Dish Network made an interesting announcement today. After the successful launch of its Echo XI satellite Dish Network will soon be offering HD programming at full 1080p resolution. The 1080p service goes along with the roll out of the TurboHD program, which dish calls the industries first 100% all HD package.

Starting on August 1st Dish says that a proprietary update is being rolled out to all MPEG-4 HD DVR receivers that will enable the 1080p resolution. The update will make dish network the only set-top boxes capable of displaying 1080p programming.

I'm taking this with a grain of salt. My last experience with Dish Network was a farce. I was on its HD service for a total of 3 hours before I cancelled and went to DirecTV. I had Dish installed in my new home after being very specific about wanting HD locals. When the installer finished -- after 8 hours and complaining constantly that I wouldn't let him run a cable down the front of my house rather than through the attic -- HD locals weren't even offered in my area.

Via Dish Network