Brett theres only 2-3 high def channels on direct tv...and if they have basic programing chances are they only have the directv demo loop on ch.199 and who knows if thats hooked up or converged correctly...and analog IS going to be gone by 2006...the U.S. government is taking that bandwidth...tv stations DO NOT have a choice in this matter...your tv may have 900 lines horizontal...but can your tv even display 480p...no?...oh...ok...robert