One of the many options you will have to select from when switching over from cable or standard TV programming to satellite TV is high definition programming, also known as HD. There are many ways that you can add this revolutionary new, more defined format of programming to your package, because each service provider has their own formula that they use to provide it. If you choose to, you can sign up for only high definition programming but this is rarely how most people receive their programming, because many popular programs still aren't available in high definition.

If you plan on adding high definition to your programming package when you begin receiving satellite TV then you may want top do a little research on what each provider has to offer and just how they offer it to their viewers. For instance, DirecTV has twelve channels of high definition TV programming which is somewhat less than the thirty or so that Dish Network has to offer their viewers. However; DirecTV will allow you to pick and choose from among their HD channels and select out only the ones that you want, while Dish Network requires you to purchase their whole repertoire of HD channels if you want to take advantage of this great new techonology.

So for the high definition fanatic who wants the maximum amount of HD channels, Dish Network might be their choice. At the same time, for the person who is only interested in a limited number of select channels such as science and nature, DirecTV might be the service provider to go to. High definition has been around for some time now but for many people how it works is still somewhat of a mystery.

High definition can only be received on a HD set, because it is a very data intensive format of programming. Also, a high definition set has a special TV screen that is very different from a standard definition TV screen. A high definition screen has twice the number of vertical lines of resolution and pixels in it and these are what the TV uses to produce the picture on the TV screen with.

Twice the number of pixels and vertical lines of resolution doesn't mean twice the clarity and distinction in the picture though, because it actually means a picture that is six times as defined and accurate. If you haven't seen a high definition TV playing yet then you are in for a big surprise when you do, because movie and science and nature almost jumps off of the screen at you when watched in high definition.

The term "high definition" also refers to the sound quality, because all high definition programming comes with Dolby digitized surround sound feature that brings a whole new dimension to your TV viewing. Its a CD quality sound that movie theaters have been using for years and now its available in your home. It sounds great right from your TV set but for an even better sound quality you can run it through your stereo system.