Sorry if it's in the wrong forum guys, but I think it belongs here... I have Dish now...Standard def only...I'm a little perturbed wtih their service, since they do not offer any of the smokin' deals to their existing customers....So I am shopping. Have looked at Time Warner, and now Directv...THEY are telling me I need 3 receivers, (and a fee for each additional receiver, ) to get Hd to 3 rooms. Does this sound correct? Will their receiver output through HDMI and Coax or component at the same time? If it does output both at the same time, I can distribute the HD to the third room and save on one receiver fee. (Via my hub). Otherwise, I may forego the third room HD since it is just a bedroom tv...(Still hard to stomach , if I am paying for HD service....) I do not have HDMI switching or matrix at this time. I do have a Component switch, and my Coax hub can distribute to the third tv if it can broadcast via F connector....

You'd have to check the particular receiver you are getting. The old Directv HD-DVR I had did not output both at the same time, but I believe the new unit HD-DVR does output both HDMI and component simultaneously.

You can split the HDMI with a 1:3 splitter or use one HDMI and a 1:2 component splitter (no switching needed). HDMI can have problems with splitters so it's not a slam-dunk that it will work. Of course with this route, all TV's have to watch the same program.

My Directv HD-DVR receiver does not have an RF output thus no F connector.

P.S. If you call Dish and tell them you are thinking of moving because of better deals elsewhere, they will likey make you a good offer to keep you. I've received deals from Directv that way to upgrade to HD.

It definetely depends on which receiver you are getting whether or not component and HDMI will work at the same time. I do know that most cable companies disable all other outputs if you are using the HDMI. I also know that the DirecTV HR21-PRO box will allow the component output to stay active while you are using HDMI but that box is a bit pricey at $599.00 MSRP. It is a beautiful box though. Here's the thing though. DirecTV "HD" is only broadcast in 720P as far as I know and, in that case, component will handle that with no problems whatsoever so HDMI would not even be cost effective. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

Steve

My Directv HD-DVR has both 720p and 1080i output settings so I assume it outputs both resolutions. There would be no need for both outputs if they only broadcast 720p since all HD tvs will handle 720p even if they are 1080i or 1080p capable.

DirecTV also outputs 1080i. Component will still handle it, though.

Thanks for all the responses guys, If I am just signing up, I'm thinking it will be the latest HD DVR?

P.S. If you call Dish and tell them you are thinking of moving because of better deals elsewhere, they will likey make you a good offer to keep you. I've received deals from Directv that way to upgrade to HD.

Nope, Definitely not the case with Dish. They are so arrogant that no matter how many times you suggest this, they just continue on with their spiel: "I understand sir, and you are certainly entitled to do what you wish..." The difference, for me, this time, is that I am no longer under their filthy contract. The last time I threatened to move to their competition....they had just "moved me" (which consisted of setting up a new dish at a rental place.) which locked me in to another 18 months....I have the leverage here and I'm not afraid to use it!!!:)
Definitely great news, I am not overly concerned about having 2 of the sets watching the same channel, as the bedroom is the secondary set, and the primary for that receiver would be my Projector in the theater (HDMI, DVI, VGA, and Component) .

Recent upgrade via phone line. It shows the ability to output 1080p if TV is compatible, but I haven't found a program broadcasting in 1080p yet. Everything HD is still 720p or 1080i AFAIK.

I believe the 1080p content is going to be VOD (video on demand) content.

