Newest of Newbies- head is spinning!

[WorldCup]

Have been a long time black box cable borrower, this site has helped make a decision to switch over to emulation. Have been reading and reading and reading, many different decisions and many different thoughts about purchasing on ebay. Have a HDTV ready tv and am in the market to buy a system, have been told different opinions from people on ebay. Is it accurate to say I will invest approx. $400 to $500 to set up for emulation (Receiver,H-card,cables,ect.)? Will I have to search specially for a receiver that will allow me to program and receive HDTV? Last question, I have a neighbor 2 doors down that is a manager for Dir.TV, should I look into a diff. system? Does it matter?

[fordruid]

Originally posted by WorldCup
Have been a long time black box cable borrower, this site has helped make a decision to switch over to emulation. Have been reading and reading and reading, many different decisions and many different thoughts about purchasing on ebay. Have a HDTV ready tv and am in the market to buy a system, have been told different opinions from people on ebay. Is it accurate to say I will invest approx. $400 to $500 to set up for emulation (Receiver,H-card,cables,ect.)?

A little less than that (and I don't really trust ebay for this stuff)

Will I have to search specially for a receiver that will allow me to program and receive HDTV?

I believe so.

Last question, I have a neighbor 2 doors down that is a manager for Dir.TV, should I look into a diff. system? Does it matter?

Don't say where you live, but is it a big city with more than one dealer and are you and him friends?