Switching to Direct TV advice???

I am pretty sure that I want to switch from Comcast HD to Direct TV. From all that I have read here and heard from others, I am inclined to think that my new Pioneer Pro-111FD plasma will utilize the improved signal and I also have heard that the audio is much better too. What I am looking for from the forum are any suggestions as to what I should or should not request in the way of equipment,etc. to assure that I get the best service that I can. I want to use the HD DVR with the KURO Elite, and for now I only need an SD box for the BRM and for the under counter TV in the kitchen. However, we don't use a STB for the kitchen as my wife needs the space. Also, we live in a very rainy part of coastal Georgia, so I'm wondering if I should prepare for an OTA "backup" plan. If I do try for the OTA, how do I do that best? I called one of the toll free numbers from their website over the weekend and was told (after I asked) that the HR22 was the latest HD DVR. Is this true? Also, I have access to a family cabin and have heard that if I pay for a "didh" to be installed there, I can use one of my STBs there without having to pay any additional monthly service charge. Can anyone share their knowledge of this sort of arrangement? Thanks for any help or advice

Thanks to all for your help. Sorry for the delay in a reply, I had to go out for a while. Does this AM21 that was mentioned require any monthly payment? Should I request this in advance and have it installed aling with the rest of the system? If I get a dish for the cabin, what soes that typically cost? BTW, the cabin is about an hour from our home in Savannah, and as such I would be viewing the Savannah local stations etc. From what I remember, I believe that I have to call in advance and request that our service be temporarily suspended and then reactivated once we arrive at the cabin. That seems a rather convoluted process, but perhaps that's how it works??? We have a decent antenna there now (rotator, signal booster, etc.), so I might just buy a DTV converter and call it a day. It just seems tempting to get all those channels with VOD, movies, sports, etc.

Thanks again to all for your help. I hope that I can return the favor at some point. I'm not sure about the tuner in my TV, as it's new for me. It's a Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD. I know that it has a tuner, but I'm embarrased to say that I'm not sure exactly what it is It would be nice to be able to record something that might come up OTA. Now I guess I have to find out what kind of antenna I'll need It's only money