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Step 1
Decide what type of TV watching you like. Standard receivers allow you to watch regular programs. If you want advanced features or an enhanced experience, you need a digital video recording (DVR) and high definition (HDTV) receiver.
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Step 2
Determine how many TV sets will use the receiver. Dish Network for example, provides you with two types of basic receivers. The DISH 311 receiver works for a single television set. The DISH 322 receiver allows you to view different programs on two individual TV sets. DirecTV provides subscribers with one standard receiver–DirecTV Active.
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Step 3
Compare features of the receiver. Typical features include parental controls that enable parents to restrict their children from viewing certain channels and programs. Other features to compare include the ability to pause live TV, fast forward commercial breaks, view a TV channel guide and record programs.
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Step 4
Evaluate digital video recording (DVR) receivers. The DirecTV DVR receiver with TiVo and the Dish Network DVR receiver with video-on-demand enable you to digitally record up to 100 hours of programs. You can also simultaneously record two programs or watch one program while recording another.
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Step 5
Assess receivers for high definition (HDTV) capabilities.
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Step 6
Evaluate combination receivers. DirecTV can provide an HDTV DVR with TiVo receiver that allows you to view and record programs in high definition with Dolby Digital audio.