This keeps getting better! :confused:
Called Dish today to verify that I am indeed out of contract. When asked why I wanted to discontinue my service, I told them exactly what I thought. (That I have a 49 dollar a month package that I am paying 60 bux for.) Well, NOW they want to offer me something as a "current subscriber". I find out, also that they are billing me 5.00 a month extra for an "upgrade" from the old 301 receivers to the new DVR!!!! WTF!?!?!?! We are never allowed to upgrade the equipment to take advantage of new technology? Kind of s**tty way to make a buck I think. (On the backs of your customers that have been with you for 10 years or more...)
Add the 5 bux a month for local channels, 5 bux more for, "not having a phone line hooked to the receiver". That explains everything that I have been trying to get an answer for 3 years. They wanted to "save me as a 'valued customer'", by , get this, getting me to give them my credit card # for "autopay"...ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!?!?!!
Another option would be to upgrade and get on another contract. I am not interested in their service any longer, after the treatment I have received from them. (Turbo or not!!!)
I am leaning toward Directv, but they want a two year contract as well, so I am a bit wary of that. The price lock is only for a year, and I am thinking that the price will go up to the larger ammount...(They offer 23 bux a month off they "regular" price right now...calling it a "rebate".) Any experience with that, guys??

It used to be a no brainer to pick Direct TV. But in recent years their customer service has really went down hill. In my experience they are catching up with Dish in this regard. Which still lead leaps and bounds in the realm of bad customer service. I say this being a Direct TV customer as well, also going on my 4th new DVR in my family room.

What are you cable options in the area, how about FIOS?? We are seeing where they are not requiring contracts to start up service. You usually negotiate one against the other to get a better start up package as well.

No FIOS in my area... I have been attempting leverage, and I must say, so far, the people at Directv have been very nice to deal with. (It may have been a sales pitch yesterday, but) The guy I spoke to, had offered a second HD receiver at no charge...Supposedly a 99 dollar value....

I've had DirecTV for about 10 years now with no complaints. I'm on my third DVR now, the first was SD and the next two were HD. (The change to the second HD-DVR was required because their new satellites went from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 compression and the old DVR wasn't compatible with MPEG-4.) Two were free, and one I paid for.

If you do go with them and want a DVR, check on when they may be coming out with a TiVo verison of their DVR. Their old DRVs were by Tivo but the present one I have is their own design and it doesn't have as nice an interface as the TiVo. But I read they are gong back to TiVo for their next design, so it would be good if you could get that.

you might want to check out your local costco stores and see if directv is promoting there. their promo is something like $60 with HD & locals and 1 HD-DVR and 4 SD receivers including all fees & installation for the first year and only goes up to $80 for the succeeding years. very, very good deal. it's just that i am not yet willing to give up my TiVo HD with cablecard just yet...

I must be the only one on Cable in here. We have Time Warner and have been satisfied. The DVR interface (it's an SA8300HD) is nowhere near as nice as Tivo but it is functional. We pay around $110 a month for HD Cable, DVR and RoadRunner internet. Haven't made the leap to VOIP because I use several business lines. TWC is probably a little more expensive but I have no issues with dishes on the house or lost reception during storms which my neighbor continually experiences. He's contemplating making the switch to cable.

OK, so I made the switch to DTV...haven't had much chance to mess with each box yet but here's what I have gleaned thus far.
They do not have "dual tuners" on the DVR or HD receivers. Not sure if I can record two shows at the same time...any experience? The tech was pretty good, but they sent him on a Sunday, so it felt like he was rushing to get out of there. I have seen a few connection issues that I am disappointed with. I am also disappointed that he just hacked in to my existing cabling that Dish installed. I mean, I realize that he needed to use it, but it is just snipped off...where they had 3 lines coming in from my "Superdish" now there is only one from DTV? anybody?
I do love the HD picture, I will get an extended HDMI cable to go to the second set, so I will be running component to the projector, I think and then HDMI to the second set.
How is the "RF" setting on their remotes? Will it interfere with the second receiver? Now, both are set at IR, but the projector is in the basement and the second set is in the bedroom on the main floor. I think the receiver will be in the basement, in the cabinet with the HT stuff and run the HDMI up...
I'm sure more questions wil arise.
Thanks, guys...

