Couple Questions

[Hodagger]

Still understanding this HD stuff...

I just switched to DirecTV from TWC because I wanted all channels to be digital regardless of HDTV programming.  I had an old DirecTV receiver that will cover one room but now need to purchase a HD DTV receiver for my HD projector.  

My 2 questions are which HD receiver should I get? - I see a hughes for $500 and a Sony for $900 on the Best Buy website and dont see much of a difference?  Is there one I can use for both DTV and OTA signals? Thoughts?

Second, will I get Network Channels in HD - FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS - through DirecTV?  I thought so but now dont see them on the DirecTV site as available...

Thanks in advance...

[Gregg Lengling]

You can order the local package which includes the local broadcast stations...however these will be the analog versions, Directv is not carrying any HD locals at this time.  However the analog version via Directv is rather good.  As for the difference in the receivers, it's personal choice.  Some have better and faster menu's and options.....I'm still using the DTC100 RCA that is built into my set, and although it's slow, I find that the quality of all my signals...satellite, OTA and OTA HD and Satellite HD are all great.

[StarvingForHDTV]

$900 sounds like a lot for the Sony.  I bet you can find one cheaper online.

One nice feature of the Sony is the ability to change output resolutions via remote.  For instance if you are set at 1080i and want to watch a 2 hour movie on a OTA station with built in sidebars, you can simply switch to 480p output and get rid of the sidebars.  Things will look stretched or whatever but there is no risk of burn in.

Other than that I'm sure it's just faster menus and stuff.  Oh yeah the Sony has DVI in case your projector accepts that.

Good luck,

Starving

Edit:  Oops.  Yes the Sony does OTA and DTV.  I think the other one does too.  You will need an antenna for free digital locals (most likely minus Fox for now).

[Timgb]

I was told that Directtv and Dish have no plans at this time to add ABC, NBC, FOX, OR CBS due to the bandwidth not being available.  Any word if this will change.

[d_bohne]

From all the research I've done (mostly on AVSforum.com), I plan on purchasing the Samsung TS160.  It integrates DirecTV and OTA extremely well (and cable if you have that too).  It also has a lot of nice features like caller ID, DVI out, and a very fast menue.  I would look into it.  There aren't very many choices out there.  Samsung, Zenith/Sony (same internals, both made by LG Electronics, different remote and appearnce), and Hughes.  Toshiba has a new unit coming out (supposedly early fall, but it was originally scheduled for late summer).

Check out this link, it has some info and great links:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=179095

-Derron

[sdn10s]

Have had the Sony box for a few months now and have been very happy with it. It offers the same integration as the Samsung, although no games or Caller I.D. The menu graphics are heads and shoulders above the Hughes. You can compare the Sony and the Samsung at Flanners; not sure if they still have a Hughes box there or not. I was set to "pull the trigger" on the Samsung, but went with Sony based on prior satisfaction with my other DirecTV receivers of theirs, along with other various Sony electronics I own and have owned.

[Bebop]

Just got my T-160 yesterday, it came before my HDTV. Ordered it for $500 and on the last day of the offer.

It picked every digital channels Milwaukee had to offer with the exception of Fox (What a joke, the signal meter was reading between 0-10%. If the local low power stations with less money can put up a good signal. What the heck is wrong with them?) and 18 keeps breaking up (signal 33%). My cable is on a splitter and the run is kind of long, half RG6 and RG59 . That might have explained the channel 18 problem.

Even thou I don't have a HDTV the PQ is amazing. It's basically DVD quality, no ghost or noise. For some reason, DirecTV is giving away 3 months of local channels for free. I was comparing the three sources: OTA, SAT, and Digital. Digital was the winner.

I love the way the T-160 intergrades all the sources. The cable TV input still puzzles me .

Not so patiently waiting for my DLP .

[rkohlmann]

I have had my TS160 for a few weeks now and really like it.  

The main reason I got the TS160 is that I feed one of my home coaxial lines with the signal from this box so that I can watch D-TV on any TV in the house (without the extra D-TV box).  I beleive the TS160 is the only receiver that puts out a continuous signal from the TV out RF coaxial connection....the other boxes cut this signal off when you connect up one of the other output signals.  

Other than this, my research seemed to show that the various boxes all functioned very similarly.

BOB


FYI - I bought the unit on eBay for about $420 (open box).  New ones on eBay go for about $475, while used or factory refurbs normally sell in the $375 range.  One word of caution....make sure the unit you buy includes the card - otherwise you could get stuck paying another $50 for a new one.