You have to commit to a one-year subscription contract when you get into Dish Network (or DirecTV). Both Dish Network and DirecTV are making money through the subscription fees in long term. Why get it on line?Greatest satellite TV bargains are always found on line. Dish Network retailer, like Dish Pronto and VMC Satellite, are the most aggressive Dish Network retailers, since their operating cost is awfully low compared to brick and mortar stores. They are the only one that can afford to bring you the best bargains in Dish NetworkWhat is the best hardware setup?2-rooms set up, 3-rooms set up, HDTV set up ? getting confused?The best hardware set up really depends on your visualize and your location.

Most people will be perfectly served by the multi-room systems right now. All the necessary equipment for up to 4 rooms, plus the installation, plus Digital Video Recorders are yours for the taking, FREE.In this package, with just $50 of start up fees (which they will credit back your account for the same amount), you are ready to enjoy your Dish Network. As mention before, these satellite TVs equipments are given life time warranty; you won't have to worry about receivers or dishes breaking down.Same thing if you want to receive HDTV. Until recently you had to buy special equipment (known as the Superdish) to receive high definition signals. Now you don't even have to.

As I explain on the Dish Network Superdish page, regular receivers (those that are freely given) like the HD-811 and the HD-DVR 921, can get all HD content. If you want to get international programming - the strong set of Dish Network - you will have to buy an additional dish antenna at the cost of $99 (at the time of writing). Do I need to install the dish my self? Nope, you don't need to do that. Dish Network retailer workers will install your satellite system for you and its totally free of charge. Instead of sweating it, just leave the installation works to a pro.

You will be getting an access card once your dish system had been installed. The access card is like a license for your satellite system. If you need further help in Dish Network, you can always

• Go to Dishnetwork.com technical assistance
• Check the remote control assistance page
• Check Dishnetwork.com troubleshooting section.

The best way is to talk to people you know - particularly those in the same apartment block. Failing that, user reviews on the Web are a good source.Amazon sells a number of antennae for HDTV and user opinion on them varies greatly. For example, this Terk HDTVi Indoor VHF/UHF HDTV Antenna gets slated by users, while this Gemini ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna, which is actually cheaper than the Terk, gets great reviews.As with any item of electronics, the key is to do your research. Find out as much as you can about the HDTV signal in your area, and if possible speak to people locally who are receiving HDTV via an antenna, before you buy..

For convenient viewing from multiple sources, the Olevia 32-inch and 37-inch feature dual built-in NTSC TV tuners for displaying split screens and Picture-in-Picture (PIP) capability. Several video and audio inputs are included such as HDTV component inputs (YPbPr and YcbCr 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i), VGA, DVI HDCP, S-video, and RCA composite and audio. When connected to a PC using the VGA input, the Olevia LCD TVs function as a high quality multimedia display highlighting their ability to simultaneously watch TV or DVD movies on half of a split screen while surfing the Internet and accessing email or PC documents on the other half. Two 15 watts (LT32HV) or 20 watts (LT37HV) speakers deliver high quality surround sound. The Olevia LCD TVs' thin profiles of 4.6-inch (LT32HV) and 5.6-inch (LT37HV) make them easy to attach to a wall using an optional VESA-standard mounting kit.

"The LCD-TV market has huge potential that can be realized only if manufacturers offer desirable products at affordable prices," said Riddhi Pattel, senior analyst covering televisions at the market research firm iSuppli Corp., El Segundo, Calif. Due to declining prices, North American LCD-TV sales will rise by a factor of three and a half in 2004, growing to 3.1 million units, up from 881,000 units in 2003. TV sets with screen sizes in the 30- to 34-inch and 35- to 39-inch size ranges will account for nearly a quarter of all LCD-TV shipments in 2004, says iSuppli. Price & AvailabilityPriced at $1,999 (MSRP), the Olevia LT32HV is available late November, and the $2,999 (MSRP) Olevia LT37HV will be available late December. To protect consumers' investments, Syntax provides a standard free on-site one-year warranty and options to purchase extended warranties.

