Just bought an 50" HDTV upgradeable Mitsubishi V550111. Did not pick up the HDTV decoder.

Currently use roof antenna to two existing sets that are not HDTV capable (heck they're 13 and 18 years old).

Want to get DirectTV or Dish satellite. Customer service (the 1 800 crew) reps say 1. need decoder for HDTV satellite dish set up; or, 2. don't need decoder for HDTV satellite dish set up.

I didn't buy decoder because I thought the satellite dish receiver would tune and decode both over the air and satellite signals for HDTV.

So what is your experiences or suggestions.

Do I get the HDTV decoder and then order satellite HDTV package.

Do I just order satellite HDTV package.

Simply put do I need two boxes: a HDTV decoder and HDTV satellite receiver; or just a HDTV satellite receiver which will decode.

I got faked out and am a lil confused!

TIA

 

to pickup high definition broadcasts you need to have a HD decoder box, unless the decoder is built into the TV, most TV's are HDTV "Ready" so if you look on the back of the TV there should be a DVI input on the back (white plug several pins, kinda like a computer monitor plug) that should be where the decoder plugs into. If you get direcTV's normal setup you will just get satellite TV you may want to see if they offer a Satellite tuner w/ HDTV decoder built in otherwise you will need a decoder and satellite tuner.