TV or listening to the radio recently, you are no doubt aware of the big push by
satellite and cable companies to convince you to stay with or switch over to their respective services.
Over the past decade, Dish Network, Direct TV and other direct to home satellite providers have been helping
themselves to a bigger and bigger piece of the lucrative pie that cable companies have feasted on. So the
battle is on cable vs. satellite, or more precisely, digital cable vs. DirecTV vs. Dish Network. On the
DVD front, another battle is underway, as HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc campaign to be the high definition
replacement for DVD.
All combatants are campaigning hard, offering rebates, free installs, discounted programming bundles
and still fitting in a jab or two at the competition. Consumers are taking up sides (just check any
consumer electronics internet forum).
To help you decide which is better for you, consider the following.
