My HDTV has 1080i what does this mean?

Is my HDTV running television in HD?

• I got Dish today, and I really can't tell if the HD channels I have are really displaying in HD on my personal TV (a 22" Vizio that can display up to 1080i). I mean, they *might* look slightly better, but they still don't look all that clear, and there's some weird echo-like lines on the text on the HD channels (it's hard to explain, hopefully someone knows what I'm talking about). However, they differ from the SD channels in the way that the HD channels are much more widescreen, with their being a lot thicker black bars at the top and bottom, while the SD channels take up most of the screen with some thin black bars at the top and bottom. Also, I went into the settings earlier and changed the resolution display from 480p to 1080i, but I didn't really notice any change in quality. I'm leaning towards the conclusion that I don't have HD because of the setup. The reciever is connected to an SDTV downstairs, while my HDTV is upstairs, connected wirelessly. Considering the connected TV is an SDTV, and I don't think HD would be able to be transmitted wirelessly, but maybe I'm wrong, because I have a much older and larger HDTV in the basement with it's own reciever, and as far as I can see, it's only connected with composite cables, and to me, it looks great.' So, judging by all this, can anyone tell me if I have this TV running in HD? If not, how can I get it to?

• Answer:

  You need to plug your HD receiver in with a HDMI cable or component cable, composite only goes to 480p. The dish receiver should say HD receiver, if it doesn't then you need to call dish to get a HD box. And if you want HD for your basement tv you will to need to connect it with HDMI or component cable to.