Way OT - HDTV
 

I recently bought a HDTV-ready wide-screen televistion set. We have Direct-TV through our apartment complex where we all use a single 1-meter dish. While we get a digital signal, it is not HDTV.

I am considering buying a Direct-TV HDTV satellite dish and receiver for $900 (from Frys). I want to be able to receive both the HDTV satellite signal and the local HDTV broadcasts.

However, I have heard "rumors" that Direct-TV and Dish Network are going to merge. They currently use different methods to receive the HDTV signal.

Does anyone currently have a HDTV television set and also receive a HDTV signal? Does anyone know about the merge rumors? Will I be wasting $900 if I buy the Direct-TV HDTV Satellite dish and receiver?

Thanks! :D

Specs
 

BTW, here are the specs in PDF format...

Digital Satellite Receiver Systems

I have the RCA DTC-100 HTDV receiver for Direct TV, but I don't have an antenna to receive the local broadcasts in HD. I just never got around to adding the antenna, I think it will be ugly on the roof, and there is more than enough in the 300 channels from the satilite. I haven't heard about a merge, but I would assume that even if they did, both types of broadcasts would continue. It would be stupid to stop one and piss off half of your customers (and I'm not sure that they are different either).

HDTV is awesome. There is supposed to be a new 1/2 hour program comin up on HD-NET (www.hd.net) about high performance boating on Lake Havasu that was shot during the AHBA Spring Poker Run in April this year. It's hear to stay.

The deal is DO NOT buy a HDTV sat reciever until the new ones come out. Frys is selling outdated units that should have been pulled off the shelf if they were nice guys. I HATE THAT PLACE. It is like a freeking zoo. They do have a lot of stuff that can save ya in a pinch. ANYHOW. There have been rumors lately that they were going to merge but I just talked to a guy at Dish and he said NO WAY for what ever that is worth. Dish Network is the only company out now that has a HDTV set up that will work with the new HDTV channels that are going to come out. Direct TV's does not. Their units will not be out until they are saying November or so. You should look at the RCA DTC200 as the best unit to integrate into a system. All the current ones will get you digital locals with a regular off air antenna.

Jon

Rumors
 

This is what I mean by "rumors"

EchoStar-HUGHES Merger

Lok at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

There is a lot of info there, I have a panasonic HDTV Reciever/Direct TV/Antenna tuner. It works well but changing the channels is slow compaired to the regular Direct TV Box (I use both). Right now all I get is the major networks and PBS (via antenna) HD Net which programing is lacking and HBO in (Via direc TV).

The problem is there is very little in the way of programming yet, If you are watching ABC for instance they may only have 1 show per day on in HD.

I will say this when you get HD you will be impressed. I cannot wait until more programming is in HD the difference is astonishing. Wide screen 1080i looks like you are looking through a window at the program. Detail is much much higher.

Look at : http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/ this will show you the current programming for what is on. Click the Tab "Whats on"

I have the Hughs Directv receiver and dish. The whole setup was a little over $500. It works great, but I have to agree that the programming is limited. You do get Dolby 5.1 sound though!

The box has two inputs, one for the dish, one for an antenna. You select the channels off of the same channel menu.

Downside - The boxes only output in HDTV or Standard. Not both at the same time. If you have multiple TVs hooked up to one box, this can be a problem.

Steve