Which Ultimate DirecTV Receiver do I get?
 

I just got DirecTV and now I can't use PIP, unless I get an Ultimate receiver! These things sound like the greatest invention since sliced bread, but should I get the Sony one or the RCA one?
Also, any comments/testimonials about these things would be appreciated. I want to become an expert about this thing. I didn't set up my service so I don't know about access cards; what do I need Access Card 4 for? Do I have to subscribe to Ultimate TV like you have to subscribe to Tivo?
What's a good place to get this thing, I'm looking at Ebay and Circuit City. Anyplace else I should be looking? And if anybody is getting rid of theirs, preferably in the Washington, DC major metropolitan area give me a buzz at [email protected].

ultimate tv still exists??

Get the DTivo. you'll soon realize how little you need to use PIP.

Where's the option for "none of the above?" :D

I would avoid Ultimate TV like the plague. I had it from the beginning, along with my TiVo's, and I ended up selling the Ultimate not long ago. It wasn't nearly as reliable as my DTiVo's were (and are).

I have two DTiVo's hooked up to my TV, and can do PIP that way, if I want to. But, as djbrown mentioned, when you have a DTiVo, you don't really need PIP.

I say forget the Ultimate TV and get a TiVo, you won't regret it.

I agree with everyone who stated that you should forget Ultimate TV and go with a DTivo. I have one in my bedroom, and a Tivo in the LR. Never need PiP.

-Videophile

I can't recommend anything without eXtreme in the title. If they come out with the Ultimate receiver TO THE EXTREME!!!! pick that one up quick.

From the UltimateTV website:

UltimateTV receivers are no longer available for sale at retail locations. Microsoft will continue to provide support for current and future UltimateTV service subscribers.

http://www.ultimatetv.com/wheretobuy.asp

I do have one quick question about the DTivo's. Can you watch a show and record with the Tivo on another channel? I was thinking of getting the free 3-room DirectTV deal and was wondering about the DTivo.

Yep. Watch one, record another. Or watch another *pre-recorded* show and record two more at the same time.