With regard to watching DirecTV, none of my previous trouble shooting fixed the problem. It was not until I started working the DirecTV coax path that the problem appears to have been resolved. The Foundation likes a clean DirecTV signal. I think it will handle a clean weak signal, but not a dirty strong signal, if that makes sense. You want a clean strong signal. (1) The DirecTV satellite dish needs to be grounded to your home electrical system ground, or some other legit ground that is up to code. (2) The coax cables from the dish also need to be grounded to the same grounding block prior to entering your house. With an improperly grounded satellite system, static electricity will build up on the dish, run down the cable and mess with your Foundation. (3) Once inside your house, avoid wall plates where the coax cable connects on the inside of the plate, and another cable connects on the outside. (4) The coax cable should not pass through a surge protector. The DirecTV technician that came to our house recommended very strongly that the coax cable should not go through a surge protector, and I've read this on the web as well. Evidently a surge protector can goof with the DirecTV signal just enough that the Foundation does not like it. I would try to have as few connections as possible in the coax path. If you can go from the dish to the grounding block, then straight into your HD Receiver, that is probably the best way to go. I’ve heard people say “it’s digital, either you have a signal or you don’t”, but I’m convinced that there are varying degrees of goodness when it comes to a DirecTV signal. As far as not running the coax through a surge protector, and being concerned about reduced protection should you take a lightning strike, your first line of defense is going to be the grounding block on the outside of your house. A direct hit is probably going to fry everything down the line anyway and you’ll take it up with your homeowners insurance. Since cleaning up our coax path, the HD picture is better and so is the sound.