Syntax's family of Olevia LCD TVs are currently sold through leading consumer electronics retailers including ABC Warehouse, American TV, CompuSmart (Hartco), Dakota TV, DataVision, hhgregg, Micro Center, RC Willey, Rent-A-Center, Staples, and many other authorized resellers."When we entered this exciting LCD TV market only nine months ago, we committed to our retail customers that Syntax would continue on its mission to offer feature-rich products, with the highest specifications, quality and competitive pricing," said Denis Karpeles, Syntax's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Our new Olevia LCD TVs and LCOS TV models are proof positive of our continuing dedication of delivering to the consumer what they demand at affordable prices." Olevia 50-Inch LCOS TV Now Available for Holiday Entertainment!For consumers who desire a large, truly affordable rear projection TV this holiday season, Syntax's new 50-inch Olevia LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) technology TV (LCT50HV) is immediately available from PC Connection (www.pcconnection.com) currently priced at $2,099.According to iSuppli, in 2005 the total Rear Projection TV (RPTV) market will grow 14.7 percent to 6.4 million units. Worldwide shipments of LCOS rear-projection TVs will rise to 32,000 units in 2004, up 164 percent from 12,000 in 2003, and increase 142 percent to 78,000 units in 2005. Syntax's Olevia 50-inch LCOS RPTV incorporates a three-panel subsystem (R,G,B) that allows excellent color reproduction and vivid images with a remarkable 1400 x 1050 pixel resolution. Utilizing a 1080i HDTV format with true 720P images, the 50-inch LCOS TV consists of liquid crystals on silicon, acting like tiny mirrors, with a highly reflective aluminum coating.

When light passes through the glass panels to the lens, it is either reflected or blocked, thereby modulating the light to produce bright, clear, stunning images under any room lighting. The richly-appointed Olevia LCOS TV features 1388 x 780 native resolution (1920 x 1200 under DVI and 1280 x 1024 under VGA), 16:9 aspect ratio, a typical 1000:1 contrast ratio, 1,000 Nits brightness with preset and adjustable modes, progressive scanning, 3:2 pull down, a wide 170/170 horizontal viewing angle, and 3D comb filter for sharp images. The Olevia LCOS TV includes NTSC signal support, noise reduction, five positions of Picture-in-Picture with three enlargement settings, DVI/HDCP inputs for current video equipment compatibility, and two 25W audio surround sound speakers. In addition to the Olevia's component inputs (YCbCr and YPbPr), it has a VGA port for connection to a PC as a 50-inch multimedia display ideal for use in corporate boardrooms.About Syntax GroupsHeadquartered in Southern California, Syntax Groups Corporation (www.syntaxgroups.com) is a complete vertically integrated R&D, manufacturing and channel sales company of high value consumer electronics and computer technology convergence products for the post-PC era. Through its joint venture company, DigiMedia (www.digimedia.com.tw), formed in Taiwan with Taiwan Kolin Company (TSE 1606.TW, www.kolin.com.tw), Syntax Groups controls a powerful end-to-end supply chain including R&D and manufacturing of backlights for its LCD TVs, optical engines for LCOS TVs, a strategic relationship with Chi Mei Optoelectronics (TSE 3009.TW, www.cmo.com.tw) for Olevia's high-grade LCD panels, mass production manufacturing of LCD TVs and LCOS TVs, quality control, channel sales, marketing and distribution with a solid back-end customer support program.

Syntax sells its full-featured Olevia LCD TVs though a rapidly growing channel network of consumer-direct online partners, and regional and national retail stores in North America, and internationally in Southeast Asia. To support the dramatic growth of its operations, Syntax recently relocated its corporate headquarters into new, larger premises located at 20480 E. Business Parkway, City of Industry, CA 91789.???? Syntax Groups Corporation and Olevia are trademarks of Syntax Groups Corporation. Contact:Pattie AdamsSyntax Groups Corporation909/859-8432pr @ syntaxgroups.comwww.syntaxgroups.com.

1080i is one of the two most common HDTV formats, the other being 720p (720 lines, progressive scan).Hollywood HD movies are shot on another format, 1080p. This is higher quality than the other two, as it mixes the higher resolution with the better-quality progressive scan picture.There is another important difference too. Hollywood HD is uncompressed, whereas the video shot by cameras like this Sony HD camcorder is compressed as MPEG-2. This compression inevitably lowers the quality of the video stored on the camera's DV tape. However, it's necessary because the HDR-FX1 connects to a computer using a FireWire cable and FireWire, whether it is the 400 or 800 variety, doesn't have the bandwidth to transfer uncompressed HD footage.

Even if it did, the sheer size of the files would make it impractical because of the large amoount of hard disk space needed to store it and the processing power needed to edit it.Another fly in th HD ointment is that, currently, very few applications are able to edit the footage from this Sony HD camcorder. However, that looks set to change,as Apple has already announced that the next version of its Final Cut Express and iMovie applications, due at the end of January, will be able to edit HD.HD video will eventually become a common consumer format, when prices come down and editing software is able to work with it. However, until a compression format is found that can squeeze the data contained in HD without noticeably reducing the quality, there will be little benefit over current DV format camcorders..

