An LNB is a low noise block converter. If your not a techie, it's the feed horn, or the part of your satellite dish that receives the signals. If you're planning to receive HD TV, you have to invest in a special LNB.

THE BEAUTY OF HDTV

After my receiver was updated, I tested out an HD channel. After doing so, it was so hard to turn back to the standard resolution channels. HD allows the programs to be more vibrant and have more clarity.

If you're using a regular CRT (tube) television, you probably won't notice that much difference. However, if you have one of the newer widescreen TV's (37 inches and up), the difference will be obvious. I'm sure that you will find HD programming as stunning as I have.

INVESTING ON A DIRECTV HD LNB

If you're looking to upgrade your current DirecTV satellite system, you'll have to consider the type of dish you have. There are 2 main dishes that can have HD LNB upgrades or replacements. They are the Phase II and Phase III dish.

If you have the Phase II dish, you can get a Sat-C upgrade. It's a simple kit that attaches and additional LNB to your current Phase II setup.

For Phase III owners, you'll have the 3 LNB block with HD compatibility.

Basically, these 2 dish types allow you to get channels from satellite 110. The previous satellite configuration allowed the consumer to receive channels from 101, 110 and 119 degrees.

FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE OF HD

With technology constantly changing, you'll have to keep up if you want the best in high definition. If you've decided that all you want is HD, you'll want to replace your whole system. This replacement includes the dish with LNB and the receiver.

When DirecTV introduced MPEG-4, equipment upgrades were necessary. With MPEG-4, consumers would be able to receive more channels since there was more compression. You'll need the DirecTV AT9 Ku/Ka Dish and a HD-compatible receiver such as the DirecTV H20.

With this MPEG-4 system, you'll be able to receive channels from more satellites. DirecTV satellite 99 and 103 degrees will allow you to receive even more HD channels and extend your local HD channel reception.