Noida, Uttar Pradesh -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/20/2010 -- Redefining television viewing in India, Dishtv, India’s largest Direct-to- home company, has today announced the launch of High Definition (HD) Service - Dish Tru HD on its platform. This offers the best high definition audio video experience to its viewers and takes television viewing to an entirely new paradigm.

The Dish Tru HD creates an audio visual sensory experience that is far richer, deeper and more panoramic than standard definition viewing. Dishtv HD brings exceptionally clear, crisp pictures with vivid colors, upto five times more picture detail and upto 3 times enhanced sound quality, than standard definition.

For many years HD Ready TV’s are being sold in India but the consumers have been unable to enjoy the benefit of HD technology due to lack of HD distribution and HD programming.

For the first time, viewers will be able to unleash the true power of their HD TV by receiving an end to end HD experience from programming to distribution to the decoder at the consumer’s home all in the true HD format.

Speaking on the occasion Jawahar Goel, Managing Director, Dishtv said “The next level of digital entertainment revolution in HD, is all set to be unleashed. As the pioneer and undisputed leader in the Indian DTH industry, we are committed to delighting our customers and offering innovations to enrich their TV viewing experience. Dish Tru HD marks a significant leap forward, enhancing our offerings, expanding our product portfolio and providing our viewers an opportunity to enjoy the highest digital quality available. Moreover, Our partnership with leaders in GEC and cinema content – Zee, and with the leaders in sports programming - ESPN Star Sports, significantly enhances our content portfolio, to deliver best in class content to our subscribers and provide them their favorite channels in a superior viewing experience.”

Speaking on the occasion, RC Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, said, “ESPN STAR Sports has always set benchmarks in the way top flight sports is produced and consumed in Asia by its fans. In line with that, the soccer fans in the country will be able to enjoy FIFA World Cup 2010 telecast in high definition on Dish TV. The HD telecast will immensely enrich the experience of soccer fans as they get ready for the most eagerly anticipated sporting event this year. The ESPN STAR Sports bouquet has been on the Dish TV platform ever since its launch in 2004. The growth over these years has been very impressive and we believe that this partnership will only go from strength to strength in the future.”

Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) said, “The Indian consumer is today aware and exposed to the best broadcast technological advancements. As pioneers in the Media & Entertainment space, our endeavor has always been to complement entertaining programming with the latest technology. We are delighted that the consumers of Dish TV will now get to see our flagship channels Zee TV & Zee Cinema on the HD Platform that will offer great viewing experience for the Indian television audience.”

At the commencement of its HD service, Dishtv has an exclusive tie-up with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. to offer its flagship channel Zee TV and the most popular Hindi Movie Channel Zee Cinema on its HD platform.

In another first, Dishtv will offer football aficionados the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2010 on High Definition, which offers viewers a near-stadium experience with 1080i resolution.

Dish Tru HD Set Top Box is priced at Rs. 2990 with 2 months subscription of Platinum/ South Platinum Pack and 2 Months HD Pack which includes Zee TV HD, Zee Cinema HD, Discovery World HD, National Geographic HD and FIFA World Cup broadcasted by ESPN on HD

Rs.200 Installation Extra.

Dish Tru HD features:

• 5 times sharper picture clarity: Experience clear, more vibrant and sharper pictures.

• Theatre like stereophonic sound: A sound that gives the true cinematic experience.

• Variable aspect (screen) ratio: A normal 4:3 as well as 16:9 for wide screen HD quality experience.

• Vivid Colors: Experience true colors only with Dish Tru HD.

• HDMI: The High Definition Multimedia Interface transfers the HD signals to your TV, so that you receive the true HD experience.

• SPDIF connector: This would enhance your audio visual HD experience through the Home Theatre

• 1080i: 1080i is an interlaced HDTV video mode. It implies a horizontal resolution of 1920 pixels and a frame resolution of 1920×1080 or about 2.07 million pixels. This is an astounding ten times better resolution and picture quality.

HDTV is considered as one of the world's best digital broadcast platforms with a higher resolution than traditional television system. The images and pictures appear more clear and sharp and sound quality is also enhanced. HDTV will improve the viewer experience by about 5 times over a regular television.