The signals are sent and received in analog format and it has worked fine for a long time. It has it's drawbacks though because analog TV signals can only hold so much data for the screen and sound, and an analog signal can degrade easily. Never fear though, analog TV will be fine for use for many years to come even after other technologies dominate. The good news is that analog TV sets are very cheap and you can get a lot for your dollar.Digital TV signals allow the data sent by the TV station to be much more dense and include more information without very much degradation of signal. So digital TV usually makes for a much better picture and sound, especially on DVDs.

Plus digital TV has made it possible for the newer standards of high definition programming. For the absolute best picture and sound the TV station should be broadcasting in high definition (or HDTV), and your TV should also be able to receive and process that HDTV signal and display it on on a high definition enabled screen. If all of this criteria is met the effects are just stunning.But many TV stations are not yet broadcasting in HDTV format because it requires them to invest lots of money in new equipment to do so. They have to have enough of a market to make it worth their while. So in the meantime, we have some stations who do broadcast in HDTV and many who still just send out analog signals.

However, all TV stations will have to comply with federal guidelines to be HDTV compliant within the next couple of years, so high definition TV is here to stay and will only grow in importance.In the meantime, you have your choice of buying an HDTV "capable" "enabled" TV if you choose to buy a digital TV. An HDTV capable TV means that it can process digital signals (like DVDs) but in order to display the high definition signal it will require you to purchase an additional tuner which you can buy later at any time. On the other hand, HDTV enabled simply means that the TV is fully capable of displaying high definition picture and sound right out of the box. The choice is yours. Either bite the bullet and get the whole HDTV enabled enchilada now, or defer it a while longer until HDTV programming is more standard.You also hear a lot about plasma and LCD screens these days.

The screens we have been used to for years are called CRTs, and they have worked just fine, but the main advantage of plasma and LCD screens are that they can be very thin to produce, usually they are only 2-3 inches wide and that makes them able to be mounted in many places that CRT screens just can't go. If you need that kind of screen, just bear in mind that plasma and LCD screens are still very expensive. There is nothing wrong with just getting a good CRT screen or a rear projection screen in the meantime as they can be had for not a lot of money and can still produce a great picture depending on the manufacturer.There is more to all of this telivision technology, but what we have covered should give you a good idea of what the different TV terms mean and arm you with enough information that you can now confidently choose the television that will work best for you..

DISH Network will also launch Nicktoons on its America's Top 180 package this spring.As part of the agreement, Viacom and DISH Network have settled all litigation between the two companies.About Oscar EmpireOscar Empire is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music, and comedy. Partnered up with Viacom's well-known brands which include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV Land, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. About EchoStar CommunicationsEchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves over 9 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network, and is a leading U.S. provider of advanced digital television services.

DISH Network's services include hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. DISH Network is the leader in the sale of digital video recorders (DVRs)..

The proven XPP-II technology in combination with optimized Codec software features the lowest power consumption and silicon area requirements of any potential solution, while minimizing design costs, risks and time to market. Customers can now start their hardware / software design with the SMeXPP release V1 and update software subsequently for additional Codec functionality. The main advantage for solution providers is a unique hardware platform for several standards while end-users benefit from high performance Settop Boxes or Smart Cameras that can be upgraded at any time by pure software updates"Availability of the SMeXPP Video SolutionsPACT's XPP-II processor IP, which is the basis for the SMeXPP video solutions, is available from the shelf. The release schedule for the SMeXPP Video Codec software libraries is as follows:- SMeXPP Application Library 1: MPEG2, MPEG4: ??? Q1 2005- SMeXPP Application Library 2: MPEG1, H.264, JPEG: Q3 2005- SMeXPP Application Library 3: WM9: ????????? Q4 2005About PACT PACT XPP Technologies is the leading solution provider for high performance reconfigurable signal processing tasks that demand extreme bandwidth and ultra low power. The company has developed the reconfigurable XPP? (eXtreme Processing Platform) technology that provides superior flexibility in the form of customer defined dynamically adaptable hardware.

PACT's XPP technology is especially well suited for the fast growing markets in Video Processing, HDTV, High-Performance Printers, and other heavy computational applications such as Software defined Radio.PACT provides IP-cores for integration into Systems-on-Chip (SoC) and application specific SoCs as well as solution libraries for the target markets. PACT's XPP differentiates itself by low power consumption, ease of programming, sophisticated development tools and application libraries. Please visit us at www.pactxpp.com.Contact:PACT XPP Technologies Inc.Peter Weber103 Altura VistaLos Gatos, CA 95032Phone: 408-374-9470www.pactxpp.comSafe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties including statements regarding the potential development availability of PACT XPP Technologies products. PACT XPP Technologies actual results may differ from the results described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, general conditions in the semiconductor industry or interaction of PACT products with those of other companies..

