Business Communication Today

DISH Network HDTV Receiver

When you subscribe to DISH Network’s satellite TV service you get all the equipment you need for satellite TV viewing - a dish and a four-room receiver system. But what if you want to watch your programs in high definition?

Well, you’re in luck. You can upgrade your system and get an HDTV receiver for free when you place your order

DISH Network HDTV Receiver Features

DISH Network HDTV receivers have a host of features including:

* An integrated off-air tuner for high-definition and standard over-the-air reception.

* An electronic program guide with on-screen navigation so you can see what’s on satellite TV.

* Parental locks so you can prevent your children from watching inappropriate programs.

* Interactive TV so you can watch six screens at once, and on-demand entertainment, games, shopping, news, sports, and weather.

* A universal remote control that operates your HDTV receiver, your television, your DVD player, and your VCR.

* Video and audio outputs so you can connect your receiver to your stereo or a home theater system.

* Dolby Digital Surround Sound for a three-dimensional listening experience.

* A telephone jack so you can receive pay-per-view programming.

DISH Network DVR/HDTV Receiver

DISH Network also offers a combination DVR (digital video recorder) and HDTV receiver, but this one’s not free. It’ll cost you $199.

A DISH Network DVR/HDTV receiver has all the features of the HDTV receiver mentioned above, plus the following:

* Digitally record up to 200 hours of your favorite shows (30 hours in high-definition mode).

* Record two programs at the same time while watching another program.

* Pause live TV so you can get a snack or answer the telephone, then resume watching TV when you’re ready.

* PIP (picture-in-picture) so you can watch two shows at the same time.

* View and record programs on two separate TVs.

Bottom Line

If you want the clearest picture and the best sound when you watch satellite TV then DISH Network’s free HDTV receiver is what you need. And if you want to record your favorite programs in digital format with the click of a button, and don’t mind spending the extra $199, then DISH Network’s DVR/HDTV will complete your satellite TV package.

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VoIP, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, is a new technology that utilizes the routing of voice conversations over the Internet. Basically, individuals can now use their broadband Internet connections to place phone calls rather than using their traditional phone lines. Ideally, the sound quality is the same as that of a standard telephone line and therefore the people on the other end of the phone call will never know the difference.

The technology, though complex, is quite direct. The VoIP provider takes the regular, analog voice conversations and converts them into data that can then be sent across the Internet using a high-speed broadband connection. At the other end of the call, the data is converted back into an analog signal that the conventional telephone system can deliver to the person whose number was initially dialed. All of this is accomplished seamlessly while using normal telephones at both ends. In other words, you don’t have to speak through your computer’s microphone in order to get the most out of VoIP services.

There are many advantages to switching over to a VoIP service, but the biggest one is cost. For the most part, long-distance and international calls will be significantly less expensive for individuals using a VoIP service rather than a traditional long-distance or international plan. Most VoIP service providers also offer a number of additional free features already established with traditional phone plans, such as Call Waiting, Caller ID, Voicemail and more.

There are other advantages as well. For example, because of the convergence between your VoIP phone service and the Internet, some providers will even allow you to receive Voicemail messages as email attachments. Also, if you have a cable broadband connection, you may be able to keep your current telephone number as well.

Signing up for a VoIP plan is actually quite simple. Really, all you need is a broadband Ethernet connection such as DSL or cable, any touch-tone phone (corded or cordless) and a credit or debit card with a U.S. billing and shipping address. Your VoIP provider will supply you with the proper phone adapter upon signing up, usually at no additional cost. As for the person on the other end of the call, all they need is a regular phone. They don’t need to use a VoIP service or even have an Internet connection for the call to go through.

Lastly, although VoIP calls are placed through your Internet connection, they will not affect your ability to use your computer. Thus, if you wish, you can continue to surf the web and send emails while you’re on the phone. Also, because VoIP utilizes your Internet connection and not your computer, your computer does not even need to be turned on in order for you to place a call.

Will Thomas is a staff writer for