Voom HDTV

UPDATE: Voom has ceased trading and no longer supplies satellite HDTV services. Dish Network is offering migration deals for former Voom customers.

Voom HDTV billed itself as the "most HDTV programming anywhere" and was the world's first satellite service built for HDTV. It had 39 channels of high definition channels which it broadcasts across the continental US.

Twenty one of these channels were exclusive, commercial free channels featuring movies, sport, music and entertainment.

In November 2004, Rainbow Media, Voom's parent company announced that it would increase the Voom content to 70 high definition channels in March 2005.

Voom HDTV used the Rainbow-1 DBS satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, which it claimed was "the most powerful dedicated direct-to-home satellite in the industry." The company claimed that its data throughput was 50% more efficient than its competitors.

The Voom HDTV set-top box allowed users to easily switch between satellite channels and digital local channels. It had a range of output options including HD-DVI and RCA phono. Users could decide how widescreen and 4:3 broadcasts were displayed on their TV, and a telephone line connection allowed system upgrades to be sent directly to the receiver.

Voom's remote control and on-screen menu were well-designed and easy to navigate. Programs were split up into categories such as sports, music, and movies and selecting a category lists all the upcoming programs in that category. Users could also set up a Favourites category.

Voom had already announced an HD-DVR before its demise, which will allow users to pause and record HDTV, and a Whole House Solution which will allow Voom content to be distributed to TVs around the house.

Voom HDTV pricing started at $199 installation and $9.50 per month or $499 installation and no monthly fee. There were two program packages, the standard Voom, and VaVoom which adds extra, premium channels.