Codecs supported by Blu-ray include the H.264 MPEG-4 codec which will form part of Apple's QuickTime 7, and the Windows Media 9 based VC-1.The BDA says that although blue laser discs and players are already shipping in Japan, they won't ship in the US until the end of 2005 at the very earliest. It is likely that players will be very expensive initially, compared to DVD players. In Japan, they cost the equivalent of $2000. However, as with all new technology, prices will quickly fall - particularly as Blu-ray will be competing with HD-DVD for that space under your TV..

1080i is one of the two most common HDTV formats, the other being 720p (720 lines, progressive scan).Hollywood HD movies are shot on another format, 1080p. This is higher quality than the other two, as it mixes the higher resolution with the better-quality progressive scan picture.There is another important difference too. Hollywood HD is uncompressed, whereas the video shot by cameras like this Sony HD camcorder is compressed as MPEG-2. This compression inevitably lowers the quality of the video stored on the camera's DV tape. However, it's necessary because the HDR-FX1 connects to a computer using a FireWire cable and FireWire, whether it is the 400 or 800 variety, doesn't have the bandwidth to transfer uncompressed HD footage.

Even if it did, the sheer size of the files would make it impractical because of the large amoount of hard disk space needed to store it and the processing power needed to edit it.Another fly in th HD ointment is that, currently, very few applications are able to edit the footage from this Sony HD camcorder. However, that looks set to change,as Apple has already announced that the next version of its Final Cut Express and iMovie applications, due at the end of January, will be able to edit HD.HD video will eventually become a common consumer format, when prices come down and editing software is able to work with it. However, until a compression format is found that can squeeze the data contained in HD without noticeably reducing the quality, there will be little benefit over current DV format camcorders..

Our best players will have the opportunity to show off their driving skills in our booth, and the tournament winner will be announced during the awards ceremony."GameForce was founded in July 2004 by father and son team of Tony and Ryan Austin. The GameForce center, located on the second level of the Town Center promenade, is a gamers dream with 24 top-of-the-line gaming PC stations and two custom made X-Boxes stations displayed on 50" Samsung 5070 HDTV DLP TV's.Visitors can test out the latest game releases on the blazing fast 3 Mbit business class cable, and Game Force has an exciting line-up of tournaments and LAN parties throughout the year.Parents can appreciate that GameForce provides a safe and stimulating environment for youth. Lock-ins are available each weekend for overnight play for only $25 with food and drink provided. A focus on school is encouraged with free play time earned with good grades, and special events are held during school breaks.Game play can be purchased by the hour or with a multi-hour pass. Memberships are available at $20 a month or $200 per year and receive rate discounts, the opportunity to participate in game showcases and GameForce promotional events, and invitations to special events.Visit the GameForce booth at the Spring Car Show, or visit the center at 4429 Town Center Place, Kingwood.

They may be contacted at 281.361.3838 or visit www.gameforcecenters.com.This year's car show is sponsored by Doctor Larry's Automotive Specialists, A-Line Auto Parts, ACDelco, Cebridge Connections, Office Depot, Car Toys, Budweiser, A+ Transmission Specialists, Anderson Ford and Mercury, Tejas Toyota and Scion, Sterling McCall Honda, BMW of Houston North, Deerbrook Forest Chrysler Jeep, Kingwoodnow.com, Extreme Trailers and GameForce.The 8th Annual Kingwood Spring Car Show is scheduled for Sunday, April 24th, 2005. Hours for the event are Noon ? 6 PM. Parking and admission are free. The award ceremony will begin at 5PM. For more information, please contact Suzanne Juel at Kingwood Event Coordinators; email e-mail protected from spam bots; phone 888-386-8178.About Kingwood Event CoordinatorsKingwood Event Coordinators create and run community events for business owners, community associations, and groups interested in both profit and charitable endeavors.

We coordinate events within perimeters set by the event owners, and are capable of soliciting sponsors, vendors, entertainment, and more for individual or annual events. We provide custom services for each project we coordinate and we always have the highest standards and requirements for those participatingKingwood Event Coordinators ContactSuzanne JuelKingwood Event CoordinatorsOnline: http://www.kingwoodevents.comOnline: http://www.kwtowncenterevents.comPhone: 888-386-8178 x88.