Best Satellite System for HDTV : EchoStar/DISH Network Model 6000 HDTV Receiver

Make no mistake, once you see high definition digital television you will never want to go back to watching "your father's" TV. Our current analog system was originally designed about 60 years ago. With digital HDTV the old saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words" was never more true. You simply have to see HDTV to believe how good it is. Most people have not even seen HD, and even fewer realize that they can have it now, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; but they can, thanks to both Direct TV and EchoStar/DISH Network. Both of these satellite services offer full-time HD channels at NO EXTRA CHARGE as well as first run pay-per-view movies.
So which do you choose: EchoStar/DISH Network or Direct TV?
EchoStar/DISH Network made the choice easy, by offering the least expensive (yet top quality) solution with its new $500 Model 6000 set-top receiver. Less than a year ago, HDTV receivers cost $1500 to $5000. EchoStar/DISH Network surprised the industry with the introduction of the Model 6000, which most experts agree is not only the "best", but also one of the true bargains of the year, as well. No matter where you live, you will no longer have to wait for your local stations to make the digital era of television available to you, because you can enjoy it now with this $500 EchoStar/DISH Network solution and an HDTV ready set or monitor. Speaking of monitors, HD monitor prices have fallen as well, and you can now get a good one in the $3000 range.

Why not Direct TV? As I mentioned earlier, both Direct TV and the EchoStar/DISH Network offer HDTV. However, EchoStar/DISH Network goes the "full mile" for you and humbles Direct TV's paltry effort by giving subscribers:

1. much more HDTV programming; HBO and Showtime, a full time HD movie PPV channel and a full-time HD Demo channel;



2. a great "bargain" receiver;



3. the best sound; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound is often available, while Direct TV has been "slow-walking" on 5.1; and



4. the better picture, as EchoStar/DISH Network passes the full bit rate necessary for the very best picture, including the correct widescreen aspect ratio. If all of this weren't enough, I understand that Direct TV is now "fudging" by truncating the bit rate transmitted to you, thereby providing less quality in the signal you receive. Why would Direct TV do this? To save bandwidth, that's why. It appears it would rather devote this extra bandwidth to some of the other "zillion" channels it already offers or maybe even add more of its countless pay-per-view movie offerings. At the rate Direct TV is going, I suspect we'll soon see a channel devoted to the Norwegian Dancing Bears or perhaps even a Shepherd's Channel. Everyone has heard the adage "500 channels and nothing worth seeing", well, how about just a few HD channels?

Come on, Direct and get with the program. If you can't be the leader, at least TRY to follow EchoStar! EchoStar/DISH Network is the winner of our Best Award.