On Dish Network the HD channels are 9420 - 9484. If you dont get these channels you dont get HD. Whether or not your equipment (Dish receiver and TV) is capable and properly connected is hard to say based on your post. What model of DTV receiver is it? What model of Sony XBR? What type of connection do you have between the two?

I'm sorry, I mis-stated our provider. It's Direct TV, not Dish Network. (You can see how little *I* know about this.)

The Sony is model KV-36XBR450.
The receiver is Sony SAT-B55.
All was professionally installed four years ago, along with surround sound. I know at least Public Television is broadcasting in HD; I just don't know if we're getting HD.

From what I've read, it appears we do not get the HD feeds, since I don't see a charge for that on our Direct TV bill. Guess my question is whether our equipment could receive HD if we paid for the HD feeds, or if we need additional equipment.

Well the good and bad:

The good: TV is HD capable meaning you need an external HD tuner either cable/sat./or over the air to provide the HD signal to the TV. The bad is the SAT-B55 is NOT an HD tuner so you would have to replace it. The easiest way to do this is to contact DirectTV and tell them you want HD, they can upgrade your receiver and sell you the HD package. You may also need a different Dish and/or LNB, Im not so familiar with DirectTV so this is something they will have to tell you.

Ah-hah! Thanks Cseyer! I sure hope we don't need a new dish, as ours is up there on our 10/12 roof, just under the peak. Had to hire a separate person to place it.

We complicated our lives by thinking we wanted both the dish and an antenna. I still don't understand how to use the remotes. Think if we have to get a new tuner installed we will set all up to ignore the antenna.

I'll talk with Direct TV this week. I think this will add about five dollars per month to our very basic package. Still a lot cheaper than going to the movies, eh? And here I can control the SOUND LEVEL without resorting to ear plugs.

Thanks again for the useful information.

I don't know how up to date the below link is, but it shows the HD channels that Directv carries in Bold Letters.
You'll probably need a new dish as this table covers the 101, 110 and 119 satellites.
Directv is just now starting to deliver local HD with the launching of two new satellites, one of which is now up and operating at, I believe, 102 degrees.
Their first test market is Detroit, and they hope to have local HD available in 11 or 12 more of the largest cities by the end of the year.
They they are about to launch another satellite which, I think, will be located at 99 degrees.
If all goes according to schedule, and on time, they hope to offer local HD to all of the markets, as well as more national HD channels by the end of 2007.
This will require a new HD receiver and a 5 LNB dish.

Here is a link that might be useful: Directv HD Channels

Thanks, jimisham. So, it sounds like I should wait a while until DirectTV has its new satellites up and working in Chicagoland. And then I will need all new everything: dish, receiver, recorder. Oh, boy! More expenses. Maybe they will offer a "special" -- even though we are already customers?

Chicago should be one of the first markets for local HD by the end of the year IF the Detroit test is successful.
The next problem will be finding an installer who wants to install it in the middle of a Chicago winter. :)
If you're a long time subscriber, you might be able to get a pretty good deal. But they will want a two year commitment before they give you the deal.

jimisham -- I heard back from DirectTV. Looks like we may wait on everything until mid to late 2006, when they estimate the local HD will be in place. That will require a different HD DVD, beyond the currently offered HD DVD. (We, of course, have the non-HD receiver.) Our picture is still very sharp on the Sony XBR, so we can wait. Their reply wasn't clear as to whether we will need a new dish, too.

We have always been happiest with Sony; tried a projection TV once and exchanged it -- fuzzy. Thanks for your help.

I sure hope it doesn't take that long. I've read that if the Detroit tests go Ok, they'll start delivering HD locals to the 11 or 12 largest markets. I thought they were shooting for the end of the year. But Directv is not known for meeting deadlines.

HD is great on big tv's. I have had a 53" rptv for 4 yrs now and have only had HD for 1 yr but it is awesome. In your case since the tv is so small, you really have to sit fairly close to see the HD detail. I would say about 8-10 ft max. viewing distance. We get HD thru comcast cable. I know you have dish service but the local cable co. would probably hook you up for nothing and you could try it. we rent the HD tuner for $6/month so its no big deal. your tv is 4:3 aspect ratio so if you do watch HD programming it will be in letterbox mode. black bars on the top/bottom of the screen. kinda like watching DVD's. you do have a DVD player, right?

Hi joe_mn! Yes, our Sony XBR is 36" -- the largest we have owned, but small by today's gigantic standards. It's in our library and we can only get 11 feet back from it. Yes, we have a DVD player; most DVDs allow you to choose letterbox or full screen. I like the letterbox.

So, when we finally do get HD feed, will I gag at the pancake makeup on the news readers?

if you think DVD's are an improvement over regular programming as far as picture quality than you will enjoy HD. My brother-in-law has the same tv as yours and he got the same comcast HD tuner as I have and we really did not see that much of an improvement. of course I was only at his house for a few hours on a sunday afternoon so the programming was limited for HD content. HD is very sharp but I really notice how much the color seems to POP. it seems very bright and crisp. hows that for describing images? its hard to describe how something looks since it is subjective.