Panasonic TU HD S20

[mike jacobi]

Do any members own this HDTV converter for DIRECT TV? Are you happy with it? Is it "old technology" such that I should wait until The next generation Samsung T-160 is released so I have the "best" converter?  

[Todd Wiedemann]

Hi Mike.

I have it and I know that Steve Mann has it as well.

I am quite happy with it and would buy one again. People are quick to jump on its 'slow' menus and channel changes. Perhaps I'm more patient than most people, but I don't think it's at all bad. It is even better since the major software improvement they did a few months ago.

I like the fact that it has what they call a 'hybrid' mode; 480i --> 480p, 720p --> 1080i. That's important since my Mits 55819 will not output 720p (which we'll supposedly have in 2 weeks from WISN). It has optical audio out, which is a bonus. It does a great job with OTA and DirecTV. I won't go near cable so I can't comment there.

If you have any more questions, feel free to post !

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Todd.
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Mitsubishi 55819
Panasonic TU-HDS20
Apex AD-600A

[This message has been edited by Todd Wiedemann (edited 09-27-2002).]

[mike jacobi]

Thank you for the reply . Is this output in diferent DPI unique to Mits or also apply to SONY XBR sets?

[borghe]

If you have the money, I would honestly wait for the next-gen stuff to come out. Sony, Zenith, Samsung, and I believe even RCA all have new HDTV sat/ota boxes coming out within the next month or so, inlcuding firewire outs on some and DVI outs on others. Just my thoughts.

[mike jacobi]

Thank you for the reply. Not to sound dumb but what are firewire and DVI outs and what do they do? I do have the money to invest as I want to get the best, as I will use it 10 years. Also, can they call these features something else?