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I am thinking about switching over to DirecTV from Cox cable, and was curious to the picture quality. Before you tell me how great satellite and digital signals are, let me explain a little history and my exact scenario:

1. I had Dish Network about 3 or 4 years ago, and it seemed to provide a great picture but lack of local channels and package pricing with Cox internet services plus a big falling out pursuaded me to move.

2. The first part of January 2006, I decided to try Dish Network again after being frustrated with analog channels on Cox cable and the fact you know have to use 3 services to get any discount (phone, internet & tv). I made the switch, and got hooked up with a dual DVR receiver unit. The first time I really watched any programming was during the Texas & USC college football game. It looked like total crap. My picture literally looked like a computer video that was blown up too big and pixelated/blur/trash looking. After several efforts, they couldn't get the picture right and after the fight of my life I *finally* got out of the contract for no charge.

3. I would like DVR service, and I have 2 rooms I currently need service in. I did like the dual tuner setup before because all recordings were stored locally on 1 machine, but after talking to some people I undertand that may have been part of my picture quality issue and that 2 separate tuners are best. Either way, I would like DVR service in both rooms.

4. I watch alot of sports, mostly football, and mostly on local channels. I have a Toshiba 55" big screen TV that is around 4 years old. Not pre-historic, but still the 4:3 ratio, and only 1 component video hookup which I use for my DVD player. So I would hook up the satellite with S-video. My other TV is a Sharp 27" model that is at least 6+ years old. The best hookup on that is composite video.

Given my past experience, I am very leery to try DirecTV just because of my bad experience with Dish Network and the nightmare of cancelling the contract when I wasn't happy with the service. The other thing is since I watch alot of locals, I want those to be just as clear. My experince with DN was that locals were always less quality than the other channels.

Can someone point me in the right direction? I would like to try for the fact it would save me money. And I heard that after March 1st, DirecTV is going to leasing. If I decide to switch I would like to do so before then so I don't have to lease.

Many thanks!