OK, so I made the switch to DTV...haven't had much chance to mess with each box yet but here's what I have gleaned thus far.
They do not have "dual tuners" on the DVR or HD receivers. Not sure if I can record two shows at the same time...any experience? The tech was pretty good, but they sent him on a Sunday, so it felt like he was rushing to get out of there. I have seen a few connection issues that I am disappointed with. I am also disappointed that he just hacked in to my existing cabling that Dish installed. I mean, I realize that he needed to use it, but it is just snipped off...where they had 3 lines coming in from my "Superdish" now there is only one from DTV? anybody?
I do love the HD picture, I will get an extended HDMI cable to go to the second set, so I will be running component to the projector, I think and then HDMI to the second set.
How is the "RF" setting on their remotes? Will it interfere with the second receiver? Now, both are set at IR, but the projector is in the basement and the second set is in the bedroom on the main floor. I think the receiver will be in the basement, in the cabinet with the HT stuff and run the HDMI up...
I'm sure more questions wil arise.
Thanks, guys...I am not sure what model receiver and DVR you have, but I am assuming it is a DTV brand. Look on the back of your DVR...there should be two satellite inputs so you do have dual tuners. If you only have 1 line running to the box that could be a problem unless you have the single wire multiswitch. I don't use RF, but there are a gazillion RF addresses (but only 2 for IR) so you should be able to set each box to it's own address or if you use RF on one and IR and the other there will be no problem (the box has to be set up for EITHER IR or RF control, not both).

OK, so I made the switch to DTV...haven't had much chance to mess with each box yet but here's what I have gleaned thus far.
They do not have "dual tuners" on the DVR or HD receivers. Not sure if I can record two shows at the same time...any experience?
The DVRs are dual tuner -- you can record two things, record one thing while watching another, or record two things while watching a previously recorded event. They do not have dual live buffers, though. That simply means that you cannot have one tuner on one channel and the other tuner on another channel and toggle from 1 to 2 and rewind to see what you have missed while you were watching the other channel. The workaround for that is to record both.

All outputs are active simultaneously (includes optical and coaxial audio), which means that you can connect the local set via HDMI and run component to another set.

There is a network connection, which lets you do OnDemand (near) and Media Share, which lets you view pictures and listen to mp3s that are in your Windows Media Player 11.

There is also DIRECTV2PC, which lets you watch stuff that is recorded on your DVR on your computer.

You can schedule recordings via the internet. If you're at work and you hear about something that is going to be on, you can log into your DTV account online and schedule your DVR to record it. You can also schedule OnDemand events via your account on the web.

OK, so I made the switch to DTV...haven't had much chance to mess with each box yet but here's what I have gleaned thus far.
They do not have "dual tuners" on the DVR or HD receivers. Not sure if I can record two shows at the same time...any experience? The tech was pretty good, but they sent him on a Sunday, so it felt like he was rushing to get out of there. I have seen a few connection issues that I am disappointed with. I am also disappointed that he just hacked in to my existing cabling that Dish installed. I mean, I realize that he needed to use it, but it is just snipped off...where they had 3 lines coming in from my "Superdish" now there is only one from DTV? anybody?
I do love the HD picture, I will get an extended HDMI cable to go to the second set, so I will be running component to the projector, I think and then HDMI to the second set.
How is the "RF" setting on their remotes? Will it interfere with the second receiver? Now, both are set at IR, but the projector is in the basement and the second set is in the bedroom on the main floor. I think the receiver will be in the basement, in the cabinet with the HT stuff and run the HDMI up...
I'm sure more questions wil arise.
Thanks, guys...

DirecTV was going to incorporate a SWM into their dishes. Must have happened, at least in your area. If SWM is there, you only need the one cable to the whole house and only one to each DVR.
EDIT: And you'll be able to record from both tuners in your DVRs with the single wire.
(SWM=single wire multiswitch)

Great info here!! Thanks a million guys....Just waiting for my 35 ft HDMI to get here to get everyting done...