Few questions before I move over to Direct

[strogonowski]

Once C31 is offered I'll be looking at 2 of them plus H34 and one HD receiver just to have an extra tuner in case something happens to H34. Now the questions.
1. I currently have RG6 quad shield running in my house to each room from the basement. RG6 is about 8 years old (came from Comcast). Is the going to be good enough or does it have to be 3GHZ rated?
2. Will I need anything extra to get the boxes on internet or do I just plugin into LAN port on H34? I have CAT 5E running everywhere.
3. Which HD receiver does usually come from Direct? Do I need to specify one during the order so I have no issues with playing back recorded shows from H34? Or should I go with extra HD DVR if its free, I think monthly cost should be the same.
4. I'll be also interested in the AM21 unit for all local channels, do I order that at the same time? How does AM21 work with H34, will I see all local channels in the guide?

Never had Direct TV before (I know everything about Dish) but wife is missing her shows on AMC so the time has come.
Thanks for all the input, I'm sure I will have more questions as the time to switch nears.

 

[Mr Tony]

1. should be fine
2. I have mine hookd up through ethernet just fine. They normally bring the part if you didnt have Ethernet nearby
3. The only ones guaranteed are the Tivo (THR22) and the HMC (HR34)....The HD reciever really doesnt matter but if you dont get a C31 then most likely it will be a H25 which is the newest (not including the C31). It has its own tuner
4. You can order it for $50 on the Directv site ($50+sales tax). The HR34 will scan for what channels you can pick up. Normally there is a database that the AM21 would scan. If the channel wasnt in the database it wont show. Now the HR34 scans those in but it will say "regular programming"
If you are in "Chi-Town" as you say these stations will have guide info

WBBMDT 2.1
WMAQDT 5.1
WMAQDT2 5.2
WLSDT 7.1
WLSSTA 7.1
WLSDT2 7.2
WLSSTA2 7.2
WLSDT3 7.3
WLSSTA3 7.3
WGNDT 9.1
WGNDT2 9.2
WTTWDT 11.1
WTTWDT2 11.2
WTTWDT3 11.3
WTTWDT4 11.4
WYCCDT 20.1
WYCCDT2 20.2
WYCCDT3 20.3
WWMELD 23.1
WCIUDT 26.1
WCIUDT2 26.2
WCIUDT3 26.3
WCIUDT4 26.4
WFLDDT 32.1
WWTODT 35.1
WWTODT2 35.2
WWTODT3 35.3
WWTODT4 35.4
WWTODT5 35.5
WCPXDT 38.1
WCPXDT2 38.2
WCPXDT3 38.3
WCPXDT4 38.4
WSNSDT 44.1
WSNSDT2 44.2
WPWRDT 50.1
WYINDT 56.1
WYINDT2 56.2
WYINDT3 56.3
WYINDT4 56.4
WXFTDT 60.1
WXFTDT2 60.2
WJYSDT 62.1
WJYSDT2 62.2
WGBODT 66.1

 

[strogonowski]

Thanks for the response, looks like the AM21 will be a good investment with all the locals in the guide. All I have to do now is wait for C31 to show up on Direct site to place the order.