How to Convert Basic Dish to HDTV

Your service provider can replace standard-definition equipment with HD equivalents.

Generally less expensive than cable service, satellite dishes read signals broadcast from satellites and transfer them to a receiver, which plays the images and sounds through your television set. High-definition service, with over twice the resolution of standard service, works in much the same way. However, the amount of data being read is similarly increased, so you must use a new dish and receiver, different cables and a compatible TV set.

Things You'll Need

• HD television with HDMI compatibility
• HDMI cables
• HD receiver
• HD dish

Instructions

1. Set up an appointment with your dish service provider to replace your dish and receiver with HD upgrades. Make the appointment at a time when you have a large window of time available, since technicians can often only give an estimated time of arrival.

2. Plug your new receiver into your television with your HDMI cables. You can use older component cables, but you must plug them into five separate slots. Simply match the cable end to its color-coded slot on the TV.

3. Open your TV options menu with your remote control and change the aspect ratio of your video options until it fits your television. Raise the resolution from the point it was at previously.

References

• Dish Network: HD Receivers