Television has undergone many improvements since its invention and each improvement soon became such a normal part of the television watching experience that going back to the way it was before would seem primitive. Digital television was like that about a decade ago when it was introduced (though some cable subscribers still don't have access to digital television) and now analog television would seem very grainy and blurry. And, even though digital television seems really clear and sharp to people who watch it, with the advent of high definition television, standard def digital television will also soon seem substandard.
The changeover of standard definition television to high definition is just a given at this point. It is just a matter of time before everybody is watching their programming in the newer format. What this changeover means for television viewers right now is that, in order to improve on the normal television watching experience, upgrading to high definition television is essential. All of the latest television innovations are based on the HDTV format, including the newest DVD players, camcorders, and new programming choices.
Part of upgrading to high definition television is trading in your standard definition Dish Network receiver for one of the high definition models. This is essential because the standard definition models are not designed to support high definition television. If you have a secondary television on which you don't mind watching standard format TV, the receiver might be useful there, but otherwise, you'll want to do a complete upgrade.
Once you have a HDTV receiver, your viewing options will increase and you'll be set up to watch the highest quality television now possible. Because HD receivers are able to play both standard and high def television, you will have the most possible viewing options. In fact, all of the Dish Network HD programming packages come with a combination of standard and high definition programming. While currently the standard def programming outnumbers the high def, the ratio of high def programming will increase in the coming years as more networks offer their shows in the new format.
When you upgrade your receiver, you have two choices. The first choice is the basic HD receiver, the ViP211. This receiver overall seems to be best used as a secondary receiver to bring high definition television to TV's other than the main one. I say this mostly because this receiver lacks the digital video recorder feature. For something as advanced as a high definition television setup, it seems a shame to forgo the best recording technology currently available. Of course, if you really don't care about the DVR, this receiver will serve you well even on your main television. It has features like the wide-screened electronic program guide, an Ethernet port, a USB 2.0 port, and Dish Comm compatibility. None of these features are found on the standard def Dish Network receivers.
The ViP622 DVR is the optimum choice for an advanced home entertainment system because of its inclusion of a digital video recorder and dual tuners. These features make it much easier to watch exactly what you want when you want and to take better advantage of the HDTV format.
Who knows exactly what television will be like in another decade, but for now, HDTV is the ticket to much improved television and Dish Network HD receivers are the way to get there.
