Hughes HIRD-E25 "Gold Series" Deluxe DIRECTV Satellite Receiver
The best money can buy
This is primarily a review of the Hughes HIRD-E25 receiver, not DIRECTV programming itself.  I think it goes without saying that DIRECTV offers a great alternative to cable:  crisp signal, lots of pay-per-view choices, and good service, all for a reasonable cost, especially if you go with service on multiple TVs.  I highly recommend it over cable, which we switched from after just 6 months in our new house.<br />We've had satellite television for about a year and a half.  Originally, we had one Hughes box (this model - HIRD-E25) in the family room and an RCA box in our bedroom.  Well, not only was the RCA screen guide and remote different and less aesthetically pleasing (even though they both served up DIRECTV programming), but the RCA receiver went haywire after less than two months.  Various power, reception and remote problems.  So, we had it replaced with another Hughes HIRD-E25 and we haven't had one problem with either box.  Hughes receivers are known for being top-of-the-line and it has lived up to its reputation.<br />As far as the screen guide goes, it zips through the menu, although there's a delay in calling up the programming description when you stop on a program.  There's also some latency when changing channels (2 seconds), but I'm not a channel surfer so it isn't a material drawback for me.  The remote is small enough to fit comfortably in your hand and the buttons have a nice, crisp feel to them when depressed.  I also had no problem getting the remote to work with my TV.  There's an option that allows you to set up prerecording of particular shows using the screen guide.  But I never set it up and now I have a DIRECTV-TiVo combination receiver that has changed my entire viewing habits, making recording programs a simple as tying your shoelaces.  Check out TiVo (and my reviews of it) before you sign on as a new DIRECTV customer.<br />Bottom line - if you're buying a second box, go with Hughes.  If you have a choice in a new installation of DIRECTV,see if they'll install Hughes.