Need STB(sat + OTA) Recommendation

[Dan]

In the process of working with Sound Design setting up HDTV HT in our new house. Looking for advice on a STB. I will be using Direct TV HD dish with A RPTV(room size dictates 65") Any thoughts of a STB? Will order over internet if necessary. I have heard Hughes makes all or Most of the STB gutsd and it really does not matter which ones you buy because the internal components are the same. Differences only exist in the form of cosmetics and form factor.

Comments/opinions are appreciated

Dan

[AndrewP]

As for the sound:
Dish Network can provide DD 5.1 with several ch. (HBO, SHO, Stars, ...) and sound is very good.
I heard that DTV ddoes not have DD 5.1. Maybe I am wrong.

Andrew

[borghe]

Yes Andrew, you are wrong.

DirecTV provides DD5.1 on HBOE/W/HD. STZE/W, HDNet, and all Showtime channels (including HD), along with regularly about 1/2 a dozen PPV channels.

But back on topic, no Hughes doesn't make all of the guts. Actually they only make the guts to one readily available unit, the Hughes E86. The other two (Mits and Toshiba) are not very readily available. The readily available boxes (besides the Hughes) include the Zenith SAT520 (think that's the model #) and the Sony SAT-HD200. Both of these are the same. The Samsung SIR-160. The RCA DTC-100 is also around and can probably be found the cheapest, although it is becoming rarer to find outside of ebay.

Which one is best? I don't know. I personally have the Hughes E86 and think it's a great receiver. I did have my first one die on me in under 30 days but I exchanged it without problems and the current one has been working flawlessly for over 6 months now.

What I would honestly recommend is looking for the cheapest unit between the RCA, Hughes, or a last years model on ebay. The HD DirecTivos are going to be out later this year and sinking serious money (over $450) on a receiver right now just doesn't seem viable when starting sometime in Q4 HD receivers with DVR are going to start becoming more common. JMO

[MesaV]

Good advice Borghe, I like the Sony but your finance's will dictate which STB you buy.  Just make sure it has the fiber optic for 5.1 sound and component output for HD.
Also, DirecTV has HD PPV movies on channel 198.

[ugyvel]

Right now, at least for me, most of the HD material is OTA.  The only stuff you pick up with Satellite HD right now is HDNET and HBO, Showtime for some HD movies.  So, for the time being I have a cheap OTA receiver (samsung 150 which works fine) for HD and my TIVO Directv receiver which I love.

When a lot more HD content is on Directv AND the new HD TIVOS are out, then I will invest the money in a Sat HD receiver.

Total monthly subscription cost $39.99 (with local channels for the tivo).  Samsung cost $349 (six months ago).  Fairly reasonable interim investment until next generation of recevier techology and HD programming expansion.

Ultimately, I would expect we'll have HD sets in more than one location around the house.  After upgrade, the current receiver could be used in another room.

Still, when Directv starts carrying ESPN HD, it'll be hard to wait for the HD TIVO receiver!

[Dan]

Thanks for the advice. I will likely get a moderately price STB for now and purchase a HD DVR later. I currently have 3 Direct TV , Tivos and cannot wait for HD Tivo.

Dan