When I originally got DirecTV about two years ago, I got a HD receiver/TiVo DVR combo unit and an 3-LNB intenna installed, with an additional omnidirectional off-air antenna for local HD broadcasts. Unfortunately the off-air antenna has always worked like crap and picks up very choppy signals on the occasions when it does work - unfortunate since I live in a major metropolitan area. Recently my brother signed on to DirecTV and got a 5-LNB antenna with his new HD/DVR receiver, which picks up the local HD broadcasts no problem. DirecTV has offered me the same setup for a $299 upgrade fee, but I'm reluctant to spend the dough since I paid $1000 for my HD/TiVo combo (yes, $1000 - I bought it at Best Buy the week after it was released). I want to get the benefit of better local HD receiption without trashing my current $1000 receiver. Do I have any options with my current setup? Will I need the 5-LNB antenna at some point for additional HD content from DirecTV? What can I do?

you don't necessarily need to upgrade your system but the hr10-250(model #) is onl;y mpeg 3. in august/september i'm not sure yet dtv is adding more networks to their current hd programmingand you will have to have the 5 lnb dish and the upgraded hddvr cause both are mpeg4 which is what the hd prog is going to be broadcast in.