I'll answer what I can...

If you only have a single LNBF dish and one receiver, it's possible to hook up more than one TV, but they will be required to watch the same satellite channel. You just need to run a splitter from the back of the satellite receiver to the TV's (or use different outputs for different TV's).

Depending on where you live, local channels are becoming available on both DirecTV and Dish. They're starting with the bigger cities. I think both companies' websites list the cities that currently have local channels available.

I have a Pronto with an RCA DirecTV system and have been very happy. The RCA's support discrete on/off. From what I've read here on Remote Central, the Sony x50 series do not. I don't know about the Dish receivers.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask more questions!
Bryan