I said:; >>>Yes. The signal form the satelite does not change. The different receivers in each room allow you format the digital signal to have an old TV in one room and an HDTV in separate rooms.<<<
Sorry for the typos/poor grammer; my wrist is in a splint and am having trouble doing even simple things like keyboarding and I was not clear.
The Satelite signal sends the same signal to everyone. Direct TV has 3 or 4 types of receivers. You and I have the basic receiver for old style TVs. They do have the HD receiver that allows that same signal from the satelite to format the signal in a way that allows the High Definition portion of that signal to be displayed on an HDTV.
Best Buy, for an example, is a partner with Direct TV and you can get the receiver from them also. Best Buy has some deals where, if you buy the HDTV from Best Buy, they will give you the receiver for free, or sell it at about half price. The normal price is about $250 from Direct TV, I think. If you get it, or buy it, from Best Buy or another retailer, it is the exact same receiver that Direct TV will sned you.
Also, note that some HDTVs incoporate the receiver right into the TV so you do not have to buy the receiver (they call it HDTv built in, or some such lingo). All you do is plug it in, screw the same cable you now have into the back of the HDTV, call up Direct TV and ask them to turn on the HDTV signal for your home and BINGO, you have it.
Direct TV HDTV service is about $10 dollars more per month than regular service.
One more thing--the number of channels that broadcast in High Definition is not that great right now, about 15 or so. Starting in the spring, I understand that the number of channels in HDTV will be boosted significantly.
Taking all these things into accont--more channels later, new models, better technology, etc., I think I will wait till the spring. I hate to do that since I just built a room addition on the home and the main TV room wil be in that room, but I think that will be the way to go, unless some deal I can't refuse comes along.
Happpy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for that wealth of information. I think I'm convinced to wait until Spring, too. Our current television works great when we thump it just right. :^)