I ordered Directv using AAA and a HDTV from Amazon, but it looks like installation will be before the HDTV gets home, so can I use the Standard Tv with a HD receiver?
as long as your TV has inputs OTHER than RF, in other words, yellow, red & white RCA inputs you're OK. These are usually referred to as "line" inputs, or video inputs in your menu. If you have ONLY an RF input you're scrod.
AS HDinCincy said. Additionally make sure in the receiver setup that you tell it that you have a 4:3 tv. If you are using component or hdmi connection set the resolution to whatever your sd set can handle. If you are using composite or s-vid connections then it doesn't matter (always 480i).