text: Direct TV all the way. You have more channel choices and my favorite part is the information display so you actually know what you are watching, what it is about, if it is a repeat, etc. As far as HD if you are a new customer to Direct TV you get a lot of incentives (such as free HD reciever) I just signed up last month and it makes a huge difference. Right now, DirectTv only has a small handful of HD channels, but they have recently installed a new satellite and HD users are supposed to get a largely expanded choice of HD channels in June i think.